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How
olive oil can improve your skin
from the
inside
If you've read our
acne diet guide, you already know that
high-fat foods are not the best thing for
your skin, but not all fats are equal. Olive
oil happens to be one of the best natural
sources of monounsaturated fats,
which help lower your LDL (bad cholesterol)
levels while raising your HDL (good
cholesterol) levels. Unlike saturated fats
or trans fats (which are potentially harmful
and linked to obesity), the monounsaturated
fat in olive oil is actually good for you
and helps regulate insulin levels, reducing
oily skin and preventing acne. It's also
rich in several antioxidants, particularly
vitamin E, which makes it ideal for
protecting your skin if you spend a lot of
time out under to the sun.
Applying olive oil
topically
to combat acne
The topical use of olive oil goes as far
back as the ancient Egyptians and Greeks,
and it's still just as effective for
promoting beautiful skin today. Plus it's
cheap and easy - always a plus for home
remedies.
Don't let its oiliness fool you. When
applied to your face, olive oil actually
breaks down sebum and helps draw out those
pesky clumps of sediment clogging your
pores. It also makes for a potent
moisturizer as one of the top natural
sources of squalene, keeping your skin cells
smooth and supple. The presence of
chlorophyll promotes faster tissue repair
and aids in healing from minor scars, and of
course those antioxidants like vitamins A
and E don't hurt either.
Extra
virgin, unfiltered olive oil is best
Olive oil comes in several varieties, and
some are better than others. The best grade
is "extra virgin, first cold pressed".
This describes oil that has gone through the
least processing. The fruit of the olive is
pressed at a low temperature (exact
temperatures vary, but it is never heated)
and preserves as much of the nutrient
content as possible. Standard "virgin" and
"cold pressed" varieties aren't bad either,
but are typically from warmer regions,
contain more fatty acids, and simply don't
meet the same standard of taste. Lower
grades include "pure" or "light" olive oil,
both of which undergo processing which
dilutes their nutritional value (and
flavor). Others are "made from refined
oils", introducing additional chemicals into
the mix that you don't want.
In addition, olive oil may be available as
either "filtered" or "unfiltered". As long
as it's extra virgin, this doesn't make a
huge difference, but the unfiltered variety,
which contains more sediment, also contains
more nutrients. It tends to have a slightly
stronger flavor as well, which I much prefer
(it's great with fresh bread and cheese!).
While usually inexpensive, premium brands
can get more pricey, and you may have to go
to a local Italian food shop to find them.
If you like good olive oil, it's totally
worth it, as the real stuff is worlds
better than what you'll get at Walmart.
Just make sure to store it smart, which
means resisting the temptation to display
that fancy bottle on the windowsill. Like
most any oil, olive oil is sensitive to
heat, sunlight and air. It doesn't take
much to make it go rancid, so keep your
bottle sealed and stored in a cool, dark
place.
Using
olive oil in acne home remedies
For optimal health benefits, many medical
professionals recommend getting 2
tablespoons of olive oil per day. You
can drizzle it over one of those salads
you're supposed to be eating (see our
vegetables for acne guide), take it
straight, mix it to make a sauce or
dressing, or add it to any number of dishes.
Olive oil can also be used for cooking, but
while it may be healthier than cooking with
butter, it's not exactly the best cooking
oil. This is due to its fairly high heat
sensitivity. Too much heat causes those
monounsaturated fats to turn into harmful
trans fats. Alternatives such as coconut or
peanut oil are better able to withstand high
temperatures without denaturing.
As for topical applications, olive
oil's benefits are evidenced by how many new
skin care products now include it as an
ingredient. While it no doubt mixes well,
this natural remedy is effective even all on
its own. Massage a thin layer of extra
virgin olive oil onto your face and let it
set for about 15 minutes before rinsing off.
The oil will break down sebum and work to
gently dislodge stubborn whiteheads and
blackheads without harming your skin.
You can also mix it with a plethora or other
ingredients for added effect, some of the
most popular being:
With Honey
- As described in our
honey article, this combination
makes for a great moisturizing facial mask
with strong antibacterial and antioxidant
properties.
With Lemon Juice
- The citric acid will work to exfoliate
dead skin cells while the olive oil unclogs
your pores and keeps your skin from becoming
over-dry.
With Baking Soda
- If you're looking for a scrub, this one is
easier on your skin than traditional baking
soda and water combinations. Just mix to a
paste and gently massage.
Of course these are just a few simple
examples. Olive oil is gentle enough that
you don't have to fear getting creative
unless you have a rare allergic reaction to
it. Used both internally and externally, it
can be a great way to naturally combat acne
and help prevent future breakouts.
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