Olive Oil Soap – What Makes It Special
All natural soap can be made from many different kinds of base ingredients – goat’s milk, coconut oil – and of course, Olive Oil. Olive oil soaps have unique and wonderful properties that make them different from other types of soap. We’ll talk today about the special benefits of olive oil soaps, and introduce you to a few of our favorites as well.
Healthful Benefits
Olive oil is one of the most healthful, nourishing base ingredients for soap. Olive oil soaps are popular among those who understand natural skin care because:
- Handmade soaps based on olive oil are exceptionally mild and creamy
- Olive oil penetrates and nourishes the skin, keeping it moist and healthful
- Olive oil has special organic properties because of its high content of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids
- Olive oil contains antioxidants that are known to counteract aging due to sunlight exposure and toxins in the air or water
- Olive oil has a very low pH, making olive oil soaps very gentle on the skin while still providing thorough cleansing
What is Castile Soap? Olive Oil Through The Ages
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Olive oil soap is often referred to as "Castile Soap." The Castile region of Spain was producing olive oil soaps that were exported to all of Europe as early as 1600, and the name Castile has become synonymous with high quality olive oil soap ever since.
But the benefits of olive oil go back much farther than that. In her book Healthy And Beautiful Through Olive Oil, Margot Hellmiss teaches that olive oil was being used for beauty and health as early as the time of Cleopatra and Nefertiti.
Olive oil has been used for health benefits for thousands of years in the Mediterranean, where olives grow plentifully and are utilized in many areas of life. It forms an integral part of the healthy diet and lifestyle of many peoples, and olive oil is a cherished gift in many cultures.
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Olive Oil For Special Skin Conditions
Olive oil can be paired up with other special natural ingredients to create soaps with special application for those with skin problems. Our customers tell us that olive oil soap with Pine Tar soap has helped them eliminate the symptoms of eczema. Olive oil soap with honey and oatmeal has allowed customers with psoriasis to use a soap that has a wonderful scent without any essential oils that could irritate hypersensitive skin.
Olive oil soap is a good choice for anyone with inflamed or sensitive skin. For those with cuts and scrapes, olive oil is soothing, disinfecting, and facilitates healing of injured skin
Unlike chemical soaps, all natural olive oil based soaps does not clog pores. People who suffer from acne may notice immediate improvement by switching to an olive oil based soap, without the drying chemical effects of artificial acne “treatments.”
Special Note For Vegans
Every product at Soap Hope is absolutely cruelty-free and never tested on animals. Some people prefer soaps that do not contain animal byproducts such as goat’s milk. A large variety of soaps at Soap Hope are made from 100% vegetable and mineral sourced only. Our olive oil soaps are a great product for those who want milk-free products.
The Science Behind It
For those of you who like to know the details, here are some of the known scientific reasons that olive oil is great for soapmaking and for skin care.
Olive oil is primarily composed of monounsaturated fats. In addition to oleic acid, it contains linolenic and alpha-linolenic acids. The word "acid" is chemists’ terminology – olive oil is very soothing and gentle. These components are the precursors of important substances known as prostaglandins, which result in the smoothness and firmness characteristic of youthful skin.
Olive oil contains an abundance of antioxidants. Antioxidants help repair damaged cells and prevent damage from sunlight and toxins. Yes, using olive oil soap repairs and protects the skin!
Among the antioxidants in olive oil, hydroxytyrosol is a rare and powerful antioxidant agent found in olive oil. It is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. This helps give olive oil its soothing properties that can relieve sunburns and rashes.
Olive Oil Soaps at Soap Hope
Many of our products at Soap Hope contain olive oil or a combination of olive oil and goat's milk - including soaps, premium soap bars, and bath bombs. Take a look at these favorites:
