Olive Oil : Skin and Hair Care

The health properties of Olive oil is widely accepted and has made it a by word with health nuts. Originally it came from the Mediterranean Region, but its immense popularity made it much sought after and as a result, it can now be obtained any where in the world. You will find it as an active ingredient in your hair oil. You can also find it in your salad dressing. The multi functionality of Olive oil has made it very popular and it has been tagged as one of the top nutrient giver because of its popularity with health conscious people. Olive oil is essentially cholesterol free and is used to make food tastier and healthier. But, many of the skin care properties of Olive oil has come to light only recently and has made it an essential ingredient in soaps and skin care products. The soaps that are produced by using Olive oil are very gentle on the skin and will help in moisturizing and nourishing the skin. There are various homemade recipes that make use of olive oil for skin care. Some of them are listed below for your ready reference.

• Submerge your hands in Olive oil for half an hour to get extra fine nails.
• Olive oil can do wonders for chapped and dry lips.
• Olive oil is a great moisturizer. You can apply it liberally on your hands to get smoother and softer skin. You can also apply it on your feet for softer skin on your feet.
• A few tablespoons of Olive oil mixed with a few drops of an essential oil can give you a good bathing solution.
• A night cream that lightens the skin and kills bacteria can be obtained by mixing half a cup of Olive oil with quarter cups each of vinegar and water. This night cream will leave you with clearer and smoother skin in the morning.
• Olive oil can give you lustrous and dandruff free hair. Smear a good dollop of Olive oil on your hair and gently massage it into your scalp. You can cover your hair with a shower cap for 30 min and then shampoo your hair.
• You can do a simple facial by first applying Olive oil on your face and then scrubbing suger on your face. You can wipe off the oil and sugar with a wet towel afterwards.
• Olive oil can be used as an excellent cleaning cream for people with dry skin. They can also use mask made by mixing one egg, one teaspoon honey, half a teaspoon of Olive oil and a few drops of rose water.

Natural Techniques for Anti-Aging

Aging might be a natural and irreversible process but, we can use newly discovered skin care techniques to slow down the aging of the skin. If you are determined to slow down this aging, you can be successful by following the tips included in this article. Some of the leading causes and how they can be overcome are shown below.

• Sun damage

Unprotected exposure to direct sunlight is the number one cause of premature aging. Over the years, sunlight can cause irreversible changes to your skin. You should protect yourself from sun damage by the judicious use of sunscreen on the exposed areas. Many makeup companies offer products that come with sun protection. You can wear these outside. You can reduce the exposure to sunlight by wearing a hat or an umbrella when you go outside during the day.

• Free radicals

These tiny molecules cause even more damage than sunlight because they work from the inside out. They are created in our bodies due to the pollution around us and due to bad diet. A high fat diet or junk foods can increase your free radicals. These free radicals are one of the major causes of premature aging. We can fight them by increasing the amount of anti oxidants in our system. Vitamin A and E are excellent anti oxidants and we can choose a diet which is rich in these vitamins. Colorful fruits and vegetables also contain good quantities of these antioxidants. Prevention is better than cure so you can reduce free radicals by reducing your exposure to pollutants and carcinogens.

• Chemical buildup

You should try and cut back on the artificially made makeup and skin care products. These chemicals are not good for you and prolonged exposure to these chemicals can accelerate premature aging. These chemicals can get deposited in our organs and can cause problems later on in life. You can stick to all-natural skin care products and makeup. Instead of deodorants use essential oils and naturally scented creams. You should also shower daily to wash away the chemicals that are sticking to your skin.

• Dead cells

You can remove the layers of dead cells and promote the growth of newer and much fresher skin by a process called exfoliation. The commonly used exfoliation techniques improve the circulation in your skin and helps leech out the chemicals form your lymph nodes. Most of these techniques can be carried out during our bath or shower. Using a weekly body scrub once a, drying yourself with a scratchy towel, using a skin brush with rough bristles before shower, using a lloofah while you are in the bath are all good way to exfoliate yourselves.

• Low hydration levels

You should drink enough water to maintain good hydration levels during the day. Doctors suggest six glasses of water for an adult. Of course, the actual amount depends on your living and work conditions and your specific body type. You should also avoid alcohols as they are natural dehydrating agents. Doctors suggest a rule of thumb to calculate the amount of water that you should drink daily. The number of glasses (250 ml) that you need to drink can be obtained by dividing your weight by 8.

If you try and follow the tips mentioned in this article, you can significantly slow down the process of aging of your skin. And with a healthy and youthful appearance, you will look and feel years younger.