[Olive oil](/olive-oil-health/skin/) is moderately comedogenic (pore-clogging) — meaning it has the potential to cause blackheads and whiteheads in some individuals, but not universally. For a complete overview, see our Olive Oil Health Benefits guide.The comedogenic rating of olive oil is approximately 3 on a scale of 0-5, where 0 is completely non-comedogenic and 5 is extremely comedogenic. This places olive oil in the moderate risk category — not an absolute contraindication, but not completely safe for all skin types either. The risk is highest for people with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin; lower for people with dry or normal skin. Individual variation is significant: some people can use olive oil on their face without any issues; others develop closed comedones (whiteheads) within days of regular use.3 4
This guide covers the complete evidence on olive oil's comedogenicity — what the research says, why some people break out and others don't, and how to test your personal reaction.
What Comedogenicity Means
The comedogenic scale measures the likelihood that a substance will cause comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) by clogging pores:4
The scale: 0 (non-comedogenic — will not cause breakouts), 1 (slightly comedogenic), 2 (moderately comedogenic), 3 (moderately high comedogenic risk), 4 (very comedogenic), 5 (extremely comedogenic, almost guaranteed to cause breakouts). The scale was originally developed from rabbit ear testing in the 1970s and is an imperfect predictor of human skin reactions, but is the best available framework.
Why oils clog pores: Oils clog pores when they contain fatty acids that are biologically similar to the sebum the skin naturally produces. When an external oil's fatty acid profile closely matches the skin's own sebum, it can trap in the pore and cause the cell accumulation that creates a comedo. The fatty acid profile of olive oil (high oleic acid, linoleic acid) is moderately similar to human sebum, which explains its moderate comedogenic rating.
Individual variation: Skin microbiome, skin barrier integrity, genetic factors, and hormone levels all determine how a given pore responds to an applied oil. What causes closed comedones in one person may be completely fine for another. This is why the comedogenic rating is a general guide, not a certainty.
The Evidence on Olive Oil and Pores
The research and observational evidence:4
The comedogenic rating: Olive oil is rated approximately 3/5 on the comedogenic scale — moderately comedogenic. This rating comes primarily from animal testing (rabbit ear model) and is consistent with human observational reports. It means olive oil causes breakouts in a meaningful proportion of users, particularly those with oily or acne-prone skin.
Why the rating is moderate, not high: Coconut oil (rated 4) and cocoa butter (rated 4-5) are more comedogenic than olive oil. Some common skincare ingredients (coconut oil, isopropyl myristate) are rated 5/5. Olive oil at 3/5 is in the middle range — it will cause breakouts in some people but not all.
The oleic acid factor: Oleic acid is the primary fatty acid in olive oil (approximately 70-83%). High oleic acid oils are more comedogenic than high linoleic acid oils. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid that is anti-comedogenic (it has skin-barrier supporting properties); oleic acid does not have this effect. The high oleic acid content is the primary reason for olive oil's comedogenic rating.
The polyphenol protective effect: Olive oil polyphenols (oleocanthal, hydroxytyrosol) have documented anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial effects on skin. These properties may partially offset the comedogenic risk of the fatty acid content — but the anti-inflammatory effect does not prevent pore clogging, only the inflammatory response to it.
Who Should Avoid Olive Oil on Face
The skin types that should be most cautious:4
Oily skin: If your T-zone and cheeks are consistently oily, if you have enlarged pores, and if you break out frequently, olive oil is likely to clog your pores. The high oleic acid content is particularly problematic for already-oily skin, as it adds to the excess sebum production.
Acne-prone skin: People with active acne (closed comedones, open comedones, or inflammatory papules) should approach olive oil on the face with caution. The comedogenic risk is highest during active acne, and olive oil may worsen the condition before it helps.
Combination skin with oily T-zone: Even if your cheeks are dry, if your T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) is oily, applying olive oil across the entire face will likely clog the T-zone pores while moisturizing the cheeks — resulting in a mixed outcome.
People with closed comedones history: If you have a history of closed comedones (whiteheads) from using other oils or occlusive skincare products, your skin has demonstrated sensitivity to pore-clogging substances and olive oil is likely to cause the same reaction.
Who Can Use Olive Oil on Face
The skin types with lower comedogenic risk:4
Dry to normal skin: If your skin is consistently dry or normal (not oily), if you rarely get breakouts, and if your primary skin concern is dryness rather than acne, olive oil is likely to be well-tolerated. The moisturizing benefit outweighs the moderate comedogenic risk for non-acne-prone skin types.
For targeted application only: Even in non-acne-prone skin, using olive oil as a full-face moisturizer is less evidence-based than using it for targeted dry patches. If you want to try olive oil on your face, start by applying it only to dry patches (not the entire face) to limit potential comedogenic exposure.
Patched testing: If you have normal or dry skin and want to try olive oil as a facial moisturizer, patch testing on a small area of your face (not the entire face) for 2 weeks will tell you whether your skin tolerates it before you commit to wider use.
How to Test Your Personal Reaction
The safe approach to testing olive oil on your face:4
Step 1 — Patch test: Apply a small amount of EVOO to a discrete area of your face (the jawline or the side of your cheek, not the entire face) once per day for 7-10 days. Do not apply any other new products to this area during the test period.
Step 2 — Monitor for reaction: Count any new closed comedones (small white bumps), open comedones (blackheads), or inflammatory lesions (red papules) that appear in the test area during this period. If you see 2 or more new lesions in the test area, your skin is reactive to olive oil.
Step 3 — Full face trial (if patch test clear): If the patch test shows no new lesions after 7-10 days, you can try applying olive oil to your full face. Continue monitoring for the first 2-3 weeks. If no breakouts occur, your skin tolerates olive oil.
Step 4 — Discontinue if reaction occurs: If you develop closed comedones or acne during the full-face trial, discontinue immediately. The reaction should resolve within 2-4 weeks of discontinuing. If it doesn't, consult a dermatologist.
The Internal Use Exception
The dietary use of olive oil does not cause facial breakouts:4
Dietary olive oil consumption does not cause acne or comedones in the same way topical application does. When you consume olive oil, the fatty acids are metabolized systemically and do not directly contact the facial pores. The anti-inflammatory effect of dietary olive oil polyphenols may actually reduce systemic inflammation that contributes to acne. For people concerned about both facial skincare and dietary health, the recommendation is: use high-polyphenol EVOO in your diet (it is beneficial for skin health from the inside out) and approach topical facial application with the patch test protocol above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is olive oil comedogenic?
Yes — olive oil is moderately comedogenic, rated approximately 3 on a scale of 0-5. This means it has a moderate risk of causing closed comedones (whiteheads) and blackheads in some individuals, particularly those with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin. The comedogenic effect is due to the high oleic acid content (approximately 70-83%) of olive oil, which is biologically similar to human sebum and can clog pores. Individual variation is significant — some people can use olive oil on their face without any issues while others break out within days. The risk is highest for people with oily or acne-prone skin; people with dry or normal skin are more likely to tolerate it. Always patch test on a small area before applying to the full face. Dietary consumption of olive oil does not cause facial breakouts.4
Can I use olive oil on my face if I have acne?
If you have active acne, approach olive oil on the face with caution — it is moderately comedogenic (3/5) and may worsen your breakouts. The safest approach is to patch test on a discrete area (jawline) for 7-10 days before applying to the full face. If you have acne-prone skin, the dietary use of olive oil (1-2 tablespoons per day of high-polyphenol EVOO) is more evidence-based than topical use and may actually help through the anti-inflammatory effects of olive oil polyphenols. Never apply olive oil to active inflammatory acne lesions without patch testing first. If you have significant acne, consult a dermatologist for evidence-based treatment options.4
Does olive oil cause blackheads?
Olive oil can cause blackheads (open comedones) in addition to closed comedones in susceptible individuals. The mechanism is the same as for any comedogenic substance: the fatty acids in olive oil (primarily oleic acid) can become trapped in pores, creating the cell accumulation that forms a comedo. Blackheads specifically are open comedones where the trapped material oxidizes and turns dark. The risk is highest for people with naturally oily skin and enlarged pores. If you are prone to blackheads, test olive oil on a small area first and monitor for 2 weeks before applying it to your full face. For people with dry skin and no history of blackheads, the risk is much lower.4
What oils are not comedogenic?
The least comedogenic oils for skin are those high in linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid with skin-barrier supporting properties) and low in oleic acid. The least comedogenic oils include: safflower oil (high linoleic, rated 0-1), sunflower oil (high linoleic, rated 0-1), hemp seed oil (high linoleic, rated 0-1), and rosehip seed oil (high linoleic, rated 1-2). The most comedogenic oils to avoid on the face include: coconut oil (rated 4), cocoa butter (rated 4-5), flaxseed oil (rated 4), and wheat germ oil (rated 5). Olive oil (rated 3) is in the middle — it is not as risky as coconut oil, but is not as safe as high-linoleic options. If you are concerned about comedogenicity, use high-linoleic oils instead of olive oil for topical face application. For dietary use, high-linoleic seed oils are less stable for cooking than olive oil, so the trade-off between comedogenicity and oxidative stability is relevant.4
References
1. Olive Oil Source. "Olive Oil Classification and Standards."
2. International Olive Council. "Chemistry and Olive Oil Standards."
3. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products. "Scientific Opinion on health claims related to olive oil polyphenols." EFSA Journal. 2011.
4. Gutierrez-Mariscal FM et al. "Evidence for the Benefits of Olive Oil in Human Health." Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022.