What makes olive oil in soap so important?
This was my first question when i began looking up recopies to make soap. Apparently its usually one of the most widely used oil for handmade and natural soaps.
As I soon found out from making my own soaps and testing them out, Olive oil has some interesting benefits to the soap and the human skin on the whole.
Not only is it usually the largest amount of oil in a soap but it has several properties such as being antibacterial, skin nourishing, acts as a skin conditioner and can help repair dry or cracked skin.
Beyond just the obvious benefits I found out that using olive oil in soap can infuse the skin with vitamins such as vitamin A, D, K and E, its truly a mysterious liquid.
Antioxidant properties
Olive oil by its nature is an antioxidant which means it has to potential to revers the aging process, and even slow or revers skin damage from ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Its not a substitute for sunscreen however but it can help your skin repair itself after a long day at the beach.
Olive oil has been found to contain a substance called squalene. Squalene was first found in sharks and further studies revealed that our own bodies produce the chemical naturally.
We soon found out how awesome this little chemical liquid substance really is when it was discovered that its a hydrates the skin and keeps it looking young.
It also gives the antioxidant properties a bit of a boost naturally and ever since beauty companies have been trying to harness this anti aging liquid that occurs naturally in olive oil.
Cuticle Conditioner
I’ve always had an issue with my cuticles. It turns out they tear easily or they can be damaged.
Comes to find out when ever my cuticles were healthy my nails would grow faster and stronger.
This is because olive oil being a good moisturizer also promotes stronger nails by softening the cuticles and keeping them healthy.
Some persons would apply a little bit of oil on their hands through out the day to keep their hand soft and beautiful, this is a million dollar tip to grow your own strong and healthy finger nails.
Eczema Remedy
The best and most widespread use for olive oil is as an intense moisturizer.
Besides using the oil in soap to wash your skin, you can apply it directly to the skin for a treatment for dry skin. Many oils can be used as a moisturizer instead of lotion but olive oil have many of them beat.
Persons with eczema tend to use olive oil as a natural remedy for their dry itchy skin and based on the great benefits of the oil I can see why.
Cracked-Heel Repair
Cool weather in the Bahamas isn’t felt often but when it does come around you can find lots of dry skin.
Our biggest issue is usually the dry heat. The dry air can suck moisture from your skin and cause the dreaded dry skin itch. For ladies the biggest issue is when they wear slippers or open ended shoes.
The heel takes the biggest brunt of the weather drying out and becoming hard brittle and dry.
Olive oil can help repair the hardest heel you can find overtime. Its just that good. Its so good that some spas use olive oil after exfoliating the skin they would rub olive oil on the feet.
Another trick is before bed rub your feet with olive oil and wear a sock to keep the oil on your feet longer and away from the air. This will speed up the process of healing your dry cracked feet.
It moisturizes and fights bacteria
Olive oil soap is so good at hydrating the skin and neutralizing harmful bacteria that it is a quick go to for persons with acne prone skin.
Like many natural soaps Olive oil soap helps kill and wash away bacteria that causes acne however it also keep the skin moisturizes and prevents further bacterial attacks throughout the day.
Olive oil is one of the few oils that you can use to make a soap totally 100% of the oil. T
his type of soap is called a castile soap. 100% olive oils soaps are extremely gentle on the skin yet overly hydrating which makes it great for people with sensitive skin or people with extreme dry skin.
We and Bahamas Candle and Soap make a soap with primarily Olive oil, but because it take a long time to dry out properly it is made only once a year.
Please call or email us about trying out our Olive oil soaps or if you would like to subscribe to purchasing every month.