Hydrogenated Olive Oil

What is Hydrogenated Olive Oil?

Hydrogenated olive oil comes from olive oil extracted from Olea europaea fruits, a process that adds hydrogen to its fatty acids, transforming the liquid oil into a stable, waxy solid. This hydrogenation saturates double bonds, boosting resistance to rancidity and improving shelf life in cosmetics. Commonly found in moisturizers, lip balms, and creams, it serves as an emollient to soften skin by forming a protective barrier that helps retain moisture. As a viscosity controlling agent, it thickens formulations, ensuring smooth application and even distribution. Its plant-based origin appeals to natural skincare preferences, while its non-comedogenic nature suits various skin types in leave-on and rinse-off products.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores

EWG Safety Rating 1 View on EWG →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Skin conditioning agent

Maintains skin softness, smoothness, and flexibility.

Viscosity controlling agent

Adjusts thickness to the desired level for stability and usability, improving dispensing, suspension, and texture across many formulation types.

Benefits

Provides emollient effects to maintain skin softness and flexibility.

Acts as a viscosity controller for better product stability and texture.

Non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit	Who Should Avoid
People with dry or rough skin seeking softening agents.	Anyone with known allergies to olive oil or olives.
Individuals preferring plant-derived thickeners in creams and balms.	People sensitive to hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Those needing stable, non-greasy emollients in daily routines.	Those preferring fully anhydrous or oil-free formulations.

Safety Notes

Rated low hazard by EWG with scores of 1.
Generally recognized as safe for cosmetic use with no major restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hydrogenated Olive Oil

What is hydrogenated olive oil?

A semi-solid derivative of olive oil made stable through hydrogenation, used for emolliency and thickening in cosmetics.

Is it safe for sensitive skin?

It carries a low EWG hazard rating and shows no significant irritation concerns in typical use.

Does it cause breakouts?

With a comedogenic rating of 0, it is unlikely to contribute to pore clogging.