For decades, people have built their trust in simple kitchen ingredients for their beauty routine, and a part of that ingredient is olive oil for skin, which has always been a favorite for skin care. From historical Mediterranean baths in the 17th century to today’s modern spa treatments, olive oil has been a common skin care ingredient for ages. Just a few drops of olive oil for skin can help your skin revive its glow, making it soft and feeling nourished. Olive oil isn’t just some historically proven ingredient; modern science shows that it contains vitamin E, squalene, and polyphenols, which act as natural compounds and help repair and protect your skin.
Nowadays, skincare is all about effective ingredients, and olive oil for skin fits perfectly into that trend. We can say olive oil is an all-rounder; you can use it as a deep moisturizer or as a cleanser to help fight your signs of aging. But as for everything else, using too much olive oil can bring unwanted effects on your skin. So it’s crucial to find out how to use olive oil for skin safely. Keep reading this blog to find out what benefits olive oil for skin brings for your skin, how one can use it safely, and when it might not be the best option for you.
What Is Olive Oil?
Olive oil is extracted from pressing olives (Olea europaea), with extra virgin olive oil being its purest form and subsequently the one with the best nutrients for your skin. It’s full of healthy fats, vitamin E, squalene, and antioxidants called polyphenols. These nutrients help keep your skin nourished while protecting the skin barrier.
However, not all types of olive oil have the same properties. For example, regular cooking oils or refined oils don’t possess the same rich antioxidants as extra virgin olive oil. The applications of olive oil are not limited to skin care; for centuries, people have also been using it for massages or to cure their wounds. In today’s world, it’s the most common and primary ingredient in products like cleansers, balms, and body oils. Mainly because olive oil is easy to use, cheap, and works wonders when paired with the right skin type.
Is Olive Oil Good for Your Skin?
When we talk about skincare, the question is always the same: “Is olive oil good for your skin?” And the short answer is yes! Its unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make olive oil on skin beneficial for dry, mature, and irritated skin. The natural fats in it (squalene and monounsaturated acids) help your skin seal in all the moisture, which undoubtedly makes olive oil for dry skin a popular item in the winter season.
However, is olive oil good for skin in all cases? Not always. If your skin is more on the oily side or is more acne-prone, applying olive oil to face can feel too heavy and might clog the pores. Dermatologists recommend doing a patch test where one should test olive oil for skin on their face to see if it works for their skin type. To sum it up, the question “is olive oil good for your face?” has two answers to it, and it all comes down to your skin type and how you apply it.
Benefits of Olive Oil for Your Skin
As we all know, olive oil for skin is very beneficial for your skin if used properly. Its biggest pros are hydration, antioxidant protection, and gentle cleansing. Below, we have mentioned some olive oil skin benefits you can expect if it's applied as part of a thoughtful routine.
Massaging a few drops of olive oil for the skin can act as a lightweight barrier. It nourishes your skin with its healthy fats and allows your skin to absorb its antioxidants, which help restore softness to your skin. Most people use it after listing some olive oil skin benefits you can expect when you shower on their damp skin to moisturize it, while others mix a tiny amount of olive oil into a cream to boost their skin's barrier repair. While many think that some of olive oil benefits for skin are anti-aging and healing, in reality, olive oil is one of the best supporting agents, meaning you should use it by mixing it with other products. And most importantly, olive oil is not a cure for any medical disorder.
Five Benefits
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Moisturizes Your Dry Skin
Olive oil for skin has squalene and vitamin E, which are what your skin needs the most. This helps form a protective layer that reduces water loss and makes your skin more supple. On the other hand, olive oil for dry skin is also effective if you want to get rid of those irritating dry patches on your hands, feet, or cheeks.
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It Helps Fight Premature Aging
Rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, there are countless olive oil benefits for skin. It helps tackle the oxidative stress, which causes wrinkles on your skin and makes your skin more firm, making your skin mature and fresh. -
It Helps Heal Wounds & Reduce Irritation
There are many anti-inflammatory compounds found in olive oil on skin, which soothe the redness on your skin and speed up the healing process of wounds. If used with care, olive oil for skin helps support your skin’s barrier recovery, reducing the rough and chapped areas on your skin. -
It Boosts Your Elasticity & Improves Collagen Support
Olive oil also possesses certain natural triterpenes, which increase your body’s collagen activity and improve your skin’s resilience. Daily massages with olive oil for face will improve your skin’s texture and lead to more mature skin.
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Great Natural Makeup Remover
Lipids in olive oil on face are great for dissolving waterproof makeup and removing sunscreens. Apply a small amount onto your face and then follow with a mild cleanser to prevent residue buildup and maintain clear pores.
Disadvantages of Olive Oil on Face
Despite its numerous natural properties, olive oil for skin still isn’t meant to solve all your health problems. Olive oil has its own cons, and it’s recommended to understand these drawbacks to help you avoid them.
Despite the countless olive oil on skin benefits, the oil’s density can create issues for your skin, especially if you have more oily skin or are prone to acne. Applying a heavy amount of olive oil will clog your pores and trap in bacteria, which causes breakouts on your skin. Overuse can also potentially disrupt your sensitive microbiome, and even in some rare cases, it can weaken your skin’s protective barrier. Additionally, it’s false that olive oil helps you protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays; instead, it might worsen your hyperpigmentation. Therefore, it’s always best to patch test and use olive oil for skin with a proper plan.
Five Risks
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It Can Clog Your Pores
Comedogenicity is one of the biggest disadvantage of olive oil on face for many. If your skin is prone to acne, olive oil for skin can damage it by trapping in sebum, resulting in the growth of blackheads and pimples.
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It Weakens Your Skin’s Natural Barrier
Heavy use of olive oil may destroy your skin’s barrier, making it sensitive. So, it’s best to either recommend a professional beforehand to get a proper plan for its application or try reading online guides about understanding the skin barrier function. Therefore, olive oil on skin should always be used carefully.
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It Worsens Your Hyperpigmentation
Sometimes, wearing olive oil on skin and going out in the sun can increase the UV penetration through your skin, and might aggravate dark spots if you’re exposed to the sun for a long time.
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Olive Oil Is Not a Sunscreen
Many believe that olive oil for skin acts as a sunscreen, which is completely false. Instead, it increases the chances of sunburn. Therefore, apply real SPF creams before walking out in the sun.
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Olive Oil Can Possibly Cause an Allergic Reaction
It’s rare for people to experience irritation or redness after applying olive oil on face. However, one could simply do a patch test to determine whether their skin is friendly to olive oil or not.
What Does Olive Oil Do for Your Skin?
If you frequently question what does olive oil do for your skin, the answer lies in nourishment and protection. Olive oil supplies fatty acids to your skin, which heal your skin’s barrier and lock in the moisture. The antioxidants fight off your environmental stress and help reduce visible signs of aging on your skin, making it more resilient. After applying olive oil for skin to your dry areas, you might notice your skin’s texture turning softer and a calmer complexion.
Additionally, the oil’s lipids help rebalance and soothe your irritated skin. But if you’re wondering what does olive oil do for your skin in terms of clinical treatment, remember, olive oil only acts as a supporting agent for the treatment process; it’s not a complete solution or substitute for dermatological therapy for acne or eczema. Combining it with other curing products helps increase olive oil on skin benefits, so it’s always recommended to pair it with other ingredients for the best results.
Uses of Olive Oil for Skin
The countless uses of olive oil for skin range from daily moisturizing your skin to DIY treatments. It’s a practical and accessible item that fits in perfectly with many routines, like diluting it into masks, mixing it with lotion, or using olive oil drops for skincare before sleep. Elbows, heels, and knees are some of your body parts where olive oil for skin is the most effective. That said, always match the use to your skin. Keep quantities small and follow a proper care plan to get the most out of olive oil on skin benefits without facing its downsides.
Five Uses
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Olive Oil as a Daily Moisturizer
Massage yourself with a pea-sized amount of olive oil for skin to dampen the area and seal in the moisture. It’s especially beneficial as a night repair oil for dry hands and heels.
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Removes Your Makeup
Easily clean off the thickest of makeup layers by applying olive oil on face. Followed by gently massaging it and then applying a cleanser to remove the leftover residue.
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Care For Your Lips and Nails
To care for your lips and nails, rub some olive oil for skin onto them. It helps to soften and heal your lips and nails without any use of artificial additives.
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Best for Massage
Massage your body with some warm olive oil for skin, which is best for hydration and provides comfort and relieves stress.
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Create DIY Masks & Scrubs with Olive Oil
Pair olive oil for skin with honey, yogurt, or sugar to create DIY masks and exfoliants at home.
Conclusion
To sum it up, olive oil for skin is one of the best natural ingredients for those looking for an affordable item to nourish and protect their complexion. When extra virgin olive oil is massaged on your skin, it absorbs all the natural vitamins and antioxidants from the oil, which improves your skin’s overall health and hydrates your dry patches.
If you’re looking for options surrounding your skincare, try pairing olive oil for skin with other curated products/items to support your skin’s natural barrier. Try learning more about items like ceramide NP and read online guides on understanding the skin barrier function to understand why your skin’s natural barrier support matters. Keep in mind that different products affect your skin pH, so stay away from known irritants in the ingredients to avoid for sensitive skin. In case your skin is allergic to olive oil, try exploring other options like coconut oil for skin and sunflower oil for skin for your skin’s health. To learn more about skincare, visit Soteri Skin.
FAQs
Is it good to put olive oil directly on your skin?
Absolutely, applying olive oil on skin helps moisturize it while smoothing out the dry patches. Switch to extra virgin olive oil for the best results. In case your skin is oily or acne-prone, it’s recommended to test a patch first. Avoid applying it before going out in the sun, and always follow up with a cleanser if used to remove makeup.
What would happen if I massaged my face daily with olive oil?
Massaging your face daily with olive oil for face would result in better circulation, making you feel more relaxed. However, excessive use can clog your pores. If you’re new at it, start by applying just a few drops of olive oil.
Does olive oil help with wrinkles?
There are numerous reasons that make olive oil good for skin, one of them being how effectively it reduces wrinkles. Thanks to antioxidants and fatty acids, which help inelasticity and reduce the signs of aging. Daily and moderate use of olive oil can help improve your skin’s texture and eventually your overall appearance.
Can I leave olive oil on my skin overnight?
Yes, you can apply olive oil for skin overnight to deeply moisturize your dry areas. Just a few drops would work, and remember not to massage it on your areas prone to acne.
