21 April 2011

Men, Pardon Me

I'm going to get girly for a moment.

Olive oil. My dear women--start using it. Throw away the expensive creams, face lotions, body lotions, and conditioners. Olive oil, I've only lately discovered, does everything, and better. Contrary to what one might think, it does not leave a greasy film on the skin; it's absorbed quickly into the epidermis, and you will be amazed at how soft and supple your skin feels afterward. I've been using regular olive oil exclusively for months now, and it is better than any facial lotion I have ever used.

It is loaded with vitamins: A, E & K. It also contains phenols and oleocanthal, both excellent antioxidants that attack free radicals that cause aging. It also has squalene, which moisturizes skin and regulates sebum, and chlorophyll, an anti-aging element.

Don't stop at the face; olive oil is wonderful as a body lotion, and will soften the toughest skin--knees, elbows, even cracked heels. It also does a superior job removing make-up.

Another thing: it's superior at conditioning hair. Most hair conditioners on the market are water-based and contain wax, which means a hard film is left sitting atop your hair. Olive oil is absorbed into the strands, nourishes it with vitamins, and leaves the hair soft, tangle-free, and non-greasy. Shampoo hair as usual, wash, then rub hands lightly with olive oil and finger-comb. Don't use too much--just enough to get out the tangles, and be sure to spread evenly throughout. Don't forget to massage the scalp. Olive oil is a mild fungicide, so in addition to moisturizing dry, flaky scalps, it can also help reduce dandruff.

And the best thing about it is you can get a large bottle for about $7 that will last you forever.

Ok. Girly moment over.