It seems fitting that before we study how olive oil gets absorbed through the skin, we study olive oil first.

So, hang on! Let’s understand this mysterious and healthy oil.

Demystifying Olive Oil

By pressing olives, we get a fatty juice that’s rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, this oil is widely known as olive oil. Olives are hugely popular around the world, but, they are believed to have come from the Mediterranean. Olives are one of the 3 core ingredients in Mediterranean cuisine, the other two being wheat and grapes.

Fully ripe olives are preferred to extract olive oil. Depending on the stage of ripeness of the olives, the oil changes in flavor and color. The ripest olives are cold-pressed to extract the best flavor of olive oil. The taste, quality, and color of the oil change with the stage of ripeness of the olives used.

Traditionally, olives only had to be pressed to extract their oil. Modern methods involve crushing the olives into a paste, and then, extracting the oil from the pulp using centrifugation. We could also mix more than one type of olives together, which could result in varied flavor profiles. Small amounts of pulp still remain after centrifugation. This leftover pulp is called Pomace. Using chemical solvents, oil is extracted from the pomace, which is called Olive pomace oil.

Olive oil is mainly classified into 3 types- Refined, virgin, and extra virgin. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed or refined. It is considered to be the healthiest because of the same reason. The color and flavor of the oil largely depend on the region and the type(s) of olives used. The harvest time and the maturity of the olives also play an important part in the color and flavor profile.

Let us further examine the various olive oil types:

• Extra virgin olive oil

This type of oil involves no chemical treatment. Oil is extracted with a natural, mechanical process and is considered very superior in taste. It is generally standardized for sensory qualities like smell and taste. It contains the least amount of acidity, normally no more than 0.8 percent. The taste, flavor, color, aroma, and health benefits greatly vary from one brand to another.

It has a high concentration of phenolic antioxidants making it very beneficial. Even though you can use it for almost anything, extra virgin oil is best used for salad dressings for the best salad odor as well as flavor.

• Virgin olive oil

This olive oil has a lighter flavor and color and is slightly lower in quality than extra virgin oil. It does not have a very strong flavor and has a higher smoking point, which makes it apt for sautéing and frying. It has slightly higher acidity, up to 1.5%.

• Refined olive oil

Refined olive oils are processed from virgin olive oils and are generally blended with a stronger oil to enhance the taste. It has a free acidity and it is the lowest in quality in the trio. It is a bland, neutral oil with free acidity up to 3%.

Olive oil is a multi-purpose oil that can be used for cooking, preparing salads, manufacturing cosmetics, and skincare applications and is sometimes used for medicinal purposes as well. It is used across a wide spectrum, from health & nutrition to hair and skincare.

Olive Oil for Skin

There have been a lot of studies focused on the health benefits of olive oil. However, for a very long time, olive oil has been revered for its benefits to our skin. Owing to a multitude of benefits, plant oils are used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Some work better than others and it is important to note that some oils work more for certain issues depending on their composition.

Olive oil is among one of those high-performing oils and is known for its moisturizing and emollient properties. You can find it in a range of products, from facial cleansers to serums; or in its pure form made suitable for skin care.

Olive oil is extremely rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, each of which benefit the skin in their own way. The human body produces free radicals during metabolism. It is a natural process, but, these free radicals may potentially harm the delicate skin tissues, and worse, they could trigger cancer, if produced in abundance. The vitamins present in olive oil, especially Vitamin E, are great antioxidants, and they could help protect the skin from the damage caused by free radicals.

These antioxidants neutralize the free radicals and also help combat sun damage and premature aging.

How Does the Skin Absorb Olive Oil

If you have ever considered massaging your hair and scalp with olive oil, you know it’s not the most fluid of oils. It’s rather viscous!

Viscosity is the measure of a substance’s thickness. The more viscous a substance is, the lesser fluid it gets. Olive oil doesn’t dash or glide right off your skin, it rather stays on your epidermal layer. That being said, olives don’t create a sticky mess! Your skin really just needs 15 minutes to absorb the whole thing, that’s not bad for an oil!

But, how does the olive oil absorption through our skin really work!

To begin with, extra virgin olive oil and cold-pressed olive oil have the same fat composition as our skin! That means, your skin will have no trouble understanding, accepting, plus, socializing with olive oil. Moreover, olive oil is an anti-inflammatory material, which means that it can make use of your pores and often slip through them. However, that’s a good thing! We need the nutrients present in olive oil. So, it’s good that our bodies let it right in.

However, you would find that your face has more difficulty absorbing olive oil than the rest of your body. This has also got to do with the fact that our face has more delicate tissues than the rest of our body. But, the key remains that we don’t apply olive oil in excess. It may end up clogging pores too. This oil, in particular, is comedogenic, what this means is that olive oil in excess will clog your skin pores and that’s a major problem! It will lead to many severe issues like acne, eczema, etc.

When massaged moderately, we might even see a few of the following benefits.

Benefits of Using Olive Oil and its Applications

Owing to a high concentration of vitamins, antioxidants, and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUSAs), olive oil is extremely beneficial for your health, and, at the same time, it helps with skincare as well.

Olive oil has immense skin benefits, from removing the most stubborn makeup to helping prevent premature skin aging. Let us talk about how you can incorporate olive oil as a part of your skincare routine.

• Prevents aging and skin damage

Aging is a natural process, however, there are certain external factors that accelerate this process. These include pollution, harmful sun rays, stress, and certain other unhealthy practices. Olive oil has an abundance of vitamins and antioxidants, including polyphenols, all of which aid in acting against the free-radical formation. These radicals, as I have mentioned earlier, are responsible for cellular skin damage and premature aging.

Olive oil also helps combat sun damage and slow down the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, especially around the eye.

• Treating scars and stretch marks

In order to treat scars and stretch marks, it is very important to keep your skin moisturized. Olive oil helps lock in the moisture on your skin, thus, helping treat and prevent the same.

• Works as a moisturizer

Just like any other oil used on the skin, olive oil is used as a natural moisturizer. It contains fatty acids – omega 6 and omega 9, that boost skin health and helps keep flaky and dry skin at bay.

Like most other oils, olive oil also locks in the moisture. It does not do as much moisturizing as it does to lock in the water, or the moisturizer. For best results, we recommend you apply olive oil after you’ve applied your moisturizer to ensure a more supple, hydrated, and moisturized skin.

• Helps in lifting makeup

For those of you who use makeup, especially waterproof makeup products, olive oil is a lifesaver. To remove even the most stubborn makeup, just apply some olive oil directly onto your skin, or use a cotton ball. Massage gently to emulsify the makeup with the oil which helps in removing it instantly.

It is recommended to wash your face with warm water in order to remove any and all traces of leftover makeup. The same process can also be applied to remove traces of sunscreen.

• Healing properties of olive oil

By now, we all know that olive oil is rich in vitamins A, D, E and K. These vitamins have tremendous healing and regenerative properties, which is why even a few drops of olive oil can work miracles to repair dry and cracked skin and other surface-layer wounds.

For those who suffer from skin diseases like psoriasis and rosacea, it is a great ally. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which help greatly in such conditions. If you have acne prone skin, the use of olive oil, or soaps that are made with olive oil help decrease acne by regulating certain bacterial appearances on the face.

Risks Associated with Using Olive Oil

In spite of the tremendous benefits that it provides, it is also very important to understand the risks associated with olive oil with respect to your skin. While it might be beneficial in certain ways, studies suggest that it might not be the best choice for you if you have sensitive skin, especially oily skin, or if you suffer from skin conditions like acne or dermatitis.

Doing an allergy test is always recommended before applying any product to your face. Rub some olive oil or the product that you plan on using on your forearm. Observe it for 24-48 hours, and if you see no reaction, you can safely use it on your face. To avoid an allergic reaction, use a high-quality oil that does not have any added ingredients, just pure olive oil.

Most extra virgin olive oils are compositionally very similar in fat content as is the human skin, there are very slim chances that a normal skin may be allergic to cold-pressed olive oil. However, better safe than sorry!

Some tests suggest that using olive oil on infants makes their skin prone to developing eczema in their adult life, even more so if you have a family history of eczema.

This particular oil is moderately comedogenic, which means it will most likely clog your pores causing acne or irritation. The keyword here is “Excess usage”! Too much of nothing is good, and too much of olive oil only leads to skin problems. However, another keyword here is “Moderation”! Moderate usage will help.

It is advised to choose products without any chemicals or additives. Also, any excess oil should be wiped off to prevent clogged pores or to trap bacteria.

Should You Use Olive Oil for Your Face and Skincare

Olive oil might not be your choice of moisturizer, but, there are other ways in which you can incorporate it as a part of your skincare routine.

If you are using or plan to use olive oil for your skincare routine, do not skip on the quality. Make sure to use a product that is free of any added chemicals, and is just pure olive oil. Also, you do not need to use too much oil, less is sometimes more, and this can be said for olive oil too!

Just a few drops are more than enough.

Remember that oftentimes, a manufacturer would mix olive oil with a more fluid and lesser viscous oil to enhance its penetration or make it solid at room temperature. However, this mixing can leave a product unfit for application. Do study the ingredients of the so-called “organic” mixtures too, as organic as they may be, not everything goes on human skin.

There are certain popular brands, which fail to meet the standards for what olive oil should be, beware of such products. You should try and opt for extra virgin, cold-pressed, and organically sourced variants of oils.

On your olive oil bottle, look for labels with certification from the International Olive Council. It is recommended to use extra virgin olive oil as it is the least acidic. The regular ones might be too acidic to be used on your skin. You can also opt for a blend of oils such as almonds, olives, and lavender, preferably certified to be organic, as part of your face care routine. It helps restore glow to your skin, nourishing it at the same time.

You can use it as a makeup remover or mix it with some sugar to make a natural scrub for exfoliation and moisturization. Use it on your hair to restore moisture and shine to dull, dry hair. Try rubbing a little olive oil on your cuticles during that manicure to keep them soft and healthy. Do not forget to do a patch test to avoid any irritation in case your skin is allergic to it.

The benefits of olive oil have already been established in the health and nutrition industry, but, it does work wonders for your skin too, especially the face. It is used across a range of skin care products like soaps, face washes, body washes, and lotions. It also forms the base product of some cosmetics, along with added beneficial ingredients.

Olive oil has some amazing benefits for the skin but it does not warrant unrestricted use. It is only to be used in moderation, keeping in mind to take precautions, according to your skin type. Consult a good dermatologist shall you have any reservations against the use of olive oil on skin.

Use it as is, or as a part of formulas such as in soaps, shampoos, or face washes. People with extra sensitive skin, and those with skin conditions should try and avoid the use of olive oil despite its anti bacterial/ anti inflammatory properties. Also, always test a new brand of olive oil on your forearm before applying it to your face to check for any allergic reactions your skin might have to the same.