Choosing the right skincare products can feel daunting sometimes. With so many serums, creams, cleansers, and more boasting anti-aging properties, you may find yourself feeling in over your head as you’re browsing the personal care aisles in search of the best options. But what you may not know is that some of the best ingredients for your skin are likely already in your very own kitchen, including one that you probably use in your food on a regular basis. That’s right: if you’re looking for an affordable, natural way to keep your skin looking more youthful than ever, look no further than olive oil.
To learn more about how this ingredient can double as a kitchen staple and a skincare must-have, we checked in with skincare expert and Kosterina founder Katina Mountanos. She told us all about the practically endless anti-aging benefits of olive oil, both when applied topically and consumed. Read on for all of her fantastic insight!
What Are The Benefits Of Applying Olive Oil To Skin?
It turns out that extra virgin olive oil is great for more than just cooking! In fact, Mountanos says this natural ingredient is one of the best things you can apply to your face each day if you want to promote younger-looking, ultra-hydrated, plump skin. She notes that this plant oil is "praised for its emollient, deep moisturizing properties and antioxidants that fight free-radical damage." This is partly in thanks to the fact that olive oil is rich with hydrating squalane, which "nourishes dry skin and protects against premature aging for a more youthful complexion." Sign us up!
Kosterina's olive oil, in particular, also contains quercetin and lachestism. Quercetin is a plant pigment "known to regenerate skin cells and restore the skin" to help you maintain that youthful glow. Meanwhile, lachestim, or mastiha, which comes from the sap of Mastic trees, can help to "boost collagen production in the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and winkles, soothe irritate skin, reduce excess shine and improve the radiance of skin." Talk about the fountain of youth!
While you may feel inclined to apply plain old olive oil right to your face, the creators of Kosterina warn that the olive oil molecule is large, and therefore may not easily penetrate your skin. For this reason, choosing expert-formulated skincare products that use olive oil as an ingredient will work best. Kosterina's line, for example, features balm, cream, and of course, a face oil, which was formulated "alongside carrier oils that help the extra virgin olive oil to penetrate the skin and offer up its hydration and antioxidant benefits." Mountanos says this oil "can be used both morning and night after serum and before your moisturizer, or on its own.
Another great thing about olive oil is that it's safe to use with any other skincare products your heart desires—so you really have no excuse to not give it a try!
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Olive Oil?
Okay, so now you know all about how incredible olive oil can be when you use it directly on your skin—but did you know it can also improve the health of your skin from the inside out when consumed orally? That's because, as Mountanos says, it's "one of the best sources of antioxidants, which protect cells from damage and oxidation." In addition to these powerful antioxidants, EVOO is also packed with polyphenols called hydroxytyrosol, which works to absorb free radicals and "fight against aging-related diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as certain types of cancer."
In order to reap the most benefits possible from this anti-aging elixir, though, Mountanos emphasizes the importance of choosing a great oil. She recommends choosing a high-polyphenol, "Early Harvest" variety like Kosterina. "'Early Harvest' is a designation given to extra virgin olive oils tat are harvested early in the season," she explains, noting that this is when they offer their highest polyphenol content—and, in turn, the most health benefits. The more you know!
So, there you have it: whether you're sipping on olive oil, cooking with it, or using it in your skincare products, this natural ingredient is packed with anti-aging benefits. Why not give it a shot? We're sure your skin will thank you for it.
