The study noted that olive oil has low linoleic acid and high oleic acid ratios and concluded: oils with high linoleic acid and low oleic acid ratios moisturize and protect the skin.
The research also said, olive oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, plus promotes wound healing, but it could also "cause a reduction in the integrity of the outer layer of the skin, called the stratum corneum." For sure a vague part 2 of its findings! What I, a non-dermatologist, think it boils down to is ... olive oil lacks enough ceramides (a family of waxy lipids. Ceramide 1 contains linoleic acid) to sink into the outer layer of the skin -- which isn't a problem if your skin is already damp from a shower plus you add a thin cream like Noxema. (Noxema has linoleic acid.) Certainly, as a sealing layer, olive oil seems to work well by locking in moisture to keep the skin from drying.
In fact (for me), extra virgin olive oil paired with Noxema is working much better to stop dry skin than the plant oils recommended by the study (that I normally use at home) including jojoba oil, coconut oil, almond oil, argan oil, and rosehip oil.
Olive oil is often an ingredient in moisturizers. Both olive oil and Noxema are cheap!
Scientifically I don't know why olive oil is working better, but one reason could be because it is slightly thicker (i.e., richer) than the other pricier cited plant oils. Now I'd love for scientists to find out why by researching the use of olive oil as an after-bath oil. As a consumer, I desire the most cost-effective after-bath oil that works when used properly, perhaps always pairing it with a lotion containing a high linoleic acid ratio we already stock. One-stop shopping is ideal! Is there any reason to buy more expensive plant oils? How about taking this up, Doctorly on YouTube?
Do you, lovely readers, have a go-to-after-bath oil to fight dry winter skin?
