Olive oil and Dark Spots
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Using olive oil on your skin is a natural wonder offering many health benefits. It is excellent for our bodies inside and out. Internally, it is useful in lowering bad cholesterol as well as blood pressure. It also reduces gallstone formation and reportedly protects us from colon, breast, as well as skin cancer. Externally, it is good for the skin, hair, and nails. So how can you use it to reduce dark spots?
What are dark spots?
A look at using Olive oil to remedy dark spots
There is no singular cause for these spots. Several factors like hormonal imbalance, skin maladies like acne, eczema, aging, and harmful sun rays affect melanin production, which is liable for your skin color. Uneven or excess generation of this pigment equals dark patches. Apart from this, acne scars on your face can turn into dark spots.Dark spots also known as hyperpigmentation, age spots, solar lentigines, or liver spots, depending on what caused them, can appear at any time, but mostly appear in middle-aged people. Most often, they are due to a past of sun exposure or the artificial UV light utilized in tanning beds. The spots are also linked with certain skin ailments and can occur as a result of taking or using some medications. They are generally harmless, but there chances that some could be cancerous. If they bother you a lot, you can lighten or remove them if you so desire.
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Symptoms of Dark Spots
These spots vary from light to dark brown or black, are flat, and generally oval-shaped. Since they can develop anywhere, they are most likely to show up on the parts that get the most sun exposure, like:
- face
- backs of the hands
- shoulders
- arms
- back
While they are usually small, some spots can group and make larger patches of darkened skin.
Causes and risk factors that lead to getting Dark Spots
Dark spots are the result of the overproduction or collection of melanin also known as the skin pigment and/or free radical damage.
Exposure to UV light
Whether it is from the sun or an artificial source, like tanning beds, this is the most prevalent cause. Hyperpigmentation often begins to take hold as middle age begins, when the skin starts to show the results of sun exposure, notably if sunscreen and other sun-protective actions were not used. Those with light hair or fair skin, and who have experienced severe and/or multiple sunburns are at particular risk.
The other following causes, however, may be to blame; either alone or in combination with another cause.
Skin Conditions
There are many varying skin conditions and diseases that can result in dark spots and areas, though they are not the same as age-related dark spots like Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: which is skin discoloration following an inflammatory wound, like acne.
Medications
Certain medications can produce dark spots because they make the skin hypersensitive to the sun photosensitive.
Pregnancy
Liver disease
Addison’s disease
Hemochromatosis: having excessive iron in the body
Pituitary tumors
Why use Olive oil for the spots?
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Loaded with vitamins, nutrients and minerals that your skin demands, extra virgin olive oil can boost cell regeneration and make your skin softer. How can this oil improve your skin complexion or change the appearance of dark spots on your facade?
- Essential vitamins and minerals in this natural ingredient can lighten the look of dark spots and skin discolorations.
- Antioxidant activity shown by vitamin C in olive oil boosts cell regeneration and stops free radicals that damage cell membranes.
- The vitamin A and E in this oil defends your skin against harmful UV rays and prevent its hyperpigmentation.
- The exfoliating ability displayed by this oil help to cleanse impurities and pollutants out of the skin.
- The hydrating property also displayed by the oil moisturizes your face and guards it against ailments.
- Olive oil use on the skin assists in balancing the oil on your face and avoiding excess greasiness.
- The vitamins C and K in it boost collagen and elastin production to make your skin firmer.
- The healing ability of these vitamins hastens the healing process while reducing the appearance of acne scars.
- Varied vitamins and minerals in olive oil can make your skin look radiant, but this won’t happen overnight.
How to utilize Olive oil for dark spots?
Wash your face and apply this innate oil on your skin directly. This is the easiest ways to utilize olive oil. But, based on your skin type and the cause for your dark spots, you must mix additional natural ingredients to give the recipe more effective power.
Olive Oil and Turmeric Powder
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Curcumin, an active component in turmeric powder, is known to decrease the excess generation of melanin. Its antioxidant attributes remove toxins and prevent wrinkles. Mix a tablespoon of the oil with one tablespoon of turmeric powder. Cleanse your face with some water. Dry it using a clean cloth and apply the blended face mask. Allow it to dry naturally for about 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it off with water. Note: Turmeric may cause yellow stains on your face, which will fade away in a couple of hours.
Olive Oil and Tea Tree Oil
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Studies show that the topical application of this essential oil can lighten scars and dark spots. The vitamins in tea tree oil help to heal wounds, reduce inflammation and to balance the oil on your face. Combine 3 drops of tea tree essential oil with about a ½ teaspoon of olive oil. Dip a cotton ball or swab in it and apply it on dark spots. You can evenly apply this lotion on your face. Let it dry naturally for 20 minutes and then rinse it off with water.
Honey and Olive Oil
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The nutritional benefits of honey are know all over. Its healing ability, moisturizing quality and high amount of vitamin in honey can effectively lighten the look of dark spots and scars. Mix a tbsp of some honey with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Stir thoroughly and apply it on pre-washed skin. Rinse it off with water after about 15 minutes.
Olive Oil, Chickpea Flour, and Yogurt
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Chickpea flour is famous for its cleansing properties. Anecdotal reports allege that its repeated use will make the skin radiant by eliminating dark or black spots. The vitamin B5 in plain yogurt helps to brighten the skin and reduce dark spots. Apart from this, yogurt can squeeze skin pores, promote skin whitening, stop free radicals and prevent hyperpigmentation. Blend a tablespoon of chickpea flour and 2 tbsp of yogurt. Add olive oil and 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to the mask. Mix thoroughly and apply it over a pre-washed face. Let it to dry for fifteen minutes and then rinse it off with water.
Olive Oil and Lemon Juice
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The acidic activity and vitamin C in lemon are known to lessen dark spots and scars. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory capabilities of this citrus fruit can control bacterial infection. Combine a tablespoon of olive oil with one teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix thoroughly and put it on the face using a cotton ball. You can also utilize your clean fingers instead of the cotton ball. Allow it to dry naturally for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off with water.
Olive Oil and Baking Soda
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The bleaching property of baking soda helps lighten dark spots, brown spots or liver spots. Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with one tablespoon of olive oil. You can also mix in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Skip this step if you’ve sensitive skin. Put the paste on your face and rinse it off with water after 10 minutes.
Olive Oil Steam
Apply some extra virgin olive oil on your face evenly and let it dry for about 10 minutes. Heat some water and steam your face for 5 minutes. Use warm water to remove the oil from your face.
Castor Oil and Olive Oil
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The sticky nature of this remedy is known to extract impurities and lock in moisture in the skin. Vitamins and minerals in the oil fade the scars and dark spots. Mix the required an amount of olive oil in an equal volume of castor oil. After combining these ingredients thoroughly, apply it on a pre-washed face and rinse it off with warm water after 15 minutes.
Olive Oil and Vitamin E Oil
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The beneficial ability of vitamin E oil is notable and is necessary for the overall function of your skin. Other than making it radiant, this ingredient can guard the skin against various ailments. Pop a vitamin E capsule and mix it with olive oil. Wash your face and pat dry. Apply it to the face and let it dry for a few minutes.
Olive Oil for Dark Spots on the legs
You can utilize any of the methods listed above to remove scars or dark patches on your legs. You can also combine the oil with some glycerin. Add 20 drops of olive oil with equal part glycerin. Wash your legs and dry them, as you do for the face. Apply the mask evenly and let it dry. Remember to wear old clothes to avoid oil staining.
Tips for using Olive oil
- Do a patch test before applying it over the face.
- Using lemon juice excessively can irritate your skin.
- Don’t pinch acne or pimples, as it ends in dark spots.
- Use sunscreen cream while going out to prevent hyperpigmentation.
- Stick to a single recipe to see positive results.
- Ingredients that cause allergic reaction must be avoided.
- Eat a vitamin-rich diet and drink enough water to hydrate your skin from inside.
