Olive oil is used in creams, lotions and soaps as a caring oil component.
On the INCI list it appears as Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, saponified as Sodium Olivate.
Pure olive oil is not ideal for every skin; in formulas it is usually combined with other ingredients.
Olive oil is a plant oil that forms part of the oily phase of creams and lotions and helps keep the skin supple. It consists mainly of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, and contains small amounts of squalene and tocopherols (vitamin E).
Its origin matters too: around the Mediterranean, olive oil has been used for body care and soap making for a very long time. Ingredient information: CosIng, the EU database of cosmetic ingredients.
On the ingredient list, olive oil appears as Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil. Saponified olive oil, as found in solid soap, is listed as Sodium Olivate or, in liquid soap, Potassium Olivate.
| INCI name | What it is | Typically in |
|---|---|---|
| Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil | olive oil | cream, lotion, body oil |
| Sodium Olivate | olive oil saponified with sodium hydroxide | solid soap |
| Potassium Olivate | olive oil saponified with potassium hydroxide | liquid soap |
| Squalane | saturated form of squalene, can be obtained from olives | facial care |
Not necessarily. A study in adults found indications that pure olive oil applied to the skin may affect the skin barrier more than sunflower seed oil.
In finished formulas, olive oil is therefore usually combined with other oils and ingredients. For very sensitive skin or skin conditions, medical advice is advisable; this guide does not replace it. Source: Danby et al., Pediatric Dermatology 30 (2013), PubMed.
In soap, olive oil is chemically saponified and acts as a cleansing agent. In creams and lotions it remains an oil and is part of the caring base.
A mention of ‘with olive oil’ alone therefore says little about a product. More telling is where the ingredient appears on the INCI list and in which form. Ingredients above 1% are listed in descending order of concentration.
Andalusia is Spain’s largest olive-oil-producing region. Olive groves cover wide areas, especially in the provinces of Jaén and Córdoba.
Alongside edible oil, the region has a tradition of soaps and care products based on olive oil. Other Andalusian botanicals often found alongside it are fig (Ficus Carica Fruit Extract), bitter orange blossom (Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water) and sweet almond oil (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil).
Last updated: October 2026This page provides general information on cosmetics and trade practice. It is not legal, tax or medical advice.
Both come from the fruit of the olive tree. Cosmetic raw materials are specified and tested for cosmetic use; the grade used depends on the formula.
Any soap cleanses and removes some of the skin’s lipids. How a soap feels depends on its formula and on the skin; claims about this must be supported by evidence.
No. Squalane can be obtained from olives, other plants or other sources. The INCI name is the same; the source is stated in the supplier’s documents.
Skin reacts individually. Some people with oily skin prefer lighter oils or emulsions. If you are unsure or have a skin condition, ask a dermatologist.
Both are possible. Refined olive oil has less scent and colour and is often used in cosmetics. On the INCI list, both appear as Olea Europaea Fruit Oil.
Many people apply oil to skin that is still damp. If you prefer a lighter texture, an emulsion such as a body lotion spreads more easily.
It is obtained from the leaves of the olive tree and appears on the INCI list as Olea Europaea Leaf Extract. It is a different ingredient from olive oil, which comes from the fruit.
Plant oils oxidise over time. Antioxidants such as tocopherol and suitable packaging slow this down, and the period after opening on the label shows how long to use the product. Soap behaves differently – see our olive oil soap guide.
Skincare in which olive oil (Olea Europaea Fruit Oil) or olive derivatives such as squalane or olive leaf extract form an important part of the formula. The INCI list shows how high olive oil ranks: ingredients above 1 % are listed in descending order.
Order, the 1% rule, parfum, allergens, CI numbers and Latin plant names: how to decode a cosmetic ingredient list.
Fig, orange blossom, almond, rosemary and aloe vera: INCI names, typical uses and allergy notes.
Saponification, Sodium Olivate, Castile vs Marseille vs Aleppo, bar or liquid: olive oil soap explained without myths.
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