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It all comes down to olive oil, right? In the kitchen, olive oil remains a constant while other oils go in and out of popularity. Remember when everyone cooked with coconut oil? Using olive oil on your skin also has health benefits. Blue Zone It has a ton of uses and health benefits (plus, it’s delicious!) And no, that claim isn’t an exaggeration: if you want to enjoy the youthful, inflammation-reducing, skin-brightening skin care benefits of olive oil, read on.
Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, E and D, olive oil is renowned for its cleansing, moisturising and skin-protecting properties. To find out the secrets of using olive oil on your skin, we consulted the experts. Read on to learn how to choose the right olive oil for your skin and how this golden elixir can benefit your beauty routine.
Photo from an interview with Laura Lee Sarah Ligoria Trump.
Olive Oil (and Beauty) Experts
Alison Carroll, Co-Founder Wonder Valleyhas made olive oil a mainstay on her dinner table and in her skincare routine, and Wonder Valley does everything from developing skincare products infused with olive oil to creating olive oil that can be used in any recipe. “Extra virgin grade olive oil has endless benefits and uses for skincare and is truly one of the oldest beauty ingredients,” she says.
I also spoke Lena Filippou KoresFounder of a Greek beauty skincare brand CoreyKores harnesses natural ingredients found in abundance on the Greek Islands, like Greek yogurt and olive oil, to create rich, effective skin care products that are a modern twist on ancient rituals. “Products containing olive oil or its derivatives can be used by anyone and offer a range of benefits to the skin,” says Kores.
Read on as our experts show you how to use olive oil on your skin. Are you ready to experience this underrated beauty secret? Method More seriously.
Olive oil benefits for skin
Of course, olive oil isn’t the only food item known for its skin-brightening properties. From probiotics to collagen, anything that’s good for your gut is usually good for your face too. And fun fact: olive oil is an ancient beauty remedy. With a history dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, using olive oil for skin care is nothing new. (People literally bathed in olive oil to reap its moisturizing benefits, which I call the ideal self-care ritual.)
But what makes olive oil so versatile is that it contains a multitude of beneficial beauty ingredients. Cores lists them as follows:
- High concentrations of essential fatty acids, including linoleic acid, oleic acid and squalene (a skin strengthener) that provide “excellent emollient, nourishing and antioxidant properties.”
- Skin-compatible: Olive oil ingredients mimic the natural oils in human skin.
- Natural source of vitamins, including A, D, K and E.
Carol goes on to elaborate on the powerful polyphenols (antioxidants) found in olive oil: “Antioxidants fight free radicals caused by pollutants, environmental toxins and sun damage, which can lead to premature aging, especially on skin elasticity.”
Side effects of using olive oil on the skin
Olive oil has many benefits, but picking the right formula is important. For example, you shouldn’t raid your pantry for a do-it-yourself treatment. Olive oil “is a heavy oil,” says Carroll. “If used directly on the face or not balanced with other oils high in linoleic acid, like sea buckthorn or rosehip, it can clog pores.”
Kolles adds: “Despite the positive benefits of olive oil, there is controversy over its effect on skin with impaired epidermal barrier function, such as atopic skin or immature newborn skin. Therefore, despite its high content of active ingredients, olive oil is not recommended for atopic skin types or in baby products.”
Usage tips
The good news is that this multi-tasking ingredient can be used anywhere. “Olive oil is literally a multi-tasking ingredient that works with your skin,” says Kolles. “It hydrates, deeply nourishes, and improves elasticity. Even people with oily skin can benefit from olive oil, as long as the formula is right for their skin type.”
Body Moisturizer
There are many ways to use olive oil on skin in need of moisture. After a shower, apply a small amount of extra virgin olive oil (a high-quality oil with no chemical additives) to damp skin. Gently massage into skin, focusing on dry areas. Be sure to remove excess oil to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
Facial Moisturizer
If you have dry facial skin, applying olive oil after cleansing can help seal in moisture. Apply a small amount to your entire face and neck after your regular moisturizer.
Hand Moisturizer
Olive oil is great for preventing cracked, dry hands, and can be applied throughout the day, but especially after washing dishes or using harsh detergents that can dry out your skin.
Makeup Remover
Olive oil as an oil cleanser is moisturizing and effective at removing makeup and dirt from the skin. Instead of your regular makeup remover, apply a small amount of olive oil to a cotton pad or directly onto your skin, gently massaging in, then complete the rest of your skin care routine.
Shaving cream
Instead of using gel or lotion-based shaving creams, use olive oil to moisturize the area you’re going to shave. Be sure to wash the area after shaving to prevent breakouts caused by clogged pores.
Best olive oil for skin
“Olive oil is a beneficial ingredient for everyone as it helps repair, moisturize and soften the skin. My favorite way to use it is as follows: [Wonder Valley’s] Oil Cleanser“Oil cleansing is a great alternative to cleansers, removing all the buildup, excess oil, makeup, sweat and SPF without disrupting your sensitive, hardworking microbiome or your skin’s pH,” says Carol.
Praising the product, she says, “Our oil cleanser has a gorgeous, thick texture like honey, which has the added benefit of increasing circulation and boosting lymphatic flow when massaged into the skin for a few minutes. Upon contact with water, it transforms from honey to a milky consistency, washing away all impurities. The result is soft, clean, balanced skin.”
Following Carol’s instructions, I added Wonder Valley Oil Cleanser as the first step in my routine, and she was right: the texture was unlike any oil cleanser or balm I’d tried before. The viscosity is somewhere between the two, flowing yet thick and firm, unlike other watery or more viscous formulas.
It feels so luxurious when I apply it. I started using it when my skin is feeling irritated or stressed. It instantly soothes my skin, almost wrapping it in a cooling, relaxing film. I also use it after long summer days outside when my skin is super greasy from sweat and sunscreen. Unlike other oil cleansers, I feel like the thick texture effectively removes the day’s grime.
Rinse away and feel satisfiedit will turn into a milky consistency. I like to follow up with a foaming cleanser to ensure any excess oil is removed. Olive & Lotus ExfoliantPowder Cleanser Activated with water, this gentle exfoliant foams up and instantly removes any residue that may be left on your face.
My skin feels softer and more soothed afterwards. This cleanser has now become a double cleanse staple for me and a real treat for the senses.
overview: A nourishing oil-milk cleanser that removes impurities without damaging the skin.
“Our Pure Greek Olive Collection is formulated with organic extra virgin olive oil from the world-renowned orchards of Crete and our Korres Cretan Olive Leaf Extract. It’s a luxurious, highly effective, non-comedogenic, clinically tested formula.” — Lena Filippou Korres
overview: A 3 in 1 olive oil formula for face, body and hair.
A gentle yet effective cleansing balm with soothing green tea and hydrating olive oil, the sorbet-like texture melts into a balm on skin and rinses off like a milky cleanser.
overview: A green tea and olive oil balm perfect for double cleansing.
Whether you’re looking for a second step in your double cleansing routine or a gentle cleanser for daily use, this barrier-strengthening botanical blend has you covered. Olive Oil and other antioxidant-rich ingredients help strengthen and revitalize skin while drawing out impurities.
overview: A high-foaming facial cleanser that supports the skin’s barrier function.
This ultimate face oil is a must-have for youthful looking skin. Olive oil is packed with Vitamin C to hydrate and fight free radicals, while leaf water locks in moisture and plumps the skin. Together they help boost your skin’s barrier and give you an enviable glow.
overview: An oil and water based serum for glowing skin.
“Our new Hinoki Body Wash has a creamy, moisturizing lather,” says Carol. It’s rich with the natural scent of Hinoki, helping you smell and look your best. It has a hint of pine, is not overly floral or spicy, and has a hint of citrus, making it truly luxurious.
overview: This body wash lathers well and leaves skin feeling moisturized and clean.
This mineral SPF protects skin with a lightweight, non-greasy shield, and the oil-based spray contains moisturizing, UV-resistant olive oil and other antioxidants that help fight sun damage.
overview: An oil-based mineral sunscreen spray that can be used on the face and body.
This ointment is perfect for dry or damaged skin on the lips, hands, feet, elbows, etc. Olive oil and sunflower oil are known for their wound healing properties, while black seed oil is an anti-fungal and vitamin-rich oil that works wonders on damaged skin.
overview: A rich, healing ointment for dry, damaged skin.
Take the power of olive oil with you wherever you go with this lightweight rollerball version of our cult favorite olive oil. The metal applicator is perfect for de-puffing and soothing skin. Pro tip: keep it on hand for dry skin or eczema flare-ups.
overview: A facial oil with a rollerball applicator for easy portability.
In an ideal world, you’d complete your skincare routine and then apply rouge to your skin with just a few swipes of this multi-stick. Made with skin-supporting ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and olive oil, it delivers hydrating and moisturizing benefits to cheeks, lips, and any other areas you want a little color. The clear version can also be used on hair and dry areas.
overview: A tinted multi-stick that blends skincare and makeup for natural pigmentation without irritation.
