Dry Oils in Skin Care

Dry oils are a category of polyunsaturated oils which harden when oxidized so they do not feel wet or greasy on the skin.

A dry oil does not cause skin dryness, nor are these oils dried or powdered when used for skin care.

The term “dry oil” is used more as a trendy skin care topic and is not a general scientific term. It refers to oils that solidify into filmy textures when oxidized.

Products containing dry oils can be used to treat conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, and other skin conditions.

Find your Baumann Skin Type to see if dry oils are right for you!

What is a dry oil?

Dry oils are commonly found in products meant to leave a long lasting dry feeling coat on the skin.

They are not typical oils because they’re not solid and creamy at room temperature and they do not make the skin feel greasy.

Dry oils contain unsaturated fatty acids, which are more liquid at room temperature and feel dry on the skin.

What are the differences between saturated and unsaturated oils?

Dry oils are made from unsaturated fatty acids which are not as solid at room temperate as saturated fatty acids are.

Unsaturated fats are tyrosinase inhibitors, so they are regularly used in skin lightening products.

Oils made with saturated fats have a more solid and are creamier than oils made of unsaturated fats. The filmy texture of oils with a preponderance of unsaturated fatty acids is why we call these ” dry oils”.

The name “dry oil” has been incorrected adopted in the skin care industry because they do moisturize the skin and do not dry the skin. However they feel more dry on the skin than saturated oils do.

saturated vs unsaturated fat

Are dry oils good for the skin?

Dry oils can be used to hydrate skin or repair your skin barrier, however they are preferred by oily skin types who really do not need to be using oil on the skin anyway.

This is why it is critical to know your Baumann Skin Type before buying any type of oil for your skin.

Dry oils are commonly used to moisturize dry skin, but they may not be best for your dry skin type.

There are many causes and treatments for dry skin, so choose products base don which of the 16 skin types you have.

Take the Quiz

Which dry oils are used in skin care?

Many polyunsaturated fats can be found in skin care products.

The most commonly used polyunsaturated fats, or dry oils, in skin care products are:

Argan oil

Avocado oil

Borage seed oil

Evening primrose oil

Grapeseed oil

Olive oil

Rosehip oil

Safflower oil

Sunflower oil

Sesame oil

Soybean oil

Tsubaki oil

What is the best dry oil for use on the face?

The best “dry oil” for the face depends upon what your skin type and skin concern is.

Argan oil is typically considered among the best oils for red, sensitive skin, dry or other skin types.

Argan oil hydrates with stearic acid soothes inflammation with a high concentration of linoleic acid.

It is the perfect oil for rosacea and inflamed eczema. Argan is also a good psoriasis oil.

Dry oils are good for treating many kinds of inflammation.

benefits of dry oil

What are the benefits of dry oils?

Like most oils in skin care, dry oils have multiple functions in skin care products.

Dry oils are occlusive, meaning they can help prevent evaporation of water off the skin and be used for “skin slugging.”

Oils in skin care products provide hydrating fatty acids and lipids to the skin barrier, helping it repair damage and hold onto moisture.

Do dry oils dry the skin?

Dry oils do not dry the skin. The oils themselves oxidize, or, dry into filmy substance when exposed to oxygen. This filmy substance hydrates the skin.

No oils decrease sebum production or dry the skin.

Can you use dry oils with retinoids?

Yes, skin care products containing dry oils can be used with retinoids.

Some occlusive dry oils are used in regimen with retinoids in different ways:

Retinoids are absorbed better into the skin barrier when applied before a dry oil

Less retinol get in the skin if the retinol is applied after a dry oil

Improper use of retinoids can cause inflammation and other side effects.

The type of oil you choose for your skin care routine will affect how well retinoids work.

moisturizer and retinoids

What Kinds of Products Use Dry Oils?

Dry oils, or (poly)unsaturated fats, can be found in a number of styles of skin care products including:

Moisturizers

Spreadable body oils

Body oil sprays

Facial washes

Cleansers

Serums

What is the best dry oil body spray?

Look for body sprays with safflower or grapeseed oil for their high concentration of linoleic acid.

High concentration of fatty acids like linoleic acid are a good indicator that an oil is a dry oil.

Two other polyunsaturated fatty acids to look for in dry oil body sprays are eicosatetraenoic and acid docosahexaenoic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid).

Argan oil is also a good dry oil used in skin care products.

Here are some products that contain dry oils:

Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream

$95.70

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Soothing Cream Moisturizer

$77.56

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Stem Cell Cream

$180.00

Add to Cart

Blue Lizard Australian Kids Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+

$8.99

Out of Stock

DermAvance Arnika Forte Capsules

$40.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum

$126.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol

$89.50

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer

$89.66

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 15

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, (10 ampoules)

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 50 (10 ampoules)

$195.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream

$95.70

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Soothing Cream Moisturizer

$77.56

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Stem Cell Cream

$180.00

Add to Cart

Blue Lizard Australian Kids Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+

$8.99

Out of Stock

DermAvance Arnika Forte Capsules

$40.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum

$126.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol

$89.50

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer

$89.66

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 15

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, (10 ampoules)

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 50 (10 ampoules)

$195.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream

$95.70

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Soothing Cream Moisturizer

$77.56

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Stem Cell Cream

$180.00

Add to Cart

Blue Lizard Australian Kids Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+

$8.99

Out of Stock

DermAvance Arnika Forte Capsules

$40.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum

$126.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol

$89.50

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer

$89.66

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 15

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, (10 ampoules)

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 50 (10 ampoules)

$195.00

Out of Stock

Thanks for reading our article on Dry Oils in Skin Care! If you’d like to learn more about which ingredients are right for your skin care regimen, please take the Baumann Skin Type questionnaire!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected