Extra Virgin Olive Oil: the best cosmetics ally

• EVOO’s antioxidant, moisturizing and emollient properties help the skin to fight against free radicals and protect against oxidative damage, a cause of premature ageing.
• The World Olive Oil Exhibition, which will take place in Madrid on the 29^th and 30^th of June, will gather some of the beauty brands that have turned EVOO into a leading product.

 Madrid, 25^th of March 2020. There is no doubt that olive oil is the key product of the Mediterranean diet and that is why, thanks to its use, Spain is one of the healthiest countries worldwide. Furthermore, way beyond the fact that olive oil consumption helps to reduce cholesterol, improves blood circulation and strengthens the immune system among other benefits, olive oil has also turned into a wonderful ally for the world of cosmetics.

The Phoenicians were the first to discover the hydrating power of olive oil and the ones who nicknamed it “liquid gold”. “In Roman baths and Greek thermal springs, long before the existence of soap, aromatized oils were used as cleansing products. First, they massaged themselves with oil, removed the dirt with a brush, and then they bathed themselves and finished by massaging again with another oil”, comments Andrés Jiménez from Notaliv Natural Cosmetics. “Additionally, as indicated in its monograph of the Spanish Pharmacopoeia, olive oil is a raw material which is an emollient and has anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for the skin”. In ancient times, it was precisely such emollient characteristics that led olive oil to be used as an ointment base or therapeutic preparations.

Nowadays extra virgin olive oil has proved to contain antioxidants and moisturizing properties that prevent skin ageing and that is why it is highly valued in cosmetic formulations. EVOO’s antioxidant effect stems from the large quantities of polyphenols contained in it yet, thanks to its vitamin E and carotenes, EVOO also has a moisturizing effect and helps combat skin ageing since it protects against free radicals. “The polyphenols contained in olive oil contribute to protect the lipid levels in the blood against oxidative damage”, asserts Aceites García de la Cruz Ltd.

All these antioxidants have contributed to extra virgin olive oil being highly recommended when elaborating cosmetic products that protect the skin and hair from oxidative damage.

In relation to cosmetic products, there is no doubt that the products devoted to skin cleansing, moisturizing and anti-aging treatments are the ones with which we can get the most out of olive oil.

“Its antioxidants and polyphenols preserve the integrity of the mucous membrane and skin, as well as lubricating and moisturizing them”, comments Andrés Jiménez from Notaliv. “So, for example, in our micellar water, olive oil acts as a dirt remover but, also, by effortlessly penetrating into the skin, it provides lubricity, moisture and a good dose of natural antioxidants. All this reduces the deterioration suffered by complexion by wearing makeup for hours.”

 For their part, Aceites García de la Cruz Ltd. offers Olea, a brand of natural products without chemical treatments nor additives, which maximizes the benefits of olive oil through its soaps, gels, creams and lip balm.

The World Olive Oil Exhibition, the global olive oil trade fair, will be held in Madrid on the coming 29^th and 30^th of June and will host several cosmetics’ brands that use EVOO as the main focus in their products.