9 incredible benefits of olive oil for glowing skin

We may all be familiar with the olive oil bottle that sits on its shelf in the kitchen cupboard. Don’t we frequently reach out for it to make delicious, healthy salad dressings? After all, the health benefits of using olive oil have been established for years. But did you know that olive oil for skin works wonders too?

Applied topically, olive oil benefits for skin are truly amazing. It truly helps you get that naturally glowing skin from within that no highlighter or other makeup product can mimic. After all, olive oil use is considered to be a secret behind Cleopatra’s stunning beauty. If it worked so well for her, why shouldn’t we all benefit from it too? Let’s take a look at the 9 incredible benefits of olive oil for glowing skin.

Olive oil for skincare: What is it?

Olive oil is obtained by pressing whole fruit and extracting its oil. It comes in many forms, such as virgin olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, pure olive oil and lampante oil. All these forms have different uses.

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that have a multitude of general health and cosmetic benefits. Not only that, but it is also brimming with skin-loving antioxidant properties that have been widely touted for centuries. These are a major reason why olive oil is a popular ingredient in cosmetic products.

You can find it in everything from eye creams to moisturisers and facial cleansers. It is also widely available in its pure form and can be mixed with other natural skincare ingredients. Amongst other natural plant oils, olive oil truly stands out for its highly emollient and moisturising benefits.

Olive oil for face: Is it any good?

Topical application of olive oil on the face is beneficial in small quantities. It helps boost skin elasticity, which allows the skin to stay firm and tight. Moreover, olive oil use on the face and body also boosts skin renewal and regeneration. This is all due to the multitude of polyphenols and flavonoids present in it. These work efficiently to combat skin dullness and give the appearance of youthful, glowing skin.

However, olive oil is suitable for only certain skin types, such as normal to dry skin. It is generally not recommended for those with oily, acne-prone skin. This is because the rich fatty acids content can clog pores and further exacerbate acne.

People suffering from atopic dermatitis and eczema should also steer clear of olive oil, as the oleic acid component may aggravate symptoms.
If you are unsure whether olive is suitable for you, you can do a small patch test to check for any irritation or adverse reaction. If you experience no untoward effects in the next 24-hour period, then you can apply it safely on your face and body.

9 amazing benefits of olive oil for face and skin

Olive oil contains a variety of beneficial vitamins, fatty acids and other ingredients that can help you achieve enviable healthy, youthful skin. Check out the many benefits of using olive oil for skin below:

1. Has deep, moisturising properties

Olive oil contains a high squalene content and fatty acids (Omega-6 and Omega-9), which help to deeply moisturise and hydrate the skin. Moreover, the linoleic acid content in olive oil works as a barrier, locking in moisture below the skin’s surface, so it stays hydrated for long periods.

A natural moisturiser, olive oil can help keep the skin smooth and supple during cold winter months and prevent it from getting dry and dull.

2. Antioxidant properties

Olive oil works as an effective antioxidant and protects skin against harmful environmental damage and free radicals. Our environment is full of various irritants, pollutants and free radicals that damage our delicate skin cells. All these tend to hasten the process of premature ageing.

There is some research that suggests that the antioxidants in olive oil can help with UV damage. Topical application of olive oil on skin after sun exposure can treat sunburned skin and may even combat cancer-causing cells.

The animal study observed that tumour growth was remarkably lower in mice who had olive oil on their skin before being exposed to harmful UV rays, as compared to those mice who did not have any oil application.

However, more research needs to be carried out on humans before any conclusive claims about olive oil’s antioxidant properties can be made.

3. Antibacterial in nature

Research has shown that olive oil possesses antibacterial properties. It can help treat bacterial infections against various bacteria and fungi. It may also accelerate the healing of foot ulcers in people with type 2 diabetes.

A recent study observed the effects of using coconut oil and olive oil on particular bacteria on the skin. Both oils were noted to exhibit antibacterial properties. However, coconut oil was more efficacious than olive oil in getting rid of the bacteria.

4. Reduces inflammation and pigmentation

Olive oil has strong anti-inflammatory properties as a result of the high content of chlorophyll. It may effectively relieve different kinds of internal and external inflammations of the body. Moreover, applying it topically on red and irritated areas may help soothe skin and even diminish pigmentation.

5. Helps heal wounds

The anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil may also aid in wound healing and minimise the appearance of scars. Olive oil is rich in triterpenes, which enhance cell proliferation and collagen production. The topical application of olive oil on wounds helps repair them faster by reducing the time for wound closure.

6. High vitamin content and anti-ageing properties

Have you ever used olive oil for face wrinkles and fine lines? If you haven’t yet, you’ll be amazed to learn how effective olive oil is for sagging skin and wrinkles. Olive oil is loaded with beneficial vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E and K. All these help reduce oxidative stress (a main cause of rapid skin ageing) by seeping deep into the skin.

Vitamin E has been used throughout the ages to heal symptoms of a variety of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Regular use of olive oil can thus effectively slow down premature signs of ageing and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

7. Helps remove stubborn makeup

If you have ever struggled with removing stubborn makeup like waterproof mascara and eyeliner, you don’t have to fret anymore! Olive oil is rich in fatty acids that easily lift off oil-soluble makeup off your skin.

When olive oil mixes with the waxy makeup on your face, it breaks it down, making it easier to remove. Moreover, olive oil, with its rich antioxidant properties, does not irritate sensitive facial skin.

The skin around the eyes is particularly delicate and olive oil, devoid of any harsh chemicals unlike other eye makeup removers, does a great job at gently cleansing the skin.

8. Repairs cracked heels and chapped lips

Your feet undergo considerable wear and tear every day that may result in rough, cracked heels if you don’t take proper care. The skin on the feet tends to be drier than the rest of the body due to a lack of oil glands. Thus, it needs intense moisture from olive oil to keep it supple and youthful.

Similarly, chapped flaky lips are also a common problem, especially when the weather turns cold. Applying olive oil-based products can help moisturise them. As you know by now, olive oil helps in skin renewal and locks in moisture for long periods.

9. May reduce under-eye dark circles

Olive oil is full of polyphenols, phytosterols and vitamins; all potent antioxidants that shield your skin against free radicals and promote skin renewal and repair. Regular topical application of olive oil on face can help fade pigmentation. Not only that, but it can also target under-eye puffiness and swelling associated with dark circles.

How to use olive oil for glowing skin?

If you want that sparkling, youthful face glow, you can incorporate olive oil in your skin routine in a number of ways. You can reach for an organic, non-GMO pure olive oil or opt for cleansers and moisturisers that have olive oil as the base product. If you opt for the former, take a few drops of olive oil in your hands, rub them together and lightly dab onto your skin. Don’t be heavy-handed with the oil, as a large quantity may clog pores.

Another thing you can do is use a moisturiser that has olive oil as one of its primary ingredients, like Poko’s Regenerating Collagen Moisturiser. Formulated with olive oil, as well as other beneficial natural ingredients, this intensely hydrates the skin and combat visible signs of ageing.

Poko’s Correcting Eye Cream is another bestseller that has recently won the Beauty Bible Silver Award for Best Eye Treatment Cream 2021. It has olive oil as one of its main ingredients and helps nourish the under-eye area while brightening dark circles and reducing puffiness.

Key takeaways

Olive oil for skin is quite beneficial, especially a topical application. It has antioxidant, antibacterial and moisturising properties that promote youthful, healthy glowing skin. You should always buy quality, non-GMO certified olive oil or olive oil-based products from renowned brands like Poko.

Before using olive oil topically for the first time, always do a small patch test. If there is no adverse reaction or irritation within a 48-hour period, it is safe to use on the face and body.