Is it really good to use olive oil on the skin?

Thanks to J.Lo, olive oil is having a moment.

While a touch of the pantry staple adds flavor to any salad or pasta, the star has chosen it as the hero ingredient for her skincare line.

Using olive oil on the skin is not a revolutionary concept. Beauty brands have been incorporating it into their face care formulas for years, and a quick Google search will give you plenty of tips on how to use olive oil as a cleanser or moisturizer.

But before you invest in a product with this ingredient or use it straight from the bottle, we turned to two of the best dermatologists to discuss the benefits of using the oil in your skincare routine, as well as the possible side effects.

What are the benefits of olive oil for skin care?

Olive oil has been used in face care for centuries because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its negative effects may outweigh the benefits. It turns out that the emollient properties of the oil are not the best option for moisturizing the skin.

“Olive oil has a high percentage of the fatty acids, oleic acid and linoleic acid, the latter of which is an essential fatty acid for the skin,” says Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD, dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology. "Essential fatty acids are those that our skin cannot produce on its own, but most people can get a sufficient amount through diet."

However, the dermatologist says that oleic acid (not an essential fatty acid) allows water to escape, potentially increasing the risk of dehydration. She can also clog the pores of acne-prone skin (more on this later).

What are the possible side effects of olive oil?

“Small studies show that it can disrupt the skin barrier, so while it may not be harmful for most people, for those with sensitive skin or acne it would not be a good option and there are much better ingredients, including glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and dimethicone which are most beneficial for hydration and maintaining a healthy skin barrier,” explains Shari Marchbein, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist in New York City.

@zerohedge @thebearablebull Hello guys. I'm from Nigeria and don't know where to buy physical silver, so I'd like a… https://t.co/Y6RuvTKPtI

— Yakubu Omachoko Mon Feb 01 06:22:03 +0000 2021

And since olive oil is moderately comedogenic, it can clog pores and trigger breakouts in oily or acne-prone skin.

In addition to clogging pores and increasing dryness, olive oil can also cause flaking in susceptible skin types. "It could cause an outbreak of malassezia, the yeast organism that causes dandruff, which feeds on the oils," says Dr. Marchbein. “Oleic acid (the main fatty acid in olive oil) is created when the yeast that causes dandruff breaks down sebum on the skin.”

So is olive oil safe for the skin?

Both dermatologists agree that more study is needed on the effects of olive oil, but in the meantime, there are better moisturizing ingredients to incorporate into your routine.

"Certain oils act as emollients to soften the skin, jojoba oil and mineral oil are a few examples," says Dr. Marchbein. "Although facial oil would not be my preferred product as a cleanser or moisturizer, for those with dry and sensitive skin, it can be tolerated." Instead, he recommends a moisturizer that combines emollients, humectants, and occlusives, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and dimethicone.

But before you toss out any skin care products with olive oil, products formulated with it generally contain small amounts and are less likely to cause side effects. However, if you make homemade masks or use olive oil as the first step in a double cleanse, it is better to be safe than sorry.

“I advise my patients to avoid tempting homemade masks and online skin care recipes,” says Dr. Robinson. "While these are generally safe, they are not the most effective and put the skin at risk of breakouts and dehydration."

This article was originally published on Instyle.com.

Explore more at: Instyle.mx