Everyone’s heard the maxim, “You are what you eat.” But did you know that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put inside of it?

“Skin is the largest organ of the body. Since it is porous, it absorbs whatever you put on it,” shared Nili Abrahams, Certified Holistic Health Coach and co-founder of Galilee Green, an Israeli company which produces premium boutique olive oil for worldwide distribution. “People are becoming more aware of the importance of using non-toxic body care products to maintain their health and youthful appearance at the same time.”

A study published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health found that skin absorbs an incredible 64 percent of chemicals found in drinking water. Other studies have found that the face is several times more permeable than broad body surfaces. Underarms absorb 100 percent of the chemicals that they are exposed to.

Fragrance also has a 100 percent absorption rate. This is actually good news when the fragrance that one is inhaling is that of olive oil. Studies from Technische Universität München (TUM) under Professor Peter Schieberle and at the University of Vienna under Professor Veronika Somoza found that consuming olive oil not only helps people lose weight but just smelling olive oil had a positive effect on the body’s health.

“This study reaped a fascinating conclusion,” Abrahams told Breaking Israel News. “Inhaling the rich smell of olive oil actually makes one feel satiated without adding calories.”

These combined findings have inspired many to replace their chemical-ridden body care products for the Almighty’s own healthful creation, olive oil. “Nothing is easier, cheaper, or has as long a history of positive use for the body than olive oil,” smiled Abrahams. “Even some of Cleopatra’s beauty is credited to her use of olive oil for exfoliation and moisturizing.”

With the majority of mainstream body care products containing a cocktail of chemicals, allergens, and irritants, simplifying one’s skin care routines can not only be cost-effective but also life-enriching. It is particularly recommended to use natural products for body and face lotions as well as for child care in order to avoid the absorption of harmful chemicals, colors, and fragrances.

“Rather than scrutinizing every ingredient in store bought products for toxicity, which can be daunting, we recommend using olive oil for many of your body care needs,” said Abrahams to Breaking Israel News. “Especially with lotions which are spread all over your body and left to soak in all day, that’s a lot of exposure to unnecessary chemicals.”

Biblical sages were well aware that the body absorbs what is put onto the skin. In fact, a Rabbinical dictate during the holiday of Passover is that Jews are forbidden to use topical products which contain grains, such as oatmeal or vitamin E which is often derived from wheat. They understood that not only are these grains forbidden to be eaten during Passover if they have been in moisture for more than 18 minutes, but they also get absorbed into the body through the skin in the same way that a nicotine skin patch pulls the chemical into the system in order to wean smokers from cigarettes.

The olives in Galilee Green Extra Virgin Olive Oil are grown and harvested in Israel’s northern Galilee region with the trees being watered by the Jordan River. The oil consists of a mild blend of Barnea, Coratina and Koroneiki olives. This boutique olive oil has a delicate fragrance which enhances its use when used for both food and body care.

“Extra-virgin olive oil is known to repair and refresh the skin,” Abrahams told Breaking Israel News. “It is very effective in combating dryness. And the wonderful smell might even help people to lose weight!”

Extra-virgin olive oil contains antioxidants and vitamins A and E. These nutrients are known to repair and refresh skin damaged through unhealthy eating, environmental pollutants, chlorine and even sun exposure.

“The web is replete with easy and healthful uses for olive oil,” noted Abrahams. “Some uses, in addition to a body lotion are for nail and cuticle care, eye-makeup remover, healing of dry or callused feet, lip softener, a massage oil which is especially helpful for calming babies, a hair nourisher, and as a bath oil.”

That’s a lot of healthful uses for something commonly found in your kitchen cabinet.