OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) LEAF

📋 Quick facts

Description: OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) LEAF — CIR reviewed: safe as used in cosmetics. Report: Final Report: Safety Assessment of Olea europaea (Olive)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.

Quick Facts:

• Category: other
• Also Known As: 油橄榄（OLEA EUROPAEA）叶, 올리브나무잎

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Olive leaf extract showed strong activity against specific bacteria: Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, and Staphylococcus aureus (including antibiotic-resistant MRSA)
• The extract is not broad-spectrum — it was largely inactive against most other microorganisms tested
• Researchers suggest olive leaf extract may help regulate stomach bacteria by selectively targeting H. pylori and C. jejuni

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Olive leaf extract’s antimicrobial properties are quite selective. In a 2009 study published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, researchers tested a commercial olive leaf extract against 122 different microorganisms. #1: The extract proved most potent against three specific bacteria: Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, and Staphylococcus aureus—including a drug-resistant strain called MRSA (Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2009). The researchers measured “minimum inhibitory concentrations” (MICs), which is the lowest concentration of the extract needed to stop bacterial growth; for these three bacteria, that threshold was quite low at 0.31–0.78% by volume (Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2009). #2: However, when tested against the other 79 microorganisms, the extract showed little activity, requiring much higher concentrations—typically 6.25% to 50%—to inhibit growth (Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2009).

This selective action is noteworthy because it suggests olive leaf extract doesn’t work like a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that kills many different bacteria indiscriminately. Instead, the researchers propose it could have a targeted role in managing gastric (stomach) flora composition by reducing levels of H. pylori and C. jejuni specifically (Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2009). It’s important to note that these findings come from laboratory testing; the research does not describe human skin or internal health outcomes.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Sudjana AN et al. (2009). Antimicrobial activity of commercial Olea europaea (olive) leaf extract. Int J Antimicrob Agents.

🧴 Products Containing OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) LEAF

• Apivita Tonic lotion
• Nature’s Answer PerioBrite Mouthwash
• Naturalmente Shampoo revitalizing
• Innbiotec Pharma Renovase shampoo
• BODY MILK CROWE
• Toms deo
• LaSource hand therapy
• REMEDY CALAZIME Skin Protectant Paste
• mouthwash
• kirkland body wash citrus
• ATTITUDE Nourishing Shampoo
• Duradry Deep Cleansing Wash Aqua
• Clarins Spray Solaire Lait Fluide Sécurité
• Cosmo naturel Gel douche solide a l’huile d’olive bio
• It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Oil-Free Matte Full Coverage Moisturizer with SPF 50+
• Toms antiperspirant deodorant
• Bios Line Tea Tree pomata eudermica
• Absolution La crème de jour
• Perricone MD No Makeup Easy Rinse Makeup-Removing Cleanser