Dry skin wasn’t an issue for me until my mid-40s. During a Tammy Fender facial, my aesthetician casually mentioned my skin was dry. Moving to Spain last year didn’t help. Turns out living in a warm, dry climate will absolutely compromise your moisture barrier. Never did I expect summer heat to be this brutal. The urban setting has a lot of lifestyle perks but increased UV exposure is self-care sabotage.
Face oils helped. A lot. I’m not saying they fixed everything, but if you’re here searching for the best face oils for dry skin, hear me out. A face oil, used correctly, can be an absolute game-changer. Unfortunately, most people apply (or layer) them wrong, which is why they end up looking slightly greasy without reaping the benefits.
This guide covers the best face oils for dry skin across all price points, plus the application techniques that actually work.
Dry vs Dehydrated Skin
Quick distinction: dehydrated skin lacks water, dry skin lacks oil.
Dehydration responds to mists, toners, and hyaluronic acid serums. Dryness needs lipids: fatty acids, ceramides, the whole moisture-binding crew. If your skin feels tight after cleansing but gets shiny by noon, you’re dehydrated. If it stays tight all day, you’re dry.
Why Face Oils Work
Face oils are ridiculously versatile, which is why I favor them over most face creams. My technique: apply 3-5 drops on a heavily misted face, mix with a hyaluronic acid serum, or cocktail with my moisturizer. This way the oil absorbs elegantly instead of just sliding around doing nothing.
The key is layering with water-based products. Oil alone has nowhere to go.
Oil First, Cream Second
Oil first, cream second. Always. The oil delivers moisture, the cream seals it in and prevents that shiny glazed-donut look nobody over 30 actually wants.
Yes, people argue about this order. They’re wrong. Even dry skin can be over-moisturized, and shiny tight skin isn’t the flex you think it is. Start with 3-5 drops and adjust from there.
Single-Ingredient Oils: When Less Is More
When you’re dealing with dry skin, the last thing you need is a complicated routine. Single-ingredient oils are often the smartest move—pure squalane, jojoba, or rosehip with nothing else competing for absorption.
But here’s where sourcing matters. Extraction method, processing temperature, and batch size directly impact an oil’s antioxidant potency and shelf stability. Cold-pressed, small-batch oils from artisanal producers cost more because they’re preserving the good stuff that gets destroyed in mass production. You’re paying for the care, not just the marketing.
This is why a $78 bottle of Le Prunier (single-ingredient, farm-to-bottle plum oil) performs differently than a $12 generic plum oil from Amazon. The INCI might look identical, but the execution isn’t.
African Botanics Neroli Infused Marula Oil
I cannot imagine a roundup without the African Botanics Neroli Infused Marula Oil. It’s been a constant in my routine for over a decade. Exquisite in composition, sourced in South Africa to ensure antioxidant potency. Chock-full of essential fatty acids, the silky formula plumps, protects, and revitalizes dull skin almost instantly. As an absolute neroli fanatic, I see the subtle fragrance as the ultimate indulgent touch. Worth every penny. I don’t ever want to be without it.
$120 (30ml) at africanbotanics.com, fwrd.com, or dermstore.com where my code OMGBART saves you 15-20% on most brands
Le Plumier Plum Beauty Oil
The cult favorite that sold out worldwide with a 30,000-person waitlist. One ingredient: plum seed oil from a family California farm. That’s it. Grown, pressed, and bottled on-site, which means you actually know where it comes from. The natural marzipan scent is divisive. You’ll either love it or find it weird. I’m in the love camp. Packed with omega fatty acids and vitamins A and E, it absorbs fast, never clogs pores, and works on every skin type including oily. Non-comedogenic, lightweight, and genuinely lives up to the hype.
$78 (1 oz) at leprunier.com, thedetoxmarket.com, or beauty-heroes.com
Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil
One ingredient: 100% olive-derived squalane. That’s it. No fragrance, no preservatives, no filler. Squalane mimics your skin’s natural sebum, which is why it absorbs without leaving residue or clogging pores. The texture is silky and lightweight, and it works on literally every skin type including oily and acne-prone. This is the gateway oil. Foolproof, unfussy, and reliable. If you’re new to face oils or just want something that performs without requiring a chemistry degree, start here.
$38 (30ml) at indielee.com, thedetoxmarket.com, grove.co or dermstore.com
In Fiore Nourrit Complex
This is a niche, luxury brand that is truly “for those who know.” Exquisite throughout—from masterpiece INCI detail to packaging and font—In Fiore is an experience. This gem proves it. One of three face oils the brand offers, Nourrit is specifically formulated for dry skin that needs an energy boost. The blend of cold-pressed grapeseed and rosehip oils creates the comforting base that improves dry skin immensely. It is the harmonious infusion of frankincense, jasmine, and myrrh that adds the ultimate sensorial touch. It may be the grounding aroma of this oil that makes using In Fiore feel less like skincare and more like anointing yourself.
$90 (25ml) at infiore.net or capbeauty.com
Activist Manuka Green Botanical Face Serum
I’m a huge fan of Activist’s Manuka Honey Mask, a genuine dry skin savior, so this oil was an easy yes. Wildcrafted in New Zealand, it’s built around Mānuka oil for antibacterial healing and blue tansy to calm redness. The opulent green color comes from algae and botanicals, which sounds precious but actually delivers. What makes this one different: it feels lightweight and absorbs fast without leaving that heavy, oily film most face oils insist on. One of very few formulas I can wear during the day without feeling glazed.
$85 (30ml) at activistmanuka.com, beauty-heroes.com, or capbeauty.com
Pai Skincare Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil
The rosehip oil everyone recommends, and for good reason. Pai uses the whole rosehip—seed and fruit—extracted via supercritical CO2 instead of cold-pressing, which preserves more of the regenerative omegas and antioxidants. The result is a formula that’s measurably more potent than standard rosehip oils. Pai has cult status in beauty circles because it delivers. And this oil is a total star. Brightens, smooths, locks in moisture. It’s more viscous and a tad richer in texture than most so use sparingly and enjoy the glow.
$54 (30ml) at beauty-heroes.com, dermstore.com, or lookfantastic.com
BYOMA Hydrating Recovery Oil
This is what barrier repair looks like when you’re not spending triple digits. BYOMA’s ceramide-squalane blend works with jojoba and sea buckthorn to rebuild compromised skin while delivering serious hydration. The texture is plush and robust but sinks in without leaving any trace of its oily heft. Perfect for when your skin is parched and angry, whether that’s from blasting indoor heat, frigid outdoor air, or one too many long-haul flights. No fragrance, no fuss, no inflated price. Just a solid, no-frills oil that actually performs. Great for minimalists who want results without the ceremony.
$18.99 (30ml) at ulta.com, spacenk.com or boots.com
Most people give up on face oils before they figure out the technique. If your skin felt slippery after one application, it’s too soon to quit. But here’s the thing: your skin’s moisture needs shift constantly. What worked last winter will be too heavy this summer, and what feels perfect in a humid climate will leave you tight and flaky in a dry one.
The expensive oils aren’t always better, but the cheap ones aren’t always good enough either. Find one that actually addresses dry skin, commit to it long enough to see results, and adjust your application as your skin and environment change. That’s it.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you buy through them—at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I’ve actually used or think are worth your money.
