Did you know that you can use olive oil as a moisturizer?
Back in February of 2011 I decided to try using olive oil as a moisturizer. Up to that point I had been using the store brand “Oil of Beauty” (like Oil of Olay) with an SPF 15. The “Oil of Beauty” was a pretty cost effective moisturizer (and I totally believe that moisturizer is a necessity for anyone wanting their skin to stay smooth, supple and young looking)–but I wanted something more natural and even LESS expensive. After some reading and research I decided to try good old olive oil. After all I knew exactly what was in it, and I figured if it was safe to eat it wouldn’t be dangerous to apply to my skin.
I did have some questions. Would it work? Would I feel oily? Would I break out with a million blackheads? I figured nothing ventured nothing gained and gave it a shot.
It’s now been two years and I can say I really enjoy using olive oil as my main moisturizer. I use it all winter long! In the summer I use olive oil either when I won’t be spending much time outside or else after a shower/washing my face in the evening. I just figure that applying oil to my face and then heading outside to bask in the sun is a good way to get a sunburn ala 1980’s babyoil sunbathing. Remember those days? So when I’m spending time out in the strong sunlight I apply my old brand of moisturizer with SPF. Sometimes I apply the olive oil and then apply a sunscreen before heading outside. Other times I apply the olive oil and wear a hat. It kind of depends.
So what about my initial concerns? Well, I do not find that the oil feels, well, oily. I only apply the barest amount–Seriously I just quickly upturn the bottle in my hand and then turn it right back over:
The barest sheen of oil is left in my hand:
I then rub the oil between both of my hands–it will feel like it’s almost gone at this point–and then gently rub my hands over my face. You will barely be able to see that you added anything. . . BUT it will make your skin feel hydrated and soft. On the days I forget to do this my face feels all tighty and icky.
This picture shows me immediately after I’ve rubbed the oil on my face. Notice that I do NOT look greasy.
I usually put on the oil, then blow dry my hair. That gives it a few minutes to soak in before I apply my makeup. Just in case.
Although I do not feel greasy after applying the oil, sometimes at the end of the day (especially if it’s hot and humid) my face feels a bit oily to me–but I don’t think it LOOKS particularly oily.
I have not had ANY issues with clogged pores or blackheads (which is nice).
It’s been a very cost effective measure as well–that bottle you see at the top of this post is the original bottle I purchased in February of 2011–I’m still using it and still have plenty left. And it was the smallest size plain olive oil that I could buy in the store–about 8 oz I think.
All in all I think that the olive oil has been a success. I would like it if there was an SPF quality–I have recently read that coconut oil has an SPF of 5–I’ll have to do some more research on that and see if some sort of mix might be useful.
Now I’d love to hear from all of you. Do you use moisturizers? How do you make it cost effective? Have any of you used olive oil before?
Note: More information on Olive Oil–How to Translate Olive Oil Labels
Kelly Tirman says
Try jojoba oil on your face. I’m a big fan of coconut oil but on my face to like jojoba oil better. It’s more expensive than olive oil but because jojoba oil is the closest thing to sebum it is PERFECT for your skin.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jojoba_oil
Emma says
I use coconut oil as my main lotion… though I’m not sure how cost-effective it is compared to olive oil, I absolutely love how my skin feels and it even offers that fun coconut smell =)
Katrina says
I use sweet almond oil for my baby and myself (everywhere but my face). I tried both olive and coconut oil but didn’t really like the after scent. I was recommended the sweet almond oil after my baby was born and fell in love with it. Basically has no smell to it and leaves skin super soft. 🙂
Deb says
I use coconut oil everywhere. It’s anti-fungal, anti-microbial, has many healing powers and it smells yummy. I also wash my face with baking soda, and I just started using no-poo shampoo. I just ordered some vitamin C powder to make my own Vit. C serum. The coconut oil, I also take internally and cook with sometimes (it’s really expensive, so don’t cook a lot with it — mostly stir-frying with only a couple of tablespoons. I use a tiny bit, just like you. I wash my hair, put a tiny drop on my hands, rub them together, rub it on my face, then rub some through my hair. I do it in that order because it will make your hair greasy if you put too much off, so I try to rub as much off as I can first. I bought 16 ozs. a year ago, and I’m not even halfway done with it.
Pamela says
Olive oil or grapeseed oil work very well as moisturizers for me. I’ll use something with sunblock if I’m going outside (I’m very pale) but especially during the winter, a little oil will keep my skin very soft! If you need to exfoliate, use one part sugar or salt to four parts oil or lotion, and rub on your skin until the sugar or salt dissolves.
Dona Collins says
This is fantastic. I used to follow a forum about the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) and it was dedicated to all things related to facial cleansing with natural oils (different kinds, different blends, etc). Seems to work VERY well for some people…
Do you use oils as your body moisturizer as well, or just for your face?
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Thanks for sharing all your great experiences ladies. I learn so much from you all
Dona–I tend to just use it on my face, and while I’m at it I rub some into my hands. I don’t tend to use much lotion during the day–at night if we’ve used the hot tub then I will put some regular lotion on my hands. Mostly because I’ve got a big pump dispenser of it I bought quite a long time ago next to the bed and that is the only time I ever use it. I am taking a class in May I think on how to make goat milk lotion–so I’ll probably start using that once I learn how to make it 🙂
Lora says
Another blogger whom I follow has had success with oil as a facial cleanser: http://balancingeverything.com/2008/11/04/oft-asked-part-the-second/.