Benefits vs Drawbacks: Is Olive Oil Really Good For Your Skin?

There are many skin care products available in the market, but many don’t deliver the results as promised. Moreover, some of them bring in long-term side effects than benefits to your skin which ends up hampering the outer look of your skin.

You would be even more worried if you learned that many synthetic skin care products can be extremely harmful to your body, and can lead to severe allergic reactions and other side effects.

On the other hand, natural skin care products promote a healthy lifestyle that helps you retain the natural glow of your skin.

One of the most effective natural skin regimens is olive oil which is mostly used in the kitchen for cooking purposes.

However, in this article, we are going to look at some hidden benefits and drawbacks of using olive oil on your skin.

So, without any further ado, let’s dive in.

What is Olive Oil?

Olive oil is a liquid fat that is essentially extracted by pressing fresh whole olives. The extracted olive oil is used for many purposes, mainly cooking, frying food, and in salad dressing.

While the majority of us use olive oil in our cooking, few people are aware of the benefits that olive oil may have on your skin.

Olive oil is one of the most beneficial natural skin care regimens that can be used as a facial moisturizer, sunscreen, and much more for healthy glowing skin.

Not to mention, many people are slowly switching from chemical-rich skincare products to using olive oil on their skin due to skincare trends on the internet, but they are unsure of how to use it effectively.

So, in the next section, we explain how olive oil can be used on your skin for achieving maximum benefits.

How to Use Olive Oil on Skin?

It is possible to use olive oil without any added ingredient by simply pouring it on a warm cotton cloth and gently massaging it over your face.

Consequently, don’t apply excess olive oil because this can lead to the release of sebum and cause acne scars.

The extra oil can then be removed from your face with a warm towel or cloth so that it all gets washed away.

1. Use it as a Moisturizer/Sunscreen

Instead of using chemical facial creams that bring side effects to your skin, you can use something that is natural and brings no side effects.

Gently applying olive oil can bring countless moisturizing benefits to your skin by reducing the water loss in your skin pores.

Moreover, applying olive oil in the summer as sunscreen can bring wonders to your skin health.

2. Can be Used as a Makeup Remover

You might be wasting loads of money on commercial makeup removers, oil olive works as a great makeup remover for removing waterproof eyeliner and mascara.

Take a few drops of olive oil on a cotton bed or warm cloth and gently wipe your face to remove your makeup.

Not to mention, if you have sensitive skin, you should use olive oil sparingly and avoid pressing too hard when wiping your face because this could harm the protective layer of your skin.

3. Do Not Forget to Do a Patch Test First

Most of all, your skin plays a big role in protecting your body from bacteria and germs.

Therefore, starting with a patch test is crucial before experimenting with olive oil on your skin.

A safe way to determine whether your skin will adjust to olive oil is by applying a few drops of the oil to a small and unnoticed part of your skin. Observe the skin for no more than two to three days to see how it responds to the product and also if there are any positive changes to the skin.

If there is no negative effect observed such as redness to the skin patches or any itching, then you are safe to apply all over your face and other larger patches of your skin.

Benefits of Using Olive Oil

Here are some of the benefits of using olive oil.

1. Moisturizing Properties

Olive oil is packed with the most beneficial properties that help to moisturize your skin and maintain healthy-looking skin.

It contains squalene and vitamin E. It supports your skin’s moisturizing needs with squalene and vitamin E efficiently increases the skin’s capacity to absorb water intake.

Applying olive oil helps to soften the dry patches of your skin and can be used as your go-to skin care solution for all your moisturizing needs.

2. Promotes Anti-Aging

If you are worried about aging and find it hard to find a natural solution, look no further than olive oil.

Olive oil contains properties for a youthful glow, it reduces the wrinkles and lines on your facial skin, thanks to its rich anti-oxidizing properties. And vitamin E helps to reduce wrinkles and lines.

Furthermore, the oil consists of highly effective compounds that tackle oxidative stress that builds around the skin as a result of aging.

3. Rich in Vitamins and Antioxidants

Olive oil has all the magical properties for healthy and glowing skin. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, the oil has properties that are great for your skin.

The oil is loaded with beneficial fatty acids, lipids, and antioxidants, such as vitamin A and oil boasts a high level of protection against free radicals and other harmful substances for healthy-looking skin.

Apart from its beneficial fatty acids, olive oil contains antioxidants that effectively help to dump redness and irritation in the skin due to psoriasis or acne.

4. Works as a Skin Cleanser

Olive oil works acts as a wonder when used as a skin cleanser. It helps to dissolve oily residue on your skin.

Subsequently, oil-dissolving properties combat rinse off, makeup, dirt, dead skin cells, and also sebum that builds on your skin as blackheads.

When removing all sorts of makeup and beauty cosmetics from the skin, especially waterproof products, using olive oil as a skin cleaning can be useful.

5. Aids in Wound Healing

According to various medical studies, olive oil has proven to be a safe solution for wound healing.

Olive oil contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties that speed up the wounding process.

In addition, recent studies have also figured out that applying a few drops of olive oil on the skin can promote pressure ulcer prevention and the healing of diabetic foot ulcers.

6. Reduces Inflammation and Swelling

Skin inflammation, swelling, redness, and rashes can be a threat to your skin health, and these skin problems can be tough to diagnose.

Olive oil has all the natural solutions for your skin because it contains antioxidants, such as vitamin E. Antioxidants play a major role in reducing swelling and redness.

Moreover, if your skin is prone to acne scars, then applying a few drops of olive oil may help to kill off the bacteria.

7. Gently Exfoliates

Apart from other benefits, Olive oil has also shown great results in exfoliating skin.

If you are looking to get smoother glowing skin, olive oil has got you all covered. It contains alpha-hydroxy acids, which activate the shedding of dead skin cells and promote new skin cells.

Over and above, you can make your natural face wash by mixing olive oil for the skin, and sea salt which can work as a great exfoliator for your face.

8. Doubles as a Sunscreen

Olive oil works as a shield against the sun’s harmful UV lights.

Olive oil is a natural sunscreen that helps prevent sunburns by providing you with a natural SPF of 6.

Not to mention, Olive oil provides you with the utmost skin care by providing a natural SPF of 6 that is said to be more effective than most available sunscreens available in the market.

Drawbacks of Using Olive Oil

Here are some drawbacks of using olive oil on the skin.

1. May Result in Clogged Pores

Just like every other skin care product, olive oil also has some minor side effects.

Olive oil is a heavy oil, thus it takes some time for it to be absorbed into the skin pores. Overuse could facilitate the trapping of bacteria, which could lead to clogged pores and acne.

Also, it contains high volumes of oleic acid that is moderately comedogenic for some skins, which could lead to clogged pores.

2. Can Lead to Breakouts on Acne Prone Skin

Although applying olive oil to the skin might work perfectly for some people, if you have oily skin, you should avoid using it.

In some cases, olive oil could make your acne scars worse or could even lead to acne breakouts if your skin is acne prone.

Therefore, you should consult with a dermatologist before applying olive oil if you are facing acne scars.

3. Might Irritate Sensitive Skin

Oily skin might increase skin irritation if you already have a sensitive and oily skin type.

Additionally, recent medical studies have suggested that oleic acid contained in olive oil can be harmful to your skin’s health and lead to irritation, rashes, and redness on your skin

Lastly, depending on your skin type, olive oil should be used with great caution and not in excess quantity.

The Final Verdict: Is Olive Oil Really Good For Your Skin?

If you are looking for a natural skin product for your skin, then there’s nothing better than olive oil. Olive oil has all the necessary properties that your skin requires for healthy glowing skin.

Despite its drawbacks, olive oil can be used as a daily skincare regimen and natural moisturizer because of its highly effective moisturizing properties.

Furthermore, olive oil can also be used as an antioxidant property. Olive oil can help calm redness and irritation caused by acne. They also act as an anti-aging serum by combating free radicals that lead to wrinkles and premature aging of the skin.

In conclusion, adding olive oil to your daily skincare routine can bring endless benefits to your skin.

However, It’s also important to note that the benefits of olive oil can be decreased if artificial olive oil is used; so, when shopping, look for olive oil that has been processed naturally without the use of artificial ingredients.