Olive Oil

Product Description:

Olive Oil Extra Virgin is a cold pressed carrier oil obtained from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea), one of the oldest cultivated oils with a history stretching back thousands of years across the Mediterranean. Extra virgin refers to the highest grade of olive oil, produced through cold pressing alone without the use of heat or chemical refining, which allows it to retain the most natural compounds found in the fruit. The oil is green to golden yellow in colour with a characteristic fruity, olive scent and a smooth, moderately rich texture. At Maduras Herbals, we supply Extra Virgin Olive Oil as a raw material for cosmetic manufacturers, DIY formulators, hair care brands, and skin care product developers looking for a dependable, nourishing carrier oil.

Botanical and Trade Names

Botanical Name: Olea europaea
English Name: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
INCI Name: Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Other Common Names: Olive Carrier Oil, EVOO

Key Properties

• Cold pressed from olives with no heat and no chemical solvents involved
• Highest grade of olive oil, unrefined and minimally processed to retain natural compounds
• Naturally rich in oleic acid, Vitamin E, and antioxidant compounds including squalene
• Smooth, moderately rich texture with a characteristic fruity, olive scent
• May appear cloudy at cooler temperatures, which is a natural characteristic of the oil
• Long standing history of use across Mediterranean beauty and wellness traditions
• Compatible with other carrier oils, butters, and oil-phase ingredients

About Olive Oil

Olive oil has one of the longest cosmetic histories of any ingredient — the Egyptians used it alongside beeswax as a cleanser, moisturiser, and antibacterial agent as far back as the time of the Pharaohs, and Cleopatra is said to have used it as a regular skin treatment. It comes from the flesh of the olive fruit, not the kernel, and the black olive can contain as much as 50% oil by weight. For cosmetic use, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil is the recommended grade, as it retains the remarkable natural antioxidants that are typically destroyed during the processing or refining of lower quality oils. These antioxidants are what give extra virgin olive oil its natural anti-ageing properties, and they are simply not present in the same way in refined versions.

Olive oil is a rich emollient with a high oleic acid content sitting at 65 to 80%, and it also contains large amounts of vitamin E, phytosterols, and squalene. It is genuinely useful in nourishing products, but there is an important nuance worth communicating to formulators: free oleic acid is a well-documented skin penetration enhancer, and some research suggests that olive oil used on its own could compromise the stratum corneum barrier and increase transepidermal water loss. For this reason, it is better used combined with other vegetable oils rather than as a standalone ingredient, particularly in paediatric skincare or products for people with very dry or sensitive skin conditions. Olive squalane, derived from olives, is a worthwhile alternative when a standalone olive-derived ingredient is specifically needed.

Working with Olive Oil in Your Formulations

Olive oil works well in anhydrous products such as balms, masks, butters, and scrubs, and can also be used in emulsions and haircare products. It is best used as part of a blend rather than as a standalone base oil, particularly where the formulation is intended for sensitive, dry, or paediatric skin.

Quality & Formulation Notes

No adverse effects or specific formulation restrictions are documented for olive oil, but its high oleic acid content is worth planning around. Using it blended with other vegetable oils is the recommended approach for most applications. For formulators who want the benefits of an olive-derived ingredient without the barrier disruption concern, olive squalane is worth considering as an alternative.

Applications

Skin Care Formulations: Body lotions, moisturisers, massage oils, makeup remover blends, lip balms

Hair Care Formulations: Hair oils, hot oil treatments, scalp serums, conditioning treatments

Cosmetic and Soap Making: Cold and hot process soap making, carrier base for essential oil blends, lotion and cream oil-phase ingredient

General Use: Bulk supply for cosmetic manufacturers, DIY skin and hair care kits, salon and spa product formulations

Packing and Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the container tightly sealed when not in active use. The oil may appear cloudy at cooler temperatures, which is natural and can be cleared by gently warming. Best before 24 months from packaging date.

Caution

Patch test is recommended before use on skin. In case of any allergic reaction, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist or physician.