Salads, meats, pasta… what doesn’t olive oil pair well with? Though there is nothing like a quality bottle of olive oil to elevate a dish, olive oil can do just as well in your beauty routine as it does in your kitchen cabinet. High in antioxidants and squalene, it is the perfect ingredient to moisturize your hair, skin, and nails. Besides, who doesn’t love a little special ingredient that can do both!
Beauty Hacks with Olive Oil:
Scalp Treatment
Thanks to the winter weather and blasting heat from radiators, our scalps are begging for some moisture. Luckily, olive oil is the perfect solution because of its abundance of Vitamin A and E, which aids in locking moisture in. This is a staple in my hair care and I use it whenever I notice that my hair is extra dry from the weather. Simply take a tablespoon of olive oil, massage it into your scalp and roots, and rub any excess off on to the ends. Leave it in for 30 minutes and shower! Say hello to gorgeous, healthy locks.
Cuticles
There is nothing worse than a hangnail! Combat brittle nails by soaking your fingertips in a shallow dish of warmed olive oil for thirty minutes while you catch up on a podcast or your favorite TV show. The added heat will help with greater absorption for maximum moisture! Do this a few times a week for healthier, stronger nails.
Eye Makeup Remover
Oil dissolves oil… so it only makes sense that olive oil is perfect as a gentle and inexpensive way to effectively remove waterproof mascara. Say goodbye to raccoon eyes, tugging at your lashes, and multiple makeup wipes! Use a few drops of olive oil on a cotton round to wipe away your makeup for good.
Lip Scrub
If your lips are feeling flakey and chapped, it’s time to exfoliate away that dull layer and seal in some moisture. Take a teaspoon of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and combine to create a thick paste-like consistency. You can even add a teaspoon of honey for added moisture! Store in a small container and use whenever you need the perfect pout. Here is another version we’ve done here with coconut oil but you could use olive oil too.
Cracked Heels
Sebaceous glands produce sebum to keep our body lubricated and moisturized, but we lack them on our feet. No wonder cracked heels are such a common occurrence, especially when it gets cold! Olive oil is a great at-home remedy to reintroduce moisture into your soles. First, soak your feet in warm water for 15 minutes to soften your feet. Gently exfoliate off the dead skin cells with a pumice stone and then massage a thin layer of olive oil over your entire foot. Wear an old pair of socks afterward to lock in that moisture and prepare to wake up with softer skin!
Makeup Brush Cleaner
We are all guilty of not cleaning our makeup brushes often enough and it is an excellent way to reintroduce harmful bacteria to your face. However, there is no need to shell out some money for a makeup brush cleaner: simply mix a ratio of 1:1 antibacterial dish soap with olive oil (again, oil breaks down oil!) and swirl your brushes in the solution. Rinse under warm water and repeat if necessary.
