Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of OilsHow to Choose an OilHow to Use OilsPossible Side Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Oils
How to Choose an Oil
How to Use Oils
Possible Side Effects
Oils are a great way to restore moisture to dry skin. Some plant oils possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can help improve the health of yourskinbarrier—the outermost part of the top layer of your skin.
This is especially important for people with dry skin because the skin barrier, called thestratum corneaum, can protect skin against moisture loss.
Verywell / Danie Drinkwater
Natural oils can be a good way to keep your skin hydrated and healthy, but some are better choices than others.
Look for an oil that won’t clog your pores or irritate your skin. Avoid applying essential oils directly to your skin (instead, mix them with a carrier oil), and keep in mind that some oils contain allergens, so you may need to avoid certain oils if you have sensitive skin or a history of allergic skin reactions.
What are the best oils for dry skin?The best oils for dry skin can depend on things like preference and skin sensitivity. But in general, coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, oat oil, and argan oil are often touted as the most effective.
What are the best oils for dry skin?
The best oils for dry skin can depend on things like preference and skin sensitivity. But in general, coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, oat oil, and argan oil are often touted as the most effective.
Coconut Oil
In recent years,coconut oilhas been marketed as a jack-of-all-trades kind of oil. It has been suggested that it is good for the skin, hair, cooking, and oral and brain health. The oil is extracted from the kernel of the coconut and is made up of fatty acids.
The research surrounding coconut oil for dry skin typically centers around skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis; it has been shown to be an effective form of treatment for skin conditions that cause dry, flaky skin.Coconut oil can help improve moisture retention and skin barrier function.
What is the best oil for dry skin in winter?Coconut oil tends to be a good overall choice for treating dry skin during the winter. It can penetrate the skin quickly and efficiently to soothe dry skin.
What is the best oil for dry skin in winter?
Coconut oil tends to be a good overall choice for treating dry skin during the winter. It can penetrate the skin quickly and efficiently to soothe dry skin.
Olive Oil
Olive oil also contains:
There is some older evidence that olive oil may not work for everyone and may lead to worsened dry skin in some people.
What oil penetrates the skin best?Olive oil is effective at penetrating the skin and can help increase the penetration of other oils, making it useful as a carrier oil.
What oil penetrates the skin best?
Olive oil is effective at penetrating the skin and can help increase the penetration of other oils, making it useful as a carrier oil.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is derived from sunflower seeds. There are different types of sunflower oils, including:
When compared to high oleic acid oils, oils that are higher in linoleic acid are generally believed to be better for the skin.
Research has shown that sunflower can be an effective oil to use for extremely dry skin.This is because it can help preserve the health of the outer layer of skin and improve overall moisture levels.
Jojoba Oil
Jojobaoil comes from theS. chinesisplant and is popularly used in skin and hair care products.
Jojoba oil is similar to natural human sebum, which makes it helpful for skin conditions that involve problems with the sebaceous barrier. It is also commonly used to treat eczema and other skin conditions such as psoriasis and rosacea.
Oat Oil
Oat oil is extracted from the straw of the oat plant. It helps soothe your skin because of its anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions such as rashes, burns, itchiness, and eczema. It is made up of linoleic and oleic acid.
It’s thought that linoleic acid is what gives oat oil its ability to repair the barrier of the skin. Phenolic compounds known asavenanthramidesare also found in oats. They also help reduce inflammation in the body.
The use of oat oil has been found to increase ceramide levels in the skin, which are skin lipids that live in the upper layers of the skin.Sinceceramideshelp lock moisture in the skin, oat oil can help prevent and treat dry skin.
Argan Oil
Argan oilis extracted from the kernels of the argan plant. It is made up of 80% monounsaturated and 20% saturated fatty acids. The fatty acid that makes up most of the oil is oleic acid.
Shea Butter
Shea butter comes from the shea tree, which grows naturally in sub-Saharan Africa. It is traditionally used for washing and for treating stomach ailments. Shea butter is extracted from the nut of the shea tree.
Shea butter contains plant acids such as oleic and linoleic acids and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to treat skin rashes, sunburn, scars and stretch marks, burns, and other conditions that affect the skin. It is sometimes also used to treat allergic skin reactions such as poison oak or insect bites.
Shea butter contains vitamins A and F and can help soothe dry and chapped skin.
Almond Oil
Almond oilis derived from ripe almonds in an extraction process that uses very little heat. This process is what makes unrefined almond oil. Almond oil contains oleic acid, B-sitosterol, and a-tocopherol.
Oleic acid makes it easier for the oil to sink deeper into the skin. Skin naturally has low permeability (for things to pass through), which helps keep out harmful toxins. The issue is that it can also stop moisturizers from reaching deeper levels of the skin.
Tocopherols have been shown to provide antioxidant benefits, while B-sitosterol has been shown to be an active moisturizing and skin-soothing agent. Research has shown that B-sitosterol is strong enough to help treat atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Marula Oil
Marula oil is extracted from the marula fruit. It can also be made from the outer husk of the marula fruit nut. Marula oil contains amino acids, which make up proteins, antioxidants, and fatty acids.
Marula oil has been shown to help restore moisture to the skin. The lightweight nature of the oil makes it easier to penetrate the skin and moisturize it effectively. Because of its high levels of fatty acids, the oil can also prevent water loss from the skin and retain moisture levels for longer.
Research has also shown that marula oil possesses anti-aging properties because it contains organic compounds with antioxidant properties known as catechins.
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is extracted from the seeds of the soybean plant. It is made up of five fatty acids, all of which have been shown to improve the barrier of the skin and help retain moisture.
Soybean oil can also help protect the skin against damage because it contains high amounts of vitamin E. Vitamin E has been shown to protect against different types of skin damage and treat certain skin conditions that can cause dry skin, such as atopic dermatitis.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is derived from the pulp of avocados. It is made up of several fatty acids and contains skin-benefiting compounds such as B-sitosterol, B-carotene, and vitamins A, D, and E.
Research has shown that mixing avocado oil with a vitamin B12 skin cream and applying it to dry skin could help treat and restore moisture, particularly for people with skin conditions such aspsoriasis.
Borage Oil
Borage oilis extracted from the seeds of the starflower plant. It has high amounts of the vital fatty acids needed for skin health. The most abundant is linoleic acid, which can help the skin retain moisture better. It has also been used in the treatment of skin conditions that cause dry skin, such as atopic dermatitis.
Studies have also found that borage oil can be safe to use in children with atopic orseborrheic dermatitis, so it is a safe and effective option for children who suffer from dry skin or dry skin conditions.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat skin irritation and to sooth dry skin due to eczema. It has also been studied as a treatment for itchy skin due to allergic reaction.
Rose Hip Oil
Rose hip oil comes from the seeds of the rose hip plant. It contains linoleic acid as well as α-linolenic acid and oleic acid and is believed to be anti-inflammatory and to protect against oxidative stress.
A few small studies have found that a combination of rose hip oil and fat-soluble vitamins can help improve dry skin conditions such as eczema and cheilitis.
Before choosing an oil for your dry skin, you may want to take a few things into consideration. Although many of the compounds found in the oils are similar, some possess more or less of each compound. Some may also have extra benefits.
To choose the best oil, first look at how dry your skin is. If you are suffering from a skin condition such as dermatitis, you may want an oil that has a proven record of helping with your condition.
Some oils may cause irritation if you are allergic to the compounds that are in them. When choosing an oil, make sure that you know all the ingredients and do apatch testto be sure they won’t cause a bad skin reaction.
Some body oils may be too heavy to put on the face, whereas some face oils will not penetrate the skin of the body as well. If you are choosing one type of oil, choose it based on the area of the body you’re concerned with.
It’s important to buy your oils from trusted suppliers. Choosing an oil that contains the highest-quality ingredients will ensure that you are getting exactly what you paid for. Steer clear of oils that do not have all the ingredients listed clearly.
You can apply an oil directly to wet skin after washing your face or showering. Only a small layer is needed. Avoid getting dressed until the oil has soaked into your skin.
You can blend certain oils together for added benefits, or use an oil alongside your favorite moisturizing lotion. If irritation occurs, stop mixing your oils.
Oils for dry skin are generally safe and effective, but there is a possibility for anallergic reactionto occur. This is why it’s important to perform a patch test before putting the oil on your face or body.
To do so, dab a small amount of oil on the inside of your arm or leg and wait 24 hours. If no reaction occurs during that timeframe, it is likely safe to use.
Do not ingest the oils since they are toxic.
Signs of a Medical EmergencySymptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:Shortness of breathDifficulty swallowingChest tightnessWheezingA drop in blood pressure with a weak pulseIncreased heart rateSudden weakness
Signs of a Medical Emergency
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:Shortness of breathDifficulty swallowingChest tightnessWheezingA drop in blood pressure with a weak pulseIncreased heart rateSudden weakness
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:
A Word From VerywellEven if no reaction occurs during the 24-hour timeframe, remember that an allergic reaction may take longer to develop or may be likelier to occur on one area of the body than another, so you should still be watchful for signs of a late reaction.—CASEY GALLAGHER, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Even if no reaction occurs during the 24-hour timeframe, remember that an allergic reaction may take longer to develop or may be likelier to occur on one area of the body than another, so you should still be watchful for signs of a late reaction.—CASEY GALLAGHER, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Even if no reaction occurs during the 24-hour timeframe, remember that an allergic reaction may take longer to develop or may be likelier to occur on one area of the body than another, so you should still be watchful for signs of a late reaction.
—CASEY GALLAGHER, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
The right oils can potentially help you improve your skin barrier, which protects your skin from toxins and germs in your environment. Research has shown that almond oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, argan oil, and others are best for dry skin and conditions that cause dry skin like eczema.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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