What is olive oil in skincare?
Olive oil is pressed from the fruit of Olea europaea and has been used on skin for thousands of years. It is roughly 70% oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, with smaller amounts of linoleic acid, squalene and polyphenols such as hydroxytyrosol.
That fatty acid profile matters. Oleic-dominant oils are rich and occlusive but, as comparative research on plant oils shows, they can also disrupt the skin barrier rather than repair it – the opposite of what linoleic-rich oils do.
What skin concerns does olive oil treat?
On intact, dry body skin it is an effective emollient and a serviceable makeup remover, and its polyphenols and squalene contribute antioxidant activity.
It is a poor choice for the face if you are acne-prone, since it is comedogenic, and studies have found repeated topical olive oil increases water loss through the barrier rather than reducing it. It is specifically not recommended on infant skin or on eczema.
What ingredients are best paired with olive oil?
If you use it, use it on the body, over hydrated skin, and alongside ceramides and glycerin rather than on its own.
For facial use, linoleic-rich oils – sunflower, grapeseed, rosehip, hemp seed – or non-comedogenic squalane and jojoba do the same job without the barrier penalty. Squalane is in fact derived from olives, and delivers olive oil’s best component without its drawbacks. Take our Skin Quiz.
What is adult acne?
Adult acne is acne that persists past the teenage years or appears for the first time in your twenties, thirties or later. It affects a substantial share of adults, and disproportionately women.
It tends to look different from teenage acne: fewer widespread blackheads, more deep tender lesions along the jawline, chin and neck, often on skin that is simultaneously dry, sensitive or already showing early signs of ageing.
What causes adult acne?
Hormonal fluctuation is the leading driver – menstrual cycles, coming off or starting contraception, pregnancy, perimenopause and conditions such as PCOS all shift androgen activity and sebum output.
Stress and cortisol, sleep debt, high-glycaemic diets, comedogenic makeup and skincare, friction, and certain medications compound it. Adult skin also heals more slowly, so marks linger longer than they did at nineteen.
What ingredients are best for adult acne?
The challenge is treating acne without wrecking a barrier that is also ageing. Retinoids do double duty here, clearing follicles and stimulating collagen at the same time.
Azelaic acid is excellent for adult skin because it handles lesions, redness and post-acne marks together. Add salicylic acid used sparingly, niacinamide to regulate oil and calm inflammation, and ceramides plus hyaluronic acid to keep hydration up. Skip harsh benzoyl peroxide concentrations and scrubs. Take our Skin Quiz.
