Olive Oil in Cosmetics

Olive oil is amazing. It contains a product which can treat a terrible human skin condition. Actually it isn't an accident, it is an artifact of the age-old war between plants and animals. Trees have very large genomes and are capable of cranking out thousands of different chemicals, far more than a human. Trees became chemical factories throughout evolution to protect themselves from herbivorous animals, fungi and bacteria. It has been estimated, that up to 40% of the dry weight of most plants is toxic chemicals, which are created to deter herbivores. After all, these trees can't exactly run away from their tormentors.

Olive trees create squalene, which is a precursor of other sterols, and many other sterol-type chemicals. In humans, the sterols include the "cortisone" type substances, many of which have anti-inflammatory actions. The body gets confused and attacks certain body structures, thinking they are foe instead of friend. Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease. Anti-inflammatory medications are mainstays of treatment. They can be given orally or spread on the skin. It is said that squalene can reduce the inflammation of psoriasis.

The two main sources of squalene are shark oil and extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil contains the largest percentage of squalene among the common vegetable oils. For instance, olive oil has 136-708 mg/100g of squalene compared to 19-36 for corn oil (Gutfinger and Letan).

Squalene is found only in high quality extra virgin olive oil. But in various levels, depending on the oil. Olive oil is often deodorized. The resultant oil is not an effective choice for skin care. Squalene is removed during the refining process and is concentrated in the distillate.According to Bondioli et al, squalene can be recovered in yields of up to 90% from the distillate using a supercritical carbon dioxide process.

Squalene is incredibly similar to human sebum, our natural moisturizer. The recovered squalene is sold to the cosmetics industry as an emollient or moisturizer and to the nutraceutical industry. Reports that olive oil does not contain much squalene, refer to this refined oil.

The phenolic compound, hydroxytyrosol, is an antioxidant which is so potent it is used by the food industry in lieu of some preservatives in a variety of foodstuffs. This antioxidant found in high quality olive oil helps keep products fresh. It also helps fight free radical damage in our skin. (See Olive Oil and Skin Health)

This research thrills us at PISANI, because we choose only the highest quality extra virgin olive oil. We understand the chemical properties of oils and how they interact with skin. We have a special way to test the quality of oil for skin care. You can share in our rewards when you use PISANI Venetian Beauty Products.