How to Use Olive oil for Massage and Skincare Treatments

Extra virgin olive oil is fantastic for massage and skincare, it’s anti-inflammatory, painkilling, and moisturising. Whether you're an aromatherapist, reflexologist, or simply someone interested in natural health, this oil has incredible uses that can enhance your treatments and help your clients.

The Different Types of Olive Oil

Not all olive oils are the same. Here’s a breakdown of the three main types and which one is best for holistic therapy.

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

• Comes from the first pressing of the olives.

• Richest in therapeutic properties due to its minimal processing.

• Downside: Thick, sticky, and has a strong aroma that some may not like.

• Solution: Blend with a lighter oil like sweet almond or grapeseed oil to make it easier to work with.

2. Virgin Olive Oil

• Comes from the second pressing of olives.

• Lighter texture, making it easier to work with.

• Fewer therapeutic properties than extra virgin olive oil.

• Has an aroma, but less intense than extra virgin.

3. Pure Olive Oil (Misleading Name!)

• Made from leftover olives from all over the world.

• Processed at over 70°C, which destroys most (if not all) therapeutic properties.

• Lighter texture and mild aroma, easier to use in a treatment.

Which One Is Best for Massage and Skincare?

Extra Virgin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and painkiller, it's also very moisturising for the skin. Virgin and Pure Olive Oil have few if any therapeutic properties. It is quite thick, so harder to work with, but mixing it 50:50 with a lighter oil such as Sweet Almond Oil solves that problem!

You don't need to spend a lot, supermarket food-grade extra virgin olive oil is just as good (or even better) than expensive health store brands because it meets high safety standards. Natural skincare experts say if you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin because what goes on your skin ends up in your bloodstream.

The Powerful Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Anti-Inflammatory & Pain-Relieving

• Helps with muscle pain, tension, headaches, arthritis, and pain in general.

• It's moisturising and nourishing for the skin, lovely to include in a skin rejuvenating blend in a natural facial.

Warming Olive Oil Makes It Even More Effective

Warming Extra Virgin Olive Oil enhances its pain-relieving power. The reason it's so effective for pain is that it boosts circulation, helping to remove pain-causing waste products while delivering nutrients.

Here’s how to do it without destroying its properties:

1. Fill a bowl with warm water.

2. Place the oil in a smaller container and put it in the warm water, making sure that the water doesn't get into the oil.

3. Wait a few minutes until it reaches a comfortable temperature.

4. Don't use microwaves or cookers, heat destroys the oil's therapeutic properties.

How Extra Virgin Olive Oil Eased Arthritis Pain

I once gave a student a lift to class. On the way, she mentioned she had arthritis in her knees, and they were really painful that evening.

The only thing I had with me was Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and there was no way of heating it. I gave some to her to rub into her knees and told her she should just watch the massage that evening, so she wouldn't make the pain worse.

Later, I was astonished to see her practicing the massage and I told her she should stop, and just watch. But she said that the pain had completely gone since she used the Olive Oil. 

This of course is not a guarantee that everyone with arthritis will have the same result, but it is quite typical.

How to Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Treatments

Massage & Reflexology

• Blend 50:50 with sweet almond oil (which also has pain-relieving properties).

• Great for muscle tension, stiff shoulders, backache, arthritis, digestive discomfort and any pain or inflammation.

Natural Facials & Skincare

• Extra virgin olive oil nourishes, moisturises, and cleanses the skin.

• Its anti-inflammatory properties make it very helpful for lots of skin conditions, including acne and eczema.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil is also wonderful for skin rejuvenation treatments, due to its anti-inflammatory, moisturising properties and its high levels of fatty acids and anti oxidants.

How to Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil as a Makeup Remover:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil removes makeup (even waterproof mascara!) without harsh chemicals.

1. Apply a few drops to a cotton pad.

2. Wipe away makeup gently.

3. Tone with witch hazel or rose water.

4. If possible, skip the toner and let the oil nourish your skin overnight.