Ingrédient

Olive

An ancient remedy for dry skin and hair, olives contain a rich, moisturising oil bursting with antioxidants.

Just a little green fruit

The European olive tree (Olea europaea) has thrived for millennia under the hot sun of the Mediterranean basin. It grows the famous small, green fruit known as olive, prized for its taste and richness in oil. Olive trees are slow-growing and can have a very long lifespan. Indeed, the oldest known in the world is in Bethlehem, Palestine, and is believed to be between 4,000 and 5,000 years old. 

What are the benefits of olive oil for the skin and hair?

• Readily absorbed, it offers lightweight moisture
• It protects and conditions the skin and hair, improving their strength
• It gives the skin a healthy glow
• It makes the hair shine

Did you know?

Olive oil contains some of the most potent antioxidants in the world, namely vitamin E, hydroxytyrosol (a plant polyphenol) and oleic acid. These compounds are thought to help the skin cells fight against the oxidising action of free radicals. This means that they could help the skin stay firm and healthy for longer. Besides, olives, olive leaves, and olive oil have been proven to have anti-tumour action and protect against cancer.

A different kind of oil

At Lush, we use a lot of moisturising olive oil, but we also purchase the lesser-known olive leaf absolute to complement some of our perfumes. Extracted by solvent from the green-grey leaves of the tree, it has a refreshing herbal scent with a hint of fruity aroma and bitterness.

Where does Lush source olives?

Lush purchases olive leaf absolute from Egypt, where the leaves are trimmed off the trees after the fruit’s harvest. All the other olive-derived ingredients that you can find in our products have different stories and origins. To find out more, browse your product’s list of ingredients and click on the ones you are interested in. This should take you to a page full of details!