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Olive Leaf Extract
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient
Olive leaf extract is the polyphenol-rich concentrate of Olea europaea leaves, dominated by oleuropein and its metabolite hydroxytyrosol — among the most powerful antioxidants in the plant kingdom [3]. In animal studies, topical olive leaf extract and oleuropein prevented chronic UVB-induced skin thickening, wrinkling, and carcinogenesis [1], and oleuropein accelerated wound healing in aged skin [2]. Topical oleuropein also induced the hair-growth (anagen) phase in a mouse model [4], adding a scalp dimension. Oleuropein is antimicrobial against acne bacteria and fungi and anti-inflammatory, and the extract is water-soluble and stable — a versatile Mediterranean antioxidant for every ORY® line, and a natural partner to olive-oil-based soap.
What is Olive Leaf Extract made of?
Olive leaf extract is prepared by water or hydro-alcoholic extraction of dried leaves and standardized to oleuropein (commonly 10–40%). Constituents [3]:
- Oleuropein (secoiridoid glycoside): Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, UV-protective; the main active.
- Hydroxytyrosol: Oleuropein’s phenolic metabolite; exceptionally high radical-scavenging capacity.
- Verbascoside, luteolin, apigenin, rutin (flavonoids and phenylpropanoids): Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory.
- Triterpenes (oleanolic and maslinic acids): Anti-inflammatory, skin-repairing.
- Elenolic acid: Antimicrobial.
What skin type is best suited for Olive Leaf Extract?
Olive leaf extract suits all seven ORY® skin types as an antioxidant and antimicrobial support:
- Mature: Prevents UV-induced wrinkling and collagen loss in animal studies [1]; potent antioxidant.
- Acne-prone: Oleuropein and elenolic acid inhibit acne bacteria; anti-inflammatory.
- Oily: Water-based extract in light serums and toners.
- Combination: Antioxidant serums.
- Normal: Daily environmental defense.
- Sensitive: Anti-inflammatory; wound-healing support [2]; low levels.
- Dry: In emulsions with olive squalane and oil.
What hair type is best suited for Olive Leaf Extract?
Olive leaf extract supports scalp health and, in laboratory work, hair growth:
- Mature or thinning: Topical oleuropein induced anagen and increased hair growth in mice [4] (cosmetic support claims).
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Antifungal and anti-inflammatory support.
- Oily scalp: Antimicrobial balancing.
- Sensitive scalp: Calming antioxidant.
- Dry or damaged: Antioxidant protection alongside olive oil or squalane.
- Color-treated: Antioxidant protection against oxidative fading.
- Straight, wavy, curly, coily: Scalp-health addition for all.
What are the benefits of Olive Leaf Extract?
Olive leaf extract’s benefits are supported by animal studies and pharmacological reviews [1–4]:
- Antioxidant: Oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol are top-tier radical scavengers [3].
- Photoprotection and anti-aging: Prevented UVB-induced skin damage and wrinkling in mice [1].
- Wound healing: Oleuropein accelerated healing and collagen deposition in aged skin [2].
- Antimicrobial: Activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses [3].
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammatory mediators.
- Hair growth support: Anagen induction in an animal model [4].
- Skin protection: Supports barrier lipids and reduces oxidative stress.
- Soap: Adds antioxidant, slows rancidity, and reinforces olive-oil soap positioning.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Olive leaf extract is water-soluble and stable, fitting all four ORY® lines and pairing naturally with olive oil.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Antioxidant serums, day creams, acne toners, eye creams, masks, after-sun. |
0.5–3% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Scalp serums for thinning and dandruff-prone scalps, shampoos, conditioners. |
0.5–2% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
Extract at trace in olive-oil (Castile) bars; leaf powder for green flecks. |
1–2% extract |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Antioxidant foundations, primers, lip balms. |
0.5–2% |
Pros and cons of Olive Leaf Extract
Pros
Cons
- Exceptional antioxidant capacity: [3].
- Animal evidence for UV protection, healing, and hair growth: [1, 2, 4].
- Antimicrobial: Acne and scalp use.
- Water-soluble and stable: Easy to formulate.
- Mediterranean, sustainable: Pruning by-product.
- Human clinical data limited: Most evidence is animal and in vitro.
- Bitter, slightly brown extract: Color and odor at high levels.
- Standardization: Specify oleuropein content.
- Rare allergy: Patch test (olive pollen allergy is unrelated but note).
What is the best application of Olive Leaf Extract?
Olive leaf extract is a daily antioxidant and scalp support:
- Antioxidant serum: AM under SPF; pair with vitamin C and green tea.
- Day cream: Environmental defense.
- Acne toner: With salicylic acid or tea tree.
- After-sun: With aloe.
- Scalp serum: Daily leave-in for thinning or flaky scalps; pair with rosemary and caffeine.
- Shampoo: Antioxidant, balancing.
- Soap: Olive leaf Castile bar.
- Cosmetics: Antioxidant foundation; lip balm.
Peer-reviewed references
- Kimura Y, Sumiyoshi M. Olive leaf extract and its main component oleuropein prevent chronic ultraviolet B radiation-induced skin damage and carcinogenesis in hairless mice. Journal of Nutrition. 2009;139(11):2079–2086.
- Mehraein F, Sarbishegi M, Aslani A. Evaluation of effect of oleuropein on skin wound healing in aged male BALB/c mice. Cell Journal. 2014;16(1):25–30.
- Omar SH. Oleuropein in olive and its pharmacological effects. Scientia Pharmaceutica. 2010;78(2):133–154.
- Tong T, Kim N, Park T. Topical application of oleuropein induces anagen hair growth in telogen mouse skin. PLoS ONE. 2015;10(6):e0129578.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about olive leaf extract as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including acne, sun damage, skin cancer, wounds, infections, dandruff, or hair loss. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
