Olive Oil is REALLY Good for You- Inside and Out!

Olive oil is a popular natural ingredient in various skincare products and soaps due to its potential benefits for the skin. Here are some of the skin effects of olive oil when used in natural products and soaps, including the soap and hair and body soap bases we use at Birds of Valhalla:

1. Moisturizing: Olive oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which help to hydrate and nourish the skin. It can penetrate the skin's outermost layer to provide deep moisturization, making it especially beneficial for dry or dehydrated skin.

2. Anti-aging properties: The antioxidants in olive oil can help protect the skin from free radical damage, which is a major contributor to premature aging. Regular use of olive oil in skincare products may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Skin barrier repair: Olive oil contains compounds like squalene and oleic acid, which can help repair the skin's natural barrier. This barrier is essential for keeping moisture in and irritants out, so using olive oil-based products can support overall skin health.

4. Anti-inflammatory effects: Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties that may help soothe irritated or inflamed skin. It can be beneficial for conditions like eczema or dermatitis, as it may help reduce redness and itching.

5. Mild cleansing: Olive oil can be used as a natural cleanser in soap formulations. It helps to remove dirt, makeup, and impurities from the skin without stripping away its natural oils. Olive oil-based soaps are known for their gentle cleansing properties.

6. Exfoliation: Some skincare products combine olive oil with natural exfoliants like sugar, ground oats or salt to create scrubs that help remove dead skin cells and leave the skin feeling smoother and softer.

7. Antimicrobial properties: Olive oil contains compounds like hydroxytyrosol, which have antimicrobial properties. This can be beneficial in natural soaps for maintaining skin hygiene and preventing certain skin issues.

8. Sun damage protection: While not a replacement for sunscreen, the antioxidants in olive oil may offer some protection against UV radiation and can be included in skincare products for added sun defense.

It's important to note that while olive oil can have many positive effects on the skin, it may not be suitable for everyone. Some individuals may have sensitivities or allergies to olive oil, so it's advisable to patch-test any new skincare product containing olive oil to ensure it doesn't cause adverse reactions. Additionally, the quality of the olive oil used in skincare products matters; extra virgin olive oil is often preferred for its higher nutrient content.

Always consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional if you have specific skin concerns or conditions to determine the best products and ingredients for your skin type. Though rare, some people do have allergies to Olive Oil. 

In independent tests (Brambleberry.com) across over a dozen oil types, pomace olive oil ranked #2 right after sweet almond oil in the best oil to make cold process soap and for the effects on skin. 

Here, at Birds of Valhalla, we master batch our oils- meaning that we make a large quantity ahead and then pour out the mixed oils for each batch. In our base recipe, we use nearly 45% olive oil, which makes olive oil our primary trusted ingredient, despite that it is more expensive than many other popular options. We believe it is irreplaceable in it's effects on skin, it's consistency and it's quality. We also love that it travels in metal, not plastic, and is produced in an ethical manner in general from Spain and Italy. Many oils have questionable backgrounds, like Palm oil, which we avoid here. Avoiding palm oil is pretty unusual for a soap business as it's so popular and readily available but we have found through trial and error that it tends to shorten the usage time of a bar of soap, as well as create a tightness/dryness to skin after use and it's also often of dubious origin.