Olive Oil Skin Treatments

Olive oil has long been used outside the kitchen--especially for beauty and skin benefits. Sure, I know what you are thinking. Any type of oil you use while cooking should be off limits for the skin, right? Not when it comes to olive oil. In fact, this type of oil is one of the most nourishing varieties for the skin, and has been used to treat many body issues like dry skin or hair.

Olive oil has many benefits for the skin. First of all, it adds moisture to the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains antioxidants, which are good for your body--inside and out. Antioxidants on the skin help renew cells for a younger looking appearance, and cancel out the negative effects that excess sun, pollution or even smoking has on the skin. Extra virgin olive oil is easy to find in any store, so use it on the entire body for soft, smooth skin. Here are a few ways to try it:

Hair

Use olive oil as a deep conditioner on dry strands or scalp. Take a tablespoon of oil and massage it into the scalp. Cover the hair with a shower cap or plastic wrap and allow it to moisturize for 30 minutes. To treat dry ends, take a tablespoon and rub it into the tips and let sit for 10 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual.

Skin

For dry spots--which are usually the knees, elbows and heels--massage a few drops into the skin to restore moisture. To soften skin, mix together three tablespoons of olive oil and white sugar, and exfoliate during a shower. Finally, if you like to soak in the tub, add a few drops of olive oil to the bath to moisturize skin while relaxing.

Face

Using an olive oil mask once a week softens skin and reduces the appearance of lines or wrinkles. For a facial mask, mix together one tablespoon of olive oil and honey and apply to the face. Allow the mask to soak into the skin for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and apply your favorite moisturizer. You can also use olive oil on the lips to soften them up. Mix two drops of olive oil with a teaspoon of sugar and exfoliate for super soft lips.

Nails

For dry cuticles, massage a few drops of oil into the nails. Olive oil not only softens cuticles, but it also will help strengthen your nails.

Using olive oil treatments not only saves money, but many expensive products include the oil in their ingredients. When purchasing beauty products be on the lookout for olive oil soaps, cleansers and body butters.