Ignore the “myth” that olive oil is good for your skin

According to the skincare brand’s founder, the Mediterranean staple has been found to have amazing benefits for mature skin.

Her tips will help keep your skin smooth and supple.

Keeping track of your skin care routine

Lucrezia Del Papa, co-founder of olive oil-based skincare brand Olivella, shared her tips with the US Sun to reduce the signs of aging.

Forget putting olive oil on bread: She wants you to use this ingredient to fight fine lines and wrinkles.

She especially wants to dispel common misconceptions about using olive oil on certain skin types.

“It’s a lie that olive oil skin care is not good for oily skin! It’s not true that olive oil products are not suitable for oily skin,” she said.

“These products offer the same moisturizing and anti-aging benefits for all skin types, from extremely sensitive and thin to thick skin,” she continued.

“Olive oil products blend well with young skin and have long been used to cleanse babies.

“Mature skin benefits from the regenerative powers of olive oil. Olive oil is also known to soothe redness and promote wound healing.”

Olive oil all over

She explained that the more olive oil you use, the younger you look.

“Olive oil has many anti-ageing properties. It forms a protective barrier on the skin to protect it from external factors and prevents photoaging,” she said.

“It also has excellent hydrating properties, retaining moisture within the subcutaneous tissue, leaving skin hydrated and soft, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she adds.

“In addition, olive oil is rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and prevent cell damage and premature aging.”

She explained how compounds such as polyphenols and vitamin E protect the skin from oxidative damage, maintaining a youthful appearance and improving overall skin health.

The hydroxytyrosol in olive oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and irritation of the skin.

“Because chronic inflammation can accelerate aging and impair the skin’s barrier function, the anti-inflammatory properties of hydroxytyrosol may help keep skin youthful and healthy,” she said.

“Hydroxytyrosol helps maintain skin elasticity and firmness by neutralizing free radicals. It also supports collagen production, which is important for healthy skin structure.”

Smooth and soft

She also shared that olive oil is beneficial for promoting healthy skin.

“In the cosmetic field, studies have shown that the active ingredients in virgin olive oil act selectively by retaining moisture and forming a protective and elastic film on the surface of the skin,” she said.

It consists of a complex mixture of fatty acids and vitamins.

“Thanks to this combination of active ingredients, we can say with confidence that olive oil nourishes, protects, tones and improves elasticity of the skin, thus playing an anti-ageing role,” she said.

Take the shot

She also recommends replacing your morning cup of coffee with premium extra virgin olive oil.

“EVOO helps your gut and nourishes you from the inside out, and the antioxidants in EVOO, such as hydroxytyrosol, may support collagen production in the skin,” she said.

“Collagen is essential for skin elasticity and firmness, and maintaining healthy levels of collagen contributes to youthful, radiant skin,” she continued.

“The best quality extra virgin olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially polyphenols and vitamin E, which help protect the skin against oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

“By reducing oxidative damage, consumption of EVOO may help maintain a youthful appearance in skin and prevent signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines.”

Her other advice includes washing your face with natural moisturizing products, like her brand of Olivella soap, which is made from the saponification of oils.

“The main ingredient is ‘sodium olivate’, a mixture of hydroxide salts obtained from virgin olive oil and rich in fatty acids. Olive oil soap can also be made at home through a lengthy process,” she said.

“Moisturize with a few drops of Olivella Moisturizing Oil, a highly refined olive oil, or use an oil/serum such as Olivella Orytox Lift Face Oil, which is fortified according to your age and skin’s hydration status.”

She also recommends using a moisturizing face cream and eye contour cream for extra nourishment and protection.