How to choose olive oil, natural and high quality: what to look for when purchasing

All about the benefits of olive oil

Centuries ago, women of Ancient Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire used olive oil to keep their skin youthful and beautiful. And the famous ancient Greek poet Homer back in the 8th century BC. e called this product “liquid gold” for the value it brings. And it should be noted that even after centuries, the popularity and demand for olive oil has not decreased at all. Want to know why?

• To begin with, olive oil contains an abundance of vitamin E, which is incredibly beneficial for the skin. It increases protection against ultraviolet radiation, improves cell regeneration, and slows down the aging process, so you can definitely avoid the early appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin E also acts on the body as an antidepressant, which means that your skin will be less susceptible to stress.
• Olive oil also contains B vitamins, which protect the epidermis from external negative factors, vitamin A (retinol), which has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, and vitamin D, which helps skin cells recover from injury.

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• In addition to vitamins, the oil also contains useful acids: oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic. And each of them has its own positive effect on the outer and deep layers of the skin. For example, oleic (omega-9) deeply moisturizes and makes the epidermis receptive to the penetration of beneficial substances, smoothes out unevenness. And linoleic acid is incredibly beneficial for dry and sensitive skin.
• According to reviews from cosmetologists, olive oil should be used for body care not only because it perfectly moisturizes, but also because it creates a protective film on the surface of the epithelium, which retains moisture in the cells for a long time, preventing its evaporation. And this is especially true for women over 30 years old.
• In addition, olive oil contains: flavonoids, which prevent the formation of cancer cells, iron, which improves blood circulation, and the unique chemical compound squalene, which protects the skin from viruses and bacteria.

How to choose olive oil

When buying olive vegetable oil, you should pay attention to what markings are on the bottle. It can be in the following varieties:

1. The inscription Pure indicates that the oil has been refined. In the ranking of benefits for the body, this product occupies the lowest level. Of course, such a product is light in appearance and has a low acid number. But during refining, antioxidants and vitamins are removed.

1. Virgin – occupies a middle position when assessing the degree of usefulness of oil for the body. This oil is obtained through secondary pressing. It contains useful substances, but their content is reduced. This oil may have a bitter taste.
2. Extra Virgin is an expensive, but aromatic and healthy product. To extract this oil, only young olives are used, collected no later than a day ago. This oil has a low acid number, is characterized by the absence of dyes and preservatives and is the most beneficial product for the body.

The latter variety has a subspecies called Unfiltred. This oil has not been filtered and contains small amounts of olive pulp. This oil is cloudy in appearance, but has maximum benefits.

How to use masks based on olive oil?

Olive oil for the face is not only possible, but also should be used at home, including to get rid of wrinkles. This product is very well received by our skin. In addition, it has no contraindications, except perhaps individual intolerance, which, however, is extremely rare. And it is very simple to use it in cosmetology.

• In order for olive oil to be absorbed as deeply as possible, it must be slightly warmed before application.
• Of course, before applying the mask, your face should be thoroughly cleaned of daytime pollution, makeup residues and sweat. For better results, you can use a soft scrub or steam bath.
• Apply the oil to the skin in its pure form with a cotton swab. And if we are talking about other, thicker compositions, then it is better to use a brush.

• Olive oil can also be added to skincare products or used instead of cream, but only for dry skin. If you have inflammation and acne, it is better to limit yourself to applying masks.
• After applying the oil to the skin, massage your face with soft, smooth movements for better absorption. And pay special attention to problem areas, creating blood flow around them.

• On average, olive-based masks last for 15-25 minutes. But the final time depends on the composition.
• And also, as cosmetologists advise, the best time to use olive oil is at night. However, if you apply too much product to your skin, be sure to remove the excess with a tissue after 25 minutes.

Variety

There are six grades of olive oil (they were defined by the IOC, the International Olive Council; all exporting countries included in it are required to label their products with the appropriate inscriptions):

■ Extra-virgin olive oil - natural, the best and most expensive, first cold pressed, only under pressure - without chemicals. Acidity no more than 0.8%.

■ Virgin olive oil is also natural, but the permitted acidity is up to 2% (the extraction may not be the first, but the absence of chemicals is also guaranteed).

■ Pure olive oil - usually a mixture of purified and natural oils, chemical extraction may be used.

■ Olive oil - a mixture of natural and purified oil, acidity no more than 1.5%, usually odorless, chemically pressed.

■ Olive-pomace oil - purified oil extracted from olive pomace (the use of chemical solvents and high temperatures is acceptable). It is most often used in restaurants for baking.

■ Lampante oil - olive oil not intended for human consumption. Purified (refined) oil is marked “refined”.

Recipes for masks based on olive oil

You can find a huge number of recipes for masks with the addition of olive oil. Moreover, they will all have different purposes. We have chosen the best of the best for you so that you will forget about skin problems forever.

Recipe 1. With the addition of honey and chicken yolk

This nutritional composition has an excellent anti-aging effect. To prepare, take:

• 5g natural honey;
• 10g olive oil;
• yolk of one egg.

Mix everything until smooth and apply to face, neck and décolleté for 25 minutes. The mask should be done at least twice a week.

Recipe 2. With herbs

An olive oil-based face mask is also great for wrinkles around the eyes.

• Take 10g of dry chamomile;
• 5g mint;
• 5g dill;
• 100 ml oil.

Chop the herbs and mix together. Next, fill them with olive oil and send them to a cool place to infuse for about a week. At the end of this period, the product can be used. Simply dip the sponge into the mixture and gently rub into the eyelids and problem areas around the eyes.

Recipe 3. With cosmetic clay

An excellent solution for oily skin. The mask dries and mattifies the complexion.

• Take 20g of blue or white clay;
• 15-20g olive oil.

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Gradually pour the oil into the powder and stir to obtain a thick, viscous consistency. Apply it on your face for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Recipe 4. With Aloe Vera and Vitamin E

This mask is perfect for dry skin.

• 20g olive oil;
• 3-4 drops of vitamin E;
• 5g Aloe Vera juice;
• one chicken egg white.

Separate the white from the yolk and beat until it becomes a soufflé. Next, add oil and plant juice to it, mix everything. Apply to face with a brush for 25 minutes, then rinse with running water.

Recipe 5. With kaolin

Kaolin is another useful substance that will help you maintain youthful and beautiful skin. There is also a yolk that goes well with olive oil.

• Take 20g of kaolin;
• 20g butter;
• yolk of one egg.

Mix all components together until smooth. Keep on your face for no longer than 10 minutes, and then wash with chamomile decoction.

Recipe 6. With sour cream and carrots

And this nourishing composition will help your skin stay hydrated for a long time.

• 20g olive oil;
• 15g sour cream 30% fat;
• one small carrot.

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Grate the vegetable on a fine grater or chop it with a blender, then mix with sour cream and butter. Keep on your face for 20 minutes.

Where does olive oil come from?

Anyone who believes that a quality product can only be obtained in certain regions is mistaken. In fact, the situation is somewhat different. You can buy low quality oil from Tuscany, while Californian oil will be of the highest quality.

Just because it says Italy on the bottle does not mean that the product comes from Italian olives. They may be imported from some other country. If the oil is produced from olives from a particular region, the AOC or DOP must be applied to the label. The first abbreviation is used by French manufacturers, while the second is used by European Community manufacturers.

The best countries producing natural oils

The old Russian name for olive oil is Provencal. Now this French-made product is not only rarely found in Russian stores, but is also sold at exorbitant prices. More often you can find natural olive oil from Italy, but it is also not cheap. Russian experts examined olive oil supplied by various brands.

Experts have found that the products of the following companies meet all the requirements:

• Borges, Guillen, Altero, Maestro de Oliva (Spain);
• Terra di Bari, Monini (Italy);
• Hellada (Greece).

The quality of Terra Delicca oil from Tunisia is slightly lower.

Cold-pressed olive oil is tasty and healthy, regardless of the manufacturer. Although each region has its own varieties of olives, there are production peculiarities. For example, in Tunisia they produce a more tart product compared to Spain. Italian producers of high-quality oil try to maintain a low acidity level (less than 0.8%). This product has a light fruity aroma, spicy, slightly bitter taste.

Affordable prices for the Pomace variety, also supplied from EU countries. Unfortunately, in the product description, Russian suppliers deceive customers: “high quality Pomace olive oil in plastic bottles.” “Cake” oil is passed off as “virgin”; a low-quality product is called high-quality.