skin-care

The Best Dry Oils, According to Dermatologists and Naturopathic Doctors

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If you’ve been in the market for a moisturizer or reading up on fighting acne, you may have come across a category of products called “dry oils.” The name sounds like an oxymoron, but the class of light, fast-absorbing oils are actually a favorite of dermatologists and naturopathic doctors for treating everything from generally parched skin to eczema. “I love dry oils because they absorb fully into the skin with no greasy feeling afterward, as opposed to wet oils — such as mineral oils like Johnson’s baby oil — that don’t absorb as well and sit on top of the skin,” says Dr. Anna Karp, a dermatologist at The Skin Institute of New York, who recommends applying dry oil right after showering to lock in moisture.

According to Karp and many of the eight other dermatologists and naturopathic doctors we spoke to, dry oils are usually plant-based and tend to pack a lot of antioxidants. Amy Galper, an aromatherapist and co-founder of the New York Institute of Aromatic Studies, says that dry oils have properties that “have a great affinity to the lipids that exist naturally in our skin,” which is helpful for supporting the skin’s natural barrier “to keep moisture in, and pathogens out, and to heal and nourish the skin.” But “dry oil” is a fairly broad term — some of the experts we talked to said it applies to any fast-absorbing oil, while others said it refers specifically to cold-pressed nut or seed oils — so we set out to find out which oils are the best for specific skin conditions, as well as which ones were ideal for daily use. Read on for our experts’ picks, which include everyday dry oils, ones for acne-prone or other types of sensitive skin, and even some for your hair.

Best overall dry oil

While many of the dry oils further down on this list offer specific benefits, jojoba is the dry oil that our experts recommend for general use, both on the body and face. “Most people find jojoba seed oil very fast absorbing,” says Galper. Aba T. Gyepi-Garbrah, an aromatherapist and founder of Aba Love Apothecary, told us that the texture of jojoba oil “is similar to our skin’s natural sebum, which makes it very popular as a face and body moisturizer for most skin types.” Gyepi-Garbrah also notes that jojoba is “virtually odorless,” making it ideal for those searching for an unscented body oil. If you are looking for something with a scent, though, jojoba mixes well with essential oils; in fact, it appears in the ingredient list of more than one of the other oils on this list. Altogether, four of our experts recommended dry oils either with jojoba in their ingredients, or in a pure, cold-pressed form, like this oil — which also has over 8,000 reviews on Amazon, almost 90 percent of which were five-stars.

Best dry oil for sensitive skin

“For inflamed skin, rosehip oil is a great choice,” says New York-based naturopathic doctor Nicole Egenberger. “In studies, it’s shown promising results in decreasing a variety of inflammatory disorders in the skin like eczema.” Rosehip oil contains linolenic acid, which Egenberger says “helps keep the skin hydrated,” while also fighting inflammation and boasting antioxidant properties. She likes this one from Eminence Organic Skin Care, which also counts sea buckthorn and jojoba oil on the ingredients list. For a less expensive option, Egenberger suggests The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil (with the caveat that it isn’t the best choice if you’ve got oily skin or cystic acne).

Best dry oil for acne-prone skin

Henninger told us that grapeseed is a “powerful antibacterial oil” that contains linoleic acid, which helps keep pores from clogging, along with antioxidants and vitamins D, C, and E, which help keep skin healthy. “For patients with active outbreaks, I’ll recommend using it as a carrier oil for essential oils like tea tree, which increase the antibacterial effect,” naturopathic doctor Maura Henninger says. She recommends Odacité Pure Elements Grapeseed+Grapefruit Serum Concentrate, which combines grapeseed oil with astringent grapefruit to help keep skin clean and excess oil under control.

Best anti-aging dry oil for acne-prone skin

If you want the acne-soothing power of rosehip oil with added anti-aging ingredients, Henninger recommends Naturopathica’s Rosehip Seed Regenerating Facial Oil, which fights fine lines and wrinkles while still moisturizing skin. “A major source of vitamin C, rosehip oil stimulates collagen production and increases cell turnover, “ she says. “Essential fatty acids bolster the skin’s outer layer, as well as neutralize free radicals which quickly age skin.” She suggests using it under your eyes to mitigate sun damage.

Best dry oil for acne and eczema

If you’re looking for a dry oil that can treat both acne and eczema, you might want to try kiwi seed oil, which comes recommended by holistic esthetician Nichola Weir. “Kiwi seed oil is high in Omega 3 fatty acids and Alpha Linoleic Acid which calm inflammation, helps our skin retain moisture, and it is a rich source of Vitamin C and E,” says Weir. “Kiwi seed is the ideal choice for treating barrier impaired skin conditions like acne and eczema — people with eczema have a much thinner barrier and are prone to dryness and irritation.” Weir encourages her clients to use oils along with hydrosols, hydrating serums, and moisturizers for complete hydration.

Best dry oil for eczema and psoriasis

“Because it’s high in GLA (gamma linolenic acid), borage oil is a proven and fantastic anti-inflammatory oil for people suffering from eczema and psoriasis,” says Henninger. “It really helps reduce redness and itching associated with these conditions and has a calming effect on the skin.” Henniger recommended getting your borage oil in Shikai’s Borage Therapy Dry Skin Lotion, but if you want the oil alone, you could try this one from The Ordinary, a brand that came up multiple times in our experts’ recommendations.

Best dry oil for boosting collagen

“For general use I like Camellia oil,” says Egenberger. “It has been shown clinically to increase collagen production and it helps improve the skin’s ability to stay hydrated.” She recommended this one from Oleo Botanicals, which is cold-pressed and organic, and likes Mountain Rose Herbs’ camellia seed oil, as well.

Best luxury dry oil

For something a little more elevated, you could try Jo Malone’s dry oil, which a couple of our experts named as a luxe favorite. Migs Domasiute, owner of Blind Tiger Massage Boutique, called Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud Dry Body Oil “quite an indulgence,” and says that the oil is well-absorbing and has a “long lasting scent and long lasting bottle.” Dr. Michele Greene, a Manhattan-based dermatologist, agrees, saying that Jo Malone dry oil in Oud & Bergamot is a go-to in her office.

Best spray-on dry oil

Although dry oils are light and quick to absorb, you might want to consider a spray if you’re looking for a cleaner, even-less-greasy way to apply it. MoroccanOil’s Dry Body Oil, which comes in a spray bottle and contains argan oil, came recommended by Karp, who says it is “rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids.”

Best dry oils for hair

Karp told us that dry oils aren’t just for the body and face, but can also be used to moisturize your hair and protect strands while using hot hair tools. She likes Bumble and Bumble’s Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Dry Oil Finishing Spray for its grapeseed oil and safflower seed oils.

We also heard about dry oils for your hair from beauty writer Jeanette Zinno, who recommends Aveda’s oil. “It’s perfect for after a day at the beach,” she says. “I usually just apply it to the ends of my hair for hydration, but it also keeps hair frizz-free.” Zinno describes the scent as earthy, but not lingering.

Best dry oil for hair and face

Photo: Reid, Hilary

“This is a great face and hair oil that is very affordable, unlike many dry-oil-based products,” says Karp. At less than $8 a bottle, we agree that this would be a good oil to stock up on — and, thanks to the two-in-one factor, a good option for traveling.

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The Best Dry Oils, According to Dermatologists