By Anushka F

Olive oil for beauty

Olive oil has been used as a natural beauty product for centuries, loaded with vitamins and antioxidants it makes a great top to toe moisturiser and cleanser.

1. Intensive hair conditioner

Save money on expensive hair masks and do this once a week for a free hair treatment. Massage half a cup of olive oil into dry hair, comb through and either pop a shower cap on or wrap your head in cling film. If you can leave it on overnight to work it’s magic, or have a hot bath or shows so the steam can help the oil penetrate into the scalp. Leave and shampoo out.

2. Cuticle oil & hand treatment

Rub a few drops of olive oil into your nails to inject some moisture into dry skin and cuticles. You can also give tired hands a soothing treat by massaging oil into your hands and wearing gloves overnight. The Omega-6 and Omega-3 found in olive oil have fabulous skin-smoothing properties that will replenish lost moisture, and keep your hands looking young and supple.

3. Relaxing bath soak

Nourish your skin by pouring a cup of olive oil into a bath and enjoying a relaxing hot soak. It’s packed with Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that can help protect your skin from premature aging.

If you love taking a bath make sure you grab yourself some Epsom salts too. These naturally-occurring minerals have numerous health benefits including soothing pain and exfoliating skin.

4. Skin cleanser

Dry or combination skin? Olive oil can help create a smooth, supple complexion. Massage a few drops into your skin using a cotton pad and gently rinse with water.

For a real moisture boost, leave the oil on your face and run a wash cloth under hot water and place onto skin. The heat will work with the oil to nourish skin deep down.

5. Natural ear ache relief

A little olive oil can act as a fast and effective means of relieving ear aches. Warm the olive oil by placing the bottle in a bowl of hot water then pour a few drops into the affected area.

6. Whiten your teeth naturally

Discover oil pulling. This ancient Ayurveda ritual involves swilling a natural oil around your mouth for better oral hygiene, whiter teeth and numerous other health benefits. Swish some Extra Virgin Olive Oil around your mouth for 5 minutes a day, then spit out. Work your way up to 20 minutes a day to see the full benefits.

7. Make yourself an Olive Oil soap

If you have a slow cooker at home you can make these lovely natural soaps for yourself and your family and friends. Be sure to check out Wellness Mama’s easy-to-follow Basic Slow Cooker Soap Recipe. They’re a great way to use olive oil on your skin without having to keep a perilous glass bottle in your bathroom!

Practical uses around the home

Not just for the kitchen, olive oil is handy around the rest of the home too. Use it for cleaning, shining and fixing bits and bobs around the house….

8. Remove paint from your hair and skin

If you got paint in your hair or skin from a painting job, remove it easily by moistening a cotton wool pad with olive oil and gently rubbing it out. Works great on little artists in the making!

9. Make your wooden furniture shine

Restore the lost lustre from your wooden furniture with this natural alternative to chemical products. Mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice or white vinegar in a spray bottle, shake to combine and spritz onto your wood. Leave for a minute and wipe clean with a cloth or kitchen roll.

10. Silence a squeaky door

Lubricate a tight or squeaky hinge with a few drops of olive oil to quieten down any noise.

11. Free a stuck zipper

Use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of olive oil to the teeth of your stuck zipper. It should act as a lubricant, gently releasing the grip.

12. Stop or reduce snoring at night

This is not proven, yet some say that taking a sip of olive oil before bed can lubricate your throat muscles, and stop you – or your partner – from snoring as much during the night. Worth a try?

13. Shine stainless steel and brass

Rub a bit of olive oil on a clean rag and gently buff your pots and pans, anything in between, to prevent streaks, corrosion and tarnish.

Baby oil is another stainless steal saviour, use it on your kitchen appliances for added shine.

All About Home

Unexpected ways to use olive oil around the home