15 Amazing benefits of olive oil for skin, hair and health – Olive oil is not only a staple in your skin care (specially if you have dry skin), but there are several other benefits of olive oil that many of us are not aware of. It is used in cooking, specially the virgin and extra virgin olive oils are pretty much a kitchen staple. Plus, olive oil has various health benefits which have been supported by scientific researches. People in the Mediterranean region are also known as world’s longest-living population, and olive oil is the cornerstone in Mediterranean diet. Do you get any hint? Yes, there are practically countless ways olive oil improves our lives. And in this article, we have tried to present some of the amazing benefits of olive oil for our skin, hair and health.
Check – How to Remove Makeup with Olive Oil
Before discovering the amazing benefits of olive oil for our health and beauty, let’s quickly find out what is olive oil.
What is Olive Oil
Olive oil is a type of fat which is obtained from the fruit of the olive tree. The scientific name for olive oil is ‘Olea europaea’. In Fact, the olive tree is also native to Mediterranean region and the whole olive fruits are pressed to extract olive oil. This oil has been originated in Mediterranean region, but today it is also used worldwide in cooking, cosmetics industry, medicine as well as fuel for traditional lamps. There are roughly four types of olive oil available in the market –
Virgin Olive oil : This type of olive oil is mainly used for culinary purposes. It’s low acid content has made it an ideal choice for health conscious people.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil : This variant of olive oil is obtained by cold pressing the olive fruits. Extra virgin olive oil is also considered the best for our body.
Lampante Oil : Another type of olive oil which is also used as fuel.
Pure Olive Oil : This is an amalgamation of virgin and refined olive oil, and it has high acidic content.
Olive oil in different languages
- Jaitun ka tel (Hindi)
- Aliv Enney (Tamil)
- Jeeta Tailum (Telugu)
- Jaitun ka tel (Marathi)
- Oliyenna (Malayalam)
- Jalpai Tel (Bengali)
- Oudala Enne (Kannada)
Now that we know what is olive oil, lets move on to the various benefits of olive oil for our health and beauty.
Amazing Benefits of Olive Oil for Health
The health benefits of olive oil are unrivaled and guess what, researchers are coming up with more benefits almost every day. About 24% of olive oil is saturated fats and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. However, the predominant fatty acid present in olive oil is actually oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat which is extremely healthy. Oleic acid also helps to reduce inflammation as well as have some positive effect in decreasing the risk of cancer. What’s more, this monounsaturated fat present in extra virgin olive oil is quite resistant to high heat, hence, making it a healthy choice for cooking.
15 Amazing benefits of olive oil for skin, hair and health
Here are 15 benefits of olive oil which are supported by scientific research.
- Olive Oil helps to Prevent Diabetes
- Fight against Alzheimer’s Disease using Olive Oil
- Olive Oil improves Digestion
- Prevent Breast Cancer with Olive Oil
- Fight Depression by using Olive Oil
- Olive Oil helps to Moisturize Skin
- Get Glowing Skin with Olive Oil
- Olive Oil fights against Skin Aging
- Get Rid of Stretch Marks using Olive Oil
- Remove Makeup by using Olive Oil
- Olive Oil for Beautiful Hands and Nails
- Treat Damaged Hair with Olive oil benefits
- Use Olive Oil to Treat Dry Scalp
- Olive Oil for Longer and Stronger Hair
- Treat Dandruff with Olive Oil
1. Olive Oil helps to Prevent Diabetes
One of the major olive oil benefits for our health is its ability to prevent diabetes. Several studies have found that olive oil has beneficial effect on regulating blood sugar level. Regular uses of olive oil in cooking can help prevent diabetes. A study published in a scientific journal called ‘Diabetes Care’ has showed that a Mediterranean Diet, rich in Olive oil reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by almost 50%. Researchers have proved that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats, such as the ones found in olive oil, are actually quite beneficial in protecting from diseases like cancer and diabetes, which is definitely one of the major benefits of olive oil.
According to researches, olive oil contains more monounsaturated fats than sesame oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower as well as corn oil.
2. Fight against Alzheimer’s Disease using Olive Oil
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and one of its key features include buildup of beta amyloid plaques inside the brain cells. It has been found that Benefits of Olive Oil usage in food and cooking also helps to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. A study in mice has shown that a particular substance in olive oil helps to remove the plaques from the brain and thus, fights against Alzheimer’s disease. Another study has indicated that Mediterranean diet, which is rich in olive oil, improves memory and brain function.
The good amount of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids in extra virgin olive oil are beneficial to improve brain function. This is definitely one of the best health benefits of olive oil.
3. Olive Oil improves Digestion
Another very important benefits of olive oil for our health is its ability to improve digestion. It can actually work wonders for our gastrointestinal tract and colon. Other benefits of Olive oil is that it can boost our digestive system and also help the food move smoothly through our colon. It also helps in speeding up bowel movement and thus, also helps to treat constipation, which is one of the best olive oil benefits. Mixing a tbsp of olive oil with a tsp of lemon juice and consuming it on daily basis can improve constipation. This is one of the uncommon, yet very healthy uses of olive oil.
4. Prevent Breast Cancer with Olive Oil
When it comes to the olive oil benefits for our health, this is one of the most important among all. Virgin olive oil, contains oleic acid. It is a type of mono-unsaturated fatty acid which contains a high amount of antioxidants which helps to fight breast cancer.
Another study has found that olive leaf contains ‘oleuropein’ which has anti breast-cancer properties. In a clinical trial conducted in Spain, it has been found that women who consumed a diet rich in olive oil were 62% less likely to develop breast cancer.
5. Fight Depression by using Olive Oil
Not only for our physical health, but olive oil benefits also extends to our mental health as well. One of the major benefits of olive oil is that it can fight depression. We all suffer from depression at some point in our life. If I ask you to name a few antidepressant food, you would probably say ‘dessert’ first. But how about something healthier? Fortunately, olive oil is one of the healthiest antidepressant foods that you can rely on. Benefits of olive oil can increase the secretion of Serotonin, the feel-good hormone that improves mood and eliminates anxiety.
These were few of the amazing benefits of olive oil for our health, both physical and mental. Lets now discover the benefits of olive oil for our skin and hair.
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Benefits of Olive Oil for Skin
Olive oil is considered as a boon for dry skin. Lets find out olive oil benefits and various olive oil uses for our skin.
6. Olive Oil helps to Moisturize Skin
Why Olive Oil helps in Skin moisturization
Moisturization is the key to healthy and beautiful skin. It is suggested that we must moisturize our skin all around the year. Though many of us do not follow it religiously, but with winter approaching slowly but surely, we have become busy in finding out the perfect moisturizer for our skin. Here is a little suggestion from my side – ditch your store bought body lotions and moisturizers and go for olive oil this winter.
Check – Is Olive Oil Effective For Dry Hair
Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant. It protects the skin from free radical damages and moisturizes the skin for a long period of time. Moreover, other benefits of olive oil is that it has amazing moisture-holding properties. It can lock moisture into your skin and keep it smooth and soft for hours.
How to use Olive oil to moisturize skin
- Post shower, when your skin is still damp, massage some olive oil onto your hands and legs as well as face. Wait for 15-20 minutes and wash off the extra oil with lukewarm water.
- You can add a drop or two olive oil to your favorite moisturizer and apply it as usual. This will keep the skin extra soft and hydrated throughout the day.
- Another main uses of olive oil as moisturizer is to apply it as a night cream or night moisturizer. Massage your face with a few drops of olive oil and let it stay overnight. Wash off with a mild cleanser next morning. This is one of the best uses of olive oil for face.
7. Get Glowing Skin with Olive Oil
Why Olive Oil gives Glowing Skin
One of the best olive oil benefits for skin is its ability to make skin glowing and improving its texture. Come winter and many of us start getting dry, flaky skin. And let me tell you, no matter whatever cream or lotions you use, the best way to fix it is by using natural ingredients. Benefits of Olive oil helps to restore skins health and make it soft, smooth and glowing.
How to get Glowing Skin using Olive Oil
Mix together 1/3rd cup of yogurt, 1/4th cup of honey and 2-3 tsp of olive oil. Apply this on the face and wait for 15-20 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water. This is a great little home remedy to improve the overall health of our skin. This is one of the amazing uses of olive oil for face.
8. Olive Oil fights against Skin Aging
Why Olive Oil is helpful to fight Skin Aging
Next on our list of benefits of olive oil for skin is this one. Olive oil contains hydroxytyrosol as well as vitamin E which act as natural anti aging for our skin. It prevents skin cells degeneration and fights premature aging. Also the squalene acid present in olive oil increases skin elasticity.
How to use Olive Oil against Skin Aging
To use olive oil for face to fight skin aging, mix together 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tbsp of lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt. Gently massage your face with this mix, specially on those areas that are rough and dry. It rejuvenate our skin and prevents early aging.
9. Get Rid of Stretch Marks using Olive Oil
Why to use Olive Oil against Stretch Marks
This is one of the best benefits of olive oil for skin. It boosts skin cell regeneration as well as improves skin elasticity. As a result, olive oil can reduce the stretch marks effectively.
How to use Olive Oil to lighten stretch marks
To reap this olive oil benefits and olive oil uses, simply massage some olive oil over the affected areas at least thrice a week. This will improve the skin elasticity and enhance our skin’s regenerative abilities. This will reduce the existing stretch marks as well as prevent the formation of new ones. This is one of the best olive oil uses for those who are prone to get stretch marks.
10. Remove Makeup by using Olive Oil
Why to use Olive Oil to remove makeup
Those with sensitive skin, often find it hard to get a suitable makeup remover. For those, olive oil is a blessing as one of the olive oil uses is that it acts as a great makeup remover. One of the best benefits of olive oil for face is that it does not clog pores. Furthermore, olive oil contains many vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K.
How to use Olive Oil as a makeup remover
Simply pour a few drops of olive oil on to a cotton ball and gently rub it all over the face to remove makeup. What’s more, olive oil can also be used to remove eye makeup. Apart from removing eye makeup, olive oil moisturizes and softens the skin around our eyes and prevent wrinkles and lines. So, get rid of all the chemically strong makeup removers to enjoy one of these amazing benefits of olive oil for face.
11. Olive Oil for Beautiful Hands and Nails
Why to use Olive Oil for Beautiful hands and nails
If you suffer from dry hands and nails, then go and grab a bottle of olive oil right now. One of the best benefits of olive oil is its ability to soften hands and cuticles, while curing brittle nails.
How to use Olive Oil to get Beautiful hands and nails
All you have to do is massage your hands with few drops of olive oil several times in a day. Furthermore, this will not only soften the dry and rough skin on your hands, but also tame the cuticles and also strengthen your nails.
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Benefits of Olive Oil for Hair
We have discussed some of the amazing benefits of olive oil for skin above. Now we will talk about the benefits of olive oil for hair. One of the olive oil uses is that it adds softness and strengthens hair by penetrating the hair shaft and retaining moisture. Olive oil can smoothen out the outer cuticle of the hair and thus, adds a healthy shine to our hair.
12. Treat Damaged Hair with Olive oil benefits
Why to use Olive Oil to treat Dry hair
Most of us struggle with dry and frizzy hair throughout the year. Especially with winter coming soon, it is going to be a big problem. One of the best benefits of olive oil for hair is that it can treat frizzy hair and moisturize your hairs. With olive oil in your hand, no need to spend on expensive salon treatments to get healthy and beautiful hair.
How to use Olive Oil to treat Dry hair
To reap the benefits of olive oil, all you have to do is to massage your hair and scalp with olive oil. First, comb out your hair gently. Pour a tsp of olive oil onto your palm. Apply it to the hair strands by gently massaging. Work on small sections. Use a blow dryer to help the oil penetrate better. Hold the dryer 8 inches away from your head and blow dry for few minutes.
Leave it on for 45 minutes to 2 hours. In case of extensive damage, you can also use this as a overnight treatment. Finally use a mild shampoo to remove the oil.
13. Use Olive Oil to Treat Dry Scalp
Why to use Olive Oil for treating dry scalp
Next on our list of benefits of olive oil for hair is this one. Dry scalp can be caused by poor diet, stress, change of climate as well as lack of hair care, etc. Olive oil is a great natural solution for dry, flaky scalp. It has amazing moisturizing properties that moisturizes the scalp, hence reducing dryness as well as itchiness of the scalp. Check out below to know how to make use of this benefits of olive oil for hair.
How to use Olive Oil for treating dry scalp
Combine 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil and some water. Gently massage this mixture on to damp scalp and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse off and then shampoo your hair. Repeat this treatment every alternate week to keep those flakes away. It is definitely one of the great benefits of olive oil when it comes to hair care.
14. Olive Oil for Longer and Stronger Hair
Why to use Olive oil for long and strong hair
This is another amazing benefits of olive oil for hair. All of us want longer, stronger and healthier hair. Here is a simple hair pack that fulfill this desire. It includes egg yolks and olive oil. Egg yolk contains high amount of proteins, vitamins and fatty acids which strengthen the hair follicles as well as hair strands. Olive oil also adds strength and softness to the hair as well as helps to get rid of dry and damaged hair.
How to use Olive oil for long and strong hair
To reap this amazing benefits of olive oil for hair, mix together 2 egg yolks, 2 tbsp olive oil and some cold water and make a nice mixture. Section your hair in to small parts and apply this mixture on the scalp and hair. Wear a shower cap and wait for 20 minutes. Rinse well. You can also use a mild shampoo to get rid of the egg smell.
15. Treat Dandruff with Olive Oil
Why Olive Oil is beneficial to treat Dandruff
Treating dandruff effectively is one of the best benefits of olive oil for hair. It moisturizes your scalp and also reduces itchiness and irritation that further reduces the chance of getting dandruff. To find out how to make use of this amazing benefits of olive oil check below.
How to use Olive Oil to treat dandruff
Heat a cup of olive oil and then gently massage it all over the scalp as well as on hair strands. Wait for 30 minutes and wash off with a mild shampoo. In fact, you can also mix some lemon juice with the oil for better result. Doing this every time you shampoo your hair will give faster result. No doubt it is one of the simplest yet most amazing benefits of olive oil for hair.
So these were 15 amazing benefits of olive oil for skin, hair and health. You can check out few other olive oil benefits and olive oil uses below.
Other Benefits of Olive Oil
Benefits of Olive oil for weight loss : This is one of the best benefits of olive oil for our health. Moreover, olive oil is a popular choice for salad dressing among those trying to lose weight, and its for no reason at all. Several studies have shown that following olive oil rich Mediterranean diet has favorable effect on body weight. Furthermore, olive oil increases the levels of antioxidants in our blood and aids in weight loss.
Olive Oil Uses as Natural Sunscreen : One of the best uses of olive oil for skin is that it can be used as a natural sun protection. You have to mix equal parts of olive oil and tea decoction and apply the mixture all over the body and face. Let it sit for an hour and then, rinse off. Do not use soap or any face wash, or else there will be no residue left on the skin. This mixture will form a protective barrier on the skin and prevent sun damage.
Benefits of Olive Oil in controlling Cholesterol : This is also another amazing olive oil benefits for our health. The low level of saturated and polyunsaturated fats in olive oil makes it an ideal choice for health conscious people. Olive oil has the maximum level of monounsaturated fats which also helps to build good cholesterol in the body.
Olive oil, undoubtedly, is great for our skin, health and also hair. I hope you liked this article on benefits of olive oil. Do let me know your feedback in the comment section below. Also don’t forget to share how you use olive oil for health and beauty 🙂
Olive oil contains vitamin E, which improves skin health by treating inflammation, acne, and protecting the skin from serious ailments like psoriasis. Many thanks for sharing this information.
glad u liked it 🙂 thanks for sharing