Free 7-day Glow-Up Start the challenge →

Best of · guides

Best Face Oil for Dry Skin

Face oils seal in moisture for dry skin. Here are the 5 best picks.

· 5 min read

Our #1 pick

Best overall

The Ordinary

100% Squalane Oil

Under $25

Budget squalane, the universal pick

Check price on Amazon →

Heads up: this post has affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you buy something, at no extra cost to you. We only link to stuff we'd actually tell a friend about. Prices shown are approximate and change often; check the retailer for current pricing.

The short answer
Best face oils for dry skin: The Ordinary Squalane Oil (under $25), Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil, SkinMedica Nutrient Sun Cream, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and Herbivore Lapis Facial Oil. Squalane is the universal starter.

Quick answer: face oil for dry skin

  • Best overall: The Ordinary 100% Squalane Oil
  • Splurge: Herbivore Lapis Facial Oil (Under $100)

Face oils should go OVER moisturizer, not instead of. They seal in hydration overnight. Squalane is the universal safe oil. Avoid coconut oil and pure mineral oil on the face.

Best Face Oil for Dry Skin: the 5 picks at a glance
# ProductPrice tier Why it made the list
1 The Ordinary100% Squalane Oil Under $25 Budget squalane, the universal pick
2 Drunk ElephantVirgin Marula Oil Under $50 Cult marula oil
3 Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Under $100 The classic night oil
4 HerbivoreLapis Facial Oil Under $100 Blue tansy + squalane mid-tier
5 BiossanceSqualane + Vitamin C Rose Oil Under $100 Squalane with added vitamin C

Our top 5 picks

2

Drunk Elephant

Premium

Virgin Marula Oil

Cult marula oil

Under $50 Buy →
3

Kiehl's

Premium

Midnight Recovery Concentrate

The classic night oil

Under $100
4

Herbivore

Lapis Facial Oil

Blue tansy + squalane mid-tier

Under $100 Buy →
5

Biossance

Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil

Squalane with added vitamin C

Under $100 Buy →

More on face oil for dry skin

Frequently asked

Face oil vs moisturizer? +

Both, moisturizer first, oil on top as overnight seal.

What is the best face oil for dry skin? +

Our top pick for face oil for dry skin is The Ordinary 100% Squalane Oil. Budget squalane, the universal pick. The runner-up is Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil.

How much should I spend on face oil for dry skin? +

The 5 picks here run from the Under $25 tier (The Ordinary 100% Squalane Oil) up to the Under $100 tier (Herbivore Lapis Facial Oil). The Ordinary 100% Squalane Oil is the lowest-cost way in, and Herbivore Lapis Facial Oil is the splurge.