4 Ways To Use Olive Oil As A Natural Beauty Product

Olive oil’s moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are a winning combination—plus it’s all natural with no mystery ingredients. Choose extra-virgin or virgin olive oil, since they are unrefined, and the refining process removes a lot of the good stuff. In case you need another reason to turn to this nectar, moisturizing with olive oil was popular in ancient Greece—birthplace of the marathon!

“To be honest, I take pretty horrible care of my hair. I buy the cheap drugstore-brand shampoo, wash it at least once a day (if not twice), blow-dry constantly and even use rubber bands instead of hair elastics in a pinch—I know, I know! The one thing I’ve found to save my frizzled strands is olive oil. Just dampen hair with a little splash or spritz of water, massage in some oil (focusing on the ends) and wrap up in a towel for 20 minutes. Wash out the treatment by jumping in the shower and shampooing and conditioning as normal. You’ll notice immediate, easy results—just the kind I like!”
—Jessie Sebor, editor in chief

“Exfoliation is key to keeping skin soft and retaining moisture, especially for my lips. I used to spend 10 bucks on lip scrub, but now I make my own. Mix 1/2 tsp. olive oil with 1 tsp. brown sugar in a bowl until it becomes a paste-like consistency. Massage the mixture on your lips for 10 seconds and wipe it away with a warm towel (or like me, lick it off). Sugar is a great exfoliator because it contains glycolic acid, which helps remove dead skin, doesn’t clog pores, eliminates blemishes and restores skin’s moisture balance—plus it tastes great.”
—Erin Douglas, art director

“True confessions: I’m not good about washing my face at night—which means I’m also not good about moisturizing. I try to make up for it in the morning by using olive oil as a makeup remover before my shower. I just pour a little on some TP and rub it all over my face. It’s great at picking up all the grit and leaves a sheen that I let soak into my dry skin until the end of my steamy shower when I finally wash.”
—Nicki Miller, managing editor

“When it comes to treating dry hands or tortured feet, there are two ways you can do this. My first choice is to slather my feet and hands with oil and cover them with old socks or gloves just before bed, for a spa treatment while I sleep; I rinse off any extra in the morning. Option two also involves slathering my feet and one hand (the other can be done afterward), then wrapping in plastic wrap and leaving it on for about an hour before rinsing. Either way, your hands and feet will thank you.”
—Allison Pattillo, contributing gear editor

Read More: 
Is Olive Or Coconut Oil Better For You?
The Benefits Of Olive Oil In Your Diet