What Is Dry Oil? Benefits For Skin, Hair & Nails + How To Use Them Correctly

If you're on the hunt for a new favorite body or facial oil, you've likely come across the term "dry oil." (Don't worry: If you're wondering how could something liquid and conditioning also be dry, we're here to clarify things for you.) Lately they've become incredibly popular for a reason: Their unique textures not only feel great on the skin, but they're more universally wearable for all skin types and often come chock-full of enhancing properties.

Is a dry oil something that will work for your skin and needs? Well, like many things in beauty, it all comes down to your personal taste—and we're here to help you make that decision.

And the concept has been around for ages: Many herbalists, aromatherapists, and product formulators refer to dry oils as lightweight and quick-absorbing oils used in skin and hair care. Like many descriptors in the beauty industry, there is no hard-and-fast classification for which oils are defined as dry, but there is general consensus among beauty experts that they are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, namely linoleic, and encompass vegetable, seed, and herbal oils.

Some of the most popular dry oils are:

Dry oils are great go-to's for regular facial and body care, cuticle and nail T.L.C., and taming frizz and pesky flyaways. Let's break down the benefits:

Oils, we know, are occlusives—they trap water into the skin and hair and keep the precious moisture from seeping out. But while dry oils are still classified as traditional carrier oils, they won’t leave a sticky feeling on the surface of your skin. One of the most common complaints with body oils that they can leave a residue on the skin, which can transfer to clothing, linens, and more. There's not the same concern with dry oils as the absorption rate is so much faster. By the time you go to put on your clothing, you'll be ready to go.

This also means they're a great option to spot treat throughout the day. If you want to use your dry oil as a cuticle oil or to pay closer attention to areas like your hands, it won't get in the way.

If you pick a dry oil for your hair, it also won't weigh down your strands. In fact, after a few minutes of applying dry oil on damp hair, you won’t even realize that you applied an oil—it sinks right in.

Each dry oil boasts a varied list of antioxidants and nutrients, but all of these antioxidants help stave free radicals, manage oxidative stress, and protect the skin and hair from UV rays and pollution. A few to call out:

Fatty acids are essential for strengthening your skin barrier function, as they keep your skin cell's natural lipids nourished. Dry oils are chock-full of said fatty acids, especially linoleic acid, which research has shown can help maintain skin barrier integrity.3 In fact, another study showed that sunflower oil (a dry oil that contains linoleic acid) effectively hydrated the skin more than olive oil.

Here, mindbodygreen’s beauty director Alexandra Engler highlights her favorite dry oils.

Again, "dry" refers to how the oil sinks into the skin, not the texture of the oil itself. Meaning: Both dry and wet oils are, technically "wet." The difference is, wet oils are heavy on the skin and are slow to absorb. They often linger on top of the skin, like massage oil.

That's not to say wet oils aren't without their advantages: Wet oils take their time penetrating the dermis, which makes them great for relieving itchiness and chronic dryness. That's what makes them superb for inflammatory skin conditions. Some common wet oils are neem, coconut, castor, tamanu, baobab, sweet almond, hemp seed oil, and apricot kernel. Conventionally, these heavier oils have been the base of many water-based product formulations, like night creams. Due to their thicker, emollient nature, they're best for those looking for better moisture retention throughout the night.

And while you may find yourself identifying with one camp of oils more than the other, the truth is that many products on the market include a cocktail of both wet and dry oils for maximum benefits—unless, of course, you opt for the straight oil itself.

If you’re interested in bringing more oils into your life, experiment with what works for you. There is not one oil protocol that’s effective for all skin types and goals. That said, here are some ways you can apply dry oils on hair, skin, and nails, but feel free to stick to what works best for you.

What's great about dry oils is they tend to be excellent multitaskers, so feel free to play around with them.

Dry oils in and of themselves don’t have any concerns, however, you may personally be sensitive or allergic to individual ingredients in a beauty product. That’s why it’s always important to read the ingredient label and patch test products before use—especially if you know your skin is highly sensitive or you have specific known allergens. 

If you're just starting to dabble in face or body oils, consider dry oils your starter pack. These moisturizing oils sink in quickly and feel quite weightless—so you won't sport slick skin. For more info on how to support your skin barrier, check out our guide.