You have probably walked past a bottle of olive oil on your kitchen counter a thousand times without giving it a second thought. It sits there next to the salt and pepper, utterly ordinary. Yet one of the most glamorous women in cinema history turned that same pantry staple into a cornerstone of her beauty routine – and at 91, her skin still looks remarkably radiant. Before you dismiss the idea as an outdated Hollywood myth, it turns out a board-certified dermatologist recently weighed in, and her verdict might change how you look at your next grocery run.

A kitchen staple with roots in ancient beauty rituals

We tend to assume that effective skincare has to come in a sleek bottle with a clinical-sounding ingredient list. So the notion that a cooking oil could rival modern serums sounds almost too simple. But olive oil’s reputation as a beauty treatment is far from new. People in ancient Greece recognized extra virgin olive oil as highly effective in beauty applications, meaning this particular hack has been trusted for thousands of years.

Sophia Loren, the Italian icon who became the first actor to win an Academy Award for a foreign-language performance, brought the tradition into the spotlight decades ago. Beyond following an olive oil-heavy Mediterranean diet, Loren regularly used the oil as a moisturizer. Her signature move? Pouring a few capfuls directly into her baths to keep her skin soft. The woman turned 91 years old in 2025 and still looks stunning, which naturally raises the question: is there real science behind this ritual, or is it pure Old Hollywood folklore?

What a dermatologist says about olive oil on your skin

Dr. Dara Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates, has confirmed that olive oil absolutely has a place in modern skincare. According to Dr. Spearman, the oil delivers deep hydration, fights free radicals – unstable molecules that damage cells and accelerate aging – and supports a healthy skin barrier.

The science lines up neatly. Olive oil contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that can improve internal health when consumed, and it is rich in vitamin E, a nutrient known for preserving and protecting the skin’s barrier. That dual action, inside and out, may help explain why Loren still looks amazing in her 90s. On top of that, olive oil can improve overall hair health and even serve as a treatment for chapped lips, making it a surprisingly versatile addition to your self-care arsenal.

However, Dr. Spearman is clear that olive oil can have different effects depending on your skin type. The oil is quite heavy and has the potential to clog pores and cause breakouts. For that reason, she recommends that anyone with oily or acne-prone skin steer clear of Loren’s olive oil approach altogether. If your complexion runs dry, though, incorporating the oil can bring some much-needed moisture back into your skin.

How to actually recreate the olive oil bath at home

If you want to try the ritual yourself, Dr. Spearman offers a precise method. Pour 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil into warm bath water while the tap is still running. Because the oil does not actually mix into the water, it is not fully diluted. Instead, it floats and is absorbed directly into the skin where it can be most beneficial.

For optimal results, she recommends soaking for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the full benefits to take effect. You can repeat the ritual once a week, or bump it up to twice weekly if your skin is very dry. That modest frequency means a single bottle of extra virgin olive oil could fuel your beauty routine for months – not a bad return on a pantry-price investment.

There is one practical caveat worth mentioning. After you drain the tub, the oily residue left behind creates a major slipping hazard. Make it a habit to thoroughly clean your bathtub immediately after every olive oil soak. A quick wipe-down with dish soap or an all-purpose cleaner takes care of it, and it is a step you genuinely should not skip.

The takeaway you can use tonight

Here is what you know now that you did not before: a beauty secret practiced since ancient Greece, popularized by one of Hollywood’s most iconic faces, and validated by a modern dermatologist is probably already sitting in your kitchen. Olive oil delivers deep hydration, antioxidant protection, and skin-barrier support – as long as your skin type can handle it. If you are on the drier side, 2-4 tablespoons in a warm bath once or twice a week may be the simplest upgrade your routine has ever seen. Sometimes the most effective solutions really are the most unassuming ones.