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Olive Oil Can Benefit Your Skin, Just Not as a Natural Sunscreen

Learn more about olive oil's impact on skin, and while it may be a new trend on social media, using it in the sun might not be a good idea.

ByMonica Cull
(Image Credit: Towfiqu ahamed barbhuiya/Shutterstock) Towfiqu ahamed barbhuiya/Shutterstock

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Olive oil has many benefits. From enhancing your meals to anti-inflammatory properties, this natural ingredient is a staple found in most kitchens. Besides consuming it, some people use it on their skin, whether as a moisturizer or for anti-aging.

However, one of the latest trends sweeping the internet claims that olive oil can substitute as an all-natural sunscreen. While turning to the kitchen pantry may seem like a new, natural swap for sunscreens and tanning lotions, olive oil may not have the benefits you were hoping for.

Several videos have circulated on TikTok and Reels lately showing individuals using olive oil as a substitute for sunscreen, alongside numerous videos from dermatologists explaining why this isn’t a good idea.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, rubbing olive oil on your skin before going out in the sun is like priming yourself for sunburn. This could be because olive oil only has a ...

  • Monica Cull

    A graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica Cull wrote for several organizations, including one that focused on bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine. Her current work also appears on her travel blog and Common State Magazine. Her love of science came from watching PBS shows as a kid with her mom and spending too much time binging Doctor Who.

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