The use of oils in bathing and beauty rituals is nothing new.
In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus’ travels are often marked, when he arrives at a new destination, by a ritual bathing.
Homer's evocative descriptions of his hero arriving at his latest destination – dirty, battered and made weary by the elements – sees him undergo a magnificent transformation, from a weather-beaten sailor to a god-like, glorious-maned shining hero, ready to meet the ruler of wherever it is he has arrived and introduce himself in his best light. His transformation begins with undressing and bathing, usually with the help of a handmaiden (except in the case of Princess Nausicaa, where in order to protect her honour, he bathes himself, after she and her handmaidens have provided him with the necessary materials), and ends with him having his travel-weary body anointed in olive oil – a process from which he emerges re-energised, refreshed and beautified. The process is illustrated when he finally confronts his wife, Penelope, the last in a series of recognition scenes ranging from his dog, to his son, to his aged nursemaid. When his wife fails to recognise him, Odysseus thinks it’s because he’s filthy and in rags, so he bathes:
In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus’ travels are often marked, when he arrives at a new destination, by a ritual bathing.
Homer's evocative descriptions of his hero arriving at his latest destination – dirty, battered and made weary by the elements – sees him undergo a magnificent transformation, from a weather-beaten sailor to a god-like, glorious-maned shining hero, ready to meet the ruler of wherever it is he has arrived and introduce himself in his best light. His transformation begins with undressing and bathing, usually with the help of a handmaiden (except in the case of Princess Nausicaa, where in order to protect her honour, he bathes himself, after she and her handmaidens have provided him with the necessary materials), and ends with him having his travel-weary body anointed in olive oil – a process from which he emerges re-energised, refreshed and beautified. The process is illustrated when he finally confronts his wife, Penelope, the last in a series of recognition scenes ranging from his dog, to his son, to his aged nursemaid. When his wife fails to recognise him, Odysseus thinks it’s because he’s filthy and in rags, so he bathes:
‘The maid Eurynome bathed him, rubbed him down with oil
and drew around him a royal cape and choice tunic too.
And Athena crowned the man with beauty, head to foot,
made him taller to all eyes, his build more massive,
yes, and down from his brow the great goddess
ran his curls like thick hyacinth clusters
full of bloom...
He stepped from his bath, glistening like a god...’
(Odyssey, Homer, Book 23)
Similarly in Ancient Rome, the Romans also used olive oil in the washing process. At the baths, patrons would first enter a type of steam room to open the pores in their skin. They would then move on to a room where a slave would smear their wet bodies with a mixture of pumice and ashes, and then apply a liberal dose of olive oil over the mixture. The slave would then use a curved metal scraper (a strigil) to scrape off this ‘muck’, which would take the dirt and grime that had accumulated on the skin away with it. Thus cleansed they’d have a long soak in a hot pool.
I’ve always liked the idea of bathing with olive oil – mainly as a result of Homer’s evocative descriptions and endorsement of its beautifying properties – but have always been put off by the thought of it leaving a gloopy layer on the skin that would stick to your clothes and block your pores (maybe what worked 3,000 years ago on a hot Mediterranean island might not be such a good idea in smoggy London) – so have never dared try it.
–Today, however, I read an article in InStyle magazine where actress Emma Stone stated that she used grapeseed oil (a by-product of the seeds of vinis vitifera grapes – the grapes used in wine-making) on her face and body: ‘I just use natural grapeseed oil from the grocery store on my face as moisturizer. After the shower, I pat it on, and then I’ll use it throughout the day and at night.’
So, after some research, I discovered grapeseed oil is indeed not only a great alternative to olive oil, but has some impressive health benefits too. From a consistency standpoint, it is thinner and lighter than olive oil, and therefore more easily absorbed. Unlike olive oil it also has astringent qualities that leave the skin feeling clean and refreshed.
Other benefits include powerful antioxidant properties that protect the skin from premature aging, effectiveness in combating acne, and an ability to shrink varicose veins. It even has sunscreen properties to combat UVA and UVB damage. Cosmetic company Lush also claims that grapeseed oil can regenerate damaged and stressed tissues, reduce the appearance of stretch-marks and repair the delicate skin-tissue around the eyes. Since it is largely odourless, as well as being light and moisturising, grapeseed remains the most commonly used carrier oil in aromatherapy. And of course you can use it in cooking too!
Not bad for something you can get for two pounds from your local supermarket.
