Open any kitchen cabinet and you’ll find a bottle of EVOO. Whether you cook every night or order takeout five nights a week, olive oil is the great kitchen equalizer. But somewhere between charred vegetables and hunks of crusty bread, you might be surprised to learn it’s just as useful in your skincare routine as it is in your cast-iron skillet.
For good reason: Naturally rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E, plenty of research suggests olive oil helps support the skin barrier, lock in moisture, and maintain skin elasticity. And few brands have embraced that idea more than Wonder Valley. The California-based company launched in 2014 with a single product—extra-virgin olive oil—before expanding into skincare five years later. Today, olive oil remains the throughline across its cleansers, serums, and body-care products.
Wonder Valley might sell pantry staples and skincare, but what co-founders Alison and Jay Carroll are really betting on is the power of olive oil itself.
“Having a diet heavy in true extra-virgin olive oil has several benefits: healthy omegas for heart health, antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory properties,” Alison says. Whether you, like Alison and Jay, take a shot of olive oil before your morning coffee, or just drizzle it over lunch, it’s long been valued for its nutritional benefits and is associated with supporting healthy cholesterol levels.
You don’t build an entire skincare line around olive oil without being a little obsessive. Before co-founding the brand, Alison worked as the marketing director for the California Olive Oil Council in Berkeley. There, she ran a blind tasting panel of olive oil experts to help ensure that products labeled “extra-virgin olive oil” actually met the standard. The job also introduced her to the growers, millers, and producers who still shape the brand’s approach.
What separates Wonder Valley starts in the grove. The brand harvests its olives early, while they’re still bright green, which Alison says produces an oil with a “higher concentration in polyphenols,” a plant-based antioxidant, and a vibrant herbaceous flavor.
I’ve had Wonder Valley in my bathroom cabinet for years, long before Jenna Lyons was gifting it on RHONY. From the olive oil that makes potatoes and salads unfairly good to the body scrub and face serum, my wife and I fight over 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
Wonder Valley
Sandalwood Yuzu Shampoo + Conditioner
This is one of the best-smelling shampoo-and-conditioner duos I’ve ever tried. The yuzu and tangerine scent really blooms in the shower, filling the room with a fresh, citrusy aroma. It’s made without synthetic ingredients, and the lightweight 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.