Olives have long been used for cooking and as an ingredient in skincare, whether ingested or as in ingredient in topical skin creams and oils. Olives, whether ingested or used on the skin in topical form, contain antioxidants that prevent cell damage, keeping cells healthy and more resistant to damage.
In fact, there are studies that show that topical application of olive oil on the skin help fight off cancer-causing cells. All these are more than enough reasons to look into olive oils and extracts as an effective way to keep the skin naturally healthy and young.
Interested in how you can keep your skin glowing and healthy?
Olive leaf extract is the extract taken from the leaves of the olive tree, which is naturally found in Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Olive trees are relatively short trees with white leaves tinged silver-green. While the olive fruit and oil is a popular ingredient used in various dishes all over the world, the extract is taken from the leaves.
In most cases, the leaves are harvested, crushed to extract the oils. In other cases, leaves are infused and the infusion is drunk as a tea. Olive tea leaves have been consumed throughout the years to regulate blood sugar or help treat malaria, fever, among other conditions.
So what makes the olive extract suitable for keeping the cells and the skin healthy? Studies show that it could be the bioactive compound found in the leaf called oleuropein. Oleuropein has been shown to have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.
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Olive oil vs. Olive leaf extract
Now, you may be wondering why you need olive leaf extracts at all if you can get the same benefit from any bottle of olive oil you have sitting in your kitchen counter.
Olive oil and olive extracts may both be sourced from the olive tree, but they come from different parts of the tree. The process of extraction differs as well. Olive oil comes from the olive fruit. After olives are washed, they are turned into a paste using a millstone.
This process also produces the characteristic aroma and taste of olive oil. Next, the paste is put inside a press, where pressure is applied to separate the oil from the water content of the paste. The final separation of the oil from the water is done by decantation.
The extract is taken from the leaves, which contain a higher concentration of oleuropein than the rest of the olive plant. Extracts can be prepared at home, by placing clean olive leaves in a jar, filling it up until 3/4 full, and then pouring vegetable glycerin over the leaves until the jar is full. Place in a crockpot in the water on low heat for three days. Strain out the leaves, and store the resulting tincture in a glass jar.
Tinctures can be used for anything from cough and colds or as a topical remedy for inflammation. Some even use it as a substitute moisturizer, noting that the anti-inflammatory benefits give them glowy skin, less discoloration, and redness, among other changes.
Commercial olive leaf extracts in cream preparations are also available for a more convenient way to enjoy the anti-aging benefits of this plant.
Does Olive Extract Support Healthy Skin?
Scientific studies have shown that olive extracts have a positive effect on skin health. A very recent study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in July 2020 showed that the application of olive extract skin creams produced visible effects on the skin, from reduced wrinkles, improved skin hydration, and an overall improvement in skin texture after two months of treatment.
Another study published in the Journal of Nutrition focusing on the effects of olive extracts on UV skin damage showed that the ingestion of olive leaf extract capsules for 30 weeks resulted in a decrease in skin thickness, prevented reductions in skin elasticity, and even prevented skin tumor growth.
These results showed the positive preventative effects of oleuropein on the skin with UV ray damage, a very promising result for those who want to reverse or inhibit skin damage caused by excessive sun exposure.
Top Skin Care Benefits of Olive Extract
Olive leaf extracts come with the anti-inflammatory and cell-strengthening properties that help soothe and repair tired skin, improve hydration to restore a healthy glow to dull skin, and improve skin tone and texture by boosting circulation. Other benefits of leaf extracts to the skin include:
- soothe irritated skin with its anti-inflammatory properties
- improve skin hydration
- improve skin elasticity by promoting cell repair and collagen production
- reduce redness and other discolorations for smoother, clearer skin
- promote skin repair after UV damage
- protect skin from UV damage
- prevent acne
- slow the production of melanin to prevent dark spots
- prevent skin infections with its anti-microbial properties
How to Use Olive Leaf Extract for Healthy Skin
The good thing about olive leaf extract skincare is that you can use infused creams, tinctures, and even oral preparations of olive extract to get its benefits. Opt for skin creams with olive leaf extract as one of the main ingredients. You can also create your own olive tincture based on the instructions above for a ready-to-use home remedy for anything from skin irritation and redness to minor scratches and small wounds.
Olive leaf capsules are also available in many supplement stores and can be taken 2-3 times a day to keep the skin healthy, free from inflammation, and protected from the damaging effects of the sun, pollutants, and other dangers.
Quality, conscious skincare is a life-long practice that pays off in time in the form of healthy, glowing skin without the need for any fancy medications, vitamins, or procedures.
The use of natural anti-aging solutions like olive leaf extract can be helpful not only in keeping the signs of aging at bay, but also in strengthening skin cells so that they can resist cell aging, abnormal growth, and decay for healthy, youthful-looking skin.
If you are looking for a natural way to rejuvenate your skin and protect it from further damage, the olive leaf extract is definitely worth a try.
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