Olive Oil (refined)

Olive Oil Information

Olive Oil Fully ripe, hand picked olives make the best oil, which is produced by crushing the pulp of the fruit and not the seed. The oil is made from the pulp and not the kernel and different qualities are available and range from extra virgin, virgin and pure. All virgin olive oils are unrefined. If olives are damaged or bruised, they and the oil pressed from them is of a lesser quality that must be degummed, refined, bleached and deodorized resulting in olive oils that are equivalent to other mass market oils in quality. These oils, like other mass market oils, have been changed from anti-mutagenic to mutagenic by overheating, and their minor ingredients have been removed. Olive oil is a good oil for skin care, especially mature, inflamed, or dry skin, as it provides disinfectant, antiwrinkle, and wound healing properties. It makes an excellent conditioner for hair and nails, and is used as a remedy for arthritis. It is good for making salves, cosmetics, and has good medicinal properties. This oil creates a long lasting, non-drying mild soap with creamy lather, and no other soapmaking oil contributes its unique set of characteristics. It retains moisture to the skin by forming a breathable layer, and like jojoba oil, shea butter and kukui nut oil it does not block the skin’s natural functions while performing is own. Some people may find certain grades unpleasantly strong smelling.

Cautions - It is a very stable oil and does not go rancid easily and can be stored without refrigeration for a year. Olive oil is not recommended in aromatherapy as the oil is heavy and the aroma overpowering; it is good to blend at 10% with other carrier oils, and especially useful in soaps (where it is known as ‘Castille’) and lotions.