At ORY®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about olive oil. Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.
How to read this page Supported — backed by peer-reviewed research or official safety reviews. Supported, with caveats — the research points this way, but mostly from laboratory or animal studies, or at different strengths than ORY® uses. Limited evidence — little or no published research yet. We say so openly. |
1. General Description and Role
Claim: Olive oil is pressed from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea). It is rich in oleic acid and, in extra-virgin grades, squalene, vitamin E, and polyphenols. In ORY® products, it is a conditioning emollient in blends, an infusion base, and the foundation of our mildest handmade soaps. |
Verification: Supported. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel found plant-derived fatty acid oils, including olive fruit oil, safe as used in cosmetics. CIR has begun an updated review of edible plant oils.
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- What it shows: CIR safety assessment of plant oils.
- Viola, P., & Viola, M. (2009). Virgin olive oil as a fundamental nutritional component and skin protector. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(2), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2008.01.008
- What it shows: Review of olive oil (mainly nutritional).
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
2. Composition and Production
Claim: Olive oil is about 65–80% oleic acid, with linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Extra-virgin grades also contain squalene and polyphenols such as hydroxytyrosol. |
Verification: Supported. Its fatty-acid profile is well documented.
Citations:
- Viola, P., & Viola, M. (2009). Virgin olive oil as a fundamental nutritional component and skin protector. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(2), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2008.01.008
- What it shows: Describes composition.
- Viola, P., & Viola, M. (2009). Virgin olive oil as a fundamental nutritional component and skin protector. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(2), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2008.01.008
3. Skin Type Suitability
Claim: Olive oil suits dry and mature skin when blended with other oils. It should not be used on its own as a leave-on oil for damaged, eczema-prone, or infant skin. |
Verification: Supported. In a controlled study of 19 adults, applying pure olive oil to the forearm for about four weeks weakened the skin barrier and caused mild redness, while sunflower oil did not. ORY® therefore blends olive oil with other oils in leave-on products.
Citations:
- Danby, S. G., et al. (2013). Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: Implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x
- What it shows: Controlled study of olive oil and the skin barrier.
- Danby, S. G., et al. (2013). Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: Implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x
4. Hair and Scalp Suitability
Claim: In haircare, olive oil helps thick, dry, or coily hair feel soft and conditioned. |
Verification: Limited evidence. Oils are commonly used to soften hair and reduce the look of frizz; we found no controlled clinical studies of this oil on hair. ORY® haircare products are not intended to treat dandruff, scalp conditions, or hair loss.
Citations:
- Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070
- What it shows: General review.
- Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070
5. Benefits
Claim: Olive oil helps skin and hair feel soft, and makes a very mild, conditioning soap. |
Verification: Supported, with caveats. Olive oil’s antioxidant compounds are well described, mostly in nutrition research. Its main value in ORY® products is as a blended emollient, infusion base, and soap oil.
Citations:
- Viola, P., & Viola, M. (2009). Virgin olive oil as a fundamental nutritional component and skin protector. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(2), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2008.01.008
- What it shows: Review.
- Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070
- What it shows: Review of plant oils.
- Viola, P., & Viola, M. (2009). Virgin olive oil as a fundamental nutritional component and skin protector. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(2), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2008.01.008
6. Use Across ORY® Product Lines
Claim: Olive Oil is used in all four ORY® product lines. |
Verification: Supported. In leave-on skincare, olive oil is used only in blends.
| Product line | Typical level | How ORY® uses it |
| Skincare | 5–30% in blends | Blended body oils, cleansing oils, balms, creams, and infusion base. |
| Haircare | 5–50% | Hair masks and pre-shampoo oils for thick or dry hair. |
| Handmade Soap | 30–100% of oils | Primary conditioning oil; Castile (100%) or blended bars. |
| Cosmetics | 5–20% | Lip balms, cleansing balms, and cream products. |
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- What it shows: Reported uses.
- Danby, S. G., et al. (2013). Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: Implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x
- What it shows: Reason for blending.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap
- What it shows: FDA explains how soap is regulated.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
7. Pros
Claim: A mild, conditioning oil and the foundation of Castile soap, with a CIR safety conclusion. |
Verification: Supported. Well documented composition and long cosmetic use.
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- What it shows: Safety conclusion.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
8. Cons
Claim: Pure olive oil can weaken the skin barrier, feels heavy, and makes slow-curing soap. |
Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:
- Barrier effect. Pure olive oil weakened the adult skin barrier in a controlled study.
- Not for infant skin alone.
- Heavy. Slow to absorb.
- Soap. Low lather and a long cure at high levels.
Citations:
- Danby, S. G., et al. (2013). Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: Implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x
- What it shows: Barrier study.
- Danby, S. G., et al. (2013). Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: Implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x
9. Safety Notes
Claim: Patch test before use; for external use only. |
Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:
- Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
- Do not use pure olive oil on babies, broken skin, or eczema-prone skin.
- Store away from heat and light, and discard if it smells rancid.
- Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
- For external use only. Avoid the eyes.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.
Citations:
- Danby, S. G., et al. (2013). Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: Implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x
- What it shows: Barrier study.
- Danby, S. G., et al. (2013). Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: Implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x
10. Product-line notes
- ORY® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
- ORY® Haircare: Designed for scalp comfort and the look and feel of hair. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss. If you notice sudden shedding or a persistent itchy, flaking scalp, see a dermatologist.
- ORY® Handmade Soap: Handmade soap is naturally alkaline, and each bar may vary slightly in color, scent, and texture. Not intended to treat eczema or any skin condition.
- ORY® Cosmetics: Lip products are not intended to treat or protect chapped or cracked lips. Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.
11. References
Peer-reviewed research
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2017). Safety assessment of plant-derived fatty acid oils. International Journal of Toxicology, 36(3 Suppl), 51S–129S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581817740569
- Danby, S. G., et al. (2013). Effect of olive and sunflower seed oil on the adult skin barrier: Implications for neonatal skin care. Pediatric Dermatology, 30(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.x
- Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010070
- Viola, P., & Viola, M. (2009). Virgin olive oil as a fundamental nutritional component and skin protector. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(2), 159–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2008.01.008
Government and regulatory sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?) https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap
