5 different ways to use olive oil, Dia Mirza's favourite DIY skincare ingredient, in your beauty routine

Dia Mirza has always been a fan of keeping things natural. As a sustainability crusader, using clean and organic beauty and wellness products have always been important to her. “As for me, I carry my own metal bottle wherever I go, use bamboo toothbrushes instead of the usual plastic ones, sanitary napkins that are made with natural fibres and are 100 per cent biodegradable, and make sure there is a black cloth bag in all my cars so I never need to use a plastic bag,” she shared. So when it comes to her skincare routine, the same philosophy stands. “As far as beauty products are concerned, I only buy from natural, organic brands,” she confirmed. 

For her skincare routine, she's happy to reach out for ingredients from the kitchen. “To keep my skin well hydrated and rid it of impurities, I use a natural scrub of walnut, plum and aloe vera and moisturise with either coconut or olive oil,” she shared. Rich in antioxidants that help fight free-radical damage and ageing, olive oil is not just great to consume but also to apply to make the most of its anti-ageing benefits. It is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats which can fight dryness because of its emollient nature. 

If you're too nervous to put olive oil on your face for fear of it clogging pores (which it can on already-oily or acne-prone skin), olive oil is an ideal ingredient to apply on the hair and the rest of the body too. “Olive oil is the only one scientifically proven to penetrate the core of the hair fibre. This is because the oil has mono-saturated fatty acids (MUFA) in place of the poly-saturated fatty acids, which are commonly found in other oils. Deep penetration into the scalp increases blood circulation, thereby even preventing hair fall,” shared Dr Satish Bhatia, Mumbai-based dermatologist. 

Here's how you can use olive oil in your skincare and haircare DIY recipes

1) A mask for ultra-dry skin

To calm your skin down and nourish it, mix yoghurt, olive oil and honey. The lactic acid in yoghurt subs in for a chemical exfoliator, while honey hydrates the skin due to its humectant properties. Olive oil is able to moisturise dry skin, zipping up flaky patches in the process. 

2) A soothing body scrub

For dry elbows, knees and general flaky patches, an oil-based scrub can help. Mix oats and olive oil and apply all over the skin when it is damp, scrubbing it in the circular motion. While the oats will scrub away dead skin cells, it also soothes the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The olive oil soaks well into damp skin, leaving it plumper and more supple when washed off. Plus, it is rich in a compound oleocanthal, which calms and soothes.

3) A nourishing mask for hair growth

For a nourishing hair mask, mix olive oil with honey and an egg yolk. Whip up the mixture and apply to your strands to zip up split ends. Egg yolk, which is rich in protein, helps to bolster hair growth, while olive oil (being rich in Vitamin E) will help repair damaged ends. Because it is an emollient, honey traps moisture in your hair thus keeping it well-conditioned and ultra soft. 

4) A frizz-fighting hair elixir

A hot oil treatment with coconut and olive oil can help fix dry, coloured or processed hair almost immediately. The occlusive and waxy nature of the former helps deep-moisturise, while olive oil can form a film on the hair, reducing friction in the process and improving strength, shine and softness. 

5) A cuticle oil

Olive oil is able to amp up nail growth while helping to moisturise bitten cuticles or peeling skin. Using an olive oil and sugar scrub can help get rid of any ripped bits, and then massaging the oil into each nail can help prevent hangnails and chipping. 

Also read:

The best way to oil your hair to get the most out of the soothing ritual

How to get glowing skin? The right exfoliation may be the answer

10 great ways to use olive oil in your beauty routine that you probably don't know about