9 Effective Uses of Expired Olive Oil

Can Olive Oil Go Bad?

Many of us have a bottle of olive oil sitting in our kitchen or bathroom for months now and whenever we take a look at the bottle that has passed its expiration date, a few questions crosses our mind: Does olive oil expire really? How can I make use of this expired bottle of olive oil? Can I use expired olive oil on my hair? Can I use expired olive oil on my skin? Can I use expired olive oil on my face? Well, what if I say you can have numerous uses of expired olive oil for your skin, hair and nails. Yes, you heard me right. The shelf life of olive oil depends on the way it is stored and as far as consumption goes, it is best not consume olive oil after the expiration date mentioned on the packaging has passed. But expired olive oil can still be used for various other purposes. Olive oil usually stays good for a year or two from the date of manufacture and it takes a lot of time for the oil to turn rancid. In this article, we have discussed some effective ways to use expired olive oil.

9 Ways to Use Expired Olive Oil

1. Exfoliating Scrub for Skin

The penetrating action of olive oil makes it an excellent exfoliating oil that removes dead skin cells and renders a clean, smooth and glowing appearance to the epidermis. You can mix a teaspoon each of sea salt, sugar and ground coffee with 1/2 cup of the expired olive oil, apply it to your skin and massage for 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Moisturizer For Dry Skin

The natural humectant property of olive oil attracts moisture to dry skin and helps to sooth and hydrates it in a nourishing way and this holds true for expired olive oil as well. Olive oil is loaded with vitamin E, vitamin K and numerous antioxidants that provide anti-aging benefits to the skin which helps your skin look younger and keeps wrinkles, fine lines and age spots at bay. Unlike regular moisturizers, olive oil does not clog the pores and reduces the chances of pimple and acne breakouts. You can take a few drops of the expired olive oil on your palms and massage it onto your skin directly before taking a bath.

3. Makeup Remover

Alcohol-based make-up removers can irritate the skin and eyes and lead to excessive dry skin. You can take a few drops of the expired olive oil on a cotton pad and use to wipe off the layers of foundation from your face and eyeliner and mascara from your eyes without causing any skin irritation.

4. Add Strength and Shine to Hair

Expired olive oil can be used as a natural hair conditioner that can bring back moisture and shine to dull, frizzy hair. Even expired olive oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and E that retains the keratin in hair and seals the moisture in hair shafts. Massaging the scalp with olive oil can also promote hair growth by reducing sebum build up in the scalp.

5.Dandruff Treatment

One of the best expired olive oil uses is as a natural and effective treatment for dandruff. Olive oil helps to hydrate the layer of dry skin on the scalp and prevent it from flaking. A combination of lemon juice and olive oil works as a potent remedy for dandruff. The acidic lemon juice loosens dandruff from the scalp and olive oil moisturizes the new clean layer of skin. You can mix a tablespoon each of lemon juice and expired olive oil in a glass bowl and massage it into your scalp, wait for 30 minutes and then wash off with a shampoo.

6. Reduces Hair Breakage and Split Ends

Hair becomes more prone to breakage and splitting during the dry winter months and this splitting renders a messy and unkempt look to your hair. A nourishing olive oil massage using fresh or expired olive oil helps to close the hair cuticles and adds moisture and weight to the hair so that it looks smooth and lustrous. Just take some olive oil on your fingertips and run them through the last two inches of your hair after styling it in order to get the perfect sleek look.

7. Strengthening The Nails

Nails can become brittle due to over drying of the nail bed and cuticle and this brittleness can create difficulty in growing healthy and strong nails. Expired olive oil can be used as an effective remedy to strengthen and moisturize the nails. Olive oil works better than over-the-counter remedies because it has the capacity to penetrate into the skin and nails, soften the nails and cuticles and repair the damage from within. You can soak your nails in lukewarm olive oil for 15 minutes and then massage the nails and cuticles in small circular motions to lock in the moisture.

8. Heal Cracked Heels

Cracked heels are caused by excessive dryness of feet. Olive oil works like a miracle healer and helps to soothe and moisturize dry, cracked heels thanks to its intense moisturizing effect. It nourishing and hydrating and exfoliating properties helps to get rid of dry skin and make it soft and smooth. Just massage some expired olive oil into your heels and leave it for 30 minutes. Wash your feet in lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.

9. Replacement for Shaving Cream

You may not believe it, but olive oil works as a great substitute for the alcohol based shaving creams and shaving lotions. It gives an amazingly close and smooth shave without razor burns or excessive drying of skin post shaving. Olive oil also softens the beard for shaving. You can also use olive oil to shave arms, legs and other body parts.

Heat, light, air and time are the four main factors that lead to olive oil expiration and contribute to its rancidity. Like any other food product, olive oil also expires. But olive oil expiration date is just a rough estimate of how long the oil should remain at its best quality and it is most applicable to its conventional use of cooking. You can always use it for various other purposes.