4. Can Olive Oil Clog Pores? Let’s Talk Skin Types and Myths

If you’ve ever googled “olive oil skincare,” you’ve probably seen this question: “Will it clog my pores?”
Fair question. Let’s break it down honestly.

Olive oil is considered moderately comedogenic, which means it can clog pores for some people—but it’s not a guarantee. The truth is, pore-clogging isn’t just about the ingredient itself. It’s about your skin type, how it’s used, and what else is in your routine.

Here’s the nuance: Olive oil is high in oleic acid, which is deeply moisturizing but heavier than some other fatty acids. That’s great for dry, sensitive, or mature skin, which needs long-lasting hydration and barrier repair. But for very oily or acne-prone skin, too much oleic acid on its own might feel too rich.

That’s exactly why we don’t use olive oil by itself in our balm. Instead, it’s blended with ingredients like jojoba oil, which is structurally similar to your skin’s sebum and helps balance out the richness. Suet-based tallow adds saturated fats like stearic and palmitic acid, which reinforce the skin barrier without congestion.

Used correctly—and in the right context—olive oil is incredibly nourishing and well-tolerated. It’s even been used as a base in dermatological salves for centuries. It helps soothe irritation, reduce inflammation, and soften skin without the synthetic gunk found in most commercial moisturizers.

So no, it’s not the villain some skincare blogs make it out to be.
It just needs to be respected, balanced, and used where it makes sense.

If your skin leans dry, sensitive, or mature? Olive oil is your friend. If it’s oily and reactive? You might still benefit—especially in a balanced formula like ours.

Read next: Why We Chose Organic Spanish Olive Oil — And Not Just Any Kind