Not Just for Salads or Charcuterie Boards: How Olives Are Transforming Beauty Formulations
When you think of olives, your mind probably goes to Mediterranean cuisine, a charcuterie board, or perhaps dipping bread in a drizzle of olive oil mingled with herbs. But did you know that olives are used to create amazing high-performance ingredients used in skincare beyond just using plain olive oil as a moisturizer? Their unique chemistry allows them to be transformed into powerful, plant-based ingredients that nourish the skin, emulsify lotions, and even replace synthetic silicones.
Olives & Skincare: A SoCal Connection
Here in Southern California, we enjoy a Mediterranean-like climate that is ideal for growing olives. I pass dozens of olive trees on my daily walks and jogs, and in Old Town Temecula we even have a store dedicated to olive oil and olive-based products. Olives are a stable in the culinary world and for those of us creating skincare, olive-based ingredients beyond simple olive oil can provide an innovative way to incorporate this amazing ingredient into our products.
Some of my favorite olive-based ingredients (besides olive oil)
Olivem 1000: A Natural Emulsifier
Emulsifiers are essential in skincare—they help water and oil mix to create creamy, stable formulations. Olivem 1000 is an emulsifier derived from olive oil, making it an excellent choice for those looking for plant-based, skin-friendly alternatives to synthetic emulsifiers. It provides a luxurious texture while also offering hydration benefits. How it looks on the label: Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate. It can be used to create cosmetics certified according to the ecological and organic standards of EcoCert, COSMOS and Natural ingredient (according to ISO 16128-1:2016).
Product that features Olivem 1000: Our Body Butter and Emulsified Scrubs
Natrasil: A Silicone Alternative
Traditional silicones, like dimethicone, are often used in skincare to give products a smooth, silky feel. But for those seeking a natural alternative, Natrasil, derived from olives, delivers a similar velvety texture without the use of silicones. It enhances slip and spread ability, making serums and moisturizers feel light and elegant on the skin. It’s also known by other trade names such as EcoSil, Olive SIL, Plantsil, and more. How it looks on the label: Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables. Natural and botanically derived.
Favorite products featuring Natrasil – Be Kekoa Mousse and Anti-Frizz Serum (coming soon!)
Olive Solubilizer: Blending Oil & Water Naturally
Ever wonder how essential oils are blended into water-based products like facial mists and toners? That’s where Olive Solubilizer comes in! This olive-derived ingredient allows essential oils to disperse evenly in water without cloudiness or separation, making it a clean, effective alternative to synthetic solubilizers. It’s also known as AECOSOLV® Olive-N. How it looks on the label: Sodium Olivate, Water.
It’s 100% natural, plant-derived non-ionic solubilizing emulsifier that is non-ethoxlyated and non-propoxylated.
Olive Exfoliator: This ingredient is upcycled from Olea Europaea (Olive) Seed Powder and is great for mild exfoliation in facial and body products. The kernel or pit of the olive is dried, ground, and sieved to create a lovely, green exfoliator. I’m working on a creamy facial cleanser that includes this ingredient. I’m loving the prototype I created and hope to share it with y’all soon because it also includes a gorgeous natural emulsifier that creates a truly luscious facial cleanser! How it looks on the label: Olea Europaea (Olive) Seed Powder
Why Olive-Derived Ingredients are Awesome
Olive oil is fantastic in food and in cosmetics such as soaps and balms. But using olive-based ingredients helps take thigs up a notch. It allows us to blend the wisdom of nature with science to create ingredients that satisfy our need for more sophisticated and high performing products while using naturally derived ingredients (and some are even approved for use in organic formulations).
Final Thoughts
Olives are amazing not only in the culinary world, but also in our skincare and haircare. Next time you see an olive-derived ingredient on a label, you’ll know that combining knowledge of science, chemistry, and nature we can not only enjoy basic olive oil in cosmetic products but also naturally derived ingredients to create high performance products with care for people and the planet.
Have you tried skincare products with olive-based ingredients? Share your experience in the comments!
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