Ingredient Encyclopedia

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Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Olive Oil – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Olive Oil is a heavyweight botanical lipid distinguished by its remarkably high Squalene content (not to be confused with squalane), a natural component of human sebum. This unique chemical profile makes it a "bio-identical" softener that the skin recognizes and integrates quickly into the upper layers of the stratum corneum. Beyond its triglycerides, Olive Oil contains high levels of Oleocanthal, a phenolic compound that provides a "calming signal" to the skin surface, making it particularly effective for reducing the sensory discomfort of windburn or extreme dryness. When applied, it forms a robust, semi-occlusive film that mimics the skin’s own natural lipid mantle.