An Easy Guide to Finding the Best Face Oil for Dry Skin

The right face oil can work wonders for your dry skin. But with so many facial oils to choose from and ingredient lists to read, how do you find a product that deserves a place in your skincare cabinet? We help you zero in on the best face oil for dry skin. 

Table of Contents

• What is face oil?
• What are the ingredients in face oil?
• Which skin types do facial oils suit?
• What to look for in a face oil for dry skin
• The best face oil for dry skin

What is face oil?

A face oil is an oil specially formulated for your facial skin. The skin on your face is in direct contact with the elements such as UV rays, dust and contaminants. It is also thin, sensitive and susceptible to aging. Facial oils are packed with ingredients that hydrate your skin, and protect and repair your skin barrier. They work with the natural oils of your skin to help keep your skin balanced. 

What are the ingredients in face oil?

Face oils are made by blending carrier oils with essential oils. Commonly, the carrier oils used for face oils are argan oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, coconut oil and sweet almond oil. These oils are rich in vitamins that fight free radicals, which have been linked to cell damage and aging. 

Face oils contain fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acid. Oleic acid makes oil thicker and seals in moisture effectively. High-oleic oils include coconut oil, avocado oil, almond oil and rosehip oil. Oils containing linoleic acid moisturize your skin but are less hydrating than high-oleic oils. Oils high in linoleic acid include grapeseed oil, sesame seed oil and passion fruit oil. 

Finally, face oils contain essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, which help maintain the skin's natural oil barrier and keep your skin plump and hydrated. The body doesn't make fatty acids, so you must get them from foods, supplements and with regards to skincare - facial oils. 

Which skin types do facial oils suit?

The thought of using an oil on your skin may bring images of greasy skin, clogged pores and breakouts to mind. Each face oil has its own essential oil, carrier oil and fatty acid profile to better suit a certain skin type. So, there are face oils for every skin type, including oily and acne-prone skin. The best oils for any skin type are not synthetic and mineral oils, which clog pores (comedogenic) and potentially cause acne, but natural plant oils that are non-comedogenic and nourish your skin. 

This post is dedicated to people with dry skin. As dry skin produces less sebum, it can be dull, have more visible lines, and feel rough and less elastic. Excessively dry skin is prone to atopic dermatitis, causing redness, cracking and inflammation. If you have dry skin, invest your effort in finding the best face oil for dry skin. This would be a facial oil that helps your skin retain moisture, makes it supple and gives it a nice glow. Here's how you can go about making a smart choice.

What to look for in a face oil for dry skin

If you have dry skin, it needs to be moisturized. Moisturizing increases the skin's moisture levels and helps prevent water loss through the skin's surface. What you need is a face oil that can form a protective covering on your skin and seal in moisture. Such oils (or other skin products) are known as occlusives. Coconut oil, soybean oil and flaxseed oil are occlusive oils. 

As just explained, oleic acid locks in moisture effectively and also helps maintain the skin barrier function. So, you can also consider oils that are high in this fatty acid. Examples include shea oil, avocado oil and moringa oil. Moringa oil is derived from moringa oleifera, a tree native to the Himalayan Mountains. It is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. 

Omega fatty acids help soften rough and dry skin, and soothe irritated skin. Marula oil and chia oil are rich in omega fatty acids. Marula oil is also packed with Vitamin C, which helps smooth wrinkles and lightens dark spots - common complaints among those with dry skin - while boosting collagen for plump and youthful skin. In addition, marula oil reduces redness from excessively dry skin. It is a light oil with fast absorption, and antimicrobial properties to boot! 

Also pay attention to the vitamin content of face oils. Dry skin gives off the appearance of more wrinkles and fine lines compared to other skin types. Vitamin C, a common ingredient in many anti-aging products, fights free radicals and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Vitamins A and E are also effective anti-aging components that help soften visible lines and signs of sun damage on your face. A face oil with one or more of these vitamins can potentially transform your skin. For example, if you're looking at a face oil that contains rosehip oil, you can rest assured that it contains Vitamin A. In addition, rosehip oil is rich in retinoids, which reduce the appearance of dark areas of your skin (hyperpigmentation). 

The best face oil for dry skin

Now that you have a pretty good idea of how to sort various face oils and find one that can address your dry skin woes, here's a look at products that can make a difference to how your skin looks and feels. 

Coconut Perfecting Cream

This product contains coconut oil (occlusive), Vitamin E (moisturizes and strengthens skin barrier function) and hyaluronic acid (helps skin retain water), among other nourishing ingredients. The face oil is non-sticky and light. 

Body Butter Moringa

A powerful formulation for dry skin, Body Butter Moringa contains shea butter and moringa oil, both rich in oleic acid, which forms a moisturizing seal on your skin. The vitamins in moringa oil help repair skin damage and soften fine lines. 

Coconut Clarifying Micellar Water

Make-up tends to flake off on dry skin, and a good face oil can seal it all in. And when you need to get your make-up off before going to bed, Coconut Clarifying Micellar Water gets every last bit off and makes your skin feel cool afterward. 

Like to make the most of different face moisturizing products? You can add an essential oil to your moisturizer to treat your dry skin. Lavender essential oil is ideal to soothe inflammation and redness on dry skin.

During cold months, moisturizing often with facial oils and creams can keep your skin hydrated and protected. Stock up with the best face oil for dry skin, essential oils and hydrating creams before winter approaches. Your skin and body will thank you! If you'd like to start your search right away, have a look at our collection of 100% pure single oils and blends.