“The weight of olive oil is heavy, making it a breeding ground for acne,” says Dr. Gohara. In terms of its comedogenic rating (i.e. how likely an ingredient is to break you out), olive oil has a moderate risk of clogging pores—less so than coconut oil, but still more than other common skincare ingredients.
It moisturizes and fights bacteria
If you're prone to acne, using a soap made with olive oil may help decrease your acne by killing off the bacteria that causes the acne. Olive oil is also known to moisturize and hydrate your skin.
Although there are rumors about olive oil clogging pores, the truth is that in the right combination, the use of olive oil is not comedogenic.
Despite being an oil, it's lightweight and noncomedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores. It does penetrate pores and improve skin at the cellular level, but it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. According to research , squalane has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness and swelling.
It moisturizes and fights bacteria
If you're prone to acne, using a soap made with olive oil may help decrease your acne by killing off the bacteria that causes the acne. Olive oil is also known to moisturize and hydrate your skin.
Unfortunately, research has found that olive oil may not be the best skin care option due to its high levels of oleic acid. Olive oil may break down the skin barrier, irritating sensitive skin, causing dryness, and increasing acne-causing bacteria.
Myth #2: Facial oils clog pores.
Let's cut to the chase right away – facial oils will not clog your pores. Oil (or sebum) occurs naturally in your skin and your sebaceous glands are constantly working to pump it out. Acne is a result of hair follicles that become clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
High-salicylate beverages and foods include beer, coffee, tea, numerous fruits and vegetables, sweet potato, nuts, and olive oil.
With a rating of two on the scale, olive oil is slightly comedogenic, meaning it may clog pores for those who have acne-prone skin. That said, everyone's skin is different, so those looking to experience the benefits of olive oil for the skin should try a spot check to see how their skin reacts.
Olive oil is also not recommended for those who have very oily skin or eczema, as it may cause further damage to the skin according to studies [3]. That is because it is a heavy oil and may lead to clogged pores and acne [4].
Comedogenic oils and products made with them may clog your pores, causing the eruption of comedones. Noncomedogenic oils don't have this effect. Some noncomedogenic oils have anti-inflammatory properties. They may also contain antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids, such as lineolic acid.
Products that clog pores are known as comedogenic; and, you guessed it, facial oils fit the description. "Many [topical] oils have the potential to clog pores and cause breakouts," says Dr. Love. "So, using oils on acne-prone skin is akin to adding gas to a fire."
Won't clog pores: Haley says that marula oil is non-comedogenic, so you don't have to worry about it clogging pores, as is potentially the case with some other oils, like coconut oil.
Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that protect the skin from sun damage, dust, and pollutants. Applying and leaving olive oil overnight for skin treatment gives the skin ample rest and healing time. Since it makes the skin elastic and firm, it prevents early signs of aging and wrinkles.
Olive oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and has been linked to improved skin moisturization, anti-aging effects ,and relief from sun damage. 1 Olive oil can be used on the skin on its own or as part of skincare products such as facial cleansers or lotions.
Olive oil will dissolve oil-based cosmetics and sebum. For that reason, olive oil can be used as a skin cleanser. To oil cleanse with olive oil, place a hot, damp washcloth on your face for 20 seconds to open your pores. Then, massage olive oil into your skin and let it sit for 30 seconds.
"It has a local or topical anti-inflammatory action on the skin." As an anti-inflammatory agent, olive oil can be absorbed through the skin and into the body, which is not a bad thing. "When you go for a massage, for example, you are probably absorbing some of that oil through your system," said Brammer.
Argan oil. Rich in vitamin E, carotenes, squalene, and antioxidants, argan oil is a popular choice for hydrating and nourishing skin and hair. It doesn't appear to clog pores, so it seems to be a good choice for acne-prone skin.
Olive oil has more antioxidants than coconut oil. Coconut oil has more antimicrobial properties, making it a better choice for fighting funguses and infections. As coconut oil feels heavier than olive oil, some may feel it's too strong for the face.
It's noncomedogenic
Although jojoba oil is a botanical substance, its makeup is so similar to the oil (sebum) your body naturally produces that your skin can't tell the difference. This makes it less likely to build up on your skin and clog your pores, leading to fewer breakouts and less severe acne.
Pockmarks, which are also called pick marks or acne scars, are blemishes with a concave shape that can look like holes or indentations in the skin. They occur when the deeper layers of the skin become damaged. As these deeper layers heal, extra collagen is produced.
As with ordinary blackheads, a pore can become clogged when a hair follicle gets overloaded with a mix of sloughed off skin cells and sebum. Similar to grease clogging a drain, sebum can cause a build-up of oil in the pore. Microscopic dust and dirt particles can become part of the mix.