What Is A Dry Oil & What Are Its Benefits & Side Effects?

Dry oil is referred to as a liquid that does not leave any residue on the skin. Most of these dry oils are made from vegetables, herbs, or seeds that contain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid.

Dry oils are present in the lightweight moisturizers that are used for hair, skin, or nails. The oils include:

• Avocado oil
• Sesame oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Safflower oil
• Sunflower oil
• Rosehip oil

These dry oils are extremely beneficial and also do not leave any sticky residue after application. They can be obtained as a spray, in a dropper bottle, in shampoos, and moisturizers.

Dry oils get absorbed into the skin within a few seconds of application. The potential benefits of dry oil include:

• Dry oils such as safflower and sunflower oil moisturize the skin by maintaining its water permeability.
• It helps increase collagen production. A study found applying avocado oil to the skin of rats increased the production of collagen.⁽¹⁾ It also decreased inflammation.
• Dry oils improve the condition of dry and cracked skin. They are considered an excellent way to moisturize dry, damaged, or chapped skin.⁽²⁾
• These oils help fight the signs of aging. The high antioxidant property of sesame oil help in reducing oxidative stress of skin and fights the signs of aging.⁽³⁾
• Reduce the sun’s damaging effects on the skin. The antioxidant properties protect the skin from damage caused due to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
• Repairs the protective barrier of the skin. Research shows linoleic acid present in sunflower oil repair the skin barrier and helps maintain skin integrity.⁽⁴⁾
• Its moisturizing properties help repair the dry and itchy eczema on the skin.
• Dry oils moisturize hair and reduce breakage caused by dryness. Oils containing saturated and monounsaturated oils penetrate more into the hair than the polyunsaturated fats.⁽⁵⁾ So they are considered the best oils to be used for hair.
• The moisturizing properties of dry oil not only benefit hair and skin but also nails. Applying them to the cuticles may prevent dryness and chipping of nails.
• Dry oil can also help in wound healing. Applying oleic oil to surgical wounds hasten the healing process.⁽⁶⁾ A trial done in 2017 found a gentle massage of sesame oil reduced pain in the patients of limb trauma.⁽⁷⁾

• Dry oils are mostly safe to be used and the side effects are also very rare.
• Some people get an allergic reaction when using any new substance. The allergic reaction may include itching, redness, rash, swelling, and irritation.
• To avoid an allergic reaction on a large area, apply the oil on a small patch of skin, and wait for 24 hours to see the reaction.
• Dry oil is any oil that dries up quickly on the skin. It can be obtained from any store that sells cosmetics.
• Most of the dry oils are made from vegetables, herbs, and seeds. They have the potential to moisturize hair and skin without leaving any sticky residue.

Make sure to do a patch test, if it is the first time you are using any oil to avoid any severe allergic reaction.