Ozonated Oil and Ozonated Water

Ozonated oil and ozonated water are topical ozone products made by passing medical ozone through a pure plant oil or pure water. They make some of the properties attributed to ozone – disinfecting, soothing and supporting healing – available for use on the skin and mucous membranes in a practical way. They are used as a complement to medical care, under the advice of a physician; they are not a treatment for skin diseases or infections on their own.

Ozonated oil is made by ozonating an oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids, usually olive oil, over a long period, which creates stable compounds (ozonides and peroxides) and gives a gel- or cream-like texture that keeps its activity for a long time. Ozonated water is made by ozonating pure water briefly; because ozone does not last long in water, it must be used immediately after it is prepared. At our clinic in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, these products may be recommended as part of skin care or aftercare, with instructions for safe use.

What Is Ozonated Oil and How Is It Used on the Skin?

During production, ozone reacts with the double bonds of unsaturated fatty acids (especially oleic acid) in the oil through a series of reactions known as the Criegee mechanism. The ozone itself is used up and stable oxygen compounds – ozonides and peroxides – are formed. The oil thickens into a gel and gains a characteristic sharp smell. A good-quality ozonated oil keeps its activity stable for a long time and releases it slowly when applied to the skin.

Properties attributed to ozonated oil include:

• Antimicrobial activity: when applied, its compounds slowly break down and form reactive oxygen species that act against bacteria and fungi on the skin surface. It is used as a supportive product, for example for blemish-prone skin and in some topical fungal problems, alongside the treatment recommended by your doctor.
• Soothing effect: it is used to calm irritated skin and minor reactions such as insect bites.
• Supporting healing: it is used in caring for minor cuts and scrapes and in the aftercare of some procedures, as it is thought to support local circulation and the skin’s repair processes. Chronic or infected wounds always need medical care.

What Is Ozonated Water and What Is It Used For?

Ozonated water is pure, distilled or filtered water through which ozone produced by a medical generator has been passed for a short time (usually 5–15 minutes), so that it contains dissolved active ozone. Unlike ozonated oil, it is unstable: ozone in water turns back into oxygen within minutes, depending on temperature and pH. To benefit from it, it should be used immediately after preparation, generally within the first 20–30 minutes. Its main property is its strong disinfecting capacity: active ozone oxidises the walls and membranes of microorganisms on contact, and its only by-product is oxygen.

It is used, for example:

• As a facial toner for oily or blemish-prone skin, applied to cleansed skin with cotton or a spray, to refresh the skin.
• As a mouth rinse, to support oral hygiene (it must not be swallowed).
• For cleaning minor wounds and cuts, or as part of aftercare after some small procedures, when recommended by the physician.

How to Choose and Use Them Correctly

Ozonated oil and ozonated water serve different purposes because of their different physical and chemical properties. If you have a chronic skin condition or any wound or infection, always ask a doctor before using them. I provide detailed advice on how to use these products as a complement to medical treatment.

Ozonated Oil: For Longer-Lasting Care

• For the skin: make sure the area is clean and dry, take a small amount (about the size of a chickpea) on your fingertip and gently massage it into the area, usually once or twice a day on clean skin. For blemishes, it can be applied only to active spots.
• For minor cuts and scrapes: after cleaning, apply a thin layer. For scars, it may be used once stitches have been removed and the wound has closed, if your doctor agrees.
• Storage: keeping ozonated oil in the refrigerator helps preserve its activity for longer.

Ozonated Water: For Immediate Cleansing and Refreshing

• As a toner: apply to cleansed skin with cotton or a spray bottle; no rinsing is needed.
• As a mouth rinse: rinse with about half a tea glass for 30–60 seconds; do not swallow.
• For minor wound cleaning: rinse the area by pouring or with a syringe.

In short, ozonated oil is more a “care and repair” product, while ozonated water is a “cleanse and refresh” product. Both should be used sensibly and as a complement to – not a replacement for – medical advice and treatment.

This page is for general information. Suitability, possible side effects and expected results are assessed at a medical consultation; results vary between individuals.