The great things about olive oil soap

Did you know that the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians all used olive oil in their personal hygiene rituals? They not only used it to promote soft and shiny hair, but also used it mixed with a bit of sand to cleanse their bodies.

Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil is made by extracting the oil from olives, the fruits of the olive tree, which are optimally grown in the Mediterranean where the climate is steady with hot summers and cool winters. Damp summers and extremely cold winters are detrimental to the production of olives. The production process is incredibly simple. Traditionally, olives are pressed to extract their oil, but modern methods also can involve crushing the olives, mixing them together, and then separating the oil from the pulp in a centrifuge.

Of course, many people often use olive oil in the kitchen (we do!). it’s very rich in vitamins, including Vitamin A, D, E and K, and has long been recommended for a heart-healthy diet. It also has a high concentration of an ingredient called squalene which gives olive oil an extra antioxidant boost. These antioxidants have many benefits when used in skin care products.

In fact, one study found that when researchers applied olive oil to the skin of mice that were then exposed to ultraviolet rays that could cause cancer, the olive oil actually worked to fight off the cancer-causing cells. The rates of tumors were significantly lower in the mice that had olive oil applied to their skin.

The antioxidants that naturally occur in olive oil allow it to work as such a natural protector, moisturizer and cleanser. Natural soaps made with a base of olive oil help to replenish the skin's natural oils to provide balance and lasting protection. They also tend to be very mild, and non-irritating to the skin. It helps to gently clean even the most sensitive skin including skin abrasions, rashes and even sunburns. Olive oil soap is thought to provide relief to skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Most of our soaps contain 40% olive oil for all their skin loving properties. However, our Buttermilk Bastille Soap has an even higher ratio of olive oil to other ingredients (60%!) and can be gentle enough to use on babies.

Another reason why our soaps have a high percentage of olive oil is because it contributes to a harder bar of soap, after a minimum 4-6 week curing time. This means that bar of soap will last longer in your shower (if you are sure to let it dry out between uses). It also helps to produce a creamy, rich lather, which we know all of our customers love. And of course, using all-natural, plant-based oils such as this means that all of our products are free from harsh chemical ingredients and synthetic fragrances found in many mainstream, mass produced soap bars.

So why not give an olive oil based soap a try today? Check us out on Facebook or Instagram and let us know how you like it!