This story is from March 3, 2013

For Cleopatra’s secret ‘olive’ glow

Extra virgin olive oil is said to repair and refresh the skin like no other
For Cleopatra’s secret ‘olive’ glow
Extra virgin olive oil is said to repair and refresh the skin like no other
Forget those expensive treatments, fancy moisturisers and other beauty aids. If you want that glow on your skin, look no further than your kitchen. The answer can lie in a glass jar…it’s extra virgin olive oil, an ingredient that you might have ignored in your home so far. The oil is said to be very effective in combating dryness and works wonders on the skin, day or night.
How it works:
So far, you may have seen that many products have natural ingredients such as olive oil infused in them.
But the real product is said to be valuable too. The usual questions or worries when it comes to using oil directly is, ‘I might break out in more pimples,’ or “Why should I apply more extra virgin olive oil on my skin, isn’t it oily enough, already?’
But it is said to have definite benefits. For one, a reason why skin could be very oily is because you might be drying out skin by using a good moisturiser. When you don’t moisturise your facial skin, your skin will become even oilier as it pulls surplus oils to the surface, in an attempt to correct what has been stripped away. Extra virgin olive oil is also laden with antioxidants and Vitamin’s A and E that can repair and refresh skin that has been damaged due to sun exposure, unhealthy eating and environmental pollutants.

How to use
Just take a small pea sized amount into your hand and massage it slowly into the skin. Let it stay that way for a while. Wash it off with a gentle soap and warm water.
Scrub idea
In her book The Passionate Olive, author Carol Firenze explains that one can also use extra virgin olive oil as an exfoliator for dry, flaky skin. She suggests mixing olive oil and sea salt so as to make a srub and massaging it into the skin with the fingertips.
For nail care
To ensure that your cuticles stay moist, rub some extra virgin olive oil around the dry nails and cuticles. It will give a shine to them.
As an eye makeup remover
To remove eye makeup effectively and quickly, just add a drop of this oil into cotton pad, and use around the area. It is also said to smoothen out lines and wrinkles.
Pretty feet
Rub the oil on feet and hands before you sleep and cover them socks. It gets rid of dry skin and calluses.
Softer lips
Put a little oil on the lips at night to stop your lips from chapping.
Did you know?
Once said to be part of Cleopatra’s beauty regimens, Greeks are said to have actually bathed with olive oil, and it was a few Mediterranean countries that used it as a natural medicine.
ismat.tahseen@timesgroup.com
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About the Author
Ismat Tahseen

Traveller, writer and foodie, not always in that order! Penchant for words, smart conversation and humour. Definitely humour. Grammar nazi, loves the newsroom and all that goes with it. Will write till I die!

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