I have a cousin in her 40s who has amazing skin. Her secret? Extra-virgin olive oil after she showers.

I remember she told me she doesn’t have stretch marks after five kids, and she thinks it’s because of it, too. Since then my bathroom drawer always has a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil.

When I got pregnant with my first son, I was scared I would get stretch marks since such was reportedly genetic and I actually got some deep ones on my thighs because of puberty. I never really fluctuated in weight so the fact that I have those, I was quite certain that as soon as I gave birth, my tummy would be striped.

In fact I was already psyching up myself for these “battle scars” so I wouldn’t be very disappointed after. But I did try to prevent it with Clarins oil, Lirac cream and, yes, olive oil. Result? Not a single line after three pregnancies.

Olive oil is a vitamin E-rich beauty powerhouse that helps skin look younger, hypo-allergenic and helps calm the skin. It can be a part of your daily routine.

For dry spots, use olive oil on a cotton ball and dab directly on the skin. I have used it on my son when he got irritating sunspots from a beach trip.

Olive oil has the same healthy fats as avocado, so it pumps the skin with vitamin E and vitamin A.

Or use it as a makeup remover. I use Lancôme Bi-Facil to remove eye makeup. Unfortunately, I have ran out a couple of times after a formal event when I was fully made up.

But I have read somewhere that olive oil can be used as an eye makeup remover as it absorbs even waterproof mascara. Yes—it works!

It also fights aging. I’m in Spain now, and the sun is so intense even when I apply SPF that I feel the skin on my face is about to fry. I’ve asked olive oil on a small plate from the hotel restaurant and brought it into my room. I use it after I wash my face and before I go to bed.

It is great that every kitchen has olive oil. It is high time you keep a small bottle in your bathroom. Don’t use too much, because you won’t need too much. You will thank me after.