It depends on the desired result. Its fine texture penetrates quickly, making it ideal for quick or targeted applications. For a longer massage, it can be mixed with a richer vegetable oil to make it glide more easily.
What is a dry oil?
Dry oil is a particularly interesting skincare product that addresses many beauty concerns. Nourishing, highly penetrating, non-greasy... Far from being limited to beach time and summer vacations, it has many valuable benefits. Dry oil for hair, body, and face: its versatility makes it an essential in every bathroom. How can you recognise dry oil? What is it used for? How can you customise it to create your own homemade cosmetics? Find the answers to your questions with the experts at Aroma-Zone.
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£8.00
100 ml
3 options
Organic Argan Oil
Regenerating
Nourishing
£14.00
100 ml
3 options
Dry Oil With Precious Oils
Protective
Nourishing
£7.00
100 ml
Satin Gold - Dry Oil
Nourishing
£9.00
50 ml
Organic Sweet Almond Oil
Protective
£13.00
250 ml
4 options
Organic Jojoba Oil
Protective
Purifying
£16.50
250 ml
3 options
Organic Chilean Rosehip Seed Oil
Anti-ageing
£21.00
100 ml
3 options
£6.00
100 ml
3 options
What is dry oil?
A dry oil is an oil (or blend of oils) formulated to penetrate the skin quickly and leave a non-greasy feel. This term actually covers several families of products:
Blends of plant oils and/or natural esters, formulated to offer a light finish and rapid absorption.
Oils that have been naturally processed to achieve a lighter texture, such as fractionated coconut oil, which is more fluid and absorbs more quickly.
Vegetable oils that are naturally "dry," highly penetrating and silky to the touch, thanks to their fatty acid composition.
All have the same objective: to offer the sensoriality of an oil without the greasy effect.
Dry oil vs. oily oil: what's the difference?
The difference between a dry oil and a fatty oil is primarily explained by their fatty acid composition, which influences how they react once applied.
Dry oils: rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3, Omega-6, and certain acids specific to each oil), they have a very fluid texture. They are quickly absorbed and leave a light, matte or slightly satiny finish.
Fatty oils: richer in Omega-9 and saturated fatty acids, they have a naturally denser texture. They remain on the skin's surface longer, creating a nourishing veil and providing an immediate feeling of comfort.
What are the benefits of dry oil?
Used daily, dry oil offers several benefits for both skin and hair:
Better penetration of active ingredients, promoting targeted effectiveness.
A discreet finish, without shine or oiliness.
A soft and pleasant feel, allowing you to get dressed immediately after application.
A regulating effect, useful when the skin easily produces sebum.
A formula compatible with all skin types : normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive, dehydrated, or prone to imperfections.
Use: what is natural dry oil used for?
Dry oil for hair
Dry oil penetrates the hair fibre as easily as it does the skin, making it particularly suitable for hair care. Just a few drops are enough to nourish damaged hair without leaving it sticky or weighing it down. It can also be used as a beautifying treatment or anti-frizz treatment before styling. For very dry hair, it can be applied as an oil treatment and left on for a few hours or overnight.
Dry oil for the body
Multifunctional, dry oil is a daily body care product appreciated for its lightness. It helps the skin stay supple and soft, and softens rough areas such as elbows, knees and heels. Its fine texture makes it easy to apply and absorbs quickly, limiting stains on clothing. Expert tip: apply your dry oil to slightly damp skin to optimise hydration.
Dry oil for the face
Dry oil can be applied to the face and is suitable for all skin types. Its non-greasy finish means you can apply makeup immediately after use. It is particularly suitable for combination to oily skin, which is often prone to shine: it is quickly absorbed, supporting the skin's natural sebum regulation mechanisms and leaving the skin clear, without any greasy effect throughout the day.
Which dry oils should you know about?
Certain plant oils stand out for their fine texture and rapid absorption. Naturally light, they are easily incorporated into face, body, and hair care products.
Organic Sesame Vegetable Oil
Naturally rich in essential fatty acids, it is an ideal base for cosmetic preparations. Its light texture allows for quick application and a discreet finish, which is highly appreciated in daily skincare.
Organic Sweet Almond Vegetable Oil
Known for its soothing and softening properties, it is particularly suitable for delicate and dry skin. It leaves the skin supple and pleasant, without any greasy residue.
Organic Hemp Vegetable Oil
Balanced and highly penetrating, it helps the skin regain softness and elasticity while providing an instant feeling of comfort.
Organic Hazelnut Vegetable Oil
Lightweight and non-comedogenic, it is particularly popular for treating oily or acne-prone skin. It absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue.
Kalahari Watermelon Vegetable Oil
Revitalising, it helps restore firmness and elasticity to the skin thanks to its very fluid texture. It can easily be incorporated into body or facial care routines.
Focus on our Dry Oil with Organic Precious Oils
With precious argan, rosehip, jojoba and sweet almond oils, this certified organic dry oil has a light, penetrating texture that nourishes, protects, and softens the skin and hair without leaving a greasy film. 100% natural, developed in Provence and allergen-free, it is suitable for all skin types and can be used all year round on the face, body, or hair. Versatile and fully customisable, it can be applied pure or enriched with fragrances, essential oils, pearls, or glitter to create your own tailor-made skincare product.
Examples of combinations for customising your dry oil according to your needs
To enhance your glow and intensify your tan
Organic Carrot Oil (oily macerate)
Rich in provitamin A, organic carrot macerate naturally gives you a healthy glow. Combined with a dry oil in the recommended proportions, it enhances your tan and can easily be incorporated into an after-sun treatment thanks to its softening and antioxidant properties.
To soothe and comfort sensitive skin
Organic Bisabolol Active Ingredient
Known for its soothing properties, organic plant-based Bisabolol helps calm discomfort and support skin prone to redness. When added to a dry oil, it creates a gentle, comforting treatment that is ideal after shaving or for tight skin.
To strengthen hair fibres and stimulate the scalp
Maca Vital Active
This extract from Maca roots is prized for its benefits on hair density. Mixed with a small amount of dry oil, it creates a toning treatment that revitalises the hair fibre and gives fragile hair more body without weighing it down.
Radiance routine with glitter dry oil
Enhance your body: apply a few drops of glitter dry oil to the areas you want to highlight—arms, legs, shoulders, or décolleté. Its light texture glides over the skin and leaves a luminous veil that subtly catches the light.
Brighten your face: Apply a very small amount to the high points of your face—cheekbones, bridge of the nose, collarbone—to discreetly warm up your complexion without leaving a greasy finish. Perfect for adding natural radiance, day or night.
Add shine to hair: warm a drop between your hands, then lightly smooth over the lengths or a few strands to create subtle highlights. Ideal for enhancing a hairstyle or intensifying hair shine.
Focus on our Satin Gold Dry Oil
With organic monoi and coconut oils, this 100% natural, certified organic dry oil enhances the skin and hair with a satiny, sparkling golden veil. Its light, penetrating texture nourishes and softens the body, face, and hair without leaving a greasy or sticky film. This glittery oil with an instant illuminating effect envelops the skin and hair in a captivating and addictive scent of island flowers and warm sand. An essential product for enhancing your tan in summer and highlighting your skin in winter.
Precautions for use
Dry oil is easy to use, but there are a few precautions to take to apply it correctly. As with any new skincare product, it is recommended to test it on the inside of your elbow, especially if you have sensitive skin. On the face, apply it to clean skin, avoiding the eye area. On the hair, a minimal amount is enough to maintain a natural finish.
Expert advice
To get the most out of a dry oil, the key is to apply a small amount and adapt it to your routine. On the body, applying it to slightly damp skin makes it easier to use and leaves the skin supple and soft, without a greasy finish. On the face, it should be used as the last step in your routine, especially in the evening, to provide suppleness and comfort. On the hair, it can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment or applied to dry lengths in very small doses to create shine without weighing down the hair.
Find out more
Is dry oil suitable for massages?
Is dry oil suitable for massages?
Is dry oil suitable for massages?
Can dry oil be used in summer?
Can dry oil be used in summer?
Can dry oil be used in summer?
Absolutely. Lightweight and quickly absorbed, it's perfect for summer routines. It can enhance your tan or soften your skin after sun exposure, but it is not a substitute for sunscreen.
Can dry oil replace a moisturiser?
Can dry oil replace a moisturiser?
Can dry oil replace a moisturiser?
It can complement or enhance hydration, especially when applied to damp skin. However, very dehydrated skin will benefit from using a moisturiser first, with the oil then prolonging the feeling of comfort.
Spotlight on our specialist editor, Laetitia de Rosa.
Laetitia is an editorial communications consultant specialising in beauty and wellness content. Passionate about natural cosmetics, she works with committed brands that share her vision of authentic and responsible beauty. Always on the lookout for the latest developments, she enjoys analysing trends and innovations in the sector.
Bibliography
1
Vegetable butters and oils as therapeutically and cosmetically active ingredients for dermal use: A review of clinical studies, Frontiers in Pharmacology
Poljšak, N., & Kočevar Glavač, N. (2022)
2
Multi-center randomized clinical study of the effects of natural oils on xerosis and skin barrier properties, SKIN The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine
Vaughn, A. R., Nguyen, M., Maarouf, M., Van Skiver, M., Tran, K., Rybak, I., Sivamani, R. K., & Shi, V. Y. (2018)
