Oleic Acid
A monounsaturated fatty acid that softens skin but penetrates more readily, higher penetration enhancer + higher irritation potential.
Disrupts stratum corneum lipid packing slightly, enhancing penetration of other actives, also can sting compromised skin.
- Softens skin
- Penetration enhancer
- Mature-skin emollience
What the evidence supports.
- All skin types
- Acne-prone (in high %)
- Severely compromised barrier
Later treatment or moisturiser step.
Concentration range in well-formulated products: 0.5%–10%
Year-round.
Olive oil, avocado, almonds.
No specific deficiency signals tracked for this ingredient.
Reserve for mature/dry; risky in acne-prone or atopic skin.
The research behind Oleic Acid.
Every claim on this page traces to published research. Findings below are drawn from randomized trials and systematic reviews, each links to the study on PubMed.
Inflammation and Allergy Drug Targets, 2014
Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2014
Cutis, 2006
No flagged conflicts. Still, patch-test new actives.
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