Everyone wants healthy, glowing skin and that too free of any mark or scars. Unfortunately, most of us are affected by acne and its scars. But fortunately, it can be effortlessly treated with the help of simple home remedies of olive oil.
The acne scars are much more frustrating and difficult to remove. And your trouble ends here with one ingredient that is easily available in our kitchen.
Is Olive Oil Good for Acne Scars?
Since time immemorial, humans have used olive oil to cook delicious recipes. But there is evidence that it has been used for skin and hair care as well.
It is a good moisturizer and used as lubricant for artisan soaps, sugar scrubs, lip balms, bath oils, massage oils, cosmetics and hair care products.
You’ll be surprised to know that olive oil is effective in treating dandruff, stretch marks, to tame the frizz, and get manageable hair and also to get the water out of your ears.
Olive oil is popular because of its therapeutic properties. It is not only the healthiest type of oil to eat but to apply as well as it treats from both inside and outside.
Here is a list of its great qualities:
- Olive oil is rich in polyphenol, anti-oxidant that moisturizes your skin and removes free radicals and toxins from the pores. It also helps in fast repair of damaged skin.
- It reduces inflammation dramatically, preventing further growth of acne.
- It protects against infections and doesn’t allow bacteria to grow in the pores.
- It helps in lightening the scars by exfoliation.
- It contains essential nutrients like proteins and beta carotene. It is also rich in Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D and E. All these help in keeping the skin healthy and toned.
- It restores oil balance of the skin, avoiding extra greasiness or dryness; both of which are not good for scars. Natural oil of the skin dissolves in olive oil helping it to remove extra oil from the pores.
What are Acne Scars?
Acne is caused due to inflammation of sebaceous glands located beneath hair follicles. Secretions from this gland clog pores and cause outbreak of pink or red bumps. They may contain bacteria and dirt too.
Acne scars are brown or darker marks left behind on the skin after acne is cured. Sometimes, depressed or pit scars are also formed. They blemish the skin and rob it of its glow.
Many products are available in the market that claim to cure these scars. But a natural, affordable and effective acne treatment is possible by using olive oil.
How to Effectively Use Olive Oil for Acne Scars?
The best way to use olive oil to cure acne scars is to include it in your daily routine in a way that suits your skin. Plan a monthly routine with four basic steps given below. Once or twice in a month you can go through the entire cycle and on other days take up one step at a time.
For example, if you decide to do the complete routine on day 8 and day 22 of the month, then do step 1 on day 4, step 2 on day 12, step 3 on day 19 and step 4 on day 26 of the month.
This way you can organize your beauty routine without disturbing too many things. Here are the mandatory steps that you must follow to use olive oil effectively.
Step 1: Massage
Facial massage has many additional benefits along with lightening up acne scars. There are many different types of natural ingredients that you can use along with olive oil for massage.
After you apply your choice of combination, massage your face in a spiral motion with your fingers. Concentrate more around the scar region.
Depending on the ingredients you are using, massage helps in increasing blood flow, mild exfoliation, cleansing of pores and detoxification.
Step 2: Steam
Using steam after massage helps in opening the pores wider to flush out toxins. The skin becomes soft and moist allowing olive oil to seep in well.
This helps in clearing it of acne scars faster. To steam your face acne, take hot water in a large bowl and bend over it.
Keep a distance of 18” to avoid scalding your skin. Place a large towel above yourself so that steam doesn’t escape. Stay in this position for 10 minutes. Rub your face and neck dry with the towel to will loosen up scar tissues.
Step 3: Exfoliation
Once the tissues are loose enough to be removed, it is important to scrub them away. Thus, exfoliation helps in cleaning the skin of any impurities, dead skin, etc.
For a good scrub olive oil can be mixed with some other ingredients that have a slightly rough texture. You need to apply the preparation and rub gently in a circular motion for 3-4 minutes. Wipe your face with a wet cloth.
Step 4: Maintenance
Nobody wants acne to return once they are gone. Therefore, maintenance of a clear skin is of utmost importance. Wash your face regularly, especially after you come from outside. Use a good cleanser to wash away all impurities from your skin.
Remove makeup before retiring to bed. Use good quality cosmetics and cream within the expiry date. Drink lots of water and eat a healthy nutritious diet.
Along with all the above precautions, you can use olive oil to keep your skin clear of further infections. Some preparations like olive oil with tree tea oil are ideal to disinfect the skin. Just dab it onto your face with a cotton ball and leave it overnight.
You can also use tree tea oil to get luscious hair. You want to know how? Then, have a glance at my previous article.
All the Enchanted Potions With One Magical Ingredient: Olive Oil
Enlisted below is a complete guide to use olive oil with different ingredients to get rid of acne scars eventually.
For Massage
Olive Oil Massage:
Use olive oil to massage your skin in circular motion, especially around and on the scars. Do this for 4-5 minutes and wipe off the excess oil. Repeat twice to soften scar tissues, making it easier to remove them. You can do this twice a day or at bedtime.
Olive Oil – Tea tree Oil Massage:
Mix one teaspoon tea tree oil with two teaspoons of olive oil. Use this mixture to massage your face in circular motion.
It can be most effectively used after exfoliation. Antimicrobial properties of tea tree help in disinfection of pores and reduce inflammation. This massage is good for deep cleansing of skin.
Olive Oil – Castor Oil:
Mix olive oil and castor oil in equal quantity. Apply it on clean face and massage in circles until it is soaked by the skin. Leave it for a few hours and then rinse your face with warm water.
You can do this before going to bed and leave the oil on overnight. It helps in fading the scars and killing harmful bacteria.
You can also use castor oil to fade those zebra stripes, I mean those stretch marks 😉 and here is how to do so.
For Scrub
Olive Oil – Baking Soda Scrub:
Add one table spoon of baking soda to one table spoon of olive oil. Apply this paste on your face and rub gently for 3-4 minutes.
Wipe it off with a wet cloth. This scrubs helps in fast removal of loose scar tissues. Baking soda is also good to fade away acne.
Olive Oil – Lemon Juice Scrub:
Blend one tablespoon olive oil and one teaspoon of lemon juice until it emulsifies into a lotion. Apply this on washed face and leave it for 10 minutes. Massage in circles with wet fingers for 5 minutes.
Wash your face with cool water. This helps in removing toxins from pores, bleaches the scars and kills bacteria that cause infections. Do not apply this on open wounds.
And yes, don’t forget to drink warm lemon water every morning.
Olive oil, Sugar and Lemon Juice Scrub:
Mix two teaspoons of organic cane sugar with one teaspoon of olive oil. Add ¼ teaspoon of lemon juice to this mixture. Apply on your face and scrub for 5 minutes.
Let it stay for 15 minutes and rinse with cool water. Apply olive oil after the skin dries up. You can repeat this three times a week. This helps in removing dead skin cells that triggers regeneration of new tissues.
Olive oil – Brown Sugar Scrub:
Mix one tablespoon of brown sugar and olive oil each to make a paste. Wash your face clean and apply this paste to wet skin. Gently rub in circular motion for 3-4 minutes. Wipe the paste away with wet cloth.
Rinse with cool water. You can repeat this procedure three times a weak. As brown sugar melts during the massage cleanses pores and lighten scars without causing irritation.
Olive Oil – Sea Salt Scrub:
Mix two tablespoons of sea salt with one table spoon of olive oil to make a thick past. Procedure is similar to brown sugar scrub. Sea salt acts as an excellent scrub to remove scar tissues.
Olive Oil – Chick Pea Flour Scrub:
Add one tablespoon of olive oil to two tablespoons of chick pea flour to make a paste. Apply this paste on your face and let it dry for fifteen minutes.
Gently massage with wet fingers and wash off with cold water. This scrub helps in brightening the skin and removing excess oil from pores without altering its pH level.
Olive Oil – Turmeric Scrub:
Mix equal quantity of turmeric powder and olive oil to make a paste. Apply to wet skin and leave it for 10 minute to dry.
Using wet fingers massage paste away slowly. Rinse with cool water and dry your face. This helps in reducing inflammation, hastens skin repair and prevents further infections.
For Mask
Olive Oil, Baking Soda and Lemon Juice:
Mix three teaspoons of baking soda with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Clean your face and apply this mixture. Leave it for 10 minutes to dry. Now wash it off with warm water.
While the skin is still moist rub in olive oil gently till it is absorbed completely. Leave it overnight and then wash your face. You can repeat this twice a week. This combination is helpful in lightening scars and killing bacteria.
Olive oil and Honey:
Mix equal amounts of honey and olive oil. Massage it on clean face and leave for 5 minutes. Soak a piece of cloth in warm water and wring excess water. Place this on your face and wait till it cools down.
Wipe your face and dry your skin. This may be repeated twice a week. This helps to prevent any further acne breakouts, bleaching scars and moisturizing skin.
Olive oil – Banana:
Blend two tablespoon olive oil and half a banana in a mixer till a smooth paste is formed. Apply mixture on clean face and leave for 5 minutes. Clean it off with warm water and pat dry. You can do this daily. It helps in nourishing the skin and keeping it healthy.
Olive oil – Rosehip oil:
Pour two teaspoon of olive oil and one teaspoon of rose hip oil into a bottle and shake well to mix. Dab it on your face with a cotton ball and leave it for 8 minutes.
Rinse it off with cool water and dry your face. You can do this 2-3 times a day. It helps in moisturizing the skin and fading scars.
Olive oil, Chick Pea Flour, Turmeric and Yogurt:
Take one tablespoon of chickpea flour, one teaspoon of turmeric and two tablespoon of Greek yogurt. Wash your face and generously apply olive oil massaging it till it is absorbed.
Apply the paste over olive oil and leave it on until dry. Wash it off with cool water and pat your skin dry. This can be done daily for better results.
This helps in removing dead skin cells and toxins from pores. Antibacterial properties of yogurt protect skin from infection.
Olive oil steam
Pour a few drops of olive oil in hot water. Take this hot mix in a large bowl and bend over it. Let the steam warm your face for about ten to twelve minutes. Wipe your face with a towel and massage some olive oil one your moist skin.
Wash your face well after fifteen minutes. This treatment helps in reducing inflammation. Steam opens up pores making it easier for olive oil to penetrate and unclog them. Use this method when your acne is in the last stages of healing.
Olive Oil Soap
Olive oil soap can be used to clean the skin before massages and scrubs. Look for organic brands that are devoid of chemicals, preservatives or harsh detergents.
These soaps can be procured online or beauty care aisle of grocery stores.
Few Words of Caution
Everyone has a different skin type and various products work in different ways on our skin. You should consult your doctor or dermatologist before trying any of the preparations and follow their advice.
Some ingredients may not suit your skin and cause inflammation. Stop using it immediately and consult your doctor if the problem persists.
Some researchers claim that olive oil is mildly comedogenic, which means it can clog pores. This may vary with skin types. Therefore, if there is no change in the color of scars after a month of using olive oil, you may try other treatments available for removing acne scars.
In case of pitted or depressed scars, olive oil for acne scars can do very little. It is always better to go in for professional procedures in consultation with your dermatologist.
The type of olive oil being used is an important factor in getting good results. Extra virgin olive oil is extracted from olives without the use of heat or chemicals.
It also retains most of the nutrients present in the fruit. This is the reason it is highly recommended for skin care. It does not contain any impurities that may otherwise harm the skin.
Along with the use of olive oil externally, you may also include it in your diet. It is one of the healthiest oil for consumption. Try recipes that use olive oil in the raw and cooked form.
Acne scars may not be painful but they affect self-confidence adversely. They may be the cause of depression and frustration among people of different age groups.
You are now aware of effective ways to use olive oil for acne scars with household ingredients. Then, do give them a try as they lighten up the scars and maintain glowing skin.
