The Benefits of Olive Oil for Skin
Spoon of olive oil
As a nutritional powerhouse, olive oil’s reputation is widely recognized. It takes just two tablespoons a day to reap a whole host of health benefits ranging from decreasing inflammation and regulating cholesterol levels to helping prevent bone loss and lower blood pressure.
Recent research, though, is proving what those in the Mediterranean have known for thousands of years: You don’t have to consume olive oil to benefit from it. It has healing properties when applied topically to dry and damaged skin, too.
In both cases, the magic lies in olive oil’s naturally high-antioxidant phenolic compounds. When used in lotions or creams, olive oil and byproducts of oil production like olive pomace and leaves, can protect the skin against the harmful effects of UV radiation, free radicals and bacterial strains like E. coli.
Benefits of Olive Oil for Skin
Increased hydration
Smoother appearance of wrinkles
Stimulates the production of healthy collagen
Delays wrinkles
Supports skin elasticity
Oil on skin
In one study, for example, a cream containing olive leaf extract was shown to significantly increase skin hydration and smooth the appearance of wrinkles after two months of use. In another, it took only 13 days of olive oil treatment to counteract the loss of collagen fiber and thicken the skin’s inner layers. A third study demonstrated that olive oil fought the cancer-causing effects of ultraviolet rays in mice. Olive oil (and its natural byproducts) also show promise for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic condition that causes patches of the skin to become itchy and inflamed.
Cooking with olive oil
Applying pure olive oil directly to the skin isn’t for everyone, particularly for babies and those with sensitivities. Skin benefits the most from olive oil when beauty products are specially formulated to contain it, olive pomace or olive leaves. Don’t skimp on the olive oil at mealtime, either. The antioxidants you get from consuming extra-virgin olive oil stimulate the production of healthy collagen, delay wrinkles and support skin elasticity.
Olive Oil Skin Products to Try
For beautiful, healthy skin, try these olive oil creams, balms and lotions.
Phyto-C Skin Care Superheal O-Live Cream
Phyto-C Skin Care Superheal O-Live Cream
This formula made with olive leaf extract was shown to improve skin in a majority of study participants (64%) after two months of use. Phyto-C Skin Care Superheal O-Live Cream combines the antioxidants in olive oil with hyaluronic acid, ceramides and vitamins to nourish and rejuvenate dry skin, making it appear more radiant. Safe for use on all skin types, this lotion is ideal for evening out skin texture, fine lines and redness.
McEvoy Ranch’s Ode Olive Oil Body Balm
This rich body balm comes straight from the source. Almost 80% of the formula’s extra virgin olive oil is grown on site at McEvoy Ranch in Sonoma, California. Combined with beeswax and shea butter, the body balm’s velvety texture mimics the skin’s natural sebum to provide targeted hydration in three scents (and an unscented version), including Ode’s fresh, herbaceous signature “verde.” The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial lotion is also cruelty, paraben, phthalate, sulfate and GMO free, and comes in BPA-free packaging.
1.5 ounces, $25
Mario Badescu Skin Care Super Rich Olive Body Lotion
For an affordable olive oil-rich lotion, turn to the nearly 60-year old natural beauty brand, Mario Badescu Skin Care. Their Super Rich Olive Body Lotion combines olive oil with lanolin, a natural oil found in sheep’s wool, for a deeply nourishing formula that absorbs well into the skin and leaves no greasy residue behind. Mario Badescu’s products are always animal cruelty free.
6 ounces, $10
Dirty Girl Farm Olive Oil Lotion
Michigan-based holistic apothecary Dirty Girl Farm’s Olive Oil Lotion is a thick and creamy skin hydrator. Its anti-inflammatory formula—which is made with organic olive oil, olive butter and organic aloe—works beautifully to moisturize dry and/or aging skin, and can be used as a rich night lotion. Dirty Girl Farms’ products are vegan and cruelty free, and are shipped in biodegradable packaging.
8 ounces, $19.95
Body Shop Body Butter Olive
Community Fair Trade organic olive oil from Italy, shea butter from Ghana and organic babassu oil from Brazil go into The Body Shop’s nourishing Olive Body Butter. The 96% natural formula isn’t sticky or greasy, and it keeps skin moisturized and glowing for days. Cruelty-free Olive Body Butter is dermatologically tested for rejuvenating extra dry skin and comes in recycled and recyclable packaging.
6.4 ounces, $25