Best Face Wash for Dry Skin: A Comprehensive Look at 5 Products and the List of Carrier Oils You Need for Dry/Dry Sensitive Skin
Does your skin feel like it cracks at times? Does it feel tight? Dry skin can feel rough, especially after washing it with soap. Below I discuss natural face washes for dry skin that are gentle, hydrating and skin-lubricating that won’t leave you feeling like the photo above.
In this article I’ll recommend 5 excellent natural face washes for dry skin (one for mature skin, one for very dry and sensitive, one for dry skin with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, and an organic African black soap which is a favourite of many).
If you suffer from extremely dry skin you can add a carrier oil for dry skin to the face wash to double its lubricating potency.
- DRY/VERY DRY SKIN: Wash your face with one of my recommended face washes for dry skin below.
- SEVERE DRY SKIN: Add a carrier oil for dry skin to one of my recommended face washes below.
About Dry Skin & Dry Sensitive Skin
It can be a little complicated to classify skin appropriately; it was Helena Rubenstein who defined the different skin types as we know them today: combination, oily, dry and sensitive. If you have dry skin you’ll have skin that appears a little rough (or very rough), maybe dull and with leathery appearance. It can feel tight, especially after washing it but not necessarily and it is prone to developing wrinkles and fine lines. If you have sensitive dry skin that means that on top of the above mentioned characteristics you’ll also have skin that’s prone to inflammation, flakiness and cracks. Maybe also you suffer from psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, etc. If so, both my methods will help you.
What Causes the Dryness
There are many reasons why skin can be dry. Harsh soaps and detergents are a possible cause, this is why I only recommend natural products that are gentle and skin-loving. Age will also be a determining factor (if you’re over 40 you’ll start noticing how your skin gets drier over time). Poor cellular lipid syhthesis (your oil glands are not producing enough sebum to keep it lubricated), lack of fluids in the stratum corneum (the top layer of the skin), genetic predisposition, skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, etc, maybe weather related (climate conditions such as very hot or very cold weather), too much exposure to UV rays, alcohol and smoking. All these are factors and if you smoke or drink too much alcohol I recommend you at least start thinking about quitting. I quit around 9 years ago and my skin looks healthy and thanks me every day for it : )
Recommended Treatments
Cleansing your skin day and night is highly recommended. You can also exfoliate two or three times a week. An appropriate moisturiser will most definitely help, as well as serums. I’ll write another entry to cover both the best natural moisturisers for dry skin and best serums for dry skin.
Let’s move on and show you my recommended products for washing dry skin/dry sensitive skin and the perfect carrier oils you can add to your chosen face wash if you suffer from extremely dry skin.
DRY SKIN
Recommended Face Wash for Dry/Dry Sensitive Skin
If you’re considering buying a face wash for dry skin that’s not 100% natural this article is for you. I only like reviewing products that are 100% natural and, in some cases, organic (as and when possible since I know that achieving ‘organic’ status means unending paperwork for brands). I make my own DIY skincare and as time goes by my ethos gets ‘tighter’ in terms ingredients being natural, ethically sourced and so on. I’ll be reviewing here what I consider to be some of the best face washes for dry skin that are also 100% natural and REALLY GOOD for you.
Even though my chosen products have not deliberately been formulated for dry skin per se, they will be very suitable for it. These natural products work really well on most skin types and they’ll be gentle and nourishing enough on dry skin.
I’ve chosen 5 different products for different ‘pocket sizes’ (from quite inexpensive to pure luxury). I also chose products with ingredients targeted at different skin problems: dry sensitive skin, acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, mature skin, etc, etc. My chosen products also go from featuring basic lists of natural ingredients (in fact, one product I would make myself at home, similar to my liquid soap formula, check it here) to elaborated ingredients lists that are make for high-end natural products.
With all of the above in mind, let’s get started.
1. FOR MATURE SKIN: Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Facial Wash
I absolutely ADORE Neal’s Yard Remedies. I have many, many products from them and the brand’s ethics is just about the best you can find around (“The world’s first health and beauty company to be awarded 100/100 for ethics (in an independent audit by the Ethical Company Organisation”). They’re based in the UK and were established in 1981 in a small shop in Neal’s Yard (hence the name) in the area of Covent Garden, in London. Over the years they’ve grown into an international company although their ethics have stayed the same.
I HIGHLY recommend ANY of their products. As mentioned before, I have bought many products from this brand and will most definitely do an article featuring them as I truly love every single thing they make.
The facial wash I’m recommending is suitable for all skin types and that means it’s suitable for dry skin as well. I’ve had a look at the ingredients and it will be a great facial wash that’s gentle and not drying on skin that tends to be on the drier side. Neal’s Yard Remedies skincare is truly top-of-the-range and all their products have been created with such love and care… Well worth every cent.
- Suitable for vegans
- Gentle, suitable for older skin (firming and radiance-inducing effect)
- With frankincense, apricot and jojoba
- Rich in vitamins and antioxidants
- Organic and natural ingredients
Ingredients
Heilanthuus Annus Seed Oil, Aqua (Water), Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Lauryl Betaine, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Prunus Armenica Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Alcohol Denat, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Boswellia Carterii Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Expressed, Citrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool
Let’s have a look at some of the ingredients:
Sunflower Oil: This non-greasy oil is suitable for all skin types. It is particularly good for sensitive skin. Also good for ageing skin because of its 5-10% palmitic acid, good for helping with inflamed skin because of its oleic acid (15-20%). High in polyunsaturated linoleic acid (70-75%) which gives it powerful skin protective properties. Good to help with dermatitis.
Jojoba Oil: Great for dry sensitive skin, this oil is also suitable for all skin types. High in Eicosenoic acid, jojoba oil is ideal for those with rosacea as the oil offers relief from symptoms of inflammation. This is a balancing oil also good for skin ageing as well as wound healing and infections.
Sweet Almond Oil: Sweet almond oil is ideal for scaly, chapped, mature and dry skin. It helps with eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. With a high amount of oleic acid (60-65%) which is great for reducing inflammation, high in skin-protective linoleic acid (30-35%) and with some palmitic acid (7-10%) which makes it a great oil for mature skin. With squalane and vitamin E. It contains manganese which helps soothe irritation, prevent blemishes and also helps delay premature ageing.
Apricot Kernel Oil: Good for sensitive skin as well as oily and combination. This is a light moisturizer that absorbs really quickly into the skin. High in oleic acid (60-65%) which means it has antifungal properties. Seborrheic dermatitis, for example, is a fungal infection on the skin. Rich in Vitamin E.
Glycerin: Shame we don’t really know the percentage of glycerin in the product, I add 3%+ glycerin to my products when they’re aimed at dry skin (1.5% for oily skin and 2-2.5% for normal skin). A natural humectant, glycerin is ideal in wash-off products.
Calendula Flower Extract: Calendula flower extract is rich in oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes and contains tannins, phenol acids, coumarins, carotenoids, saponosides and polysaccharides. If all of this sounds a little confusing, let’s just say it helps with treating inflammation of the skin, treats skin ulcers and eczema, amongst other things.
Carrot Root Extract: With antioxidant properties.
Aloe Vera: Check this link to find out about aloe vera and dry skin.
Frankinsence Essential Oil: Rejuvenates mature skin, a potent antimicrobial. Suitable for all skin types.
Mandarin Essential Oil (Expressed): An uplifting essential oil, it is suitable for all skin types. Antibacterial and can treat fungal and viral infections.
Bergamot Essential Oil (Expressed): Bergamot is aimed at oily skin and acne but the small amount in the product won’t divert it from being an excellent product for dry skin as well.
This is a truly beautiful facial wash for all skin types and definitely good for dry skin because of the amazing oils it contains. High recommended, again, Neal’s Yard Remedies is my favourite brand!
(1) NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES FACE WASH
[amazon box=”B003JBVMGI”]
2. FOR VERY DRY & VERY SENSITIVE: Christina Moss Naturals Face Wash
This product is particularly good for those with sensitive skin. The oils it contains are alsy wonderful and very suitable for dry skin. I already speak highly of this brand, check out my best organic moisturizer for acne prone skin entry.
Christina Moss has incredibly good reviews and I love the ingredients they use on their products. This is an organic facial wash that will not dry your skin
Ingredients
Decyl Glucoside, Certified Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Certified Organic Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Certified Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Potassium Hydroxide (this is removed in the final product through the process of Saponification), Certified Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Vera) Juice, Citric Acid, Certified Organic Butyrospermum Parki (Shea Butter), Certified Organic Rosmarinus Officials (Rosemary) Essential Oil, Rosmarius Officianalis (Rosemary) Flower Extract.
Let’s have a look at some of the ingredients:
Coconut oil: Lightweight, suitable for all skin types, excellent moisturizer, inexpensive, naturally antibacterial thanks in part to the myristic and lauric acids, skin-soothing, antifungal thanks to the caprylic acid, UV-protective (SPF 4-8%) and very stable, with an estimated shelf-life of years, coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer for dry skin.
Olive oil: Olive oil is a major source oleic acid as well as squalene, one of the most common lipids produced by skin cells. In fact, a deficiency of squalene can result in dry skin as well as premature ageing.
Sunflower Oil: This non-greasy oil is suitable for all skin types. It is particularly good for sensitive skin. Also good for ageing skin because of its 5-10% palmitic acid, good for helping with inflamed skin because of its oleic acid (15-20%). High in polyunsaturated linoleic acid (70-75%) which gives it powerful skin protective properties. Good to help with dermatitis.
Aloe Vera: Check this link to find out about aloe vera and dry skin.
Shea Butter: Shea butter is a wonderful, packed with benefits product (check my article on all you need to know about shea butter here).
Rosemary essential oil: Rich in rosmarinic acid which means it is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. A good essential oil when it comes to toning and cleansing.
(2) CHRISTINA MOSS FACE WASH
[amazon box=”B00FZESMKG”]
3. HIGH-END/TOP OF RANGE / LUXURIOUS: Annmarie Skin Care Phytonutrient Cleanser
We’ve reached another level within the world of natural/organic skincare with this particular product. Annemarie’s products are synonym of true luxury. The price point can be a little scary, but the ingredients list is simply remarkable. As Formula Botanica taught me: the product IS the ingredients!
This product is packed with aloe vera extracts, I particularly love the helichrysum flower extract, the rose flower extract, the tamanu oil (expensive!) and acai seed oil they’ve added to this truly luxurious product.
Let’s have a look at some of the ingredients:
Ingredients
Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, [Sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, Lauryl glucoside (saponified oils of coconut oil and plant starches/sugars)], *Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, *Glycerin (vegetable derived), Serum blend [*Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, Carrageenan (chondrus crispus), *Squalane (plant sugar derived), Saccharide isomerate (plant sugar complex), Aqua, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, *Xanthan gum (wood pulp derived)], *Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice extract [*Pyrus malus (apple) fruit], Herb-infused aloe vera juice [*Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, *Calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract, *Chamomilla recutita (chamomile) flower extract, *Helichrysum arenarium (life everlasting) flower extract, *Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower extract, *Rosa centifolia (rose) flower extract], *Mangifera indica (mango) seed butter, Populus tremuloides (aspen) bark extract, *Callophyllum inophyllum (tamanu) seed oil, *Euterpe oleracea (acai) seed oil, Essential oils [Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Citrus limon (lemon), Citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot), Litsea cubeba], CO2 extract [*Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)], Xanthan gum (wood pulp derived).*Organically grown or wildcrafted
Aloe Vera: Check this link to find out about aloe vera and dry skin..
Coconut oil: Lightweight, suitable for all skin types, excellent moisturizer, inexpensive, naturally antibacterial thanks in part to the myristic and lauric acids, skin-soothing, antifungal thanks to the caprylic acid, UV-protective (SPF 4-8%) and very stable, with an estimated shelf-life of years, coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer for dry skin.
Carrageenan: I’ve never heard before of this polysaccharide extracted from red seaweed also known as ‘Irish moss’ and used to thicken the product. Can leave the skin feeling smooth (more info here). I use xantham gum to thicken and stabilize my formulas so I’m supposing this has a similar function. Never heard of it but I’m curious and will probably give it a try in the future. It looks like a high-end version of thickeners/stabilizers (think gums, agar-agar, sea moss, gelatin, etc, that sort of thing).
Squalane: Squalene is a natural organic compound which is part of our tissues. It is a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon, its molecular structure resembling that of vitamin E. Squalene, however, contains four additional groups of isoprenoids, which are very potent natural antioxidants. I wrote an article on everything you need to know about squalane.
Calendula Flower Extract: Calendula flower extract is rich in oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes and contains tannins, phenol acids, coumarins, carotenoids, saponosides and polysaccharides. If all of this sounds a little confusing, let’s just say it helps with treating inflammation of the skin, treats skin ulcers and eczema, amongst other things.
Chamomilla flower extract: Chamomile, the quintessential anti-inflammatory plant. This one is Chamomilla recutita (German chamomile) which contains a higher concentration of key active ingredients like the terpenoids chamazulene and α-bisabolol (key anti-inflammatory component). More info here.
Helichrysum flower extract: If you want to hear wonders about Helichrysum you should listen to David Crowe, from Floracopeia, talk about it here and here. In nutshell, the plant Helichrysum italicum is also known as Everlasting and Immortelle. Enough said.
Rose flower extract: Rose is a precious ingredients when it comes to skincare formulas and not a cheap one. These are the sort of high-end ingredients that really take this product to the next level. Another beautiful anti-inflammatory suitable for all skin types although really good for mature skin because of its anti-ageing properties. Rose extract is ideal for mature, dry and sensitive skin. I treat my rose essential oil (an absolute) as if every drop was a drop of liquid gold. Literally.
Mango butter: Mango butter is less greasy than shea butter or cocoa butter. I have a big bag in my cupboard that needs to be used although it’s gone grainy so I need to do something about it (butters tend to go grainy when there are temperature changes). Mango butter is great for mature skin and can help skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. A characteristic of this butter is how quickly it gets absorbed into the skin! Extremely nourishing to the skin. Non-comedogenic and good for all skin types. More info here.
Aspen bark extract: This is the natural preservative and, again, not one I’ve used before. Truly high-end ingredients here I must say. More info on aspen bark extract here. Just look at the price here and you’ll see what I mean by high-end.
Tamanu oil: Another high-end ingredient. Out of all my carrier oil bottles, tamanu is the smallest one due to its price! (lol emoticon here). Here’s the one I buy. Not sure how much of the oil has been added to Annmarie’s face wash but probably enough to make a difference. I quote Naturally Thinking here: “Tamanu has been shown to stimulate collagen production by fibroblasts resulting in an improved healing process”.
Acai seed oil: Now, this is an oil I don’t have in my pantry. And I have many. There are many benefits to acai on skincare, let Annmarie tell you all about it here.
Lavander essential oil: Who doesn’t love lavender essential oil? If there’s one oil you must have, lavender is it. There are numerous benefits to lavender essential oil. A huge list of articles here.
Litsea cubeba: I have many, many different essential oils but not this one (or Helichrysum as it is not easy to find and the corsican one is VERY expensive). Also known as May Chang. If you’d like to know about its properties check out this article.
Annmarie’s skin care phytonutrient cleanser (the fancy way of saying ‘liquid soap’ or ‘face wash’) is most definitely a superb gift to give someone you truly care about. I feel this is a superior face wash (phytonutrient cleanser ; ) ) and there’s no doubt the impressive list of ingredients surely attest to this but please don’t feel like you need to use a product that’s packed with so many top ingredients. Sometimes less is more, and any of the products listed on this post are truly beneficial for the skin. Luxurious doesn’t mean essential. This is a great product if you feel you deserve a special treat, but again, any of the other products listed on this entry will do a beautiful job!
(3) ANNMARIE SKIN CARE PHYTONUTRIENT CLEANSER
[amazon box=”B07B4LRW84″]
4. FOR ECZEMA, PSORIASIS, ACNE, DERMATITIS, ROSACEA, SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS: Honeyskin Organics Face Wash
I personally love this product. I make a very similar product, check this link here. It is simple, and, as opposed to Annmarie’s product above, it doesn’t contain a lot of ingredients. This product has aloe vera as its first ingredient, which means it is the ingredient with the highest percentage within the product. Here’s a link on aloe vera as a moisturizer and here’s an example of how aloe vera can help with seborrheic dermatitis. This product features other great ingredients like manuka honey and hyaluronic acid. Another interesting addition is Centipeda cunninghamii (more info here) which has medicinal properties. **Please note that this product is not vegan due to the use of honey in it.
The reason I chose this product is because it is very similar to the face wash I make at home and I TOTALLY LOVE IT. And so does the rest of my family, to the point where my cousin has developed an addiction for it. Yes, that good.
Ingredients
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Glycerin, Decyl glucoside, Tocopherol, Leptospermum scoparium mel, Cehami, Gluconolactone, Sodium benzoate, Sodium hyaluronate, Manihot esculenta starch, Cellulose gum, Xantham gum, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxide
Aloe vera: Check this link to find out about aloe vera and dry skin.
Manuka honey: Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, humectant. Find here general manuka honey benefits and here manuka honey benefits in skincare.
Cocamidopropyl betaine: Cocamidopropyl betaine is a medium surfactant (think soap) derived from coconut oil that is widely used in natural skincare for liquid soaps. I also use it in my formulations together with decyl glucoside (another surfactant, see below).
Glycerin: A natural humectant, glycerin is ideal in wash-off products.
Decyl glucoside: Mild and gentle, decyl glucoside is a non-ionic surfactant obtained from a combination of plant based fatty alcohols. More info here.
(4) HONEY SKIN ORGANICS FACE WASH
[amazon box=”B00W87KH8S”]
5. FOR AFRICAN BLACK SOAP LOVERS: Sky Organics Black Soap
I use African black soap daily. I’ve made liquid soap out of the lovely, handmade soap balls (Ghana), I use Dudu-Osun black soap (aff link) (Nigeria) to wash my mum’s head because she needs very natural products due to really bad seborrheic dermatitis, I’ve used liquid black soap as a shower gel, etc. Check out my posts on African black soap here and here. So, basically, I am an African black soap fan for sure. This is why I had to add Sky Organics African Black Soap (aff link) as an option on this post.
What can I say about African black soap besides how much I love it for so many reasons? Ok, let’s get started: a formula that has stood the test of time over the years, found to have antimicrobial properties, the plant matter used is different to other soaps (plantain skins, cocoa pods, shea tree bark, palm tree leaves, etc) which means it is a very specific product, hand-stirred, it helps soothe irritated skin, good for all skin types, a natural moisturizer, mild exfoliation, it is said to reduce hyperpigmentation, anti-fungal properties… and the colour is simply amazing.
Ingredients
Organic Palm Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Palm Kernel Oil,Organic Virgin Coconut Oil,Organic Unrefined Shea Butter, Plantain Skin Ash, Purified Water, Natural Vitamin E, Aloe, Natural Sodium
Let’s have a look at some of the ingredients:
Organic palm oil: Contains vitamin E, beta-carotene, antioxidants and EFAs (essential fatty acids). More info here.
Organic cocoa butter: A great occlusive creating a barrier to protect the skin from loss of moisture. Particularly good for dry skin.
Organic virgin coconut oil: With anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. More info here.
Organic unrefined shea butter: Check my article for everything there’s to know about shea butter – I’m a sucker for this product and it’s easy to see why.
Natural vitamin E: I’m adding this one here because products can sometimes use synthetic tocopherol (vitamin E) and I love it when they use natural vitamin E (more expensive also).
(5) SKY ORGANICS BLACK SOAP
[amazon box=”B01EH1KMB4″]
Which One to Choose?
These are all excellent products if you’re looking for a face wash for dry skin because of the gentle, natural, top quality ingredients. This is nature at its best, mixed by companies that truly care about your skin.
You’ll have to make the pick yourself. My advice? If not sure, go by price. You can’t go wrong that way because there’s no bad choices here. All the products I’ve recommended above are truly superb and I would use any of them on a daily basis with absolute (ABSOLUTE!) pleasure.
SEVERE DRY DKIN
Adding an Extra Carrier Oil to Your Chosen Face Wash
If you suffer from severe dry skin it might be a good idea to add a good carrier oil for dry skin/dry sensitive skin to your face wash. That way you’re doubling the lubrication potency of the face wash. You can either:
- Add a carrier oil from my list below to a chosen face wash from my recommended list above (by adding a few drops every time you wash your face)
- Wash with your chosen face wash for dry skin from the list above and then apply the carrier oil so it can act a serum (ideal at night time)
Both methods are good as your skin will benefit from the ‘doubling up’ (the perfect face wash for dry skin plus the perfect carrier oil). The drawback would be that you have to use two products instead of one, but as I always say your skin is the boss here and you need to give it what it needs on a daily basis.
Because these are all natural products you can use this method EVEN if you don’t have severe dry skin. I have combination skin and I add a carrier oil to my face wash formula (I add meadowfoam carrier oil). My auntie also uses it and she told me that without the oil it dries her skin, even though I add glycerin to the formula. So it’s up to you, really, test different things and see what your skin likes best.
The Perfect Carrier Oils for Dry Skin / Dry Sensitive Skin
There are some carrier oils (also known as vegetable oils or base oils) that are highly recommended for dry skin/dry sensitive skin. Choose one and add a few drops to your chosen face wash from my recommended list. If you’re not sure if you should use this method, try using the face wash first. If your skin still feels a little tight, try this method then and adjust amount of oil drops according to your skin needs.
METHOD:
Add a few drops of any of the oils below to your face wash. Adjust as you learn what your skin loves over time.
Carrier Oils for Dry Skin
The list of carrier oils below will be helpful for those dry skin. For dry sensitive skin, scroll down a little further.
- AVOCADO OIL FOR DRY SKIN (Particularly good for mature skin)
A fantastic, inexpensive oil for dry skin, stretch marks, scar tissue, chapped skin, etc. The oil comes from the flesh of the avocado, picked from the avocado tree (see pics below). This oil is rich in vitamin E and beta carotene. A great emollient ideal for mature, very dry skin. High in oleic acid with some palmitoleic acid (good for ageing skin). This is a FABULOUS oil if you’re on a budget, you have mature dry skin or simply dry/very dry skin. Check out avocado oil on Amazon.
- SWEET ALMOND OIL FOR DRY SKIN (Particularly good for mature skin, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis)
Sweet almond oil is ideal for scaly, chapped, mature and dry skin. It helps with eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. With a high amount of oleic acid (60-65%) which is great for reducing inflammation, high in linoleic acid (30-35%) and with some palmitic acid (7-10%) which makes it a great oil for mature skin. With squalane and vitamin E. It contains manganese which helps soothe irritation, prevent blemishes and also helps delay premature ageing. Check out sweet almond oil on Amazon.
- HEMP SEED OIL FOR DRY SKIN (Particularly good for mature skin, eczema, psoriasis, inflammation)
Hemp seed oil is a fantastic oil for eczema, psoriasis and inflammed skin. Also good for ageing skin and sensitive skin in general. Very high in linoleic acid, high in alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, oleic acid and palmitoleic acid (good for ageing skin). A truly remarkable oil for dry, mature skin. Check out hemp seed oil on Amazon.-
- ROSEHIP SEED OIL FOR DRY SKIN (Particularly good for mature, inflamed skin)
Rosehip seed oil is great for people with mature skin (palmitic acid 4-5%). It is also a good oil for treating inflamed skin (alpha-linolenic acid 30-35%). It can help with fine lines and hyperpigmentation as well. Many people use it to diminish scar marks. Short shelf-life of 6 to 8 months. Check out rosehip seed oil on Amazon.
- BORAGE OIL FOR DRY SKIN (Extremely good for inflamed skin! NOT SUITABLE if you have dry sensitive skin)
I use borage oil for my mum’s cream formula to treat her seborrheic dermatitis (I mix borage, hemp seed, evening primrose and black seed oils). What makes this oil truly special is its high content of gamma-linoleic acid (25-30%). Suffice to say it is very effective in treating eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions. It soothes and calms irritated skin, with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. This acid (GLA) is found in borage, evening primrose, hemp and rosehip oils but borage oil is the one with the highest content. Check out borage oil on Amazon.
- ARGAN OIL FOR DRY SKIN
Argan oil is an incredible oil, suitable for all skin types (high in oleic acid and linoleic acid). It is good for dry skin and dry sensitive skin as well but beware: this is not a cheap oil. The oil is extracted by Beber women in North Africa and it takes around 8 hours of cracking nuts to get 1 liter of oil, so you can see why this oil is a bit pricey. The additional components of squalane and vitamin E make argan oil a truly special carrier oil. Check out argan oil on Amazon.
- COCONUT OIL FOR DRY SKIN
Lightweight, suitable for all skin types, excellent moisturizer, inexpensive, naturally antibacterial thanks in part to the myristic and lauric acids, skin-soothing, antifungal thanks to the caprylic acid, UV-protective (SPF 4-8%) and very stable, with an estimated shelf-life of years, coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer for dry skin. Check out coconut oil on Amazon.
Carrier Oils for Dry Sensitive Skin
The list of carrier oils below is suitable for dry sensitive skin.
- EVENING PRIMROSE OIL FOR DRY SENSITIVE SKIN (Extremely good for inflamed dry sensitive skin)
A great oil for all skin types but particularly beneficial for inflamed, ageing or sensitive skin. Both evening primrose oil and borage oil contain GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) but evening primrose oil is suitable for sensitive skin while borage oil is not. Evening primrose oil calms symptoms of inflamed skin being able to treat dryness, redness, itching and scaling. It can also ease symptoms of eczema and psoriasis and can heal wounds. A great skin-repairing oil. Check out evening primrose oil on Amazon.
- JOJOBA OIL FOR DRY SENSITIVE SKIN (Particularly good for rosacea-infected skin)
A liquid wax and not really an oil, jojoba oil is suitable for all skin types. High in Eicosenoic acid, jojoba oil is ideal for those with rosacea as the oil offers relief from symptoms of inflammation. This is a balancing oil also good for skin ageing as well as wound healing and infections. It has a long shelf life (around 2 years) and it is a great emollient. Check out jojoba oil on Amazon.
- ARGAN OIL FOR DRY SENSITIVE SKIN
Argan oil is an incredible oil, suitable for all skin types (high in oleic acid and linoleic acid). It is good for dry skin and dry sensitive skin as well but beware: this is not a cheap oil. The oil is extracted by Beber women in North Africa and it takes around 8 hours of cracking nuts to get 1 liter of oil, so you can see why this oil is a bit pricey. The additional components of squalane and vitamin E make argan oil a truly special carrier oil. Check out argan oil on Amazon.
- MARULA OIL FOR DRY SENSITIVE SKIN
Marula oil is wonderful for dry, sensitive skin. Super hydrating, this oil heals and protects. Reduces flakiness and replenishes your natural oils. Please note that this is not a cheap oil! If you’re trying to save money go for something like jojoba oil or shea butter. Due to its high price point and to make the most of it, you can use it as a serum on its own after washing your face. Check Marula oil on Amazon. If you want a cheaper marula oil, check out The Ordinary’s marula oil.
- SHEA BUTTER FOR DRY SENSITIVE SKIN
Shea butter will complicate your process a little more since you’ll have to melt the butter first. Shea butter is an AMAZING product (check my article on all you need to know about shea butter here). You can melt using the Bain Marie method or simply microwave for a few seconds, either way don’t wait til it’s too liquid, just liquid enough to mix with your face wash.
Check shea butter on Amazon.
I Don’t Think You’ll Be Needing Anything Else
You’ve got anything and everything you need hear to wash dry skin with the perfect products/ingredients. There’s also essential oils for dry skin, but that’s another topic in and of itself and I prefer to keep it simple with a face wash for dry skin / dry sensitive skin that will solve your problem once and for all.
Happy to hear your comments/thoughts in the comments area below.
One Day I Might Produce My Own Avocado Oil for Dry Skin…
Avocado oil is a favourite of mine as I love the fruit so much. My brother grows the trees in our beloved La Finca and I always wondered about making our own carrier oil. Maybe one day…. In the meantime, I’ll leave you with some lovely pics of these stunning trees.
