Before we start talking about the disadvantages of using olive oil on your face, we should first talk about how and why people use it.
Olive oil contains antioxidants such as Vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids which help moisturize skin, calm inflammation, and heal scar tissue.
Olive oil is also rich in Vitamin A which encourages cells to regenerate faster. However, there are still many other benefits you get from it. Benefits include reducing fine lines, increasing elasticity, and improving skin tone without leaving an oily residue behind.
However, dermatologists warn that not all olive oils are good for your skin mainly because some of them contain high levels of acidity that can cause damage to the skin barrier – leading to dryness, irritation, and eventually breakouts.
Also, olive oil that is not processed properly can also contain harmful substances such as pesticide residues and extracts from dirt and leaves.
Disadvantages of Olive Oil on the Face
Some of the most notable disadvantages of using olive oil on your face include:
- Blocks Moisture
Using it for a long time can lead to a lack of moisture in the skin because it blocks pores preventing natural oils from leaving the body.
- Highlights Scars
It’s rich in Vitamin A which speeds up cell turnover thus making scars appear more obvious – especially those that are fresh or shallow. This includes dark circles under the eyes, acne marks, razor bumps, and just about any other scar on your face caused by acne.
- Breakouts
Due to containing high levels of acidity, olive oil can cause damage to the skin barrier – leading to dryness, irritation, and eventually breakouts. In instances like this, you will need a moisturizer in order to fix this problem, not more oil!
- Clogs Pores
In fact, if you already have oily skin, applying olive oil to your face will only make matters worse by clogging pores and increasing sebum production.
- Not Enough for Winter Months
When used alone without any other beneficial ingredients (e.g., herbal extracts and essential oils), olive oil is great for treating sunburns but does little else. This means that if you’re using it during winter months when the air is extremely dry, chances are it won’t be enough to keep your skin moisturized.
- Affects Open Wounds
Another important disadvantage you need to know involves using it on acne scars – specifically those with an open wound or lesion. When used alone, there’s a high chance that it will cause infection thus leading to scarring. Instead, use products containing Vitamin C, niacinamide, and/or shea butter for faster healing and better results.
- Nutritional Content
Natural and unprocessed olive oil contains about 70% monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and only 4-10% polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid). However, most of the commercial products you see in stores are refined, bleached, and deodorized which means they are devoid of any nutrients that your skin needs.
Other Possible Disadvantages
As if all of this wasn’t enough, here are some more disadvantages that have not been proven yet:
- Olive oil can cause staining on clothes/fabrics and other surfaces.
- Olive oil can lower blood sugar and increase insulin resistance.
- Can give you a burning sensation and redness if consumed in large amounts.
It’s not suitable for those who are sensitive to nuts, seeds, or leaves of the Olea europaea tree which is where it comes from.
If you’re allergic to any of these things, then you should only use 100% pure, cold-pressed and unrefined olive oil.
The Benefits of Using Olive Oil
Despite all the disadvantages associated with this oil, there are still some benefits you can enjoy from using organic options.
By far some of the main benefits include:
- It contains healthy fatty acids that help reduce inflammation. While it cannot cure chronic cases on its own, regularly consuming moderate amounts will definitely benefit your overall health and wellbeing.
- It contains Vitamin E which is a natural antioxidant that can reduce the effects of aging, prevent cancer and keep your hair healthy and shiny. In fact, several studies have shown that it’s as effective as mineral oil when it comes to moisturizing hair.
- Although it is an anti-inflammatory agent, topical application (even in large amounts) does not cause dryness or irritation like other oils do – making it very safe for almost all skin types.
- It also helps you sleep better at night by balancing hormones responsible for sleep/wake cycles.
Final Thoughts
To sum things up, olive oil has both disadvantages and advantages depending on the type you use (organic vs refined), amount consumed (in food or applied topically), and whether it’s used alone or as an ingredient in other products.
It is important to remember that it does not treat acne and scars well enough on its own so it must be combined with products containing Vitamin C and/or shea butter for better results.
If you’re allergic to nuts, seeds, or leaves of the Olea europaea tree, you should avoid using olive oil at all costs because allergies can develop very quickly into more serious problems in a short period of time.
