Clever Ways To Use The Best Polyphenol Rich Olive Oil

Moving Beyond Olive Oil As Salad Dressing

^{Updated 19th September 2024}

The Many Uses of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Ever wondered why extra virgin olive oil is often referred to as ‘liquid gold’? This versatile oil not only enhances your culinary creations but also offers numerous benefits for your skin, hair, and overall well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the manifold uses of extra virgin olive oil and why it deserves a prime spot in your pantry and beauty cabinet.

Extra virgin olive oil has been a staple in Mediterranean kitchens for centuries. Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s no wonder this golden elixir has found its way into the hearts of health enthusiasts, beauty aficionados, and home cooks alike. From glowing skin to luscious locks, and even a morning energy boost, discover the myriad ways extra virgin olive oil can enrich your life.

As well as being the best thing you can do for your healthy salad dressing, extra virgin olive oil has a wide range of benefits from cooking to skin care. For example, extra virgin olive oil has healthy monounsaturated fats which can help promote cardiovascular health when used in cooking. It’s also been known to help improve blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol. Beyond cooking, extra virgin olive oil can be cleverly used topically for skin care or for giving your hair an extra boost! With many uses to offer, extra virgin olive oil is an excellent staple item to have in one’s home and pantry–with creative uses ranging far beyond just cooking.

Olive Oil For The Skin

Olive oil works as a natural moisturizer for the skin–its antioxidants helping fight free radicals and improve skin density. The extra nutrition that extra virgin olive oil can provide helps promote overall better complexion and healthier looking skin!

Natural Moisturizer

Extra virgin olive oil is a fantastic natural moisturizer. Its lightweight texture allows it to penetrate deeply into the skin, providing hydration without clogging pores. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it helps to repair dry and damaged skin, leaving it soft and supple.

Anti-Aging Properties

The antioxidants in extra virgin olive oil, particularly vitamin E, help combat the signs of aging. Regular application can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, giving your skin a youthful glow. It also helps to improve skin elasticity, making it firmer and more resilient.

Gentle Makeup Remover

Extra virgin olive oil is an effective and gentle makeup remover. It effortlessly dissolves makeup, including stubborn waterproof mascara, without irritating the skin. Simply apply a small amount to a cotton pad and wipe away makeup for a clean, hydrated face.

Body scrub: By mixing evoo with coarse salt and orange flower water, it acts as a nurturing body scrub, leaving your skin soft and treated with healthy minerals and vitamins to give your skin the treatment it deserves.

Face: If you suffer from dry skin, extra virgin olive oil penetrates deep into the skin providing needed moisture as well as a shield to protect your skin, keeping it smooth. The oil contains vitamins A and E which is great for protecting your skin from daily tribulations.

Sunburn: With summer in full force and everyone putting on their shorts and flip flops, sunburn is on the cards for many of us Brits. By applying olive oil to sun burn, it in fact speeds up the healing process through its polyphenol compounds which help repair damage to the skin.

Simply adding extra virgin olive oil to your bath can turn an ordinary bath into a moisturizing spa-like experience as its vitamins and fatty acids benefit skin health.

Benefits Of Olive Oil For Hair

Olive oil is an ancient, natural beauty secret recommended by many experts. From extra virgin olive oil to infused variations, this liquid gold packs a serious punch when it comes to hair care.

Deep Conditioning Treatment

Olive oil is an excellent deep conditioner for all hair types. Its high content of essential fatty acids and vitamins helps to nourish and strengthen hair from root to tip. Apply it as a pre-shampoo treatment or a leave-in conditioner for soft, shiny, and manageable hair.

Scalp Health

A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. The antifungal and antibacterial properties of extra virgin olive oil can help combat dandruff and other scalp conditions. Massaging it into your scalp promotes circulation, leading to healthier hair growth and reduced hair loss.

Split End Repair

Regular use of extra virgin olive oil can help repair and prevent split ends. Its nourishing properties seal the hair cuticle, reducing breakage and improving the overall texture of your hair. Say goodbye to brittle, damaged hair and hello to strong, lustrous locks.

Rich in vitamins A, D and E and fatty acids, extra virgin olive oil contains powerful antioxidants that protect the scalp from free radicals and deep nourishes the hair cuticles, resulting in shinier and softer locks. In addition to sealing cuticles for smoothness, extra virgin olive oil also helps combat dandruff, split ends and frizzy locks. Thus, incorporating extra virgin olive oil into your weekly hair regimen can help make your hair look healthier than ever!

Benefits Of Olive Oil in the Morning

Starting your day with a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil can provide a natural energy boost. The healthy fats in olive oil are easily digestible and provide a steady source of energy, helping you stay alert and focused throughout the day.

Supports Digestion

Olive oil stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, promoting healthy digestion and preventing issues like bloating and constipation. Consuming it in the morning can help kickstart your digestive system, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning throughout the day.

Aids in Detoxification

The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of extra virgin olive oil support the liver’s natural detoxification processes. Including it in your morning routine can help flush out toxins, improve liver function, and promote overall health and well-being.

Wake up the Mediterranean way by frying your eggs in extra virgin olive oil instead of butter.  The best olive oils, such as Morocco Gold, have a higher smoke point than butter so it’s a great choice for higher heat.  It will also give your eggs an extra crunchy outer edge.  Alternatively,  if hard-boiled or poached eggs are more your thing,  just drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on them before you tuck in.

Don’t Forget To Leave Some Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Cooking!

Extra virgin olive oil is an excellent and versatile ingredient for all your cooking needs. You can use extra virgin olive oil in a variety of unexpected and fun ways to add extra flavor to your meals. Try adding a splash of extra virgin olive oil on popcorn for a flavorful snack, or use extra virgin olive oil as the main dressing ingredient when making a rich and creamy strawberry vinaigrette. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over fish before baking to give the dish an extra crunchy and flavorful topping. Or if you are looking for something sweet, try using extra virgin olive oil in place of butter in your baked goods, such as brownies or banana bread for a delicious, yet healthier substitution. With extra virgin olive oil, the possibilities are endless!

By investing in the best olive oil you can afford you are treating your kitchen store cupboard to one of the finest and most versatile products around.  But remember, as well as being the perfect base for a healthy dressing or appetite whetting dip, extra virgin olive oil can be used in ways that you may not even have thought before.

That’s why the team at Morocco Gold are here to talk you through some of the less expected ways to use your polyphenol rich extra virgin olive oil through the week.  There’s something in here for everyone!

Pair The Best Soft Cheese With The Best Olive Oil

If you are planning a light lunch with mozzarella, ricotta or another soft cheese, the addition of the best olive oil will perfectly compliment the creamy texture with its light peppery touch.  Morocco Gold has the distinctive ‘pepperiness’ of a fine extra virgin olive oil with a clean, well-balanced finish that would work perfectly with cheese.

An Olive Oil Marinade

One of the best ways to flex the muscles of your chosen extra virgin olive oil is to use it in your marinade.  As the best olive oils can pull the fat-soluble flavours out of a range of ingredients including garlic and shallots,  it’s a great way to transfer them to your meat or vegetables on a grill.  There’s the added bonus of the flavour of your extra virgin olive oil in the mix too.

Forget the Croutons, Drizzle EVOO On Your Soup

Whether you use it to prepare the vegetables for your soup or drizzle it on top of the finished product,  extra virgin olive oil is the perfect partner for your winter warming soups.  Not only does it provide some extra texture and flavour to your soup but it is a healthier alternative to croutons fried in saturated fat as the best olive oils are high in healthy monounsaturated fats.

An Ice Cream Topping For All The Family

Ok,  so we may have mentioned this one before at Morocco Gold but it’s just so much fun we couldn’t miss it out!  We all love a scoop or two of ice cream for a treat but why not ensure it’s got some added health benefits with a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to cut through the creamy texture and transport you to the Mediterranean.