You've probably heard the rumors about olive oil being good for your skin and nails. But even those of us who shun skin care know that olive oil is sticky, heavy, and very greasy. Applying olive oil to my face sounded like an interesting experiment, but I had a bad feeling that it would clog my pores (a new tab will open up) and cause breakouts. So I visited my dermatologist to find the answer once and for all: could my favorite culinary staple also be a skin care savior?

Her answer 'Well, like your obsession with your dating life, bank account, and Timothée Chalamet (open in new tab), it's complicated. Fortunately, I have a lifetime of cosmetic knowledge and a really good dermatologist to help me break it down for you.

Olive oil, despite its potential to clog pores, has several benefits: it is high in squalene, an oil similar to natural sebum, which makes the skin barrier very smooth and soft, and it is rich in antioxidants, which help fight environmental damage to the skin.

On the flip side, my friend, it is still olive oil. Sure, it works the same way as all face oils (opens in new tab) in that it locks in moisture for some extra hydration, but there are plenty of other products on the market that are more effective at hydration and are actually meant to go on your skin.

Furthermore, the moisturizing effects of olive oil mentioned above may not be necessary. Says Mona Gohara, M.D., a dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Yale University.

"We don't need squalene, at least not in the small amounts that olive oil contains."

That doesn't mean it's not worth trying olive oil-infused skin care. Maybe you're sane, or maybe like me you often think back to when Jennifer Lopez said the secret to skin care is olive oil (opens in new tab). When Jennifer Lopez launched JLo Beauty (opens in new tab), we realized that Jennifer Lopez wasn't playing around; cults like JLo Beauty's "That Blockbuster Hydrating Cream" (opens in new tab) The popular moisturizers are filled with tested and approved ingredients that are aesthetically elegant and cannot be mistaken for salad ingredients.

As wrong as it feels, and it feels wrong - using oil as a cleanser is nothing new. In fact, anyone concerned about oily skin or dark spots may want to consider adding an oil cleanser (open in new tab) to their routine. Esthetician and Youtuber Nayamka Roberts-Smith (also known as LaBeautyologist) has a thorough video guide on how to properly oil cleanse and its benefits.

Using olive oil as a cleanser can remove dirt, makeup, dead skin cells, and sebum buildup reflected as blackheads from the skin. (Open in new tab) "Oil cleansing is always the first step, and you want to start with dry skin. By applying olive oil directly to the face and massaging it in, the oil draws dirt and oil out of the skin.

Roberts-Smith explains in the video that certain natural oils, such as olive oil, are great for the first step in skin care to draw out the gross sebum as previously described. Different skin types require different ingredients, and the ingredients found in olive oil are recommended for people with dry skin. For dry skin, oils high in oleic acid, such as cooking oil, are recommended," she explains.

Sorry, but if olive oil were the big life-changing secret to having Instagram filter-level skin, dermatologists would be out of business. Olive oil is heavy in weight and a breeding ground for acne," says Dr. Gohara. A comedogenic rating (open in new tab) (i.e., how prone an ingredient is to breakouts) shows that olive oil has a moderate risk of clogging pores - less than coconut oil (open in new tab), but still more than other common skin care ingredients.

"Honestly, olive oil should be used for salads, not for the face," says Dr. Gohara. Of course, if you don't break out on your face (well, you're lucky) and are in a pinch of dry skin, you can try olive oil and see how it works for you. Just don't apply it to a dry face, but massage a few drops on damp skin or on top of your regular moisturizer to lock in moisture.

Alternatively, don't pass up the chance to use olive oil (not food) and use a face oil (open in new tab) that is specially formulated for the skin. These oils, which I have approved below, will make your skin brighter, softer, calmer, and more hydrated. There is no doubt about that.