Besides being good for the heart, the liver and the metabolism, experts suggest that olive oil may also be good for the skin. An article in the Wall Street Journal suggests laving the face with the natural moisturizer for smoother, firmer skin.

The newspaper said that Cleopatra, the ancient Greek queen and Egyptian pharaoh of noted beauty, is believed to have massaged her face with olive oil regularly to keep her skin glowing and moistened.

The idea is not so far fetched, some experts say. Olive oil is an essential oil that does not necessarily clog pores, the Journal notes. It may have other epidermal benefits, too. A 2000 study in the journal Carcinogenesis found that applying the oil to the skin of mice appeared to offer them some protection from sun-caused cancers.

When ingested, olive oil has a number of positive health effects. Studies have shown that it may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, protect the liver from free radicals and contribute to blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids.