Mediterranean peoples had recognized the benefits of olive oil as a cosmetic product for the body, skin and hair. In ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece, olive oil an herbs used for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. For many generations the oil has been the mainly source of many beauty treatments, from the top of the head and soles of his feet.
Many historians of antiquity appreciated the value for the health and improvement of the skin condition. Homer, talking about it, described it as the liquid gold of the Mediterranean. On the other hand, Hippocrates referred in his Hippocratic Code many types of Olive oil applications in skin diseases.
The olive oil was considered as a luxury ingredient, which belonged to people of the higher social classes. Thanks to its content of valuable ingredients, olive oil leaves the skin clean and soft. So it was used as a cleaning agent, which is often was flavoured with various essential oils, in order to cover the strong body odour, leaving it in skin a gentle pleasant fragrance.
The Olympian goddesses used a kind of ointment based on olive oil, which is believed had miraculous properties and body. The ancient holistic art of Ayurveda suggests the use of olive oil in order to bring the maximum hydration and beauty to the skin.
Its uses are many and its story is great. Researchers continue to look for evidence of therapeutic properties. Recently, archaeologists in excavation of Mycenae revealed a list of various ointments consisting of olive oil and various herbs.
The development of a science dedicated to human beauty “Cosmetology” brings the revolution of the uses of olive oil.
Today, It is treated as a standalone or as a basic ingredient for cosmetic in various creams, masks as well as for many other beauty products. Shower gels, facial creams, day and night creams, and body oils, sunscreen lotions and soaps are some of the countless products produced with the oil base.
But… why this “liquid gold” is so precious;
Olive oil is a vegetable oil which is mainly composed of the unsaturated fatty acids and more particularly from monounsaturated fatty acids. This recommendation makes it precious, because its unsaturated fatty acids are resistant to oxidation. It contains even saturated fatty acids, in very small concentrations.
The main fatty acid is oleic acid, and further Olive Oil contains linoleic acid.
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid which belongs to the class of omega fatty acids. It is very important for the world of beauty as it has great cosmetic properties. Nourishes and softens the skin and has the ability to penetrate deep into the skin and keeps it hydrated. The linoleic acid is especially valuable for creams against skin aging, and helps renew the skin. For this reason it is used on burns healing products and products for various skin conditions and has very good results in mild forms of acne. It is still a necessary acid to the skin and cell membranes. It moisturizes and gives the skin necessary nutrients. At the end, its uses in making soaps imparts emollient and moisturizing properties in them.
Palmitic acid belongs to the saturated fatty acids and has softening properties. It keeps the skin hydrated, enhancing the barrier cells and preventing the loss of moisture from it. Also, the stearic acid that be contained in olive oil is an important lubricant.
Fatty acids are very important both for feeding and for cosmetics, both. They have the ability to penetrate deeply into the skin and act humectants, preventing the loss of water. Their have many benefits as maintain hydration and smoothness of the skin.
Additionally, the Olive oil contains vitamin A and beta-carotene, substances that protect the skin from the entire range of the solar radiation, reducing the sensitivity to the sun.
Olive oil holds a special position in the world of beauty. Rich in beneficial ingredients has the ability to nourish, moisturize, heal and nourishes the skin leaving it soft and smooth. It has excellent penetration properties and are able to “lock” the natural moisture, thus preventing the generation of dry skin. Moreover, it is undeniable that its antioxidant properties protect against premature aging. This happens because the Olive Oil has the natural ability to target the epidermal cells and stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin, thereby enhancing the skin making it most vigorous and healthy.
It is precious for mature skin, fights dehydration, the dullness, the thinning of the skin, dark circles and bags under the eyes. It provides all the necessary nutrients needed to maintain shiny although over time.
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