Open any kitchen cabinet and you’ll find a bottle of EVOO. Whether you cook every night or order take-out five nights a week, olive oil is a great tool for the kitchen. But somewhere between the charred vegetables and the pieces of crusty bread, you might be surprised to learn that it’s just as useful in your skin-care routine as it is in your cast-iron pan.
For good reason: Naturally rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E, lots of research shows that olive oil helps repair the skin barrier, retain moisture, and maintain skin elasticity. And some brands have embraced that idea more Wonder Valley. The California-based company launched in 2014 with a single product—extra-virgin olive oil—before expanding into skin care five years later. Today, olive oil remains a staple in its cleansers, serums and body-care products.
Wonder Valley may sell pantry staples and skincare, but co-founders Alison and Jay Carroll are really betting on the power of olive oil.
“Eating a diet rich in real extra-virgin olive oil has many benefits: healthy omegas for heart health, antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory properties,” says Allison. Whether you, like Alison and Jay, take a shot of olive oil before your morning coffee, or simply drizzle it on during lunch, it has long been valued for its nutritional benefits and has been associated with supporting healthy cholesterol levels.
You can’t build an entire skin care line around olive oil without getting a little obsessed. Before co-founding the brand, Alison worked as the director of marketing for the California Olive Oil Council in Berkeley. There, they ran a blind test panel of olive oil experts to help ensure that products labeled “extra-virgin olive oil” actually conformed to the standard. The job also introduced him to growers, millers and growers who still shape the brand’s vision.
What sets Wonder Valley apart starts in the grove. The brand harvests its olives early, while they’re still bright green, which Alison says produces an oil “high in concentration in polyphenols,” a plant-based antioxidant, and a vibrant herb flavor.
I’ve had Wonder Valley in my bathroom cabinet for years, long before Jenna Lyons gifted it to me Rhony. From the olive oil that makes potatoes and salads unrealistically good, to the body scrubs and face serums that my wife and I fight for, to the last drop. Below are seven of Wonder Valley’s best products, all powered by olive oil and gentle enough for both your face and body.
Wonder Valley Products in My Rotation
Sandalwood Yuzu Shampoo + Conditioner Bundle
This is one of the best smelling shampoo and conditioner duos I’ve tried. The scent of yuzu and tangerine really blossoms in the shower, filling the room with a fresh, citrus scent. It’s made without synthetic ingredients, and the mild formula works well for all hair types. It doesn’t produce a rich, foamy lather, but it leaves my hair hydrated, soft and with a healthy shine.
