4 Benefits of Olive Oil for Skin

Olive oil is a staple in many kitchens. It’s great for sautéing vegetables, making marinades, drizzling onto salads and, of course, as a dip for warm bread.

But can you apply olive oil to your skin?

You can, says dermatologist Amy Kassouf, MD. “Olive oil can be a great moisturizer for people with dry or sensitive skin,” she says.

But it may cause pimples.

Dr. Kassouf explains the pros and cons of making olive oil part of your skin care regimen.

What does olive oil do for your skin?

Rumor has it that Cleopatra used olive oil on her skin to maintain her beautiful looks. The Queen of Egypt may have been on to something.

When you eat foods made with olive oil, you get antioxidants, fats and nutrients that are good for your body. Those same substances make olive oil good for your skin in the following ways.

1. Moisturizing dry skin

Olive oil helps seal in moisture, softening dry skin. It can be especially effective on dry skin during winter months. You can also use olive oil to moisturize chapped lips.

2. Healing wounds

When you apply olive oil to a wound, it acts as a second skin barrier and aids wound healing. “Wounds tend to heal faster when they stay moist,” notes Dr. Kassouf.

Research suggests that triterpenes and other antioxidants in olive oil ease inflammation and stimulate the skin’s production of collagen. This protein helps make new skin cells that replace damaged, dead ones.

Olive oil also has antimicrobial properties. It helps kill bacteria in wounds that can lead to infection.

3. Minimizing signs of aging

Healthy fats and antioxidants in olive oil may plump up aging skin, giving you a more youthful appearance. Studies suggest that polyphenols (plant nutrients) in olive oil help make collagen, which minimizes wrinkles and makes skin more elastic.

Polyphenols also have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help counteract cell damage and minimize oxidative stress from free radicals. “Oxidative stress plays a big role in how skin ages,” says Dr. Kassouf. “It can decrease the amount of collagen and elastin in skin, causing your skin to sag.”

4. Removing makeup

It might sound counterintuitive, but olive oil can help get rid of oily skin residue from makeup, as well as skin pollutants. A dab of olive oil on a cotton ball or washcloth can also remove waterproof mascara. “You need a lipid, a type of fat, to remove waterproof mascara,” explains Dr. Kassouf. You may want to double-cleanse afterward to remove any excess oil.

Tips for applying olive oil to skin

You don’t need to bathe in olive oil to benefit from it. Follow these strategies instead:

• Apply to damp skin. If you’re moisturizing, it’s best to apply olive oil to your face or body after your shower, when your skin is still damp. “Your pores are more open, so they absorb more of the oily moisture,” says Dr. Kassouf.
• Use a small amount. To prevent a slick oil spill in the bathroom, pour a small amount of olive oil into a bowl or cup. Dab your fingers into the oil and gently rub into your skin. Remember, a dab of oil goes a long way.
• Let it sink in. After applying, brush your teeth or do other bathroom tasks for a few minutes to give your skin time to absorb the oil. “Your skin should feel smooth, not tacky,” clarifies Dr. Kassouf. If your skin feels sticky, you may need to wipe some of it off to prevent oil stains on your clothes. It’s fine to leave olive oil on your skin overnight. But give your skin time to absorb the oil before turning in, or you could have oil-stained sheets.

Potential risks of using olive oil on your skin

Before you stash a bottle of olive oil under the bathroom sink, consider these downsides of applying olive oil to your skin.

Acne

Olive oil might have made Cleopatra’s skin silky soft. But the queen lived in a desert and may have had fewer problems with acne or oily skin. “Any type of facial oil product may cause clogged pores and pimples,” shares Dr. Kassouf. “Don’t use olive oil on your face or other acne-prone areas if your skin is already oily.”

Dark spots

Your grandmother may have told you to rub oil on age spots to lighten them. (And she probably called them “liver spots.”) Alas, grandma was wrong.

Ultraviolet radiation exposure from the sun, tanning beds or even nail salon lamps causes these dark spots or hyperpigmentation. “Olive oil allows ultraviolet rays to penetrate the skin because it’s less reflective, making the spots even darker,” cautions Dr. Kassouf.

Sunburn

A body that glistens with any kind of oil (hello, baby oil!) is a magnet for damaging ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Unlike sunscreen, olive oil has no sun protection factor (SPF). “You’re priming your skin for sunburn and skin cancer if you apply olive oil and no sunscreen,” warns Dr. Kassouf.

Think about it: You rub olive oil on meat before cooking it in the oven. You’re doing something similar to your skin when you apply oil and go out into the sun. And while olive oil might promote wound healing, don’t put it on a sunburn, or you can increase the risk of additional skin damage.

Olive oil: An all-natural skin product

Olive oil might be worth trying if you’re looking for a more natural way to hydrate your skin. “I have patients with sensitive skin who use olive oil because it doesn’t have added dyes, fragrances or chemicals,” shares Dr. Kassouf. Other natural skin moisturizing options include coconut oil and jojoba oil.

If you want to include olive oil in your skin care regimen, start by targeting dry patches of skin like cracked heels or elbows. If you’re happy with the results, move on to other parts of your body.