How to Use Olive Oil for Glowing Skin, According to Dermatologists

If you've paid even the slightest attention to the world of skincare in recent years, you're well-acquainted with the use of olive oil in some products (and some celebrity beauty routines). Olive oil may be a cooking staple and an essential ingredient for our health, but research shows that it may also help keep your skin moisturized, remove makeup, prevent sun damage, and more. While additional research needs to be conducted, there's certainly enough evidence to prove that using olive oil for your skin hosts a slew of benefits.

Aesthetic plastic surgeon Paul Lorenc, MD, agrees, saying, "Olive oil contains antioxidants that fight free-radical damage, as well as an ingredient called squalene, which is extremely hydrating. It's been used on skin since ancient times—even Cleopatra was a fan." From using it in the hair to using it on the eyebrows, olive oil isn't new to the beauty industry, yet still, there's a lot to learn about its efficacy. That's why we tapped two dermatological experts and a cosmetic chemist, in addition to Dr. Lorenc, to answer all your questions on adding olive oil to your skincare routine.

Keep reading to learn more about olive oil for the skin, including benefits, side effects, and how to use.

What is Olive Oil?

Olive oil is derived from pressing the oil out of a whole olive fruit. It's rich in monounsaturated fatty acids—healthy fats that pose various health and cosmetic benefits—and, as Dr. Lorenc mentioned, it also contains skin-loving antioxidants.

"Plant oils have been used for medical and cosmetic purposes because they have a multitude of benefits," explains board-certified dermatologist Sandy Skotnicki, MD. "Depending on the composition of the plant oil, some oils work better than others at specific issues." Olive oil is among those high-performing plant oils and is praised for its emollient, moisturizing properties.

You can find this wonder oil in everything from serums to facial cleansers, but it's also available in its pure form with added humectants for skin care. Keep in mind that olive oil might be ruined by excessive heat, light, or oxygen, so storing it in a cool area with a tightly sealed lid is a best practice.

Benefits of Olive Oil for Skin

Olive oil is brimming with skin benefits, from moisturizing dry patches to breaking down stubborn makeup.

• Prevents water loss: "Olive oil’s main benefit is to moisturize the skin by reducing water loss," says cosmetic chemist, Ee Ting Ng. "This moisturization increases the water content of the skin, improving its health and appearance."
• Protects against environmental damage: "Olive oil's antioxidant properties protect skin cells against environmental damage and inflammation," notes Ng. "This means protection against premature aging as well as signs of irritation or redness."
• Prevents premature aging: "Olive oil is rich in vitamins A, D, K, and E, as well as squalane," says Dr. Skotnicki. "These can aid with decreasing oxidative stress on the skin (which could lead to accelerated skin aging)."
• Lifts makeup: "Olive oil is great for breaking down waxy substances like waterproof mascara and eyeliner," explains Dr. Lorenc. "With the added benefits of antioxidants and hydrating squalane, it moisturizes the delicate skin in the eye area, plus nourishes eyelashes the same way conditioner works on the hair." While olive oil can lift off and move oil-soluble residues (like makeup and sebum) around the skin, it does not necessarily remove the makeup, and both the olive oil and broken-down makeup should be wiped off with a cleanser.
• Heals wounds: Dr. Skotnicki maintains that the anti-inflammatory ingredients found in olive oil can aid wound healing. "Triterpenes, which are present in many plant oils and in particular olive oil, aid in many biological reactions like those necessary for wound healing: cell migration, cell proliferation, and collagen deposition," she says. "They enhance wound repair by reducing the length of time for wound closure."
  

Potential Side Effects

While any skin type may benefit from olive oil, both Ng and Dr. Skotnicki advise against using it if your skin is congested or acneic. "The fatty acids prevalent in olive oil— and all plant oils and butters in general— are the very food source for acne-causing bacteria and yeasts to grow," notes Ng. "Thus, olive oil is not ideal for acne-prone skin."

"I overall don't recommend it for use on the face as it can cause acne and impair the ability for your other skincare products to most effectively work," dermatologist, Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, echoes.

Dr. Skotnicki agrees, adding that the oleic acid component of olive oil can exacerbate dermatitis and shouldn't be used near infants. Also, olive oil doesn't appear to have an antibacterial effect like some other plant oils (most notably, coconut oil), so it shouldn't be used as a makeup remover on its own. Finally, according to Ng, if you have oily skin and naturally produce high sebum levels, the need for more emollients may be unnecessary in your daily routine.

Does It Reduce Wrinkles?

While some celebrities might say that's their secret to younger-looking skin, olive oil won't turn back the clock. "Olive oil can be effective at nourishing the skin barrier and locking in skincare products applied underneath it, but the reality is the hydrating fatty acids are too large to be broken down and absorbed into the skin's deeper layers," Dr. Robinson notes.

Can I Leave It on Skin Overnight?

Like other emollients, olive oil can be left on for several hours (including overnight, if you wish). Just be sure to apply moisturizer over the top (more on that below). And because olive oil is an oil, Dr. Lorenc urges that less is more. "There is no reason to walk around dripping with olive oil to receive its incredible benefits," he says. "In fact, using too much may also lead to clogged pores in some skin types." Pro tip: if you're going to sleep with olive oil on your face, you may want to wear a shower cap, too, to prevent it from getting your hair greasy.

How to Use It

Olive oil can be found in many skincare products, namely serums and facial oils. "Being an emollient with occlusive properties, olive oil will work best when maximum moisture is sealed into the skin, which is typically at the last step of the routine (in the day, use it just before sunscreen)," says Ng. "You can use it before or mix it in with your moisturizer."

Dr. Robinson says that it should be used as part of your larger skincare routine rather than as a standalone product. "If you're curious about using olive oil on your skin, I'd start by using it as an occlusive agent (i.e., slugging) applied overtop of a moisturizer on dry, cracked heels, knees, elbows, or hands."

As with all moisturizers, the best time to apply olive oil is when your skin is still slightly wet from your shower or bath.

The Best Skin Products That Contain Olive Oil

Dr. Skotnicki recommends Olivella Moisturizer Oil ($30) as it utilizes the powerful antioxidant squalane, which helps skin retain moisture on the face, lips, and body.

Have skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis? Olive Oil Skincare Company's Face Wash ($14) is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants meant to soothe irritated skin and fend off signs of aging.

DHC's Olive Virgin Oil Essential Cream ($42) is lightweight yet packs a hydrating punch—100 percent organic olive oil, olive-derived squalane, and hydrogenated rice bran oil make for an antioxidant-rich formula that promises to deliver ultra-soft results.

And if you're going to use oil straight from the bottle, reach for the good stuff. "I recommend using certified organic, non-GMO, cold-pressed, and unrefined extra-virgin olive oil because it is produced without the use of heat or chemical refining and contains the highest concentration of olive oil's beneficial compounds," says Dr. Lorenc. "It also contains zero preservatives or additives that can be harmful to the body."