Olive oil use has been dated as far back as 3500 B.C., and not all of it has been for eating. It is believed that ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians used olive oil as a form of soap. Olive oil soap making has evolved over the centuries to add lye and essential oils to the process. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, is antimicrobial and is a natural emollient. These three properties make it a natural choice for soap. Does this Spark an idea?
The History
In ancient Egypt olive oil was applied to the skin and scraped off to remove dirt and debris. Mesopotamians are credited for creating the first olive oil-based soap by mixing soda ash with olive oil into cakes. In 1792, a French chemist regulated the process used to create olive oil soap, leading to the soaps being called Marseilles soap. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Greece was the major exporter of olive oil and olive oil-based soaps.
Functions
Olive oil soap suds rinse off the body very easily and can replace shampoos and shaving cream. The olive oil also provides vitamins for the skin, kills germs and moisturizes the skin.
Antioxidant Benefits
The polyphenols in olive oils protect against oxidative stress. These polyphenols also assist in reducing free radicals related to sun-based skin damage. By using olive oil soap made with 100 percent extra virgin olive oil, it can theoretically help to prevent skin cancers. Olive oil also contains vitamin E, vitamin K and essential fatty acids, which are beneficial to the body overall. Vitamin E helps with natural collagen production for the skin. Vitamin K is used in treatments for spider veins and dark under eye circles.
Antimicrobial Benefits
The polyphenols present in olive oil have shown a resistance to salmonella, cholera, staphylococcus, pseudomonas, and influenza in vitro. According to the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the polyphenols in olive oil "have been demonstrated to inhibit or delay the rate of growth of a range of bacteria and fungi." When used in soap, these antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal benefits are passed on to the user.
Emollient Benefits
An emollient provides a moisturizing element to the skin. The oil components in an olive oil soap add these moisturizing benefits to the skin. These emollient properties make olive oil-based soap good for shaving and does not dry out the skin afterward. The oil does not clog the pores when used as a moisturizer and provides just the right amount of moisture to prevent inflammation and eruptions on the skin. For this purpose, olive oil is commonly used in natural cosmetics.
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