Polyphenol-Rich Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can Heal Damaged Skin Says New Study

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Choose Polyphenol-Rich Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Skin Health

Updated March 30th 2025

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For centuries, extra virgin olive oil has been celebrated as a key ingredient in a healthy diet. But beyond the kitchen, its rich profile of polyphenols has been drawing attention in the skincare world, specifically for healing damaged skin.

This blog takes a deeper look at why extra virgin olive oil is such a wonder ingredient for skin health. We’ll explore how polyphenols aid in healing, identify the key compounds responsible for these effects, and uncover the science backing EVOO as a skincare powerhouse. Plus, find out why Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil stands out among the rest.

New study reports polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil can help heal damaged skin.

According to a new study, there are powerful polyphenols in olive oil that can help heal damaged skin.

These antioxidants provide numerous health benefits including improved elasticity and moisture levels in the skin. The results of this study show why making sure you include at least some protein-rich olive oil in your daily meals could make a real difference with how good you look and feel!

A new study found that certain polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil enhanced the healing actions of fibroblasts, cells essential for forming connective tissues.

Damaged skin often struggles to regenerate effectively, especially if healing processes are slowed by external factors such as aging, pollution, or poor lifestyle habits. This is where fibroblasts come in.

Fibroblasts are specialized cells found in connective tissue and are critical for skin repair. They produce collagen, elastin, and other compounds necessary for maintaining skin structure and elasticity. However, fibroblasts can become less efficient due to oxidative stress caused by free radicals, leading to delayed wound healing and the early appearance of fine lines or wrinkles.

Enter polyphenols, a group of naturally occurring antioxidants. Found in abundance in high-quality extra virgin olive oil, polyphenols protect fibroblasts from oxidative damage, allowing these cells to continue functioning optimally. This means faster wound healing, improved skin texture, and enhanced overall vitality.

Fibroblasts, Polyphenols and Skin Healing With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

According to a report in Olive Oil Times, Fibroblasts play a crucial role in repairing damaged skin from lesions or cuts. The research, published in Nutrients, paves the way for the future use of polyphenol-based applications to heal wounded skin.

Lucía Melguizo-Rodríguez, another co-author and university researcher, said:

We found that when exposed to the phenolic compounds, the fibroblasts would migrate, which means that they would move to close the gap caused by the wound, benefiting their healing action.

Lucía Melguizo-Rodríguez

Also contributing to the report, Olga García-Martínez, co-author of the study and researcher at the University of Granada’s health science department, told Olive Oil Times:

Fibroblasts are the main cells in the skin and are involved in its regeneration. They are essential in repairing damaged skin.

Olga García-Martínez

Lucía Melguizo-Rodríguez added that fibroblasts are crucial in extra-cellular matrix reconstruction.

“They release compounds which keep all of the skin components together, they are the net keeping it all together, and that is why their action is so relevant,” she told Olive Oil Times.

Which Polyphenols In Extra Virgin Olive Oil Are Good For Skin Repair?

Extra virgin olive oil owes its skin-healing properties to a robust mix of polyphenols. But not all polyphenols are created equal. Below are some of the standout compounds:

Hydroxytyrosol

Hydroxytyrosol is one of the most powerful antioxidants found in EVOO, with an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value significantly higher than that of vitamin C. It neutralizes free radicals, protecting skin cells from environmental damage and supporting the natural regeneration process.

Discover The Health Benefits Of Morocco Gold

Oleuropein

A key compound in olive leaf and olive oil, oleuropein helps reduce inflammation and strengthens skin against harmful external stressors. Studies have found its anti-inflammatory properties to be especially effective in soothing irritated or damaged skin.

Tyrosol

Tyrosol improves blood circulation and protects the skin against UV-induced damage. Better circulation ensures that fibroblasts receive the nutrients and oxygen they need to effectively repair damaged tissue.

Luteolin

Luteolin’s anti-inflammatory properties make it another important polyphenol for skin health. It aids in calming redness, irritation, and inflammation, which are often signs of damaged skin.

Collectively, these polyphenols create a potent skincare cocktail that works in synergy to revitalize and heal the skin.

The scientists focused on how fibroblast behavior would be impacted by applying hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and oleocanthal, extra virgin olive oil’s most prevalent polyphenols.

“Those three phenols were chosen because previous research demonstrated their interesting behavior when applied to different tissue cells, such as the osteoblasts, bone cells,” García-Martínez said. “We singled those three out as there were higher chances that they could stimulate soft tissue cells such as fibroblasts.”

The research highlighted that those phenolic compounds would stimulate fibroblast growth when applied.

“That is a very relevant result, as when the skin is wounded, stimulating the development of a higher number of fibroblasts would result in better healing,” Melguizo-Rodríguez said.

For full details of the study, see the Olive Oil Times Report here.

Science Behind Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Skin Health

The health benefits of EVOO for your skin are not just anecdotal. Scientific research increasingly supports its powerful effects.

A 2019 clinical study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science demonstrated that polyphenol-rich olive oil accelerated wound healing in human subjects. Participants who applied EVOO to minor wounds showed a significant reduction in healing time compared to those using conventional treatments.

Another study from Molecules Journal highlighted the ability of hydroxytyrosol to protect against UV-induced DNA damage, which is a major contributor to premature aging and skin deterioration. This further underscores EVOO’s role in both protecting and repairing skin.

Notably, many of these benefits rely on the quality of the olive oil. Only extra virgin olive oil, which is cold-pressed and minimally processed, retains its full polyphenolic profile and thus offers the maximum benefit for your skin.

When it comes to maintaining healthy skin, we often look to expensive creams and serums. However, research has shown that the answer to promoting skin health may be found in extra virgin olive oil. Specifically, studies have pointed to polyphenols, a type of antioxidant found in olive oil, as having numerous benefits for the skin. These benefits include reducing inflammation, protecting against UV damage, and improving skin elasticity.

Incorporating olive oil in your skincare routine as a moisturizer or as part of a balanced diet has potential to improve your skin health inside and out. With these findings, it’s clear that extra virgin olive oil is not only delicious, but also a beneficial addition to your beauty regime.

Extra virgin olive oil acts as an antioxidant, which is a substance that, as the name suggests, prevents oxidization. What this means is that it inhibits the production of free radicals which are chemicals that damage skin and can lead to some forms of cancers, especially skin cancer. 

One study showed that when extra virgin olive oil was applied to the skin after exposure to harmful UV rays, the growth of tumors was significantly lower. While these trials are preliminary, they are definitely promising, and they are just one of many benefits of olive oil on the skin.

Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Skin Health

And, of course, if you’re going to be using extra virgin olive oil to protect your skin, you want to use the best olive oil for skin which has to be Morocco Gold. Moroccan olive oil has been praised for its beauty and wellness properties since the time of Cleopatra and the Romans.

 When applied to the skin, extra virgin olive oil can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It can also be used to help treat dry scalp and dandruff. To reap the benefits of extra virgin olive oil for skin, be sure to do the following:

  1. Choose an extra virgin olive oil that has been cold-pressed and has not been exposed to heat or light.
  2. Store the olive oil in a dark glass bottle in a cool, dark place.
  3. Apply the olive oil to your skin as needed. You can also add a few drops of olive oil to your bath water for a relaxing, soothing experience.

As well as being packed with health boosting antioxidants – called polyphenols – the best olive oils have been linked with a reduction in inflammation and reduced risk of many diseases from heart disease to cancer. Morocco Gold is one of the highest quality, cold pressed, single sourced extra virgin olive oils you can buy.  And, you can use it in your beauty routine too!

Heal, Protect, and Revitalize With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil is more than a kitchen staple; it’s a natural remedy for stressed, damaged skin. From its ability to support fibroblasts in collagen production to its protective effects against environmental stressors, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a multitasking powerhouse your skin deserves.

If you’re serious about achieving radiant, healthy skin, consider choosing high-quality olive oil like Morocco Gold—not just for your meals but as a beauty essential.

Start your skin’s healing journey today. Explore Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil and experience the difference for yourself.

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