Long before skincare came in elegant jars and serums, olive oil had a place in the bathing and body-care rituals of the Mediterranean, and in many regions it is still used for skin and body massage today. As interest grows in simple, single-ingredient routines, it is worth looking at olive oil with fresh eyes: where the tradition comes from, what research says about olive oil on dry skin, and how to use it with care, relying on dermatology guidance and published studies.
A Long Tradition of Olive Oil in Body Care
In ancient Greece and Rome, olive oil was part of daily grooming: it was applied to the skin before exercise and at the baths, then scraped away with a curved metal tool called a strigil. Over the centuries, the habit of oiling the skin travelled well beyond the Mediterranean, and olive oil remains a familiar body-care ingredient in many homes. These are the uses most often passed down:
- Body massage. Olive oil is commonly used as a massage oil, usually warmed slightly and applied with long, slow strokes.
- Rough, dry patches. Many people use a few drops on elbows, knees and heels as part of an evening routine.
- An after-bath ritual. Some apply a little oil to the body while the skin is still slightly damp from the bath.
- Hands and cuticles. A drop massaged into the cuticles is one of the simplest and most traditional uses.
What Research Says About Olive Oil on Dry Skin
Tradition explains why olive oil feels so familiar, but it is not the same as evidence. Olive oil is made up mainly of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, and it naturally contains vitamin E, which is one reason it appears in so many cosmetic products.
The research itself is limited and mixed. In a 2025 trial in Spain, a single small application of extra virgin olive oil raised skin hydration an hour later in healthy adults. Regular, longer use is a different story: in a study published in Pediatric Dermatology, adult volunteers who applied olive oil to the forearm twice daily for four weeks showed reduced integrity of the skin’s outer layer and mild redness, whether or not they had a history of atopic dermatitis. In short, olive oil is best kept to small, occasional use rather than daily, all-over application.
A note of caution: this is a general guide, not medical advice. If your skin is eczema-prone or very dry, or if dryness persists despite regular care, speak to a doctor or dermatologist before adding any oil to your routine.
How to Use Olive Oil in a Body-Care Routine
If you would like to try it, think of olive oil as a small, occasional addition to your routine rather than a replacement for your moisturiser: dermatologists’ standard advice for dry skin remains a cream or ointment.
- Choose a single-ingredient oil. Check the label and pick a plain olive oil with no added fragrance.
- Test it first. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a new product to a small spot twice daily for seven to ten days. If the skin stays free of redness, itching and swelling, you can go ahead.
- Apply it after bathing. Dermatologists advise moisturising within a few minutes of bathing, after gently patting the skin dry. Use a few drops while the skin is still slightly damp.
- Keep it small and local. Use a little oil on specific dry areas, such as the hands, elbows or heels, rather than all over the body.
- Store it well: keep the bottle away from sunlight and heat, with minimal exposure to air.
A note of caution: stop using the oil and wash it off if you notice redness, itching, swelling or scaling, and avoid broken or irritated skin and the eye area. If the skin does not settle, see a doctor.
A Ritual Best Kept Simple
Olive oil’s place in body care is rooted in centuries of tradition, from the baths of the ancient world to the massage rituals still practised today. The research, however, is limited and mixed, so the most sensible approach is a modest one: use it occasionally, in small amounts and on specific dry areas, test it first and stop if your skin reacts. For persistent dryness or irritation, a dermatologist is always the right person to ask.
Olive oil is, above all, a kitchen staple. If you are buying it for cooking, the brand’s page on oil use covers its Extra Virgin olive oil, cold extracted, high in MUFA and with zero trans fat, and its Extra Light olive oil, perfect for Indian cooking.
