What Is Dry Oil?Its Uses And Benefits

What is a dry oil? Yes, you read it right! This concept may seem strange, but you are not alone if this oxymoron is getting you confused. There might be endless questions running in your mind right now. We will give you all the answers you need in this article. Scroll down to learn about what dry oil is and how it benefits the skin.

What is dry body oil? 

When you first read the term ”dry oil,” you might think of oil processed into powder form. But this is not what it means. 

Dry oil is a term that describes the way oil acts when it is applied to the face or body. 

An oil that is absorbed quickly by the skin is referred to as dry oil. Usually, oils leave residues on the skin and are called as the wet oils.

Most oils that we use are made of vegetables, seeds, or herbs that contain polyunsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid.

Dry oils are very lightweight moisturizer for your face, hair, nails, and body. Some common natural dry oils include:

• avocado oil
• sesame oil
• safflower oil
• sunflower oil
• grapeseed oil
• rosehip seed oil

Benefits of using dry oil:

Dry oil has similar moisturizing benefits like the wet oils without leaving a greasy residue on the skin and hair. People prefer dry oils over wet oils because they get absorbed within seconds of application. 

Let’s look into some of the potential benefits 0of dry oil for skin and hair:

• Great moisturizer- dry oils such as safflower and sunflower contain linoleic acid. The fatty acids present in the oil, moisturize the skin by maintaining the water permeability barrier.
• Boosts collagen production– a study done in 2013 performed on rats found that applying avocado oil increases collagen production in the skin and reduces inflammation.
• Heals dry skin- applying avocado oil moisturizes and repairs dry, chapped and damaged skin.
• Fights Aging- sesame oil has the highest antioxidant value that reduces the oxidative stress of the skin. This helps in protecting premature aging.
• Protects against sun damage- rosehip oil has antioxidants that help in protecting the skin from sun damage caused by UV rays.
• Promotes skin repair- research found linoleic acid found in sunflower oil repairs the skin barrier and also maintains skin integrity.
• Manages eczema- dry oil has moisturizing properties that manage the dry and itchiness caused by eczema.

Uses of dry oil for hair

Dry oils can help in moisturizing the hair, reduce frizziness and breakage caused by dryness.

Saturated and monounsaturated fats found in dry oils penetrate the hair better in comparison to polyunsaturated fats.

To hydrate your hair properly choose oils with monounsaturated fats like avocado oil.

Add a few drops of dry oil on your palms and apply it on your damp hair then comb to spread it evenly.

Uses of dry oil for face and body

The linoleic acid found in dry oils is known to hydrate the skin and protect the natural moisture barrier.

Research 2012 done on 19 people found that applying sunflower oil on the skin improved hydration level better as compared to olive oil. 

Research has found that fatty acid found in dry oil reduces inflammation on the skin.

After a warm bath or shower, rub dry oil on your body to add moisture.

Uses of Dry oil on nails

Dry oil offers the same moisturizing properties to nails like skin and hair. Applying dry oil to your cuticles help in preventing cracking and dryness.

Add a few drops of dry oil on your palms and rub to warm it up a little and then massage the cuticles.

Dry oils are very hydrating and soothing on the skin and do not cause any breakouts or irritation. Hence these can be used even during summers.

What forms does dry oil come in?

Dry oil is available in various forms, which includes:

• In spray form- many dry oils come in spray bottles, making it easier to apply them on hair and skin.
• Dropper bottles- some natural dry oil brands manufacture them in dropper bottles, which makes it easier to apply on face, nails, and hair.
• In shampoos- dry oil is also added to some shampoos to benefit hair.
• In moisturizers and beauty products- some skincare products and moisturizers also include natural dry oils as one of the ingredients.

Side effects and precautions

Dry oils generally considered safe for topical use and rarely cause any side effects. Similar to any new skincare product, you may have an allergic reaction to dry oil.

Some possible side effects and reaction of dry oil might include:

• itchiness
• Redness
• rash
• irritation
• swelling

Before you start using a new oil for the first time, test it on a small area of your skin and wait 24 hours to check if it causes any reaction. This will help in determining if the particular dry oil is suitable for your skin type or not.

Where to get dry oil?

You can easily find dry oils at cosmetic stores. These are also available online.

Nowadays there is numerous brand that manufactures dry oils for skin, nails, and hair separately.

WARNING!!!

When you add any new product to your skincare kit, always test it by applying it on a small area of your skin and leave it for 24 hours to make sure it suits your skin and does not cause any allergic reaction.

Final words:

What is a dry oil? Dry oil refers to oils that are easily and quickly absorbed into the skin. Most oils are derived from seeds, herbs, and vegetables. Many oils have the potential to hydrate and moisturize skin or hair without leaving behind any greasy or sticky residue like wet oils.