One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to start avoiding processed foods and products, like lotions and eye make-up removers. I am going back to basics and sticking with what’s simple and pure – to benefit my health and my wallet. Which is why I’ve been buying a ton of olive oil.

Olive oil is great for cooking, but it has many other household uses, too. In fact, celebrities swear by olive oil as a “secret beauty product.”

14 unusual uses for olive oil.

 

DO:

1. Avoid harsh chemicals buy making your own wood furniture and floor polish using olive oil, vinegar and essential oils with this recipe by doTERRA blog.
2. Add to your moisturizer for extra skin-conditioning. Many people use it directly on their skin because it absorbs so quickly, but I like to mix a few drops into my body lotion for those extra dry winter months. My skin is super-sensitive and I’ve never had a reaction to it.
3. Mix with honey and oats and use as a facial scrub with this recipe by Dabbles and Babbles.
4. Got kids? Use olive oil to remove non-washable paint from hair. Simply dip a small amount on a cotton ball and gently rub the paint off.
5. Olive oil will also remove paint from skin. Rub the oil on your skin, let soak for a few minutes, then wash with soap and water.
6. Use as eye make-up remover. Simply take a cotton ball and dip. Olive oil is cheaper than whatever store brand you’re buying now.
7. Forget WD40 – use olive oil to quiet that squeaky door. It’s cheaper and you’ll avoid harsh and smelly chemicals.
8. Use as a natural cuticle moisturizer. For easy application, consider pouring in a small bottle with an eyedropper – you can find these at Whole Foods.
9. Why use expensive bath oils? A few TBSPs of olive oil works just as well and will make your skin feel super soft.
10. Ran out of diaper cream? Try a little olive oil to soothe diaper rash. It’s safe, natural and free of irritants.
11. Out of Goo Gone? Try a little olive oil to remove sticker residue. Dap the oil on the sticker, let set for a few minutes, and rub off.
12. Use in place of shaving gel when shaving your legs – your skin will be left extra-moisturized by this natural lubricant. Simply slather on your legs and shave.
13. Don’t spend money on a hot oil treatment – use olive oil instead. Heat up a few TBSPs, massage into hair, then put a plastic shower cap on your head for a half hour. But a little goes a long way – don’t use so much that your hair is left greasy!
14. A dab of olive oil makes for a great shoe shine. Buff your shoes with a cloth lightly dipped in olive oil. You’ll be thankful to avoid the harsh chemicals and strong smell of commercial shoe polishes.

DON’T:

1. Use in place of corn, canola or vegetable oil when baking! Trust us on this!

What are your favorite uses for olive oil?