Benefits of Nabulsi Soap for Skin and Hair
BY: Sara Alsayed / Arab America Contributing Writer
The Palestinian city of Nablus has always been renowned for its production of olive oil soap. The estimated number of factories before the Intifada was nearly more than 30 factories; however, with the Israeli occupation and the increase of olive oil prices, the number of factories had declined. Yet one of the oldest most prominent factories in Nablus (the Tuqan Factory), till this day, utilizes the traditional production of Nabulsi soap by making it handmade.
The Palestinian olive oil soap is made by mixing powdered ashes of the barilla plant (qilw), which grows along the banks of the River Jordan, as well as lime, known as sheed. These ingredients act as an alkaline sodium compound that solidifies the mixture of virgin olive oil and water to create an authentic %100 Palestinian Nabulsi Soap.
What are the benefits of the Nabulsi Soap?
Palestinians and people from all around have been using olive oil soap for centuries for the number of benefits it has. It is even reputed that Queen Elizabeth I’s soap of choice was the olive oil soap.
Benefits of Nabulsi Soap for Face and Skin
Photo: PaliRoots
Olive Oil Nablus Soap
1. It removes makeup and/or sunscreen traces.
Makeup is often made from oils and heavy waxes, so taking into account that cosmetic chemists use the “like dissolves like” principle when manufacturing makeup removers; therefore, olive oil soap (Nabulsi Soap), which contains one of the most essential ingredients in it, olive oil. This soap can easily dissolve oily makeup products without having to scrub the skin harshly, and leading it to cause irritation and redness.
Similarly, makeup is often made from oils and heavy waxes; therefore, olive oil soap can easily dissolve oily makeup products.
2. It protects and hydrates even the most sensitive skin.
Olive oil is moisturizing because it contains fatty acids that benefit dry skin, including oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acids. It is also an emollient that smooths and softens the skin; therefore, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots.
3. It helps to repair damaged skin tissues.
Skin is our largest organ that shields us from external factors and sun damage, so we must protect and maintain it. Due to the many vitamins that olive oil soap contains, such as Vitamin A, D, and of course, the skin-happy vitamins E and K, which are regularly used to treat psoriasis and eczema and prevent scarring.
4. It revitalizes and strengthens the skin’s tonicity.
Thanks to its high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, it helps in revitalizing the skin and retaining the natural oils in the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory effects and is not irritating to the skin due to its natural resources.
Benefits of Nabulsi Soap for Hair
1. Olive oil soap is very rich in vitamin E antioxidents
It has a natural antioxidant effect, which may help support a healthy scalp and hair. The vitamin’s antioxidant properties could help reduce the amount of oxidative stress and free radicals that cause the hair follicle cells in a person’s scalp to break down.
2. Olive oil soap prevents hair loss and strengthens the hair follicles.
Olive oil contains oleic acid that inhibits 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, the high levels of which can cause hair loss. The regular use of olive oil soap (Nabulsi soap) can help reduce hair loss and block the production of DHT.
3. It makes hair grow faster and look shiny.
Due to the amount of damage, our hair takes each day from chemicals and heat damage, a person must take care of it and bring it back to life. So, as mentioned previously, olive oil soap has vitamin E, which according to some people can help bring your hair back to life, and due to it being a rich oil, it works as a protective layer, which creates a shield that is protective and gives shine to the hair.
Olive oil soap is a great addition to your beauty products. It is inexpensive, all-natural, and what is even better is that it will guarantee better skin and hair. So say goodbye to chemically manufactured makeup removers, cleansers, and hair products, and say hello to Nabulsi soap.
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