I’m sharing the 411 on Oliveda serums and elixirs: what they are, how they work, and how to incorporate them into your safer skincare routine.
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Skincare has always felt quite complicated to me with its endless choices of brands and solutions. When I switched from Beautycounter to Oliveda, it took me a few weeks to wrap my brain around the different names, numbers, and product lines. Oliveda is a clean European brand, with 90+ products and counting. They are on the cutting edge of waterless beauty, excluding water as the main ingredient like most conventional skin care products, and replacing it with a proprietary hydroxytyrosol elixir. This means that instead of being mostly water with a smaller percentage of active ingredients, Oliveda products are made up completely of bioactive ingredients.
Here is a quick way to sort through the products:
- Black label = therapeutic line, great for everyone, based on the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol (HT)
- Gold label = corrective line (HT plus more active ingredients, higher cost, best for those showing signs of aging)
And remember the steps of a skincare routine are generally:
- Cleanse (oil or gel or both)
- Toner / Tonic
- Serum (different ones for day and night or what solution you’re after, Elixirs go in here!)
- Moisturize (different ones for day and night and by skin type)
- SPF = everyone
Oliveda has added another product to the mix: ELIXIRS! These are serum adjacent, and we’ll get into all the details below.
I have a full review on Oliveda products here, but today’s post is dedicated specifically to understanding Oliveda serums and elixirs: what they are, how they work, and how to incorporate them into your safer skincare routine. Let’s get into it!
Oliveda Serums & Elixirs
What is an Oliveda serum?
A serum is a concentrated skincare product designed to deliver targeted benefits such as hydration, anti-aging, or skin repair. Serums at Oliveda typically contain olive leaf extract, olive oil, and other natural ingredients that are rich in antioxidants and nutrients proven to deliver the best results for skin health. Serums should be applied after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing, helping to address specific skin concerns like fine lines, uneven skin tone, or dullness (You can reference this post for more on How To Apply Skincare Products In The Right Order).
There are two main everyday serums: one in the therapeutic black label line (F06) and one in the corrective gold label line (F59).
F06: Cell Active Face Serum
Benefits:
- Skin brightening
- Reduces redness
- It has a high concentration of Hydroxytyrosol, so it’s hydrating and beneficial without being overwhelming
- It’s less concentrated and active than F59
- It’s best for sensitive, younger, and acne prone skin, but works for all skin types
My Review: This was the first serum I tried and I fell in love with the clean, botanical scent and the gel-like texture. While the F59 might be a stronger serum for me at my age, I’m using the Cell Active serum in the mornings and the F59 in the evenings for now. I pair it with the Kahai Elixir in the mornings since that elixir is ok to wear in the sun.
F59: Corrective Face Serum (a.k.a. botox in a bottle)
Benefits:
- Includes paracress (plant-based alternative to botox) to tighten and lift
- Reduces appearance of pores
- Reduces hyperpigmentation: lightens and brightens
- Smooths out fine lines and wrinkles
- Good for mature, aging, dry and combo skin
My Review: The F59 is similar to the F06 Cell Active serum in its scent and texture. I’d say it has a more subtle scent and the texture isn’t quite as gel-like, but the ingredients are what I’m after most of all. This “Botox in a Bottle” has some pretty incredible videos/reels of people who are unable to move their forehead after continued use. I have not experienced this effect (nor did I expect to!!) but my forehead lines are looking pretty good to me.
I found this photo of me in 2019 recently and was shocked by my forehead with five years less aging:
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- 2019 / age 36
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- 2024 / age 41
I wouldn’t try to say that a topical product is going to perform miracles on someone in their 40s, but this is a pretty good sign that a good skincare routine is doing some good!
Booster Serums
These booster serums are often added for targeted solutions: hyperpigmentation, exfoliation, dryness. They are optional but helpful if you want to go all out!
F83: HT + Vitamin C Serum
If you’re looking for help with hyperpigmentation, vitamin C serum is the one to add. This is made with hydroxytyrosol, which is a super powerful antioxidant, and it also contains camu camu. It improves fine lines and wrinkles, neutralizes free radicals, and gives you a super radiant complexion. I put it on right after toning and follow with my F59 because it is ideal to layer serums lightest to heaviest. It smells like fresh berries!
Benefits:
- Visibly improves fine lines and wrinkles
- Prevents loss of firmness and provides a radiant complexion
- Over 1300% increased antioxidant power to simple vitamin C.
- Neutralizes free radicals on the upper layer of the skin to prevent the effects of ozone damage on the skin
- Water-free formulation without any fillers, ideal for normal, dry and sensitive skin types
F81: AHA + HT Serum
This 4.8% AHA acid-based serum is very similar to Beautycounter’s Overnight Resurfacing Peel. It increases cell turnover by gently exfoliating and removing dead skin which can cause build-up and breakouts. This process also reduces scarring on the skin’s surface and reduces and fights hyperpigmentation. It’s BRIGHT GREEN and smells very botanical with a touch of honey. I find it burns just a teeny bit – less than the Overnight Peel did. I use it a few times a week.
Benefits:
- Has an anti-aging effect, removes fine lines and smoothes even deeper wrinkles.
- Promotes blood circulation and improves the elasticity of the skin.
- Helps the skin to retain moisture better.
- Counteracts pigmentation spots and existing ones are gently lightened.
- Refines pores and improves skin texture.
- Improves blemished skin, removes pimples and reduces scars (such as from acne).
- Supports skin regeneration and boosts collagen production.
F86: Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Face Serum
I bought this serum because I often have dry, dehydrated skin, especially in the winter. I will say that I don’t reach for this one as often. I use it a few times a week when I’m doing a quick shower and need some hydration after. The plumping effect is great when you’re dehydrated.
Benefits:
- Best for dull, dry, dehydrated skin
- The smaller molecules (low-molecular) have a long-term effect deep in the skin, the larger molecules (high-molecular) give the upper layer of the skin a moisture boost, which makes the skin glow.
- Hydrating and plumping
- Repairs skin barrier
What is an Oliveda Elixir?
Oliveda Elixirs are their retinol and retinol-like products that boost your results from serums. For context, Bakuchiol is what was used in Beautycounter’s Countertime collection. The Oliveda product called “Green Retinol” has Bakuchiol on the ingredient list, not a derivative of Vitamin A. The only product in this list that has actual retinol is the Midnight which is distinguished by its name – only use at night!
Benefits of Elixirs:
- Anti-aging: cell turnover, collagen production, improves texture and tone, hyperpigmentation and mild scarring
- Nourishing, healing and super hydrating, no peeling or irritation
- Safe for sensitive skin: not harsh like synthetic prescription retinols, but provide similar results
- The retinol alternatives are safe for pregnancy and sunlight (but always consult with a doctor)
How To Use Oliveda Serums & Elixirs
These are two products that you want to pair together (mix and apply, not layer). The serum drives the oil from the elixir deeper into the skin. You certainly don’t have to use both, but they are some of the most effective products of a skincare routine. Morning and night, add 2-3 drops to the palms of the hands and massage with light circular movements on face, neck, and décolleté.
F87: Corrective Kahai Elixir
- This elixir combines Kahai oil with hydroxytyrosol to provide luminosity, hydration, elasticity, and firmness. It’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and oily skin.
- Retinol alternative derived from Kahai oil found in the nut of the Cacay tree
- Kahai Oil (3.8%) sourced from Cacay nut/tree
- High in vitamin E to nourish and hydrate
- Great for textured skin
- Can be used under the eye
- Good for mature skin
F82: Green Retinol Elixir
- This elixir contains olive fruit oil, Kahai seed oil, Bakuchiol, and other ingredients to tighten, nourish, and smooth skin. It’s also designed to minimize redness, counteract pigmentation, and protect against oxidative damage.
- Retinol alternative from the Bakuchiol plant
- Bakuchiol (2.5%) + Kahai Oil (1%)
- Great for acne prone skin: regulates sebum production
F65: Corrective Midnight Elixir
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This elixir combines retinol, arbequina and Kahai oil with hydroxytyrosol and a patented “Hyaluronic oil complex” to regenerate and tighten skin overnight.
- Vitamin A derived from fatty acids of fermented fish oil (2%)+ Kahai Oil (2.5%) + Vegan Hyaluronic
- Part of the Corrective line, so high in HT
- Super concentrated and effective
- Animal based vitamin A that is retinol palmitate (mild form of active retinol)
- Good for dry, combo skin and acne prone skin
- Only use at night
- Pairs well with F59 or F86 for dewy plump skin
OLIVEDA SKIN QUIZ: GET A FREE PRODUCT
If you’re unsure of 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 Skincare Quiz and buy two of the recommended products, you get a free full-size product as a gift. You don’t have to buy anything right away, especially if what you want is out of stock. Just save your quiz link and you can use it at a later date.
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