Oliveda Skincare Review – Is It Worth It?
From my teens and well into my thirties, I had skin problems, including acne, flaking, and enlarged pores. I hated my skin and put layers of facial foundation on my face in an attempt to improve its appearance. Of course, I only made it worse. For one, my facial foundation product was not that good, plus the shade did not match my skin tone. Additionally, I didn’t know how to use makeup the right way. All in all, my approach to my skincare routine was to cover up the mess on my face rather than deal with its causes. That lasted until I stepped onto the path of product ingredient research. As I was learning more about skincare ingredients and their functions, I was finally able to comprehend how they work. In turn, that helped me figure out what ingredients and skincare products would work well for my skin.
As a result, thanks to carefully selected non-toxic skincare and makeup products, my skin looks and feels better than it did 20 years ago. I have healthy, radiant, smooth, young looking, and dewy skin even though I am almost 50. Many of you would like to have that kind of skin but don’t know what skincare products to use. You might’ve tried various “clean,” “anti-aging” brands but haven’t settled down with any. Hence, every time you hear about a new “organic” brand, you light up hoping it’ll be the right one for you. Or maybe, you’ve used Beautycounter products and are looking for a worthy substitute. Perhaps, this is exactly why you are thinking about Oliveda, a German skincare company that entered the US market in 2023. Well, this Oliveda skincare review will help you make an informed decision as to whether this company is worth considering.
Oliveda Skincare Review
To begin with, Oliveda is a German wellness company that operates under the umbrella brand called “Olive Tree People.” The name “Oliveda” originates from the Latin word for olive, which reflects the active ingredients in Oliveda products derived from the olive tree. Although the company sprang into being over 20 years ago, it came to the US market in March 2023.
Next, according to the company’s founder Thomas Lommel, the olive tree and olive oil played a major role in his own health. Reportedly, he was healed from a serious illness thanks to polyphenols, namely Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol, found in the olive leaf in large concentrations. That inspired him to create a naturopathic elixir from the olive leaf from his own olive grove in Italy.
Later, he got an idea about how to incorporate the olive tree in topical products that he started developing as part of his holistic therapy program. Specifically, he discovered that, on average, a typical skincare product consisted of about 70% water, 25% oils and emulsifiers, and 5% active ingredients. So, instead of water in Oliveda face creams and serums, he decided to use the olive leaf antioxidant-rich elixir, and instead of refined oils, potentially used in a conventional skincare product, he used autochthonous Arbequina oil from his olive trees. The idea was to facilitate the process of replacement of dead skin cells with new ones, utilizing highly active ingredients.
Let’s discuss what ingredients you will and will not find in Oliveda skincare.
What Is Oliveda Skincare?
First off, Oliveda products range from skincare, like face creams, serums, and oils, to personal care products a elixirs for oral intake.
Further, Oliveda promotes its products as crafted to rejuvenate and protect the skin from environmental stressors. To achieve that, the company utilizes polyphenols found in the olive leaf to neutralize free radicals which can cause premature aging and damage to skin cells.
For this Oliveda skincare review, I studied the ingredients of all Oliveda products. Generally speaking, Oliveda uses much safer ingredients than most conventional skincare and personal care companies. Thus, you won’t find the common offenders in Oliveda skincare and other Olive Tree People products:
- cyclical silicones
- phenoxyethanol
- methylisothiazolinone
- methylchloroisothiazolinone
- benzisothiazolinone
- formaldehyde releasing preservatives or
- polysorbates and other ethoxylated ingredients.
On the minus side, though, there are some concerns about Oliveda products that I consider worth mentioning next.
Oliveda Ingredients
Concern | Reason for concern |
Aroma/fragrance/parfum (also, linalool, limonene, citral) (E.g., F42 Corrective Face Cream, F11 Activating Facial Toner) | Typically, “fragrance” is a blend of multiple ingredients, many of which are linked to allergies, sensitization, and even cancer and endocrine disruption. Although Oliveda’s website states that they use essential oils for their fragrance ingredients, they do not disclose them, which qualifies as a lack of transparency. Besides, even “natural” fragrance doesn’t necessarily translate to “safe.” |
Non-organic ingredients (E.g., F07 Anti Aging Face Cream, F76 Honey Enzyme Face Mask) | Although Oliveda’s website describes their products as “organic,” there are no ingredients on the products’ ingredient lists that are marked or labeled as “organic.” Non-organic plant extracts and oils may have residues of harmful pesticides and herbicides, and the sub ingredients in the extracts may not be the safest. |
Carbomer (E.g., B16 Cell Active Body Serum) | It’s a petrochemical ingredient made with acrylic acid that may contain benzene residues and be irritating and sensitizing for skin (CIR). |
Cocamidopropyl betaine (E.g., H23 All Hair Types Shampoo, B21 Moroccan Mint Shower Gel) | It may be contaminated with DMAPA which is a sensitizer. (Learn more in my post about cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.) |
Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate in orally taken products (E.g., I66 Hydroxytyrosol + Collagen The Beauty Fountain, I70 Hydroxytyrosol + Hyaluron The Beauty Molecule) | While I consider potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate preservatives some of the safest in topical application products, I do not recommend them in products for internal use. |
Does Oliveda Really Work?
After looking at the ingredients of Oliveda skincare, I can say that they are all right, but not special. I have seen better and more effective ingredient formulations for rejuvenating purposes.
In addition, Oliveda refers to its products as “waterless.” (Although, except for a few face oils, most of their products’ ingredient lists still feature water, albeit not listed as the very first ingredient, which means it’s used in smaller concentrations). Note that waterless beauty may not be the answer for everyone. Indeed, instead of adding moisture to your skin, the waterless product may suck out whatever moisture you had left in your skin. If you are experiencing skin dryness, you will benefit from my blog post about a skincare routine for dry skin.
While I haven’t used Oliveda skincare for the reasons stated in the previous section, I have heard some feedback from people who have. For instance, reportedly, F06 Cell Active Serum Face, though moisturizing, has an “off-putting” brown consistency and a strong fragrance, which may be problematic for sensitive people. Also, the user did not notice any reduction in fine lines or wrinkles.
Alternatives To Oliveda Products
Personally, in my skincare routine, I use some toxin-free skincare products by some US brands that I just love. They utilize very potent, anti-aging ingredients that successfully fight free radicals and rid my skin of dead skin cells. Specifically, my two favorite brands and great alternatives to Oliveda are Crunchi and Pure Haven.
Neither of these companies uses any of the ingredients of concern listed in the table above. Plus, because I know these two American companies inside-out, I can vouch that their active ingredients are of superb quality, very potent, and effective.
Crunchi
What I love about this women-owned debt-free company is their transparency and commitment to non-toxic ingredients. Crunchi has kept proving its trustworthiness since it was founded in 2015.
Particularly, I like the fact that Crunchi specializes in both high-performing non-toxic skincare and makeup. It’s great because I don’t have to look for one or the other elsewhere. Both skincare and makeup feel and look luxurious. Importantly, I have thoroughly studied every Crunchi skincare and makeup ingredient and stand by their safety.
Moreover, Crunchi uses such potent anti-aging ingredients as peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and vitamin C for dewy skin. Of course, they use olive oil and other skin loving extracts, butters, and oils as well. Please see some examples of Crunchi alternatives to Oliveda products below. (Get 10% off on your 1st purchase with the ADVOCATE10 code and my affiliate links.)
Oliveda Product | Crunchi Alternative |
F06 Cell Active Serum Face | Goldenlight Multi-Peptide Facial Serum |
F07 Anti Aging Face Cream | Daylight Advanced Facial Cream |
F08 Cell Active Face Cream | Nightlight Advanced Facial Cream |
F09 Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream | Powerlight Eye Cream |
F10 Olive Core Face Peeling | I Am Polished Facial Exfoliator |
F11 Activating Facial Toner | Clarilight Facial Essence |
F76 Honey Enzyme Face Mask | I AM Renewed Purifying Mask |
F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum Face | I Am Bright Vitamin C Serum |
On top of that, Crunchi carries Facial Sunscreen and Body Sunscreen for the entire family, wonderful makeup, and makeup brushes. I use Crunchi makeup exclusively because I know that it is third-party tested for heavy metals and has outstanding test results.
Pure Haven
Just like Crunchi, Pure Haven skincare company has been on the market for over 10 years and has also won my trust. They test for contaminants, source high-quality and high-purity ingredients, and value my advice on ingredient selection.
Unlike Crunchi, Pure Haven does not produce high-performing makeup, but they specialize in safe skincare with pre- and probiotics, unprecedented haircare, personal care, cleaning, and baby skincare products. Again, it’s a great plus because I don’t have to look for those products anywhere else. It’s one-stop shopping! Check out some examples of Pure Haven alternatives to Oliveda products below. (Get 15% off your 1st purchase with my affiliate links.)
Oliveda Product | Pure Haven Alternative |
F71 Corrective Cleansing Gel | Refresh Cleanser with Pre+Probiotics |
H23 All Hair Types Shampoo | Supergreens Shampoo and Conditioner |
B52 Grapefruit Rose Body Balm | Lemon Lime Hand and Body Lotion |
B21 Moroccan Mint Shower Gel | Watermelon Body Wash |
B57 Grapefruit Rose Body Butter | Mandarin Body Butter with Pre+Probiotics |
F87 Corrective Kahai Elixir | Hyaluronic Acid |
Conclusion: Should You Consider Oliveda Skincare?
In My Opinion, There Are Better Alternatives To Oliveda Skincare On The US Market, Such As Crunchi And Pure Haven.
In sum, after examining the ingredients of Oliveda skincare, I cannot say that they are more special than those of some local American non-toxic skincare brands, namely Crunchi and Pure Haven. These brands have been around for over 10 years, built and proved their reputation as that of clean and safe beauty brands, and, most importantly, do not have to go through growing pains. Plus, the prices are quite compatible or even lower than those of Oliveda products. Besides, waterless beauty products like those by Oliveda may not be right for many people.
In my skincare routine, I use toxin-free products by Crunchi (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on your 1st purchase) and Pure Haven (15% on your 1st purchase). Both companies implement effective, anti-aging ingredients that successfully fight free radicals and clear my skin of dead skin cells. If you are looking for alternatives to Beautycounter products or Oliveda products, consider Crunchi and Pure Haven first. (Learn more in my blog post Top 21 Beautycounter Alternatives For Clean Beauty Enthusiasts.)
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