I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of worrying about what’s in my skincare products. It seems like there’s always some ingredient that’s allergenic, comedogenic, or carcinogenic. This frustration led me to research the best olive oils for the face. You can see what I learned in the reviews below. I hope it helps you find the best moisturizer for your skin.
Which olive oil is best for the face?
I’m working on the assumption that you already know that olive oil is good for the skin on your face. You can wear it during the day under makeup or apply olive oil on your face overnight, it doesn’t matter.
Extra virgin olive oil is the best for the skin because it’s the purest and has the most nutrients. It’s also the tastiest to eat, so it’s never a waste of money. If you decide it isn’t improving your skin as much as you’d like, you can still enjoy it on your salad.
The next grades down are virgin olive oil, then regular olive oil, and refined olive oil. By the time you get to the bottom, it’s about the same as cooking oil as it’s odorless and flavorless. It also tends to be quite acidic.
What makes olive oil good for the face?
Pure, unrefined extra virgin olive oil is packed with vitamins and antioxidants that protect the skin from premature aging. It’s anti-inflammatory, too. There’s evidence that it speeds up the healing of wounds because it’s rich in triterpenes (1).
Moreover, olive oil contains squalene, a natural moisturizer. The oil itself is an emollient that locks in hydration. These are just some of the reasons why it heals dry skin and makes it glow with health.
Not only can you use it as face cream, but olive oil also removes makeup. Just a little goes a long way.
However, if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, use olive oil with caution until you see how your face reacts. Plant oils in general contain fatty acids that acne-causing bacteria feed on.
In case, choose the purest olive oil you can to get the most benefits for your skin. Here are the top picks below:
| The best olive oils for the face | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Colavita 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
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| Sky Organics USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
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| Atlas Organic Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Morocco |
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| KORRES Olive 3-in-1 Nourishing Oil |
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| Olivella All Natural Virgin Olive Oil Moisturizer |
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| DHC Olive Virgin Oil Essential Cream |
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| Bliss of Greece Unscented Organic Blend of Cold Pressed Jojoba, Almond, Olive, Grapeseed, Vitamin E, Sunflower Oil |
|
Best Olive Oils for the Face in 2024
Colavita 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Because I care about the environment as well as my health, I only reviewed organic olive oils packaged in recyclable glass bottles. (It’s often cheaper to purchase olive oil in plastic containers, but that leads to niggling doubts about BPA and whether or not the plastic is recyclable in my area).
Let’s start with certified USDA organic oil that carries the NAOOA Seal. That means that the oil was independently tested for quality and authenticity and approved by the North American Olive Oil Association.
The oil is made from olives harvested in Italy. They are organically grown without pesticides and cold-pressed to extract the oil. Take a whiff when you open the bottle and put a little on your tongue. Can you sense the spicy, fruity notes?
Did you know that olive oil is cholesterol-free? It doesn’t contain carbs, either, making it an excellent dressing for your Paleo-friendly salad. But we’re not here to talk about cooking. Instead, let’s discuss how to make a DIY olive oil face mask.
After cleansing the skin, dab on a generous layer of olive oil. Let it work for at least 15 to 20 minutes before wiping off the excess. It’s that simple!
Olive oil is an excellent carrier for essential oils, so you could add a couple of drops of geranium, lemon, or tea tree oil to address various concerns.
At home, we add a teaspoon of brown sugar to two tablespoons of olive oil to exfoliate skin that’s prone to keratosis pilaris. It’s an excellent scrub to soften dry feet as well. Olive oil is all-around useful!
Pros:
- Certified organic, cold-pressed pure olive oil harvested in Italy
- Carries the NAOOA Seal for quality and authenticity
- Excellent for both skincare and cooking
- Packaged in recyclable glass
Cons:
- None
Sky Organics USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
You don’t have to travel the world yourself to enjoy the best olive oil. It comes to you from exotic lands around the Mediterranean. Take a look at this extra virgin olive oil which comes from small organic farms in Greece. It’s made in small batches just as it has been for centuries.
The cold-pressed, unrefined oil is high in antioxidants whether you use it externally or take it internally. Those vitamins are what you need to keep your skin healthy and young-looking. It does double duty as a hair conditioner, too.
The fact that it’s unfiltered means it’s almost as fresh as if you crushed the olives yourself. You’ll get all the benefits.
This premium oil is packaged in a glass bottle. It has a thick consistency that soothes the skin. Just a little goes a long way. Warm it up in your hands before spreading it on your face and neck.
Pros:
- Cold-pressed, unfiltered, unrefined olive oil from small organic farms in Greece
- Thick, soothing, and flavorful, it’s good for skin care, conditioning the hair, and eating
- Packaged in a recyclable glass bottle
Cons:
- None
Atlas Organic Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Morocco
It’s the priciest oil I reviewed, but I knew what I was getting into. This is a chef’s favorite used in Michelin restaurants around the world. Uncap the bottle, smell it, and taste it – it’s hard to believe how different it is from the cheap olive oil I was used to. There are hints of pepper, herbs, and nuts in the flavor.
Is it worth it to spend this much on olive oil for skin care? For the quantity you get, you’ll still spend less than you would on commercial moisturizers. This size of bottle will last a long time, especially if you store it in a cool, dark place.
Moreover, it’s perfect for cooking, oil cleansing, and moisturizing the body and hair, not just the face.
So, what makes this olive oil special? It comes from a single source – trees that grow in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The olive variety there is called Picholine, and it has a very high polyphenol content. The manufacturer says it is 300+ per milliliter.
Thankfully, the oil is grown organically, sourced sustainably, and produced ethically. The olives are harvested and washed to remove impurities. Then they are crushed to extract the oil mechanically (hence, the “cold-pressed” label). At no time is it exposed to temperatures above 25°C (77°F) so that none of the nutrients are lost.
Pros:
- Organically and sustainably grown in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco
- Ethically produced and mechanically extracted to preserve the flavor and nutrients
- Very high in polyphenols (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties)
- Premium quality for skin care, hair care, and eating
Cons:
- More expensive than some options, but still cheaper than what you’d spend on the same quantity of commercial moisturizers
KORRES Olive 3-in-1 Nourishing Oil
Not everyone loves the smell of olive oil on their face. Yes, it fades quickly, but even so I’m glad there are options like this moisturizer. It’s lightly perfumed and not as greasy as using pure olive oil.
Only a Just a couple of drops covers the entire face. It’s also suitable for hydrating the tips of the hair and refreshing the skin anywhere on the body. It wears well underneath makeup, but the manufacturer recommends keeping it away from the eyes.
The formula is 98.7% natural. It blends olive oil with crambe oil from the Ethiopian Highlands. That latter ingredient is proven to reduce wrinkles with omega fatty acids and linoleic acid.
In fact, this product passed a consumer trial with flying colors. After only a week, 100% of the users reported improved skin moisture and elasticity.
Unfortunately, this product has an artificial fragrance. While pleasant, it could present a challenge for very sensitive skin. If your skin tends to react to perfumes, please do a patch test on a spot out of sight.
Pros:
- 7% natural formula, subtly fragranced and non-greasy
- Blends olive oil with crambe oil from Ethiopia for supple skin
- Wears well underneath makeup
- Can be used on the face, body, and hair
Cons:
- Contains a potential allergen
Olivella All Natural Virgin Olive Oil Moisturizer
In the introduction, I mentioned mixing olive oil with essential oils. That’s exactly what this moisturizer does. The base is olive oil with orange, lavender, and Ylang Ylang oils. It’s designed to hydrate the skin and soothe redness, leaving the complexion rejuvenated.
Users say it clears up dry patches and calms irritation as well as acne. The subtle orange aroma and silky texture make it extra appealing.
It’s made by a cruelty-free brand based in Italy.
Pros:
- Olive oil with orange, lavender, and Ylang Ylang essential oils
- Calms and rehydrates the skin
- Subtle orange aroma
- Cruelty-free product
Cons:
- As always, if you have sensitive skin, check the label and do a patch test
DHC Olive Virgin Oil Essential Cream
Japanese brand DHC makes this rich face cream with organic olive oil from Spain. It’s enhanced with squalane from olives, beeswax, rice bran, and tocotrienols. It’s absolutely fabulous for reviving dry skin.
Furthermore, there are no parabens, dyes, or artificial fragrance. It’s creamy but not greasy and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive complexions.
Apply it before bedtime to wake up with your face refreshed and smooth. It also goes well underneath sunscreen and makeup.
Pros:
- Mild formula with no artificial fragrance, dyes, or parabens
- Contains organic olive oil from Spain with other natural ingredients
- Creamy and nourishing, not greasy
- Goes well under makeup and amazing as a night cream
Cons:
- None
Bliss of Greece Unscented Organic Blend of Cold Pressed Jojoba, Almond, Olive, Grapeseed, Vitamin E, Sunflower Oil
What you see is what you get – there are no artificial ingredients, just pure non-GMO plant oils and vitamin E in the bottle. The olive oil happens to be cold-pressed extra virgin for maximum potency.
Both men and women are finding that they like this face oil better than any moisturizer they’ve ever tried. It doesn’t hurt that it comes with a satisfaction guarantee.
It comes in a spray bottle which is surprisingly convenient to use.
Pros:
- Pure blend of plant oils with additional vitamin E
- No artificial ingredients, ideal for sensitive skin
- Comes in a spray bottle for no-mess application
- Backed by a satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- None, unless you prefer straight olive oil as your moisturizer
Conclusion
It’s never money down the drain when you experiment with a natural product for your skin. That’s especially true in the case of olive oil for the face. If it turns out that you don’t love it as a moisturizer, it’s still super for salads.
Visit us again soon to learn about the best skincare products to help you feel healthy and comfortable.
Source:
1. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/19/1/70/htm Lin T-K, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018; 19(1):70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070, accessed August 30, 2021