Olive oil – the Mediterranean carrier oil with a tradition going back thousands of years

Ancient skincare tradition

Used for thousands of years around the Mediterranean as a skincare oil.

Rich in antioxidants

Virgin olive oil contains vitamin E and polyphenols, which help delay the oil going rancid.

The base of our salves

According to the ingredient lists, olive oil comes first in the SOS Pitch Salve and the Beeswax Salve.

Profile

INCI Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Plant Olive tree (Olea europaea)
Origin Mediterranean countries (Italy, Spain, Greece)
Extracted from Fruit (cold-pressed)
Main fatty acids Oleic acid 55–83%, linoleic acid 3.5–21%
Texture Medium viscosity, greenish-yellow
Shelf life Fairly stable; store cool and dark
Use Balms, creams, carrier oil
Active in detail

A classic Mediterranean oil with a long history

Olive oil has been obtained from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea) since antiquity. Oleic acid makes up 55 to 83% of its fatty acids (Codex standard for olive oils). Virgin olive oil also contains vitamin E and polyphenols. In salves, it combines with beeswax and resin to form a soft, spreadable mixture. If you react to resin or propolis, please read our allergy notes first.

Skin-type check

Olive oil on different skin types

How olive oil feels and what it does on the skin, depending on your skin type.

N
Normal skin Top
Absorbs slowly and leaves a noticeable, slightly glossy film.
T
Dry skin Top
Forms a layer of oil that slows water loss and keeps the skin supple.
E
Elbows & knees Top
Keeps rough patches on elbows, knees and heels supple.
H
Hands Top
Blended with wax in solid hand cream: the film keeps your hands supple after washing.
M
Combination skin Mit Bedacht
Use sparingly – it can feel greasy.
O
Oily skin Eher nein
Leaves a noticeable film – better avoided on very oily skin.
Science & skincare

What does olive oil do on the skin?

Three properties that define olive oil in skin care.

01

Rich in oleic acid

Oleic acid is the main fatty acid. In a small study, pure olive oil applied to the same area for weeks weakened the outer layer of the skin (Danby et al. 2013).

02

Natural antioxidants

Vitamin E and polyphenols slow down oxidation, so the oil stays fresh for longer.

03

A protective film

Forms a film on the skin that slows water evaporation and keeps it supple.

Olive oil · Ancient tradition · Mediterranean
Use Cases

What can you use olive oil for?

Body oil

Rich skincare after showering

Balm base

A classic carrier oil in pitch balm & bee balm

Hand care

For stressed hands and nails

Foot care

An ingredient of the solid foot cream, with sunflower oil and beeswax

Cleansing oil

Loosens make-up before cleansing

Bar soap

Listed first in our bar soaps

Terms

Glossary

Olea europaea
Scientific name of the olive tree.
Extra virgin
The top grade of olive oil: obtained by mechanical means only, without chemical treatment, with free acidity of no more than 0.8%.
Oleic acid
A monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid – the main component in olive oil.
Polyphenols
Plant compounds with an antioxidant effect.
INCI
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil – the official cosmetic name.
Carrier oil
A plant oil that takes up, spreads and dilutes other ingredients (e.g. essential oils).

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