Oils are a great way to restore moisture to dry skin.
Look for an oil that won’t clog your pores or irritate your skin.
What are the best oils for dry skin?
Verywell / Danie Drinkwater
The best oils for dry skin can depend on things like preference and skin sensitivity.
Coconut Oil
In recent years,coconut oilhas been marketed as a jack-of-all-trades kind of oil.
The oil is extracted from the kernel of the coconut and is made up of fatty acids.
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
Research has shown that olive oil can help dry skin.
It is made by pressing olives and then extracting the oil.
Because the oil is made up of mostly oleic acid, it is an effective moisturizer.
What oil penetrates the skin best?
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is derived from sunflower seeds.
Jojoba Oil
Jojobaoil comes from theS.
chinesisplant and is popularly used in skin and hair care products.
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 is made up of linoleic and oleic acid.
Its 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.
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 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.
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.
Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is extracted from the seeds of the soybean plant.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oilis derived from the pulp of avocados.
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 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.
Some may also have extra benefits.
To choose the best oil, first look at how dry your skin is.
Some oils may cause irritation if you are allergic to the compounds that are in them.
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.
Only a small layer is needed.
Avoid getting dressed until the oil has soaked into your skin.
If irritation occurs, stop mixing your oils.
This is why its important to perform a patch test before putting the oil on your face or body.
If no reaction occurs during that timeframe, it is likely safe to use.
Do not ingest the oils since they are toxic.
2018;19(1):103-117. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1
National Eczema Association.Get the facts: Coconut oil.
2017;7(22):51-7.
