Should I use oil cleansers for my dry skin?
These days, it seems like everyone from celebrities to TikTok teens have got their hands on an oil cleanser. But are they really that good for your dry skin?
The short answer is, yes. YES. Choosing an oil cleanser will benefit your dry skin.
For the long answer, read all the way until the end. We'll cover the best oils to cleanse with, why oil-based cleansers are good for dry skin and more.
Before this train leaves the station, read our article if you need a refresher on the basics of the oil cleansing method.
And now, for the main event.
Is an oil cleanser really that good for your skin?
Oil cleansing really is that good for your skin. And it's good for everyone. Natural plant oils gently dissolve provide a deep cleanse and nourishment to the skin.
But you can't just go smothering your mug in any old oil from your kitchen cupboard. So let's look at ingredients for oil cleansing dry skin.
Which oils can I use?
Optimizing your skincare routine always comes down to understanding ingredients. So while oil cleansing in general is good for dry skin, choosing a product with specific oils will be more beneficial. Here's some suggested oils to cleanse dry skin:
Camellia Seed Oil
- hydrating; silky without being greasy
Hemp seed oil
- effective absorption; nourishes skin's natural moisture barrier; clears clogged pores to reduce build up and flakiness
- *best choice for all skin types
Castor oil
- humectant properties draw moisture from the air; triglycerides seal in moisture
- *Not suitable for sensitive skin as castor oil can be irritating
Olive oil
- rich in vitamins that enhance skin hydration
- *As an alternative to olive oil, you can also choose a cleanser with squalene which is olive-derived.
Other oils popular for cleansing are sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil and avocado oil. It may take some trial and error to find the right one. We do have a favourite choice we're willing to share...
What is the best oil in our opinion
The best oil in our opinion is... a combination of oils. That's why we formulated a gentle, high-performing oil cleanser with a nourishing blend of of 100% naturally-derived oils. More on that below.
Our top choice is hemp seed oil. It's considered the GOAT of natural skincare because it's highly compatible with the skin, super versatile in a variety of product types and safe for use on all skin types. But there's a reason we love it specifically for oil cleansing to benefit dry skin.
Hemp seed oil is an emollient. Emollients are a type of moisturizer that soften and smooth the skin. It's rich in essential fatty acids - omegas 3, 6 and 9. These are "essential" because they are needed elements to grow healthy skin cells.
Healthy and hydrated always go hand-in-hand.
Fatty acids have skin barrier repair effects as well. A strong skin barrier is critical to treating dryness. This is your skin's natural defense against transdermal water loss, i.e. to keep moisture locked in.
Hemp seed oil is non-comedogenic, which means it does not clog pores. While this is primarily beneficial to acne prone skin types, it benefits dry skin too. The build up of dead skin cells in our pores and on the surface can lead to a dry and flaky texture.
You can support your skin's natural "shedding" process with gentle exfoliation about 1x per week - and using hemp seed oil to keep pores clear daily will prevent build up in the first place.
Again, we don't recommend using hempseed oil alone for cleansing. It's best used in combination with other hydrating ingredients.
What are the alternatives to oil
For dry skin, you may try other oil-based alternatives to wash your face - like cleansing balms or waxes. We don't recommend a an oil-free product for - especially foaming washes - because they'll just dry you out even more! The oil cleansing method is your best friend.
You should also reflect about how often you wash your face. Cleansing too often, especially with the wrong product or ingredients, is detrimental to skin that is already dehydrated.
Use your cleansing oil at night. It will remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt and pollution. Creating a clean base is important as most of us layer on moisturizers and other treatments more heavily at night. Our skin repairs itself while we sleep.
Try using just water in the morning for a quick refresh of your skin. Since you cleansed thoroughly at night, there's no need for a deep clean as soon as you wake up. Splash some warm water or use a clean, damp washcloth before starting the rest of your skincare routine.
Why oil cleansers are the number one choice for dry skin?
Cleansing oils are the number one choice for dry and dehydrated skin because they don't strip your skin of its natural oils. Those oils are responsible for forming a healthy moisture barrier - to keep water in and irritants out.
In other words, oil cleansing works with the natural properties of your skin rather than against them. You're helping your skin function normally, which means healthier (hydrated!) skin.
Additionally, using the right oils can balance your skin's natural oil production. Many people with dry skin aren't just dry - they go through over-dry, over-oily cycles. Balancing this cycle is key.
The same is true for washing the skin on the rest of our bodies as well. Choose bar soap with hydrating oils to prevent dried out skin after you bathe.
Why our oil cleanser is the best for dry skin
Rehydrates parched skin
The number one comment we receive from customers is that our oil cleanser leaves skin feeling clean and moisturized. That's because it's a gentle formula designed not to strip skin of its natural oils. Meadowfoam, coconut, avocado and hemp seed oils dissolve makeup and travel deep into the pores to push sebum to the surface. But unlike a foaming wash, your skin's moisture barrier is not disrupted. So skin feels rehydrated with each cleanse.
Its great for acne-prone skin
In addition to its hydrating benefits, empyri's cleansing oil is great for acne prone and oily skin too. It contains a high concentration of linoleic acid which keeps sebum thin and runny so that it doesn't clog pores. Preventing
It is anti inflammatory
Inflammation is the source of many skin issues, including chronic dryness. Our hemp face wash contains cannabis sativa roots which have large amounts of the anti-inflammatory compound friedelin.
Lots of antioxidants
Many of the nourishing oils in our cleanser are natural antioxidants. One of our favourites, which also give the product an amazing smell, is neroli oil. Antioxidants protect skin from free radical damage, which overtime can be the cause of chronic dry and dehydrated skin, crepiness and related signs of aging.
Clean formula
Empyri's cleanser with hemp seed oil is a super clean formula. It's made from 100% natural ingredients - oils only! This is important since its the surfactants, emulsifiers and preservatives in traditional washes that often irritate and dry out skin. Always read the product label before adding something new to your skin care routine. Not all cleansers are created equal!
Oils are in, dry skin is out
An oil cleanser really is a good choice for dry skin. I hope we've put to rest any doubts you may have had before!
Our skin loves oil. While many people have updated their skincare routine to include a serum or facial oil, washing your face with oil may still seem counterintuitive. But the truth is, the oil cleansing method is one of the best choices to heal dry and dehydrated skin.
By not stripping your skin of its natural oils and damaging its moisture barrier every time you wash your face, you're giving your skin a chance to re-balance and stay hydrated long-term.
Clean and moisturized. It is possible, so choose both!
You Are Loved.
Author Bio: Jennifer is the president and founder of empyri. Jennifer’s passion for formulation and product development was set ablaze in 2019, when she incorporated the healing power of cannabis roots into her long-standing three-step skin care system. Armed with scientific evidence on the actives in cannabis roots and seeds, a clean and conscious brand was born. Using her masters degree in bio-chemical engineering, Jennifer is forging a path to ...READ FULL BIO |