Use Olive Oil on the Face Safe or Not? This is the Explanation of a Dermatologist
JAKARTA - Olive oil is often considered a natural ingredient that has many benefits, including for facial skin care. However, is olive oil really good for facial skin care?
Quoted from Real Simple, on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, olive oil does have many benefits, but there are also risks that need to be understood before using it as part of skin care.
Olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, which make it work as an emollient that helps lock in skin moisture.
"Olive oil is an excellent skin moisturizer, especially when applied to skin that is still moist. It can act as a second protective layer for dry and cracked skin," says dermatologist Neda Mehr.
Thus, olive oil is more suitable for use by owners of very dry skin or skin whose protective layer is being disturbed. In addition, olive oil also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The content of triterpenes in it is known to help the wound healing process by supporting collagen production and accelerating the closure of skin tissue.
In the context of facial care, this means that olive oil has the potential to help soothe skin that is mildly irritated or experiencing extreme dryness.
However, on the other hand, olive oil has a fairly heavy texture and is comedogenic for some people. This oil can potentially clog pores.
"For conditions related to excess oil production, such as acne, olive oil can be one of the worst products to apply to the skin because it can clog pores and trigger severe acne," he explained.
Therefore, the safety or otherwise of using olive oil as a facial treatment depends on the condition of each person's skin. Olive oil is not a suitable ingredient for all skin types.
Its use is more recommended for owners of very dry skin, skin whose protective layer is damaged, or sufferers of eczema. Conversely, for oily skin, sensitive to acne, or often exposed to the sun, olive oil has the potential to cause more problems than benefits.