Why So Many Celebrities Use Olive Oil Instead of Pricey Beauty Products

Sophia Loren who has aged very gracefully and was voted the world’s most naturally beautiful person at the age of 71, swears by her virgin olive oil baths. In fact, the Oscar-winning actress isn’t the only one who uses this popular salad dressing as her skincare secret weapon. Emma Stone, Julia Roberts, Miranda Kerr, and many other celebrities use this affordable and easily available cooking ingredient to maintain their red-carpet-ready looks.

We at Bright Side were impressed by the fact that so many superstars, who can afford the most expensive skincare, opt for olive oil. So we searched the internet to find out what beauty benefits this kitchen essential has to offer. And there’s a bonus for you to check out at the end of the article.

1. It calms sensitive skin.

Olive oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and comes in handy for delicate skin that gets irritated easily. Thanks to its antibacterial properties it can also prevent acne while hydrating and nourishing your skin. Emma Stone, who has revealed she has allergy-prone skin, says she always has a bottle of olive oil on her sink. “I’m really allergic to a lot of stuff, so I can really only use products with a single ingredient,” the La La Land actress says. “So I just put it on my face, and I smell like focaccia.”

2. It moisturizes dry skin.

When her skin is feeling thirsty, Stone also uses olive oil to keep it hydrated. The actress confesses that her skincare routine changes constantly. “The thing I like the most is just straight oils—olive oil, Argan oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil,” she says. Because olive oil can help to lock in moisture, it can be used as a moisturizer for dry and delicate skin. However, it should be applied in moderation, as too much oil can clog your pores and eventually lead to breakouts.

3. It serves as a body lotion.

Olive oil can easily replace many expensive body butters and creams. Kylie Jenner also confesses she’s a fan of olive oil and loves to use it to moisturize her skin after a shower. Jenner says her shower routine includes shampooing and conditioning her hair, exfoliating her body with a loofah sponge, and then ’drenching’ her body with organic oils, like olive oil.

4. It strengthens your nails.

While olive oil can benefit your skin in many ways, it can also improve the texture of your nails. Because olive oil contains vitamin E, it can help your nails to grow faster by improving blood circulation. In fact, Julia Roberts uses this method to repair her nails. She mixes a few drops of the oil with warm water, applies the mixture to her nails, and leaves it on for about half an hour to keep her nails looking their best.

5. It makes your hair shiny.

Many celebs also love using olive oil to keep their hair healthy and moisturized. For example, Miranda Kerr has confessed she sleeps with organic olive oil in her hair once a week. “It nourishes the scalp and leaves my hair super shiny”, the Victoria’s Secret model says. Cipriana Quann, a blogger and influencer known for her gorgeous natural hair, says she applies olive oil to her hair at night and wraps it with a silk scarf. Because olive oil penetrates the hair shaft, it keeps it hydrated from the inside, making your hair soft and voluminous.

6. It can heal cracked heels.

When the skin on your feet becomes thick and overly dry, it can result in cracked heels that can be not only embarrassing but painful too. Using olive oil to moisturize your feet can help you keep cracked heels at bay and won’t let it ruin sandal season for you. Julia Roberts uses olive oil not only for her nails, but for her feet too. The actress likes to rub in some extra-virgin olive oil, pull on a pair of socks, and leave it on all night.

Bonus: Olive oil body scrub

While olive oil can be used to moisturize your skin, it can also serve as exfoliator, removing dead skin cells and leaving your skin feeling soft and hydrated. To make an olive oil body scrub, mix 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with 2 tablespoons of honey and add ½ cup of sugar. If you prefer a more delicate scrub, use less sugar. Rubbing this mixture into your skin for approximately 60 seconds will gently exfoliate it, making your skin glowy and smooth.

Do you use olive oil in your beauty routine? Do you know of any olive oil beauty hacks you can share with other Bright Siders?