Is Olive Oil Comedogenic, Cause Acne and Zits In People’s Faces?

In recent years, facial oils have become pretty popular. Putting oils on your face may not seem right for most people, but facial oils can be extremely beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin types. Let’s look at which facial oils are best for skin in this article.

Using essential oils may appear to be extremely beneficial to most people who have oily or acne-prone skin. But some oils are pore-clogging, and it’s best to avoid them.

So, is olive oil a comedogenic substance? Olive oil comes in different varieties including refined, virgin, extra virgin, and organic extra virgin. Are all of these bad for your skin? If you want a clear complexion, avoid using olive oil topically because olive is mildly comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores.

The Skin Benefits of Olive Oil

Not only is olive oil a healthy fat to include in your diet but it can also be used in several ways in your skincare regimen. From oil cleansing to incorporating a few drops into your moisturizer, there are numerous ways to integrate facial oils into your skincare routine and reap the benefits.

Olive oil aids in the reduction of inflammation and redness and heals wounds. It also keeps stretch marks at bay, and may even show anti-aging properties. Adding olive oil also helps to extend the life of your moisturizer. It locks the moisture from evaporating. Dig into the skin benefits of olive oil:

  •   Moisturizes: Olive oil is a fantastic skin moisturizer. It softens and smoothens the skin while sealing moisture and preventing water loss.
  •   Fights bacteria: Olive oil can help treat stomach ulcers as well as kill bacteria on the skin. Olive oil can kill pimple-causing bacteria plus other dangerous types of bacteria that may lead to skin problems.
  •   Vitamin Rich: Olive oil is high in vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin E, making it nourishing and capable of replenishing skin when it is depleted of vitamins and nutrients.
  •   Antioxidant-Rich: Olive oil is high in antioxidants such as vitamin A and vitamin E, which help to protect the skin from environmental damage while also promoting damage repair. Olive oil can be used in both day and night. It protects and repairs your skin from UV rays, smoke, pollution, and other environmental factors.
  •   Anti-inflammatory: Olive oil has antioxidant properties and can help skin issues like acne and eczema. This also makes it an excellent facial oil for sensitive skin because it can quickly soothe irritation and inflammation.
  •   Anti-aging: Many products claim to provide anti-aging secrets for your skin. Olive oil is a boon for aging skin as it is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. It can help protect the skin from pollution and UV rays, thereby preventing fine lines and wrinkles. Because of its moisturizing properties, olive oil can decrease fine lines and wrinkles.
  •   Wound Healing: Olive oil  can be a wonderful agent for wound healing and tissue regeneration. It is suited for acne, hyperpigmentation, and even minor cuts and scrapes.

Is Olive Oil Comedogenic Rating?

While olive oil can be found in a variety of skincare products, including cleansers and moisturizers, take a moment to rethink olive oil. Yes, olive oil is comedogenic and can cause clogged pores because it is mildly comedogenic.

Because olive oil is mildly comedogenic, you should avoid using it as a face product or facial oil in your skincare routine if your skin is prone to breakouts or if you have oily or acne-prone skin.

What Is the Comedogenicity Level of Olive Oil?

On the comedogenicity scale olive oil scores 2. It has only a slight chance of clogging pores and causing breakouts. Coconut oil has a rating of 4. Olive oil is considered safer than coconut oil.

Those with oily or acne-prone skin, on the other hand, will argue that a slight chance is too high to risk breakouts. Why take a chance when there are so many other non-comedogenic facial oils to choose from.

What Causes Olive Oil to Be Comedogenic?

Olive oil has some properties that can contribute to clogged pores. The main one is its high oleic acid concentration. Oleic acid is a type of fatty acid found in all plant oils.

Oleic acid has been linked to acne and clogged pores in the skin. Because olive oil contains a higher concentration of oleic acid, ithas a higher chance of clogging pores.

Is olive oil good for acne skin?

Unfortunately, some research suggests that olive oil may not be the best miracle acne treatment you’ve been looking for. While it has some pros, it also has several cons.

According to one study, oleic acid, an ingredient in olive oil, can act as a comedogenic ingredient, which means it can clog pores and cause blackheads. This is the opposite of what you desire. [1]

Is it OK to put olive oil on your face?

According to some studies, the high level of oleic acid in olive oil (an acid that mimics sebum) may be harmful to your skin barrier and may let the water evaporate [2]

Although olive oil has some beneficial properties, there are tons of skin care products that can seem effective without causing acne or damaging your skin barrier

There is no single answer to whether or not olive oil is good for your skin. Why not experiment with olive for a couple of days?

How to use olive oil on skin?

You can simply use olive oil on its own, although using high-quality oil is key. 

  • Use a cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil at bedtime or immediately after showers for quick absorption.
  • Another good use of olive oil is as a makeup remover.
  • Olive oil is often used as an ingredient in moisturizers and body lotions, and this way it’s less greasy and also less likely to clog pores.

What oils don’t clog pores?

Non-Comedogenic oils keep dry skin moisturized and oily skin acne-free. Non-Comedogenic oils do not clog pores. Non-Comedogenic oils are frequently used as ingredients in moisturizers and skin creams.

Experimenting with different noncomedogenic oils will help you understand which type of oils are good for you and how you can make the most on your skin. There are numerous non-comedogenic oils. Here’s a list of some you might want to try:

Grapeseed oil

The color of grapeseed oil differs depending on the type of grapes used. It’s high in antioxidants, linoleic acid, and vitamin E. According to one study, grapeseed oil may also be useful in wound care. [3]

Sunflower seed oil

The sunflower seed oil has a light and thin texture and is high in vitamin E and fatty acids, both of which are necessary for skin barrier repair. According to one study, topical application of sunflower seed oil improves skin-barrier function in newborns with a compromised barrier function. [4]

Neem leaf oil

Neem oil, which has a pungent odor and is rich in antioxidants, is widely used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It is antibacterial and antifungal, and hence best for wound care. It’s also used as an acne spot treatment. [5]

Hemp oil

According to one study, hemp seed oil, non-comedogenic oil that is excellent for dry skin, may reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms. It is high in vitamins C and E, as well as essential fatty acids. [6]

Almond oil (sweet)

Sweet almond oil is lightly scented and feels light on the skin. It contains a high concentration of fatty acids. According to a recent study, moisturizers containing sweet almond oil helped reduce hand dermatitis. It can also reduce psoriasis symptoms. [7]

FAQs

Will Olive Oil Cause Acne?

There is no guarantee that olive oil will result in breakouts or clogged pores. However, olive oil has been around for many years and people just love and trust it.

Yes, olive oil has the potential to cause breakouts. But it’s also possible that it won’t! It does have a small chance of causing breakouts, but so do many other ingredients found in skincare products.

Is extra virgin olive oil comedogenic?

No, Because it is 0 percent comedogenic, virgin olive oil is highly recommended and ensures that it will not clog the pores. The other versions turn out to be far too comedogenic.

Is olive oil safe to use if you have acne?

The natural antibacterial ingredient combined with antioxidants aids in the killing of germs. As a result, it may reduce the chances of acne and redness. Talk to your skin doctor before you start using olive oil on your facial skin if you have oily skin.

Conclusion

Because of its ability to nourish and moisturize the skin, olive oil can be an excellent facial oil. However, in some cases, olive oil can be comedogenic, resulting in clogged pores and breakouts.

If you get acne from using olive oil on your face, try using it on your body instead. Your facial skin is usually more sensitive than our body skin.

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. “Enhanced comedo formation in rabbit ear skin by squalene and oleic acid peroxides”. PubMed.gov
  2. Tzu-Kai Lin. “Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils”.    Int J Mol Sci vol 19(1) (2018) 70.
  3. Dorsaf Moalla Rekik. “Evaluation of Wound Healing Properties of Grape Seed, Sesame, and Fenugreek Oils”.    Evid Based Complement Alternat Med (2016).
  4. National Library of Medicine. “Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries”. PubMed.gov
  5. National Library of Medicine. “Therapeutics Role of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Their Active Constituents in Diseases Prevention and Treatment”. PubMed.gov
  6. James Callaway. “Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis”.  J Dermatolog Treat vol 16(2) (2005) 87-94.
  7. Joshua A Zeichner. “The Use of an Over-the-Counter Hand Cream With Sweet Almond Oil for the Treatment of Hand Dermatitis”.  J Drugs Dermatol vol 17(1) (2018) 78-82.
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