Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Olive Oil for Eczema
Eczema Remedies to Try Instead
Medical Treatment
Oils are known to ease the symptoms of eczema due to their therapeutic benefits. One of them is olive oil, but anoatmeal bathor coconut oil use may be better options. Olive oil offers anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, but research is mixed on using it foreczema. Some studies show it could actually make your eczema worse.
The National Eczema Association notes that natural oils like sunflower oil have anti-inflammatory properties and can help with itchy skin.But although some compounds in olive oil may help with moisture, olive oil may actually disrupt skin health due to acids in the oil.

Earlier studies found that olive oil could cause skin redness and affect skin shedding, making eczema symptoms worse. Research in 2017 suggests that the balance of linoleic acid and oleic acid in olive oil means it won’t relieve eczema symptoms.
More recent studies, though, have been a bit more optimistic. A 2021 review found olive oil:
The authors concluded that theantioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties made olive oil a good skin care choice.
Is Olive Oil Good for Your Skin?Olive oilis a popular option when it comes to beauty products. Some interesting facts about olive oil include:It has a healthy amount of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, and these properties can be beneficial to the skin.It has vitamins A, D, E, and K.It is known to have moisturizing properties.Although the skin is known to benefit from this oil, it is not a cure-all. If you have a skin condition like acne, eczema, or psoriasis, olive oil may not give the relief that you are looking for.
Is Olive Oil Good for Your Skin?
Olive oilis a popular option when it comes to beauty products. Some interesting facts about olive oil include:It has a healthy amount of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, and these properties can be beneficial to the skin.It has vitamins A, D, E, and K.It is known to have moisturizing properties.Although the skin is known to benefit from this oil, it is not a cure-all. If you have a skin condition like acne, eczema, or psoriasis, olive oil may not give the relief that you are looking for.
Olive oilis a popular option when it comes to beauty products. Some interesting facts about olive oil include:
Although the skin is known to benefit from this oil, it is not a cure-all. If you have a skin condition like acne, eczema, or psoriasis, olive oil may not give the relief that you are looking for.
More research is needed on olive oil use in kids, so talk with your healthcare provider before trying it at home.
Although olive oil is not always recommended pick for eczema treatment and relief, there are some options that can help:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you notice symptoms of eczema, or a flare-up of your existing diagnosis, contact your healthcare provider. They can help you with a new treatment plan or get to the bottom of why the flare-ups are happening. Treatment options can include:
Eczema is a lifelong condition. There are no quick cures, and lifestyle changes and home remedies can help. Don’t stop using your prescribed medication, though, unless your healthcare provider advised you do.
Summary
Although eczema is a lifelong condition, options for relief are available. Some oils can help the condition when applied to the skin, but olive oil is not necessarily a good choice.
Talk with your healthcare provider before beginning any alternative treatments, and don’t stop taking any prescribed medication.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-Inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070National Eczema Association.Alternative eczema treatments from natural oils to elimination diets.Taheri M, Amiri-Farahani L.Anti-Inflammatory and Restorative Effects of Olives in Topical Application.Dermatol Res Pract. 2021 Jun 26;2021:9927976. doi:10.1155/2021/9927976Chen CY, Lee YH, Chang SH, Tsai YF, Fang JY, Hwang TL.Oleic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier inhibits neutrophil activities in the presence of albumin and alleviates skin inflammation.Int J Nanomedicine. 2019;14:6539-6553. doi:10.2147/IJN.S208489American Academy of Dermatology.Atopic Dermatitis: Bleach Bath Therapy.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema Treatment: Phototherapy.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-Inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070National Eczema Association.Alternative eczema treatments from natural oils to elimination diets.Taheri M, Amiri-Farahani L.Anti-Inflammatory and Restorative Effects of Olives in Topical Application.Dermatol Res Pract. 2021 Jun 26;2021:9927976. doi:10.1155/2021/9927976Chen CY, Lee YH, Chang SH, Tsai YF, Fang JY, Hwang TL.Oleic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier inhibits neutrophil activities in the presence of albumin and alleviates skin inflammation.Int J Nanomedicine. 2019;14:6539-6553. doi:10.2147/IJN.S208489American Academy of Dermatology.Atopic Dermatitis: Bleach Bath Therapy.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema Treatment: Phototherapy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-Inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070National Eczema Association.Alternative eczema treatments from natural oils to elimination diets.Taheri M, Amiri-Farahani L.Anti-Inflammatory and Restorative Effects of Olives in Topical Application.Dermatol Res Pract. 2021 Jun 26;2021:9927976. doi:10.1155/2021/9927976Chen CY, Lee YH, Chang SH, Tsai YF, Fang JY, Hwang TL.Oleic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier inhibits neutrophil activities in the presence of albumin and alleviates skin inflammation.Int J Nanomedicine. 2019;14:6539-6553. doi:10.2147/IJN.S208489American Academy of Dermatology.Atopic Dermatitis: Bleach Bath Therapy.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema Treatment: Phototherapy.
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL.Anti-Inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070
National Eczema Association.Alternative eczema treatments from natural oils to elimination diets.
Taheri M, Amiri-Farahani L.Anti-Inflammatory and Restorative Effects of Olives in Topical Application.Dermatol Res Pract. 2021 Jun 26;2021:9927976. doi:10.1155/2021/9927976
Chen CY, Lee YH, Chang SH, Tsai YF, Fang JY, Hwang TL.Oleic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier inhibits neutrophil activities in the presence of albumin and alleviates skin inflammation.Int J Nanomedicine. 2019;14:6539-6553. doi:10.2147/IJN.S208489
American Academy of Dermatology.Atopic Dermatitis: Bleach Bath Therapy.
American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema Treatment: Phototherapy.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?