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Last Updated on October 27, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

olive oil for skin

Disclaimer: I’m Italian = biased. I was raised on olive oil. In Italy, it’s the only oil you use for cooking. You drizzle it on everything. Salads, bruschetta, pizza… Don’t even get me started on people who use canola oil or vegetable oil. Like, no. Please, get yourself a bottle of olive oil. It’ll change your life. Plus, since becoming a skincare blogger I’ve also discovered the benefits of olive oil for skin: it can moisturise dry skin, remove stubborn makeup, and give your skin a dose of antioxidants. But does that mean you should slather it all over your face? Not so fast. Olive oil can also cause problems for sensitive and acne-prone skin. In this article, I share the skincare benefits of olive oil, the many uses it has in DIY beauty, and all you need to know to get better results for your skin:

What Is Olive Oil And Why Is It Used In Skincare And Cosmetic Products?

Olive oil (official name on the label is Olea europaea) is derived from pressed olives. The greenish yellow liquid is called liquid gold for a reason: it’srich in vitamins, antioxidants and oleic acid, all goodies your skin loves (more on them later). But, not all olive oil is created equal. Most olive oil out there is crap. Olive oil is often contaminated with cheaper refined olive oil, which ruins the fun for everyone. Poor olive oil doesn’t do much good to your skin. It may irritate it, too.

You want the real deal. That’s extra virgin olive oil. Yes, it’s more expensive, but it’s worth it. EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil) comes from the first pressing of the olives and has NO refined oil. This one is full of goodies and unlikely to irritate your skin. Here’s what EVOO does for your skin:

1. Olive Oil Is An Excellent Moisturizer

Olive Oil is loaded with fatty acids like oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids. Fatty acids are super moisturizing. They make even the driest of skin soft and smooth again. Here’s how they work: fatty acids act as emollients, filling in the tiny gaps between skin cells to make your skin softer and smoother. Olive oil also helps keep moisture from escaping, so your skin stays hydrated for longer. A 2025 clinical study found that extra virgin olive oil improved skin hydration and reduced redness. Not bad for something you probably already have in your kitchen, huh?

You can use EVOO on its own or mix a few drops with your fave eye cream for an extra moisturizing boost. The only problem? EVOO is on the thicker side, so it doesn’t feel too good when you slather it all over your skin. It takes a while to sink in, too. You’re better off adding a few drops to your fave moisturiser or buying skin care products with olive oil.

One thing to keep in mind: Olive oil is high in oleic acid, which can weaken the skin barrier in some people, especially those with eczema or compromised skin. So, while it’s a good moisturiser, it’s not necessarily the best choice for every skin type.

Related: Dry Skin? Here’s What Your Moisturiser Should Contain

2. Olive Oil Helps Fight Premature Aging

You know what else olive oil is loaded with? Antioxidants (especially polyphenols). And they’re some of your skin’s best friends in the fight against premature aging. Here’s the deal: every day, your skin gets attacked by free radicals from UV rays, pollution, and all the other nasty stuff in the environment. These little troublemakers damage collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep your skin firm and youthful. Over time, that damage adds up to wrinkles and sagging skin. Antioxidants help neutralise free radicals before they can do their damage. And olive oil has quite a few of them:

Basically, olive oil gives your skin an extra helping hand in the fight against premature aging. It won’t make existing wrinkles disappear, but it helps prevent new ones from forming. 

Related: Common Antioxidants Used In Skincare: Which Ones Are Best?

3. Olive Oil Makes A Great Makeup Remover

Olive oil is one of my fave makeup removers. It works according to the likes attracts like principle. The oil dissolves the oils in your makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum, making them easier to remove. Even stubborn waterproof makeup doesn’t stand much of a chance. Plus, after it’s done its cleansing job, it stays around to moisturize your skin. That makes it one of my fave oils for the OCM (oil cleansing method). 

But here’s the catch: unlike commercial cleansing oils, olive oil doesn’t contain emulsifiers (the ingredients that allow oil to mix with water). That means you can’t just splash your face with water and expect everything to rinse away. You’ll need a damp washcloth to gently remove the oil, followed by a gentle cleanser to get rid of any leftover residue. Unless, you want the oil to stay on and moisturise skin, of course.  

P.S. If you have acne-prone skin, be careful. Even the good kind (EVOO) can cause breakouts in some people.  

Related: What Is The Oil Cleansing Method?

4. UVB Boosts Your Sun Protection

One more thing. Olive oil helps fight the damage UVB rays do to your skin. How? Thanks to its antioxidants. Here’s the deal: when UVB rays hit your skin, they generate free radicals. These nasty little molecules go around attacking healthy skin cells, damaging their DNA and breaking down collagen and elastin. The result? Wrinkles, sagging skin, and premature aging. Thanks, sun.

That’s where olive oil comes in. Its antioxidants, including vitamin E and polyphenols, neutralise free radicals before they can cause more damage. Think of them as your skin’s little bodyguards, stopping these troublemakers in their tracks. One study found that applying extra virgin olive oil after UVB exposure reduced oxidative DNA damage in mice. The researchers also found fewer UV-induced skin tumours in the mice treated with olive oil after sun exposure.

Pretty impressive for something you normally drizzle over your salad, huh? But don’t ditch your sunscreen just yet. Olive oil fights some of the damage UVB rays cause, but it doesn’t stop those rays from reaching your skin in the first place. That’s your sunscreen’s job.

Is Olive Oil Good For YOUR Face?

Yes, but it depends on your skin type. Just because olive oil is natural and loaded with goodies, it doesn’t mean everyone should slather it all over their face. Here’s how to know if you should make it a part of your skin care routine:

  • Dry skin: Olive oil is a great option for making dry, rough skin softer and smoother. Its fatty acids help moisturise skin and keep it from drying out. Just a few drops are enough. No need to walk around looking like you’ve dipped your face in a frying pan. Or just mix a few drops with your fave moisturiser. Done. 
  • Normal skin: If you like using facial oils, olive oil can give your skin an extra moisturising boost. You can use it on its own or add a few drops to your fave moisturiser.
  • Oily skin: Olive oil won’t magically make your skin produce less oil. That’s a myth. You can use it, but it’s pretty thick and greasy. Personally, I’d go with something lighter. 
  • Acne-prone skin: Olive oil doesn’t cause breakouts for everyone, but it can clog pores in some people. If your skin is already prone to pimples, why risk it?
  • Sensitive or eczema-prone skin: I’d give pure olive oil a miss. It’s rich in oleic acid, which can mess with your skin’s protective barrier. One study found that applying olive oil daily for four weeks weakened the skin barrier and caused redness. Not exactly what sensitive skin needs.

The bottom line: Olive oil can be a good moisturiser if your skin tolerates it. But it’s not for everyone. If your skin is oily, acne-prone or easily irritated, there are better oils out there.

What Are The Side Effects Of Olive Oil On Skin?

If you have super sensitive skin, olive oil can cause contact dermatitis and irritation. For everyone else, olive oil is harmless. Do a patch before slathering it happily all over your skin, just in case.

What Are The Best Skincare Products With Olive Oil?

  • DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Facial Make Up Remover ($5.50): A hydrating makeup remover with olive oil to remove all traces of impurities, makeup, and sunscreen from your face without irritating skin. Available at Dermstore, Look Fantastic, and Superdrug
  • DHC Olive Virgin Oil Facial Moisturizer ($44.00): This literally contains only olive oil and vitamin E to deeply nourish all skin types. Available at Dermstore
  • Furtuna Skin Biphase Moisturising Oil ($125.00): A moisturising oil loaded with olive oil and antioxidants to deeply moisturise skin and prevent wrinkles. Available at Cult Beauty and Dermstore

FAQs

Can I Just Use Cheap Olive Oil From The Grocery Store On My Face?

Technically, yes. But I wouldn’t. Here’s the deal: not all olive oil is created equal. The cheap stuff is often refined or mixed with refined olive oil. Nothing wrong with that, but refining strips away a lot of the antioxidants and other goodies that make olive oil so beneficial for your skin in the first place. It’ll still moisturise your skin, but why settle for less when you can get the good stuff?

My advice? Go for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). It’s extracted without refining, so it retains more of those lovely antioxidants and polyphenols your skin loves. Yes, it’s more expensive, but you’re only using a few drops at a time. One bottle will last you ages.

When Should You Apply Olive Oil In Your Skincare Routine?

So if you’re using olive oil straight up as a moisturiser, it goes last in your nighttime skincare routine. Oils help seal moisture in, so you want all your other skincare products to absorb first.  For makeup removal, it’s gotta be first. You need to get all that makeup, sunscreen, and gunk off your face before you do anything else. And if you’re doing the full oil cleansing method, olive oil is your cleansing oil. Just follow up with a gentle cleanser to remove any leftover residue.

Is Organic Olive Oil Better For Your Skin?

Honestly? Not necessarily. Organic certification is nice if you’re worried about pesticides and all that, but it’s not the most important thing. What matters way more is that you’re using good-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).

You can have organic olive oil that’s been sitting around forever and lost some of its antioxidants. Look for things like a harvest date on the bottle, so you know how fresh it is. Single origin is nice, too, but it’s not a guarantee of quality.

And here’s a pro tip: if it tastes like crap for cooking, it’s gonna be crap for your face too. Good extra virgin olive oil should taste fresh, a little peppery and bitter, not bland and greasy. Some of the best stuff I’ve found isn’t even certified organic, but it’s from small producers who actually care about what they’re making.

What If I’m Allergic To It Or It Breaks Me Out?

Do a patch test first. Put a little bit on your inner arm or behind your ear and wait 24 hours to see if anything weird happens. If you’ve got super sensitive skin, olive oil can sometimes cause irritation or contact dermatitis. It’s rare but it happens. And if you break out, it might not be the olive oil itself – could be that it’s not actually pure EVOO or it’s gone bad. But yeah, not every ingredient works for everyone and that’s fine. There are other oils out there like jojoba or rosehip if olive oil isn’t your thing. Don’t force it if your skin hates it.

The Bottom Line

A staple of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is awesome. Cook with it. Drizzle it on cold dishes. Slather it all over your skin. It’ll prevent dryness and keep you younger for longer.