WHY THIS SIMPLE INGREDIENT IS STILL A HERO
Used by the ancient Egyptians on face, hair and body, the budget-loving olive oil remains a star ingredient in a wide range of beauty products with good reason.
We asked Kate Roberston, medical herbalist and technical advisor for NZ’s Olive Skincare range, to explain why.
“It actually works!” she laughs.. “People don’t necessarily consider it to be a glamorous oil but the actual benefits far outweigh some of those more glamorous-sounding oils. Simple is better.”
The kitchen staple is regarded as a hard-working, multi-tasker to those in the know.
“It’s one of those oils that helps with everything,” says Kate. “It nourishes, hydrates, and it’s going to help with fine lines and keeping the skin supple and nourished.”
Olive skincare has a unique advantage with the range manufactured on an award-winning olive estate in New Zealand, owned by the Simunovich family.
“We make our own olive oil, our own olive leaf extract and we produce it in our own facility, so it’s extremely fresh,” says Donna Simunovich, head of marketing and product development.
“We have really good quality olive oil coming straight from the farm, so we are using the freshest olive oil, which makes a huge difference.”
“And if we weren’t doing that then these products would be significantly more expensive,” adds Kate.
While many products contain olive oil as the main ingredient, the Olive skincare range sports a unique blend.
“The secret to our skincare range is the addition of squalane, which is extracted out of the oil and is extremely good for the skin – it’s like a concentrated serum,” says Kate. (And it’s this editor’s all-time favourite skincare ingredient)
Breakout:
5 things you might not know about olive oil:
It’s natural
It’s cheap
It’s moisture-rich
It’s filled with antioxidants (Vit A, D, K and E) to fight free radical damage (from stress, sun, pollution and poor diet) which causes ageing and skin damage.
It’s high in Omegas 3 and 6s
Top tip: If you find the oil too heavy Kate suggests using it while the skin is still damp, which will thin it slightly.
