Skin Health. Beauty You Can Eat: The EVOO-Skin Connection

It Has Been Shown that...

extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) nourishes the skin from both the inside and out. Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory compounds, EVOO supports skin hydration, elasticity, and protection from premature aging and environmental damage—including UV radiation.

What It Means for You

If you want glowing, resilient skin, what you put in your body matters just as much as what you put on it. EVOO supports skin at the cellular level, keeping it hydrated, helping repair damage, and reducing the inflammation that contributes to acne, redness, and accelerated aging.

Even better—EVOO works both ways. It’s a gentle, natural moisturizer when applied topically, and when eaten daily, it helps your skin stay soft, smooth, and more resistant to damage from sun and pollution.

What Clinical Science Says

EVOO improves skin health through a number of bioactive mechanisms:

• Enhances Skin Barrier Function
  Squalene, a compound naturally found in both EVOO and human sebum, helps maintain skin hydration and elasticity while defending against oxidative stress and water loss.
• Reduces Oxidative Damage
  Vitamin E and hydroxytyrosol are powerful antioxidants that protect skin cells from the oxidative stress that leads to wrinkles, dark spots, and UV damage.
• Decreases Inflammation
  Chronic skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, and acne are driven by inflammation. EVOO reduces local inflammatory markers and soothes skin from within and on the surface.
• Promotes Wound Healing and Skin Repair
  EVOO has been shown to accelerate tissue repair in minor wounds, burns, and cuts—likely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Acts Like Dermatologic Treatments
• Squalene: Comparable to moisturizing agents and UV-protective emollients.
• Hydroxytyrosol: Comparable to topical antioxidant serums (like vitamin C or E).
• Oleocanthal: Anti-inflammatory activity similar to topical corticosteroids (but gentler).

Clinical Evidence

• Yashin et al., 2017
  Reviewed the antioxidant power of EVOO and its effects on reducing signs of skin aging, improving skin tone, and enhancing skin elasticity.
  Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 16(1), 55–62.
  [DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12297]
• Perrone et al., 2012
  Found that using EVOO as a skin moisturizer improved hydration and barrier function in a randomized trial, especially in dry and sensitive skin types.
  Clinical Dermatology, 30(2), 159–164.
  [DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2011.12.003]
• Martin et al., 2016
  EVOO-based topical application improved wound healing, reduced scarring, and reduced inflammatory markers in skin cells.
  International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(9), 1459.
  [DOI: 10.3390/ijms17091459]
• González et al., 2015
  In animal models, dietary EVOO improved skin thickness, collagen production, and resistance to UV-induced damage.
  Nutrition Research, 35(6), 527–536.

Try This at Home

Whether you’re eating it or applying it, EVOO is one of the easiest daily habits for better skin:

• Add EVOO to smoothies or fresh fruits like berries or citrus—boosts skin hydration and antioxidant absorption.
• Massage a few drops into clean, damp skin as a natural moisturizer or after-sun balm.
• Drizzle over avocado toast, nuts, or roasted veggies—great combinations for skin-supportive healthy fats.

For topical use, always use fresh, high-quality EVOO and patch test first (especially if prone to breakouts or sensitivity).

Other Helpful Habits

Glowing skin is an inside-out job. EVOO pairs beautifully with these habits:

• Hydrate with water and herbal teas. Skin cells need fluid to stay plump and elastic. EVOO helps lock that hydration in.
• Get your antioxidants from real food. Berries, citrus, greens, and EVOO create a skin-loving synergy.
• Limit excess sugar and processed foods. These can trigger glycation—where sugar damages collagen and leads to wrinkles.
• Protect from sun damage. EVOO’s polyphenols offer some internal UV defense, but sunscreen and shade are still key.