Is Olive Oil Good for Eczema?

No: olive oil is not recommended on eczema because it can weaken the skin barrier and cause irritation.

Is olive oil a good choice for eczema?

Although olive oil can feel soothing or oily on dry skin, that does not mean it helps repair the skin barrier. Small studies have produced mixed results, and one found that olive oil weakened the barrier and caused mild redness.

A fragrance-free moisturizer formulated for sensitive skin is a more appropriate starting point. If you are also wondering about diet, see the best foods for eczema; eating olive oil is a different question from applying it to the skin.

How does olive oil affect eczema-prone skin?

The skin barrier helps retain moisture and protect against irritants. In eczema, that barrier is often less effective, so skin can become dry, itchy and inflamed. Moisturizers help reduce dryness and support the barrier.

Olive oil leaves an oily layer on the surface, but a surface coating is not the same as a healthy barrier. In a small experiment, repeated application of olive oil was associated with reduced integrity of the outer skin layer and mild redness. That finding raises concern that it could aggravate vulnerable skin, although the experiment did not prove that everyone using it will have an eczema flare.

What does the research say about olive oil and eczema?

The evidence is limited and does not establish olive oil as a reliable eczema treatment:

• In a randomized skin-barrier study, 19 adults with and without a history of atopic dermatitis took part in forearm experiments. Olive oil applied for 4 weeks reduced skin-barrier integrity and caused mild redness. This was a small study of skin properties, not a trial of eczema flare treatment.
• A small randomized trial in adults with atopic dermatitis found that eczema severity scores fell in both the virgin olive oil and virgin coconut oil groups. Because the trial compared two oils rather than olive oil with no treatment or a standard moisturizer, it does not show that olive oil works better than usual care.
• In a partially controlled study, some participants with dermatitis improved while using a mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil. The mixture contained several ingredients, and some participants also used prescription steroids, so the results cannot show that olive oil alone caused the improvement.

These studies tested products applied to the skin. They do not establish whether eating or drinking olive oil improves eczema.

How should you care for eczema instead of using olive oil?

Choose a fragrance-free cream or ointment intended for sensitive skin. Apply it after gently washing or bathing, and reapply when your skin feels dry. An ointment such as plain petroleum jelly may be an option if it suits your skin; a clinician or pharmacist can help you choose a product.

If a product stings, causes a rash or makes your skin feel worse, stop using it and ask a healthcare professional for advice. Do not replace a prescribed eczema treatment with olive oil or change your medication plan without discussing it with your clinician.

Olive oil can be used as a food if you tolerate it, but there is no evidence from the studies above that adding it to your diet treats eczema. There is also no need to drink it as a remedy. For related dietary context, see the best drinks for eczema.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Avoid putting olive oil on babies’ or children’s eczema. Ask a pediatrician about a suitable moisturizer and treatment plan, especially if a child has persistent itching, broken skin or trouble sleeping. If you are pregnant and need eczema treatment, discuss suitable products and medicines with your healthcare professional.

If you have a known allergy to olive oil, avoid it and check ingredient labels. Do not remove foods from a child’s diet to manage eczema without medical advice; a clinician can assess whether a food allergy is a concern.

Contact a clinician promptly if eczema is worsening despite your treatment plan, or if the skin develops increasing redness, warmth, swelling, crusting or pus. Seek urgent medical care for rapidly worsening painful skin, clusters of blisters or sores, fever with worsening eczema, or symptoms near the eyes. Get emergency help for difficulty breathing or swelling of the lips or tongue.