Oliveda Skincare Review: My Experience as a Skincare Junkie

My honest review of Oliveda skincare and how it compares to the other clean skincare brands I’ve used. All $50+ Oliveda orders ship free! Get a FREE product when you take this skincare quiz and order +2 of the recommendations.

I love skincare. And one of the newest brands on my radar is Oliveda. I discovered Oliveda after Beautycounter shut down unexpectedly in May of 2024. And while Oliveda is new to me, it’s not new to the beauty industry at all — it’s been in posh spas in Europe for 20+ years. However, it’s only been in the US for about a year.

My love of skincare started with my personal journey dealing with horrific breakouts and learning that quality skincare matters. When I stopped using drugstore brands and invested in products with quality and safer ingredients, my breakouts cleared up. That was over a decade ago (and my skin looks better at 39 than it did at 25!). Ever since, I’ve been obsessed with trying different brands and different kinds of skincare, always looking for the most effective products for myself and what to recommend to others. (This post outlines my skincare routine.)

As a huge fan of safe and clean beauty and skincare, I was excited to try Oliveda after hearing a handful of raving reviews from friends. I’ve been BLOWN away, to say the least. Honestly, I’m really shocked. I try new skincare products almost daily, and it’s very rare that I feel as passionate about a product or brand as quickly as I did after trying Oliveda.

In this blog post, I’ll share the brand’s background, what makes its products unique, which ones I’ve tried, and my honest review.

Oliveda Skincare Review: My Experience as a Skincare Junkie

What is Oliveda Skincare?

Oliveda is a German-based clean skincare brand that formulates products with olive tree extracts. It is known for its waterless skincare philosophy, which means its products are concentrated with active ingredients, avoiding the need for water and preservatives that can dilute potency and potentially irritate the skin (I’ll explain this in detail below). Oliveda’s formulations are also designed to be highly effective, free from harmful additives, and sustainable.

The brand was founded by Thomas Lommel after his own experience with the effects of using olive-based products internally. His first product was the I01 Elixir (a drinkable supplement), which spurred him to create skincare products because he was convinced that what was best for the inside must also be best for the outside (our skin).

What does Oliveda mean?

The name Oliveda comes from the Latin word for olive, olivae. Every Oliveda product is made with olive leaf extract (which is why they call their skincare waterless. More on this below).

Oliveda Key Ingredients

The main ingredient in their skincare products is part of what makes Oliveda unique: hydroxytyrosol. And what they don’t add is also what makes it unique: water.

Hydroxytyrosol (Olive Leaf Extract) is the main ingredient in all Oliveda products. It’s super high in antioxidants, which protects the skin from damaging environmental stressors (which improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles). It also helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and boosts radiance. The other main benefit of hydroxytyrosal is that it’s anti-inflammatory. It’s actually been shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis (source)

Using hydroxytyrosol as the main base of their products means that every single ingredient is active. When people talk about the glow they see in their skin after using Oliveda, it’s largely due to the hydroxytyrosol.

They have other products that also use Olive Oil (like the Oliveda internals) and Mediterranean herbs (like the Olivemush, a coffee substitute), but their skincare is what keeps going viral.

What is waterless skincare?

While water isn’t bad (at all), it does require preservatives and emulsifiers to stabilize the rest of the formula. When water is removed as the main base of the product, the active ingredients aren’t diluted. You can read more about Oliveda’s waterless formulations here.

Instead of using water as a filler, Oliveda uses 100% organic olive leaf extract called hydroxytyrosol (explained above).

Is Oliveda really waterless?

While Oliveda is known for waterless skincare, you WILL see water on their ingredient list. This is because water is a byproduct of extracting ingredients from the olive leaf. However, Oliveda never adds water to its products. And you won’t ever see water as the #1 ingredient on the list, as is often the case with other brands (including ones I use and love).

To be clear, there’s no downside to including water in skincare products. However, Oliveda’s use of olive leaf cell extract is an alternative that makes the rest of the active ingredients in their products even more potent and effective. 95% of Oliveda’s products are bioactive because the extract used as the base is also active. Given that, you only need a very small amount of product when applying Oliveda products. It has been a bit of an adjustment not to use as much product as I was using with other brands (and it’s not like I used a ton prior).

Is Oliveda a clean beauty brand?

Yes. Since Oliveda is a German-based company, it must follow all EU beauty safety standards. The EU bans over 1700 ingredients while the US bans 11, so Oliveda is much cleaner than most US beauty brands. And considering I’m breastfeeding, safety is essential for me right now.

One thing to note: As you read through Oliveda’s ingredients, it can be a little confusing for a US consumer because things are labeled differently in Europe than in the US. Since Oliveda is an international brand, we just have to look at things with a different lens. I’ll break down some of the key things to know below.

Fragrance

In the US, the term “fragrance” is a loophole that brands can use to include anything they want, including harmful endocrine disruptors and allergens. In the EU, every ingredient in a skincare product has to be tested for safety, but once it’s approved to be used as a fragrance, it doesn’t have to be disclosed. Oliveda uses the term fragrance on the back of its products, but everything it uses has to be tested by the EU first, so it’s not a loophole to be wary of like it is in the US.

Retinol

In the US, we’re instructed not to use retinol while we are pregnant or breastfeeding, so we don’t usually consider it “safe”, so when you see the term retinol on Oliveda products, it’s a bit jarring. However, similar to fragrance, in the EU, safe alternatives to retinol (i.e. bakuchiol) are screened, deemed safe, and then labeled retinol. For context, bakuchiol was used in Beautycounter’s Countertime line (more details here). The Oliveda product called “Green Retinol” has bakuchiol on the ingredient list, not a derivative of Vitamin A.

Oliveda carries four products labeled with the term retinol:

• F65 Corrective Midnight Elixir: Fish-derived retinol
• F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir: Bakuchiol
• F87 Corrective Kahai Elixir: Nut-derived Kahai oil retinol from the Cacay tree
• 004 LA DOPE Your Wrinkles Face Oil Serum: This contains hemp, which is excellent for sensitive skin because it’s anti-inflammatory and calming. Its strength is somewhere between the Kahai and Midnight.

While three of these products do contain vitamin A, they are natural forms of Vitamin A. Of course, this is up to personal preference, and you may still decide to stay away from natural forms of retinol. Beautycounter included Bakuchiol in their products (and Beautycounter had more stringent standards than the EU), so I feel fine about using the F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir especially.

What are Oliveda Internals?

While this post is dedicated to my review of Oliveda’s skincare products, Oliveda also has really popular supplements called Internals. These are made with the same base as the skincare products: hydroxytyrosol. These not only help with skin issues and anti-aging but also help with inflammation and joint pain. Unlike the skincare products I’m discussing in this post, the Internals are meant to be injected, targeting the root causes of skin issues. I have a full review of Oliveda Internals linked here.

The Best Oliveda Products

Oliveda has almost 90 products in its lineup, so deciding what to get can be overwhelming. And since the company is based in Europe, the names of its products are also a bit confusing. Their anti-aging line is called “corrective,” for example. When I first heard it, I thought the corrective line was for oily or breakout-prone skin. Like I said, it takes some getting used to. If you’re looking specifically for supplements or what Oliveda calls their Internals, you’ll want to read this Oliveda Internals breakdown post.

To simplify things, I’m breaking down the best products in each category: cleansers, serums, moisturizers, etc. I’ve also outlined which products work best for each skin type. I’m not a dermatologist, so keep that in mind. I do have a lot of experience in the skincare world, so my recommendations come from that! The great thing about Oliveda is that nothing is truly exclusive to one skin type — think of it as “good, better, best” regarding your goals. The most basic cleanser will still work for you if you have dry, mature skin, but you’ll benefit more greatly from the cleanser made for anti-aging if that makes sense.

Okay, let’s break it down by product type so you can decide what to buy:

1. Choose a Cleanser
2. Choose a Toner
3. Choose a Serum
4. Choose an Elixir
5. Choose a Moisturizer
6. Choose an Eye Cream
7. Incorporate “Add-On” products

Oliveda Cleansers

Oliveda really encourages double-cleansing, which means washing your face with an oil to remove makeup and then following with a foaming cleanser. If you only get one, get a gel cleanser.

Corrective Cleansing Oil (F72) – Dry, aging skin

An oil-based cleanser for dry, aging skin. It’s made with olive fruit oil and lavender oil, which nourish and sooth/calm the skin.

Arbequina Cleansing Oil (F78) – Normal or combination Skin

An oil-based cleanser for normal or combination skin. Nourishes and hydrates while removing impurities. Start with this, and follow with the gel cleanser.

Corrective Cleansing Gel (F71) – Dry, aging skin

Great for mature, aging skin. This is super gentle and very hydrating. It smells amazing, but the smell is very natural and not super strong (I’m sensitive to scents and love this). I use this as my morning cleanser and my skin feels clean and hydrated.

Purifying Cleansing Gel (F38) – Normal or combination skin

The perfect foaming cleanser for normal or combination skin. This gives you a super deep cleanse while also supplying your skin with highly concentrated antioxidants that help prevent signs of aging.

Oliveda Toners

Corrective Facial Tonic (F67) – Dry, aging skin

This tonic should be used as a toner right after cleansing. This preps your skin for the serum and elixir you’ll use next. This is what I use daily. My skin feels like it’s maintaining moisture all day now that I’m using this.

Activating Facial Toner (F11) – Normal, combination skin

This is non-drying and does not strip your skin, but instead helps restore your skin’s natural balance.

Oliveda Serums

Corrective Serum Face (F59) – Dry, aging skin

Oliveda F59 is what people call “botox in a bottle”, and it’s my favorite Oliveda product so far. It’s made with concentrated hydroxytyrosol (the super powerful antioxidant we discussed above) combined with para cress extract, an ingredient that lifts and smooths your skin. It also builds collagen.

I’ve had botox in the past (the last time was in early 2023), and I wouldn’t go as far as to say Oliveda’s Botox in a bottle is just like it. HOWEVER, I do think it’s wildly effective for fine lines. The fine lines around my smile and on my forehead have definitely lessened since I started using it. It sells out super quickly each time it comes back in stock, so I always post in my Oliveda Instagram Channel when it comes back.

You can read more about this viral product in my Botox in a Bottle blog post.

Cell Active Serum (F06) – Normal, combination skin

This serum helps smooth your skin and reduce pore size, but it mainly reduces dark spots and smoothes wrinkles. What I love most about this is that it has a skin-tightening effect. It’s an all around great serum for all skin types. While anyone can use the Corrective Face Serum (aka Botox in a Bottle), you may not really need the anti-aging benefits yet, so this would be a great option. It’s similar but not as concentrated as the Botox in a Bottle.

Oliveda Elixirs

Oliveda calls its retinol products Elixirs. They are similar to serums in terms of benefits, but they’re made to be mixed with serums. When used together, you will get better results than applying just one or the other or when layering them vs. mixing.

For mature or aging skin, these are your best options:

Corrective Midnight Elixir (F65) – Fish derived retinol

If you’ve already used retinol in the past and love the effects, then you will love this. It’s a natural form of retinol that’s derived from fish. Since it is an animal-based form of vitamin A, it is metabolized into retinol. Some may also choose not to use this product during pregnancy. Excess Vitamin A consumption is a concern, but from my understanding, this wouldn’t be of concern. Gig Hadid used It all through her pregnancy – but go with your gut.

It can only be used at night, and it’s Oliveda’s strongest retinol option.

Corrective Kahai Elixir (F78) – Nut derived retinol

This is a natural form of retinol that’s derived kahai oil retinol from the cacay tree. If you typically react to bakuchiol (some do), then try this. If you need a retinol alternative, get the Green Retinol Face Elixir (F82) (details below).

Green Retinol Face Elixir (F82) – Bakuchiol, a retinol alternative

This is Oliveda’s most gentle retinol option, and I think of it as more of a retinol alternative. It’s a blend of bakuchiol (an alternative to retinol) and kahai oil (a natural retinol). Technically, yes, there is vitamin A in this from a very low concentration of kahai oil, but because of how low the concentration is (and the fact that the Vitamin A in it is natural versus synthetic), I feel fine about using this while breastfeeding.

This reduces fine lines and pore size, improves complexion, contracts pigmentation, AND protects against free radicals. This can be used morning and night. This one does have a unique smell. It doesn’t smell good, but it doesn’t smell bad; it’s just unique (almost like olive oil, which makes sense).

If you know you react to bakuchiol (some people do), your skin will likely respond better to the Corrective Kahai Elixir (F78).

Oliveda Moisturizers

Corrective Face Cream (F42) – AM for mature, aging skin

This day cream is ideal for dry/aging skin because it has extra hydroxytyrosol in it (a super powerful antioxidant). It’s soothing, super hydrating, improves elasticity, and reduces fine lines. It contains a sun protection factor! Apply this like any moisturizer, but know a little goes a long way.

Anti Oxidant Face Cream (F05) – AM for normal or combination skin

This is a great moisturizer for younger or normal skin.

Regeneration Intense Face Cream (F74) – Night cream for all skin types

This is more hydrating than the Beautycounter Supreme Cream that I used for years, which is shocking. The texture is weird and it takes some getting used to how it’s applied and massaged in, but now I love it. This is one of the more hydrating moisturizers from Oliveda. It reduces redness and helps balance the skin. Just use a very small amount of this – a little goes a long way.

Oliveda Eye Cream

I recommend choosing one of the top two eye creams and the elixir since they can be used together.

Oliveda F60 Corrective Eye Cream – Mature, aging skin

This eye cream has a ton of anti-aging ingredients in it that will help boost your collagen and give you a smoothing effect around your eyes. It also helps under-eye shadows and discolorations. Apply a tiny bit around your eye, but avoid the upper lid. 

Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream (F09) – Normal or combination skin

This is a great basic eye cream. I love the texture and it’s completely non-irritating. It tightens and reduces fine lines around your eye area.

Oliveda F64 Corrective Eye Elixir – All skin types

This is in Botox in a Bottle for your eyes. It has a triple hyaluronic acid structure and a ton of antioxidants, so it hydrates and plumps while also giving your eyes a more lifted, radiant look. You can apply this underneath your eye cream or use it alone. (I prefer to layer an eye cream on top for a little extra moisture.)

Add-on products for all skin types

Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Acid Serum (F86)

Hyaluronic serums are great for dry and aging skin because they deeply moisturize and hydrate. This serum also repairs oxidative damage and makes your skin look and feel more elastic/tight. You can layer this on top of your serum for extra hydration.

Acne SOS Face Drops (F85)

These drops unclog pores, balance sebum production, and reduce acne-causing bacteria. They contain salicylic acid, which is ideal for fighting and preventing acne.

HT + Vitamin C Serum (F83)

This is Oliveda’s Vitamin C serum. It’s made with hydroxytyrosol, a superpowerful antioxidant, and it also contains camu camu. Because of the hydroxytyrosol, this has 1300% more power than vitamin C alone. It improves fine lines and wrinkles, neutralizes free radicals, and gives you a super radiant complexion. It also has carrot extract in it, which makes it red, which is fun.

AHA + HT Serum Face (F81)

Use chemical exfoliator 1-2 times per week at night. It’s a true hero product. It reduces scarring, improves elasticity, reduces and fights hyperpigmentation, and boosts collagen. It’s great for breakout-prone skin because it gently exfoliates and sloughs off dead skin, which can cause build-up and breakouts. If you used Beautycounter, this is very similar to the Overnight Resurfacing Peel.

Honey Enzyme Face Mask (F76)

This face mask removes dead skin cells so that the rest of your skincare products can absorb better. This is especially beneficial for dry and/or aging skin since you’re paying more for those types of products and you want to get the most out of them. (The women who give me my facials have been telling me for years that I need to use an enzyme mask regularly to see improvements in my fine lines and deeper wrinkles).

I also love that it has a warming sensation. I usually hate applying masks because they take a long time and are messy, but I actually look forward to using them since I enjoy the sensory experience. And the green color is fun!

Olive Core Face Peeling (F10) – MAYBE SKIP THIS!

This is a physical face exfoliator. It’s a superfine facial scrub that helps remove dead skin cells and gives you a fresh, glowy complexion. It’s fine and definitely does the job, but I still prefer the Dual Enzyme Polish from Colleen Rothschild. However, Olive Core does use cleaner ingredients, so if that’s your top priority, know that this does work well. (I shared more about Colleen Rothschild products in this post.)

Olive Tree Therapy Lip Balm (F75)

This is the best lip balm I’ve ever used. It’s super hydrating like any lip balm should be, but it also makes my lips look full––almost like I’ve had lip filler (I’ve never had any filler). I’ve also noticed that the redness around the outside of my lips lessens when I apply this. I typically put a little bit of foundation around my mouth to reduce redness around my mouth, and I don’t have to do that when I wear this Oliveda lip balm.

Oliveda Skin Quiz

If you’re unsure what to buy or want even more personalized recommendations, the Oliveda Skincare Quiz called OliveBrain might help. It uses AI technology to determine a custom regimen for products that will work for your skin. Another cool thing about Oliveda is that when you take the Oliveda Quiz and buy two of the recommended products, you get a free full-size product as a gift.

However, the Oliveda quiz results can be confusing (some of my friends have run into this problem), so if you fill out my Skincare Survey, I will send you my recommendations and thoughts for your exact skin type.

My Oliveda Skincare review

Now that we’ve gone down the Oliveda brand background rabbit hole, let’s get to the good part: my honest review. As I alluded to in the intro of this post, I’ve been shocked by the results I’ve seen from using Oliveda products for almost a month. I think it has a lot to do with the potency of the formulations (remember, no water added = no dilution of active ingredients). If you read any other Oliveda skincare reviews, they’ll likely echo this. The products are SO GOOD.

I’m not the only one who thinks that, either. The before-and-afters Oliveda collected are mind-blowing (especially the Oliveda F59 reviews). The results speak for themselves, and I could see tangible differences after 3 uses versus about 2 to 3 weeks to notice changes from other brands. Specifically, my skin has looked brighter and plumper, and my fine lines and wrinkles (particularly my smile lines and lines around my eyes) have improved.

My Oliveda Before and Afters

When I first shared these photos, I was accused of lying. Someone claimed I had edited and filtered the photos to make the “after” shots look more impressive. But no, I did not. And yes, the results are seriously that good. (On a separate note, lying about results would be bad for my business since it’s all based on you trusting my recommendations. It wouldn’t get me far.)

I honestly can’t believe how good my skin looks since I started using it – like I had Botox that looks more natural. (This pic is from 1.5 months after switching to Oliveda.)

Oliveda FAQs

Is Oliveda Pregnancy Safe? Is it Breastfeeding Safe?

Yes, ALL of the Oliveda products are pregnancy-safe, but it’s fair to be extra cautious and avoid retinol – even natural retinol – when pregnant.

The midnight elixir may be one to avoid, but that’s a personal choice, and they don’t advise stopping anything. It uses a natural form of retinol that’s derived from fish, and since it is an animal-based form of vitamin A, it does metabolize into a form of retinol. The other retinols are plant-based and do not metabolize into the type of retinol that is a concern.

Another note: the AHA + HT Serum contains salicylic acid, so you may want to avoid it or consult your doctor before using it.

As always, consult your doctor and go with your gut. As an aside, Gigi Hadid switched to Oliveda while pregnant because she was looking for clean skincare.

Does Oliveda have free shipping?

Oliveda has free shipping on all orders $50+. I especially appreciate this since a lot of things are out of stock lately (many products have gone viral and lots of Beautycounter consultants and clients are now using this brand), so when something comes back, I can buy it immediately without having to pay shipping, even if I just ordered two days ago (that’s exactly what happened this week; I ordered the F86 Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Serum Face, and B15 Anti Aging Body Cream and then the F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum Face Serum was restocked an hour later so I just placed two orders back to back).

Does Oliveda have free returns?

While you can return an Oliveda product for any reason within 365 days, you do have to pay for return shipping. Read more about their return policy here.

Does Oliveda sell makeup?

Not yet. Oliveda is set to launch their makeup line in the fall of 2024!

However, Oliveda does have products besides skincare, including body and hair care and internals (i.e. anti-aging products you drink, like collagen). You can read all about Oliveda Internals in this review. If you’re looking for clean makeup in the meantime, you’ll like ILIA Beauty. I have a full review on ILIA Beauty linked here.

Is Oliveda an MLM?

Oliveda does have a direct sales business model here in the US, which is similar to an MLM but different because this one can be sold at retail locations. You can join Oliveda as a consultant and receive a commission from any sales you generate, similar to an affiliate. If you’re interested in learning more about the business side, you can read more here.

Or drop your email in this consultant-interest form, and I’ll follow up with you. 

Is Oliveda a scam?

Nope! Since Oliveda is new to the United States, you may ask yourself, “Is Oliveda legit?” I hope this review has helped clear up any confusion. Oliveda is totally legit, and everyone I know who has ordered it has loved the results.

Who owns Oliveda skincare?

The Oliveda founder, Thomas Lommel.

Is Oliveda all-natural?

Oliveda uses raw materials from its own organic olive trees, and its products are all bioactive (bioactive ingredients are nutrient-dense, and our body recognizes them, so our body knows how to break them down) and organic. However, it does use some synthetic ingredients in its products, so I won’t say it is 100% natural, although it does lean that way.

But keep in mind that natural doesn’t always mean safe. Lead is natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. What’s important is the testing of ingredients, specifically for safety, and Oliveda (and the EU) has done that.

The Bottom line:

I absolutely love these products. I love the smell and feel of these and their efficacy. I also appreciate the small packaging (much easier to store), the price point, and free shipping with $50+ orders.

If you have questions, let me know! You can also join my Beauty Broadcast to get more information about how to care for your skin and hear what beauty products I’m trying and loving (or what I think is overrated).