Hailey Bieber views this beauty-enhancing wellness practice as essential in her morning routine—find out what it is…

      While I would love to say otherwise, Hailey Bieber and I don't have much in common. Unfortunately, I don't possess a multimillion-dollar beauty brand or a wardrobe teeming with adorable designer outfits. However, we do share a mutual appreciation for essential morning rituals. Recently, Bieber informed Time that her morning routine includes three essentials: skincare, coffee, and a shot of olive oil with lemon. I was thrilled to discover that she enjoys this seemingly quirky practice as much as I do. A few years ago, I learned about the advantages of olive oil and have been incorporating it into my routine ever since. You might think that a small shot of olive oil won’t make a significant difference over time, but experts support this wellness habit, and a consistent approach can lead to improvements in internal health and enhance skin quality, according to Agatha Relota Luczo, founder and CEO of Furtuna Skin.

      Relota Luczo introduced me to additional benefits of consuming olive oil daily. Her passion for this ingredient was so intense that she built her entire brand around it. "I've always been intrigued by the deep connection between longevity and the olive tree," she expresses. "Recent research on olive polyphenols—especially hydroxytyrosol and other powerful antioxidants found in high-quality extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)—suggests their potential role in promoting cellular health and protecting telomeres, the caps on the ends of chromosomes related to healthy aging."

      If you're curious about the health benefits of drinking olive oil, it's worth noting its value for beauty as well. Relota Luczo mentions, "High-quality olive oil is one of the most effective things you can consume for skin health. Oleocanthal—sometimes referred to as nature's Motrin—functions similarly to ibuprofen in its anti-inflammatory properties, and when paired with oleuropein, another potent antioxidant, they work together to fight systemic inflammation." She continues by emphasizing that the skin's external issues—like dullness, redness, or premature aging—are reflections of internal conditions. "The polyphenols in a truly effective EVOO combat free radical damage and protect against collagen breakdown," she explains. "The fatty acids, both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated, operate at a cellular level to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and reduce oxidative stress."

      As an extra benefit, Luczo noted that taking olive oil on an empty stomach may aid in nutrient absorption via the gut, which in turn can impact skin health. "I consider it skincare you consume," she adds. "The results aren't immediate, but they're genuine and cumulative. It's about nourishing the skin as we do the body—with ingredients that support vitality, resilience, and long-term skin health at the cellular level." Simon Poole, MD, a Mediterranean nutrition expert and author of Olive Oil for Dummies, points out that olive oil is a high-quality healthy fat, and regular consumption is linked to a lower risk of various diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain cancers, and even dementia.

      If you’re thinking about adding this wellness practice to your routine, it’s important to select a quality olive oil, as not all oils are created equal. Both Relota Luczo and Poole offer essential tips for navigating this selection process. "This is where many people go astray because marketing can be misleading," Relota Luczo says. Here’s her guide for choosing the right olive oil:

      1. Pay attention to harvest date. "Avoid relying on a 'best by' date. The polyphenol content decreases over time. Look for oil harvested within the last 12 months, ideally consumed within 18 months of harvest. A best by date is not informative."

      2. Opt for single origin, single estate. "Blended oils, particularly those mixed from different countries, can be hard to trace and often contain older or lower-quality products. It's essential to know where the olives were sourced and who cultivated them."

      3. Choose dark glass or tin containers. "Light damages oil quickly, and reputable producers understand this."

      Poole advises looking for brands that prioritize quality. "Seek an extra-virgin olive oil that tells its region's story, heritage, and the farmers' dedication. If an EVOO is produced with organic or regenerative farming methods, it likely indicates that the producer cares for the environment, contributing further to the quality of the oil. Most importantly, taste the oil and enjoy its fruitiness, pleasant bitterness, and pungency, as these qualities indicate a rich content of polyphenol antioxidants."

      Explore Furtuna's exceptional olive oil as well as my other favorite olive oil-infused beauty products to enhance your routine.

      **The Best Olive Oil Beauty and Wellness Products**

      **Furtuna Skin**

      LXR06 Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil - This olive oil is a personal favorite, and Relota Luczo explains its uniqueness. "At Furtuna Skin, our olives are hand-harvest