extra virgin olive oil and history of its use in skin care

​Extra Virgin Olive oil has a long history of being used in skincare. Egyptians used it alongside beeswax as a cleanser, moisturiser, and antibacterial agent since the times of the Pharaohs. Cleopatra was said to use olive oil as a skin treatment, along with her other renowned beauty
 treatments such as honey facials and milk baths.  Archaeological finds proving that the Minoans used olive oil in their daily lives are found everywhere in Crete. One particularly impressive
discovery is the untouched olives with the flesh preserved, found at the bottom of a cup sunk in a water cistern at the Minoan Palace of Kato Zakros. The Minoans used olive oil in their diet, as a cleanser instead of soap, as the base for scents and ointments, as a medicine, in tanning, for
 lighting and to protect delicate surfaces.

Writings of major ancient philosophers and physicians such as Hippocrates andAristotle, have been analysed as part of research into the use of olive oil by the Ancient Greeks. According to the results, the use of massage, together with olive oil rub, helped to reduce muscle fatigue, to remove lactic acid, and to prevent the occurrence of sports injuries through flexibility provided to the skin of athletes. Therapeutic use of oil in the ancient world was fully recognised; and as a result Athenian sponsors of sporting events provided free oil to all sport facilities where athletes could make free use of it (Nomikos et al., 2010).

Extra virgin olive oil, is one of the world's best beauty secrets. Extra virgin olive oil has the added advantage of containing strong antioxidants, making it a natural anti-ageing ingredient. These antioxidants help fight off free radicals which attack cells and speed up the ageing process. One of these antioxidants, hydroxytyrosol, is a very rare and extremely potent polyphenol compound found in the highest concentrations in the best olive oils. Hydroxytyrosol is believed to play a significant role in the many health benefits attributed to olive oil. Studies have shown very strong anti-inflammatory activity from this compound. However, this natural antioxidant is often destroyed during processing or refining of lower quality oils which is why it is important to buy the best cold pressed oils  (extra virgin) you can find.

Extra Virgin Olive oil is found in shampoos, soaps, face powders, salt scrubs, hair conditioners, lipsticks,  anti-wrinkle lotions, moisturisers, eye make-up remover, cuticle & nail treatments and even eyelash oils. Adding oil to your skin will not necessarily add lots of moisture, but it will however create a barrier effect which prevents moisture from being lost. The oil traps water beneath it and prevents the loss of water through evaporation thereby making your skin feel softer and smoother. 

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