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 oily skin?
Oily skin is a skin type in which the sebaceous glands produce more sebum than the skin needs. It shows up as shine through the T-zone within hours of cleansing, visibly enlarged pores, makeup that slides or separates, and a tendency towards blackheads and congestion.
Sebum itself is not the enemy – it carries vitamin E to the surface, keeps the barrier supple and helps oily skin hold its structure, which is why it often shows fine lines later than dry skin does.
What causes oily skin?
Genetics and androgen activity are the primary drivers of how much sebum your glands produce. Heat and humidity increase output measurably, and hormonal fluctuations across the monthly cycle, pregnancy or puberty shift it again.
Stress, a diet heavy in refined carbohydrates, and – counter-intuitively – over-cleansing with stripping foams or alcohol-based toners all push oil production up, because skin compensates for a damaged barrier by making more.
What ingredients are best for oily skin?
Look for salicylic acid (a BHA that is oil-soluble, so it clears inside the pore), niacinamide and zinc to regulate sebum, clay such as bentonite or kaolin for weekly absorption, and retinoids or azelaic acid to normalise how pores shed.
Do not skip hydration: lightweight humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, plus non-comedogenic squalane or jojoba oil, keep the barrier intact so the skin stops over-compensating. Skip heavy occlusive balms and high-alcohol toners. Take our Skin Quiz to get the balance right for your skin.
