Is Olive Oil Good for Face Wrinkles? How to Use + Possible Risks

Olive oil is known for having many health benefits in comparison to other oils, but it also has other uses outside of the culinary world. It can even be used for skincare, so is it good for face wrinkles?

Olive oil may help with reducing the size and number of face wrinkles. Olive oil contains antioxidants with anti-aging properties that help promote the skin’s hydration and cell regeneration, with the potential to even prevent wrinkles.

If you’re interested in understanding how olive oil can help take care of facial wrinkles or want to know which olive oil is the best to apply to the skin on your face, keep reading.

Using Olive Oil for Face Wrinkles

Olive oil is a great way to hydrate your skin and prevent signs of aging like wrinkles. Although thicker wrinkles won’t disappear, it’ll do wonders getting rid of thin lines.

Many people apply olive oil to their facial skin due to its various benefits. These benefits stem from the fact that it contains both antioxidants and a variety of vitamins. Using olive oil on the skin after sun exposure may also fight off cancer-causing cells.

So not only can olive oil be good at getting rid of unwanted facial wrinkles, but it also has other benefits to the skin.

Here are some examples of the components that contribute to the benefits olive oil provides:

Squalene

Premature aging can happen if your skin doesn’t produce enough squalene, thus causing early-onset wrinkles. Out of the most common oils, olive oil has the largest percentage of squalene in its components. This molecule can be extracted from olives; therefore, it makes sense that olive oil itself would also be rich in squalene.

According to dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, squalene is a fatty molecule that is capable of maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier as well as its hydration. Not only that, but squalene is also an antioxidant with anti-aging properties, meaning that it is able to slow down oxidative damage to the skin.

Antioxidants

Oxidation can produce free radicals, which are chemicals that can damage your skin by causing it to lose elasticity and moisture. When olive oil is applied to the skin, it helps slow down oxidative damage to the skin and helps prevent premature aging.

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Vitamins

Olive oil contains vitamins A, D, E, and K. Some of these vitamins are beneficial to the skin and are recommended to people dealing with skin problems. These vitamins, along with the amino acids found in olive oil, will also reduce the damage caused by sun exposure.

Cell Regeneration

Olive oil also promotes cell regeneration, making the skin look fresh and maintaining its elasticity.

According to a recent study, “olive oil and its components positively modulated different stem cell populations.” This means that it can promote tissue regeneration, and it can reduce the negative effects of aging.

All of these factors contribute to the well-being of the skin, and they can all be found in olive oil, which is why it is so common for people to resort to it as a homemade skincare solution.

Best Olive Oil for Face

If you’re thinking about applying olive oil to your skin, you should understand which olive oils are the best for your face.

It is important to be aware that there are 3 types of olive oil: virgin olive oil, pure olive oil, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Only extra virgin olive oil is safe to use on the skin.

According to Diane Elizabeth, founder of Skincare Ox, Virgin olive oil just doesn’t have the same quality as EVOO, which means that it is mostly used for cooking only, and pure olive oil is too acidic to be used on the skin.

You have to find an option that is certified organic and doesn’t contain any genetically modified organisms (non-GMO) either. You should also be looking for unrefined extra virgin olive oil so you can be sure that it wasn’t produced through chemical or heat refining.

You should find the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) certified organic seal as this will identify certified organic products.

USDA organic certified products must be grown and processed according to federal guidelines, and according to the USDA, “organic producers rely on natural substances (…). Produce can be called organic if it’s grown on soil that had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest. Prohibited substances include most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.”

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These are ideal if you’re going to be using the product to apply on human skin.

Here are some recommendations:

Pompeian USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Pompeian USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is an affordable option if you’re looking for a great extra virgin olive oil to use on your face. It is non-allergenic, it isn’t made with any genetically modified organisms, and it is USDA certified organic.

La Tourangelle Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

La Tourangelle Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is an artisan-made olive oil, and it promotes the environment’s well-being with its careful packaging and sustainable agriculture. One of the main objectives of La Tourangelle is to be attentive to their ecological footprint. To further this, they are constantly finding new ways to reduce it.

Olive Oil Dangers on Skin

Unfortunately, using olive oil on the skin carries some risks. It is not recommended for people whose skin can be problematic – especially if you intend to leave it on overnight – because it’ll have more time to set into the skin.

The potential risks are listed below:

Damage to the Skin Barrier

A study made in 2013 concluded that olive oil could significantly damage the skin barrier by potentially causing or worsening atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.

This study was performed on nineteen adults, some with and some without a history of atopic dermatitis. It caused redness and irritation to the skin for either case and a significant reduction to the integrity of the outermost layer of the skin. The researchers, therefore, discourage the use of olive oil on the skin.

Pore Clogging

Since olive oil is a naturally heavy oil, it can actually trap bacteria when applied to the skin, this clogs the pores and can even cause acne. This is why those that suffer from breakouts more easily might want to avoid resorting to applying olive oil on the skin.

Can Cause Allergies

It is possible that using olive oil on the skin can cause an allergic response. If you test some on your skin and notice an allergic reaction, you should definitely not be using this product as a way to prevent wrinkles.

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How to Use Olive Oil for Face at Night

Applying olive oil onto the skin overnight allows it to penetrate deeper layers of the skin.

  • Wash your face. Before applying the oil onto your skin, be sure to wash your face and remove any makeup you might have on.
  • With your fingertips, gently rub the olive oil on your skin. The blood will flow, and the nutrients will transfer faster onto the skin. You won’t need to use as much as you would with a regular night facial cream, so don’t exaggerate.
  • Leave it on overnight. Let your skin absorb the olive oil gradually as you sleep.

Related Questions

Which Oil Is Best for Face Wrinkles?

Jojoba, pomegranate seed, rosehip, lavender, and frankincense oils are all known to be the best oils for face wrinkles. They improve elasticity, provide nutrients, and hydrate the skin, all of which improve circulation.

How Can I Tighten My Face Naturally?

Using olive oil to moisturize your face skin will provide essential nutrients, hydration, and antibacterial properties to tighten your face naturally. You can also use cucumbers or a coffee scrub.

Which Oil Is Best for Skin Tightening?

The same oils that are ideal for face wrinkles work for skin tightening. As mentioned above, jojoba oil and olive oil are two of the best options. You could also use lavender oil, witch hazel, and rosehip oil.

How Can I Tighten My Stomach Skin at Home?

The best way to tighten your stomach skin at home is to follow these three tips:

  1. Keep your skin hydrated with olive oil rubs once per day.
  2. Limit your intake of carbohydrates while increasing the lean protein in your diet.
  3. Work on body strength core exercises, including planks, crunches, and pullups.

Conclusion

Olive oil can be a great way to get rid of thin wrinkles, and its benefits are recognized among many people. It prevents premature aging, moisturizes the skin, and promotes cell regeneration.

However, it has some potential risks as well. So, people that have more sensitive skin and get skin problems more easily should consider their options and perhaps not resort to olive oil when it comes to skincare.