I’m sure you already know that Olive Oil is amazing for your skin, right? Really good for your skin. But have you ever thought about just taking it straight from the kitchen pantry and rubbing it all over your hands just like lotion? If you answered *no*, that’s why you have me in your life.
Seriously, it feels amazing on your skin.
Because we’re fancy at my house we use Western Family pure Olive Oil, but I’ve gone one step further {farther?} and decanted it into a pretty bottle from a big box {$3} so it looks nicer. Like I said: fancy.
The whole family loves this stuff. Charming is showing you how it’s done here. A little bit goes a long way with Olive Oil, he only needs about a dime size to coat both of his hands.
I need a little bit more for mine, not a whole lot though, maybe a quarter size to get the job done.
Rub it in, coat your hands and you’re off to the races!
See? Totally moisturized hands. No flavors, no preservatives, nada.
And it feels so right.
Allison
Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!
LOVE that idea. I can't wait to try it. I just used the last of my fancy Western Family Olive Oil a couple of nights ago. Time to stock up again! LOVE your blog.
Ok you can continue to use it on your hands. But we gotta talk about which one to use for COOKING
I love your homemade sugar scrub for this reason. It does feel so right!!
We use olive oil a lot here too, especially handy next to the kitchen sink after load upon load of handwashed dishes (sadly, our old house doesn't have a dishwasher).
I need to try that — or I heard safflower oil is just the same, without a scent.
seriously – i put grapeseed oil (a bit lighter and less scented) in a plastic jar in the shower. after washing and all that, but just before i get out, i rub it on my skin, quickly rinse, and pat mysepsf dry. i had dry skin before, now i literally glow :)
a timely post Allison. i have been washing my face with olive oil for the last week or so. sounds crazy, right? my grandmother-in-law has been doing it for years and finally converted me. i am loving it so far!
read more about the Oil Cleansing Method here: http://simplemom.net/oil-cleansing-method/
I do it…and thought I was "weird"!! Now I know I am just a member of your club!!
I have never heard of that but I can't wait to go home and try! Mommybrain Bonus – I'm making chicken tonite so I def won't forget as the recipe calls for olive oil!
Cleaning and moisturizing with olive oil is a centuries year old tradition as we find much evidence of in art.
You mention using 'pure' Olive oil, which isn't of very high quality often. Of course you aren't cooking with it so the flavors aren't as important, but the content and growing methods of the olives is. [From the Wikipedia, Pure Olive Oil is generally a mixture of refined and virgin olive oil and is often the lowest quality out there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_oil#Retail_grades_in_IOOC_member_nations%5D
I'd highly recommend using an organic olive oil like the Monocultivar Nocellara from Olio Taibi on Amazon for all of your olive oil uses. It's a single type of olive, and all comes from a single small grove in Sicily http://bit.ly/8PqixI
Of course it is also insanely good for cooking and has really got me more into using olive oil for everything.
Really? It seems like it's be all greasy and stuff. I'll have to try!
The Warner Corner,
It's fabulous, really. Let me know what you think!
Hazel's Mommie,
Where do you buy grapeseed oil? The grocery store or health foods store? I'd love to try it!
Vanessa,
Ha! Maybe not W.F. PURE for the stove eh?
Marie,
Olive Oil does a body good.
Erin,
Funny how that works. I've been considering using it on my face as a moisturizer but was nervous about breaking out!
Kathleen,
Yes! I keep my bottle in the kitchen and use it when I cook, after I do the dishes, etc. So good for my hands!
Mindy,
Yes, or grapeseed I hear. I don't notice the scent with Olive Oil but it probably depends on sensitivity.
Heather,
No, never weird! It's awesome stuff right?
Trenches of Mommyhood,
Total bonus, make your food, moisturize your hands. Love all around.
David Fisher,
Thanks for all the Olive Oil info, I appreciate it!
Tylerpants,
Nooooooo, it's fantastic. A little bit goes a long way but it will make you smooth like buttah.
Allison – I got some (grapeseed) at Trader Joes! Since then, I've actually found it quite easily at the regular grocery stores. It's not any more expensive than olive, either.
good luck!
Liz
And I'll be DELICIOUS! :)
I totally wash my face with olive oil! And moisturize my whole body with olive oil!
I had REALLY bad eczema on my neck (i know, gross right, I thought so too…) I put olive oil on it and it was gone the following day!!!
Who would have thunk it?? Crazy! But, oil washes oil, so you're skin never felt so clean after using it!!!
I use olive oil from wal-mart – it's cheap, and effective. Win, win, win! (Did you see that episode of the Office??)
I am so trying this! My poor hands get so dry in these cold dry Utah winters. Lotion can't keep up with them!
Yup, I’ve been using extra virgin olive oil as a facial moisturizer, too. I apply it after washing and prior to bedtime. I use it as a lotion for my legs and feet.