What Is A Dry Oil And Are You Using It Properly?
So you’ve decided to try a dry oil in your skin care routine but you’re still puzzled by what it means. You ask yourself the questions: “What is a dry oil?”, “If dry oils exist, are there also wet oils?” and finally, “How can something even be both liquid and dry at the same time?” We know it’s a quite a mystery to unravel, so let’s delve into the paradox of dry oils and help you find some answers.
What Is A Dry Oil?
It’s easier to understand the name “dry oil” when we explain that the dryness refers less to the characteristic of the oil and more to the finish that the oil leaves. According to NewBeauty, dry oils are body oils that are so fast absorbing, they sink “instantly into skin without leaving any residue.” These oils - which tend to be high in polyunsaturated fatty acids - are not only quick absorbing but also lightweight and don’t leave a heavy or sticky feeling on the skin. MindBodyGreen lists commonly used dry oils as avocado, borage, rosehip seed, squalene, sesame, grapeseed, safflower, camelina, sunflower and evening primrose.
Eminence Organics Wildflower Ultralight Oil is a beautiful example of a dry body oil - and a 2019 Allure Best Of Beauty Award winner in the Clean Beauty category. Allure's beauty experts say: "This is the indoor version of skipping through a meadow with your arms spread wide. Bursting with primrose, echinacea, and lavender, the wild bouquet adds sleekness to hair, skin, and nails." This dry oil provides sheer moisture that the skin drinks in, and immediately leaves a smooth, satin finish.
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What Is A Wet Oil?
If there are dry oils in skin care, wet oils must exist as well. “Wet oils” are, in fact, the term for oils that linger on the surface and are slow to absorb. Examples of wet oils include neem, coconut, castor, jojoba, tamanu, baobab, sweet almond, hemp seed and apricot kernel. Although they are effective for providing moisture all over the body, they tend to stay on the skin, leaving it slick and a greasy peril to your clothing. On the plus side, these heavy oils are perfect for reducing transepidermal water loss. If you’re battling skin that’s extremely dry or dehydrated, wet oils are a perfect solution.
How To Use A Dry Oil
Like most dry oils, our multipurpose Wildflower Ultralight Oil has been formulated for use in three ways for 1) body, 2) hair and 3) nails.
Body
For adding maximum moisture to skin all over, we recommend applying after a warm bath or shower. Smooth onto clean skin and this dry oil will lock in moisture and leave a flawless finish.
Hair
For hair, this lightweight oil tames frizz and adds shine without weighing it down. Simply run a couple of drops of Wildflower Ultralight Oil to your strands for a smooth and shiny finish.
nails
And for your hands, the oil strengthens and conditions both nails and cuticles. Gently warm the oil between your palms and massage it into cuticles and nail beds to soften and hydrate.
Watch this video to find out more about our Wildflower Ultralight Oil:
Can I Use A Dry Oil On My Face?
Now that dry oils are less of a mystery, you may be tempted to apply them to your face as well. But, not so fast. According to Alicia Hawthorne, our Product Support Team Lead at Eminence Organic Skin Care, it’s not recommended to “apply a dry oil to the face as it may not provide enough hydration for most skin types.”
To experience effective oils for the complexion, we recommend facial oils like Eminence Organics Facial Recovery Oil or Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil. These oils are specifically formulated for the face and provide the necessary hydration, nourishment and benefits for the complexion and target the look of aging.
This article was originally written in June 2018.