Does Oliveda F59 Corrective Face Serum Really Work? My Honest Review

Hey, natural skincare lovers! Today, I’m diving into my experience with the Oliveda F59 Hydroxytyrosol Corrective Serum Face. You guys have been ALL over my DMs asking if this serum is worth the splurge, and with all the impressive before-and-afters I’ve seen online, I had to give it a go. So here we are!

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This post covers:

• About Oliveda: Is it a Clean Brand?
• What Is the Oliveda F59 Hydroxytyrosol Serum?
• My First Impressions & Initial Thoughts
• Pros & Cons
• Final Verdict: Worth the Hype?
• Other Low Tox Products with Paracress

First off, a little disclaimer: I am NOT an Oliveda consultant, nor do I have any plans to start selling it! (I prefer to support non-MLM companies). I also purchased the serum with my own moola, and this is completely unsponsored. My goal with this review is to provide you with honest feedback so you can decide whether it’s worth the investment yourself.

About Oliveda: Is it a Clean Brand? 🫒

Oh, if I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if Oliveda is actually non-toxic and my thoughts on the brand as a whole 🙃

Oliveda is a part of the Olive Tree People umbrella brand, headquartered in Germany, and was founded by Thomas Lommel in 2001. More recently, in 2023, the company has blown up in the US market.

Oliveda is known for its olive-derived skincare, specifically products featuring hydroxytyrosol, a powerful antioxidant from the olive tree with impressive anti-inflammatory properties.

They also claim to be waterless. This is a little deceiving, in my opinion, because they just don’t use water as the primary ingredient, but is still part of the formula (usually third or fourth on the ingredient list). I’ve had Oliveda consultants tell me they don’t add water, but it has to be included in the INCI since some ingredients innately contain water? 🤔

Anyway, for the most part, I do consider Oliveda to be a cleaner, low tox brand. There are ingredients that concern me in some of their products:

• Alcohol Denat: Alcohol that has been cut with another substance; the issue is that endocrine-disrupting phthalates are often used in the process.
• Behentrimonium Chloride: A quaternary ammonium compound found in the Hair & Scalp Treatment. It can be a formaldehyde releaser and is linked to reproductive toxicity and skin sensitivity.
• Carbomer: A petroleum byproduct that may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are linked to cancer.
• Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: Another quaternary ammonium compound.
• Homosalate & Ethylhexyl Salicylate: Chemical sunscreens found in the Corrective Face Cream. These are the most alarming ingredients in their products that I highly recommend skipping.
• Lake Dyes: Found in the Olive Rose makeup line, I typically don’t avoid these, but wanted to point them out in case you prefer natural pigments.
• Propylene Glycol: Found in the F60 Eye Cream, this may contain hidden ethylene oxide, 1,4 dioxane, and nitrosamines, which are known human carcinogens.
• Parfum/Fragrance/Aroma: I steer clear of all undisclosed synthetic fragrances. You will see these terms on Oliveda’s ingredient lists, and I was originally under the impression that since Oliveda is based in Europe, they must label all fragrance allergens as “perfume” or “fragrance” according to EU Cosmetics Regulation, even if those are naturally derived. This is why you’ll also see plant allergens listed on the label (compounds such as eugenol, geraniol, limonene, and linalool from essential oils). While this is true, I recently learned that Oliveda DOES, in fact, also add undisclosed “natural” fragrances, which is disappointing.
• Phenoxyethanol: Found in the Olive Rose makeup line, I prefer to avoid this preservative when possible.

Wanna learn more about reading ingredient labels and what to avoid? Download this Ingredient Index! It has a glossary of 60+ ingredients to watch out for in your cosmetics, cleaning, and personal care products. Plus, sources and studies for further reading.

What Is the Oliveda F59 Hydroxytyrosol Serum?

Today, we’re gonna focus on one of the best sellers that is frequently sold out, the F59 serum, which is often referred to as “Botox in a bottle.” This serum also includes paracress extract, labeled “nature’s botox” because it’s thought to provide an instant firming effect, reduce the look of fine lines, and offer an anesthetic-like effect to tighten the skin’s surface. The brand claims that with regular use, this serum can stimulate collagen, helping to support elasticity and minimize visible signs of aging over time.

As with anything that’s super viral or trendy, I approach it with skepticism. Especially since I kept seeing consultants rave about how their skin was magically transformed after only like two weeks…

Nevertheless, I gave the serum its due diligence and tried it for a few months!

Related post: “11 Natural & Effective Ways to Prevent & Smooth Wrinkles (without Botox!)”

My First Impressions & Initial Thoughts

The first thing I noticed was the subtle, pleasant scent. I know some Oliveda products can be quite fragrant, so this was a relief—a fresh, light smell that fades quickly. Application-wise, I loved the way it felt going on. The texture is smooth, and it dries down quickly to a soft, almost matte finish. Right off the bat, there’s a firming sensation, and I could feel that effect right as it set. If you’ve ever used a tightening or firming serum, it’s that instant, slightly taut feeling on the skin—in a good way!

Let’s Talk Pros & Cons

👍 Pros:

• Mild Scent: The smell is subtle and refreshing. If you’re sensitive to strong scents in skincare, you’ll likely find this to be a gentle option that’s not overpowering.
• Smooth, Fast-Drying Texture: The application process is actually enjoyable! The serum has a goopy, gelly texture that glides on nicely, dries quickly, and gives that soft, firm finish that feels pleasant to the touch.
• Instant Tightening Effect: While I’m not sure about the long-term impact, the serum does create an instant firming sensation on the skin. It might have potential to help prevent deepening of fine lines over time by slightly restricting movement (similar to wrinkle patches).
• Glass Bottle: Always good to see products packaged in sustainable materials.

👎 Cons:

• Price Point: At around $100, this serum is a definite investment. I have high expectations for anything that costs this much! I kind of think Oliveda products are overpriced in general, too.
• Pilling with Other Products: Here’s the tricky part—the serum does NOT play well with all products. When layered over or under oily or rich creams (or tallow), it starts to pill horribly, creating these little flakes and bunches that can be frustrating. It basically feels like the serum disintegrates. I found that using a light lotion instead of a facial oil reduced pilling, but you have to be cautious with how you layer it. Also, trying to pat in the moisturizer instead of doing circular rubbing motions helps.
• Mixed Results on Fine Lines: I don’t have major wrinkles, but I have a couple of fine lines on my forehead that I hoped might show some improvement. Honestly, I didn’t see a difference here. I’ve heard mixed reviews from my readers, with some people raving about reduced wrinkles and others saying they saw little to no change, so it seems to be a hit-or-miss.
• Effect Seems Temporary: While the serum gives a firming sensation when you’re wearing it, I haven’t noticed any lasting improvement once it’s washed off. This may be more of a temporary cosmetic effect than a true anti-aging solution, at least based on my experience. This can help smooth wrinkles over time since it’s restricting movement, but don’t expect it to work exactly like Botox, where your muscles are frozen.

Related post: “Your Guide to Clean Retinols & Most Effective Natural Retinol Alternatives”

Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?

All in all, I’m feeling a bit mixed on the Oliveda F59 Hydroxytyrosol Corrective Serum. Don’t get me wrong—it’s mostly enjoyable to use, and I love the initial firming effect. But for the price, I anticipated more tangible results in my fine lines, especially since it’s marketed as an age-defying powerhouse.

If you’re someone who likes experimenting with higher-end skincare and you’re okay with a lofty price point, you might enjoy the serum for its texture, light scent, and temporary firming effect. But if you’re looking for a transformative product that delivers dramatic results, it might be a bit of a letdown.

Would I repurchase it? At $100, I’m leaning towards no. If it were more budget-friendly, I’d *maybe* consider it, but given the subtlety of the results and the pilling issue, I’m not sold on it as a must-have.

Other Low Tox Products with Paracress:

Here are some comparable products on the market that use paracress (acmella oleracea) and are more affordable.

• Bloomeffects Royal Tulip Facial Oil
• Indie Lee Retinol Alternative Cream and Restorative Eye Cream
• Radiance Rebel RebelTox Serum
• Yuni Zenicure Rejuvenating Facial Oil

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I’d love to hear from any of you who’ve tried it! Drop a comment and let me know if you saw any lasting improvements or if you had a similar experience to mine. Your experiences help us all find the gems that truly work, so let’s keep sharing! Thanks so much for reading 💚