What is Oliveda? My Guide to Olive Tree People, Waterless Beauty, and the Products I Love

My introduction to Oliveda came with two competing thoughts: “Those ingredients sound interesting” and “Please tell me this isn’t another Instagram sales pitch.”

You know the scene. Beautiful bottles. Impressive before-and-after photos. Women who seem very enthusiastic about something you hadn’t heard of five minutes ago.

The ingredients caught my attention. The idea of “waterless” skincare made me curious. The possibility of becoming an affiliate appealed to me, too. I thought, “If I can earn enough to cover the products, that would be a win.” I knew that I would want to spend some quality time with the products before I started recommending them.

So, after a bit of research, I became an Olive Tree People affiliate in May 2025. I spent more than a year using the products and getting familiar with them before making a serious effort to share them. Here’s what I’ve learned, what the different names mean, and which bottles have earned a place among my favorites.

Affiliate disclosure: I’m an Olive Tree People affiliate and earn a commission when you purchase through my links. The personal experiences and opinions shared here are my own.

Already curious where to begin? Take the OliveBrain quiz.

First, what’s the difference between Olive Tree People and Oliveda?

Olive Tree People is the company behind a family of beauty and wellness brands. Oliveda is one of those brands - the one you may recognize from its dark amber glass bottles, white labels, and product codes that look a little like your high school locker combination.

The founder is Thomas Lommel. According to the company’s history, he developed the first Oliveda product, the I01 Elixir, in 2001 working from a treehouse in an olive tree. No joke. The olive tree remains central to the brand’s identity, from its ingredients to its conservation projects.

Oliveda’s approach goes beyond olive oil. Its story centers on olive leaf extracts and hydroxytyrosol, an antioxidant associated with olives. You’ll see those ingredients mentioned throughout its materials, alongside other ingredients that vary by product.

What does “waterless skincare” actually mean?

This was the idea that first made me stop scrolling.

If you’ve ever checked a skincare ingredient list, you may have noticed “aqua,” or water, near the beginning. Oliveda describes its approach as replacing the conventional water base with olive leaf cell elixir in many of its formulas.

The simplest way I understand it: olive leaf extract takes the lead in those products. Check each bottle’s ingredient list, though, because the formulas vary.

There is a useful distinction here: “waterless” does not mean every product contains absolutely no water. The company explains that water can appear through other ingredients, and some of its published ingredient lists include aqua. Oil-based products have different compositions, too.

I’m drawn to that olive-focused approach, but the word “waterless” alone isn’t proof that a product will outperform every other formula. For me, the deciding factor has been how much I enjoy using these products and how my skin feels with my routine.

The company also says it sources raw materials from its organically eco-certified mountain olive trees. That sourcing matters to me; I still look at each product’s individual ingredients rather than assuming every bottle is identical.

What does Olive Tree People sell?

There’s more here than a cleanser and a face cream. Here’s a quick orientation to some of the main offerings.

Oliveda Face Care: Cleansers, toners, serums, face oils, creams, masks, eye care and lip care.

Oliveda Body and Hair Care: Shower products, body care, hand and foot care, shampoo, and scalp treatments.

“Inside” products: Ingestible elixirs and supplements, including I70 The Beauty Molecule. These are a separate category from topical skincare.

Olive Rose: Makeup, including complexion products, for readers interested in the brand’s approach to a natural-looking finish.

LA DOPE: A separate beauty line with face and body products and a hemp-focused brand story.

OliveMush: A beverage blend featuring olive leaf, mushrooms, cacao, and spices, marketed as an alternative morning ritual to coffee.

Is That Matty: A pet-focused line.

Aristaeos: Colostrum supplement containing hydroxytyrosol.

The range continues to evolve, so this is an introduction rather than a complete catalog. I haven’t tried every product available. I’m especially interested in trying the OliveMush and Aristaeos, and I’ll definitely share my experience once I have. My firsthand favorites are listed below and are Oliveda products.

Explore the Oliveda collection.

My experience with Oliveda at 50

At 50, my skin priorities include balance, brightness, and finding products I enjoy enough to use consistently. Fine lines haven’t been my biggest concern. The occasional breakout and uneven-looking pigmentation have been more noticeable to me.

I love the scents, the ingredient focus, and how the products make my skin feel. Over the time I’ve used them, I’ve noticed fewer breakouts than I experienced with other products and my skin has looked clearer, more balanced and brighter to me.

Those observations developed gradually. I noticed small changes after about 2 months; by roughly 16 months, what I appreciated most was the consistency of my experience. That’s my timeline, not a deadline for anyone else’s skin, nor is it evidence that a particular bottle of product caused every change.

What I can confidently share is that I like this routine enough to keep using it. A lovely product that lives untouched in a drawer isn’t doing much for anyone.

The six Oliveda products on my favorites list

My personal Oliveda favorites.

F06, F38, F74, F82, F85 & I70

These are the products in my own favorites photo. I’ve included both the names and numbers because, apparently, remembering everyone’s appointments wasn’t enough work for our brains.

F38 Purifying Cleansing Gel. The cleanser. This is Oliveda’s foaming facial cleansing gel. If you’re getting familiar with the range, this is the cleansing step among my favorites - a useful place to begin comparing your current routine with what the brand offers. I love the scent as well as the suds, and it leaves my face feeling soft.

F06 Cell Active Serum Face. The hydrating serum. F06 is a facial serum featuring olive leaf cell extract, with ingredients including glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. The brand positions it for hydration and the appearance of mature skin. This is the product I use the most, it leaves my skin feeling plumped and hydrated.

F74 Regeneration Intense Face Cream. The face cream. F74 is the moisturizer in this lineup. Its ingredient list includes olive leaf cell extract, olive fruit oil, sodium hyaluronate, and kahai seed oil. It’s one to explore if a face cream is the missing piece in the routine you’re considering. I absolutely love this thick cream, a little goes a long way.

F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir. The facial oil elixir. Despite the name, the “green retinol” ingredient here is bakuchiol, which is not the same ingredient as retinol. The listed formula includes olive fruit oil, kahai seed oil, and bakuchiol, an ingredient marketed as a retinol alternative. That distinction is helpful when comparing it with something you already use. A memorable name is nice; understanding the bottle is better. I use this one before bed as part of my night time routine.

F85 Acne SOS Face Drops. The targeted drops. F85 is marketed for blemish-prone skin. Its ingredients include olive leaf cell extract, potassium azeloyl diglycinate, and azelaic acid. The brand’s directions describe applying it to targeted areas after cleansing. Just one tiny droplet works on my trouble spots.

I70 The Beauty Molecule. The ingestible option. I70 is a liquid supplement, not a serum for your face. Its ingredients include olive extract, hydroxytyrosol, sodium hyaluronate, fruit juice concentrates, and other ingredients. It's a personal favorite, but you don’t need to add a supplement to explore Oliveda skincare. Review its label and check with your healthcare professional about suitability, particularly if you take medications.

What about the price - and the bigger picture?

Some of these products are an investment. I’m comfortable saying that because thoughtful recommendations should leave room for real budgets.

For me, their value comes from enjoying the products, appreciating the ingredients and continuing to use them. My personal experience has been that the cleanser and the targeted drops have lasted the longest. I find myself running out of the face cream and the ingestible much more quickly. You can start with one product that fits your needs and budget. My favorites list is a reference (as is the product list that OliveBrain will help to curate for you), not a six-product entrance fee. Do what works for you.

I also appreciate the company’s Oliveda for Africa project. According to Olive Tree People, the initiative began in 2013 and includes building wells to improve access to water in African communities.

That effort speaks to my desire to support businesses that give back. It’s a specific initiative I’m glad to see, rather than a reason to assume every product has a similar environmental footprint or that a particular purchase funds a particular well.

Where should you start?

Start with what you want from your skincare routine, then use the OliveBrain quiz to explore the company’s product suggestions. It offers a starting point without requiring you to memorize the catalog. It is a shopping tool, not a skin diagnosis.

Review the suggestions alongside the ingredients, directions and your budget. My favorites can help you get acquainted with the range, but your choices should make sense for you.

If the quiz leaves you with questions, send me a note through my website’s contact form. I’m happy to share what I’ve used and help you find the relevant product information.

I took my time getting to know Oliveda. Now, I’m happy to share the products I love - and make that first look a little less confusing for you. For more about the company’s history and ingredients, explore the sources liked throughout this post.