Oils are not essential energy providers in the human diet but have also been a part of our regimes throughout history. From soaps to fragrances and aromas, oil is one of the most utilized mediums in the world. Be it to cook and carry flavors, for infusions, or even as a medium for paint pigments, oil truly does it all.
In terms of the topical use of oils, these have been utilized as humectants and emollients since ancient times. Our ancestors figured out that the fats present in oil would benefit the skin in the form that seeds and nuts do to the body.
Ancient Egyptians and tribes across the world have been using oils such as fenugreek, moringa, and emu oil on their skins. Imagine an Egyptian queen, the first image that probably props up in your mind is smooth, radiant, supple skin being slathered with oils in the bath. These oils were used to boost circulation and protect one from the sun! The Romans also said a lot about oils in their manuscripts, with Pliny the Elder describing oils to “improve one’s complexion, reduce wrinkles and dark spots”.
The Greeks, always looking to one-up the Romans, followed by making the first cold cream with a combination of olive oil, beeswax, and rosewater. This was called “Galen’s Wax” and this is what paved the way for the moisturizers we see on shelves today.
Coming towards the sciency side a bit, oils are made up of triglycerides, and triglycerides are made up of fatty acids. These fatty acids are important not only for the appearance of the skin when applied topically but are also essential for the human diet. When it comes to the nutritional importance of oils, there are two basic functions it serves. Number one is the utilization of lipids for energy and various other function such as making hormones, and controlling the movement of the cell membrane. The fatty acids within these lipids are vital for activities such as metabolism and cell function. The second function is the transport of nutrients and vitamins. Here, cold-pressed oils that are rich in bioactive such as phenols and other phytonutrients grant further nutrients to the body.
Being a substance that can be molded into various roles, there is always something new being achieved with oil. This is probably one reason why oil was considered valuable enough to be a form of payment in ancient Egypt.