‘O’ is for Olive Oil Olive Oil has been promoted as being healthy for years. But for many people who have acne it is something that is avoided. Oily skin + oil in food = acne right? Well actually not always… Good oils such as Olive Oil can be great for the skin. If we don’t have enough oily foods such as Olive oil, Avocado and Salmon our clever body creates oil for itself and often this ends up clogged up in pores or creating a really oily, shiny face. Not what we want. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the best olive oil to use, but how do you know oil is really is good quality? You can taste oil just as you taste a wine and here’s how…

1. Pour a small amount in a glass and take a sip (keep the oil in your mouth, don’t swallow).

2. Clench your teeth, inhale through your teeth and swish the oil around in your mouth a few times.

3. Now drink it.

A really good Olive Oil will have flavours of fruits and vegetables. As you swish the oil around in your mouth a bitter or peppery taste will be created at the back of your throat as you swallow it. This may cause you to cough…and that’s the magic! The more coughs, the more polyphenols (compounds found in plants that benefit the body) and so the better the oil. So what if you don’t cough? The Olive Oil you taste could be from an older batch and so lost many of its health benefits. Or it could have oxidized and so be totally rancid. So when you are shopping for Olive Oil, look for Extra Virgin, but also look at the ‘sell by’ or ‘use by’ date too. Try to buy the oil with the furthest date available, so you know you’re using the freshest oil possible. Using rancid oils could be hurting your skin rather than helping! Venessa is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Rapid Transformational Therapist & Health Coach. Venessa helps to clear stress and skin problems using amazingly effective techniques for the sub-conscious mind and day-to-day healthy living techniques such as using SkinB5 products. www.mindbodyclinicalhypnotherapy.com