4 Top carrier oils for dry winter skin

Winter can be really harsh on the skin. Both being outdoors in the cold and wind and also being indoors in the central heating can lead to dry and dehydrated skin.

Today we are sharing our top four carrier oils for combating dry, winter skin.

Goodbye dry skin, hello soft, smooth, nourished skin!

4 Top carrier oils for dry winter skin

1. Avocado oil 

Deeply penetrating and extremely moisturizing, yet easily absorbed by the skin. Provides intense, lasting moisturizing and nourishment with vitamins A, D and E. Adds rich hydration, softening, cell regenerating and replenishment qualities when added to body oil, butter or cream formulas. 

Makes a great addition to facial products as well, smoothes wrinkles and fine lines, tones, and revitalizes the complexion. It lends a thicker, richer feel and consistency to serums and creams and provides an occlusive layer to protect skin from winter elements.

2. Hemp seed oil

A nourishing and deeply moisturizing oil which is quickly absorbed by the skin. Promotes healing, softens and calms extremely dry, irritated and itchy skin. 

Hemp seed oil penetrates deeply and is rich in omega fatty acids, proteins and vitamins to nourish and improve the skin’s barrier function.  It contains linoleic, linolenic and stearidonic fatty acids which have shown anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.

Hemp seed oil makes a nice addition to body oils, butters and creams, lending fast-absorbing, deeply hydrating and softening qualities.

Hemp seed oil is suitable for all facial skin skin types too, even oily and acne-prone skin. It helps to improve elasticity, softens and hydrates facial skin.

3. Calendula (macerated/infused) oil 

Healing, soothing, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing, calendula is great for all skin types. Often infused in sunflower oil which is a light, easily absorbed and versatile oil, good for all skin types, and affordable in cost.

Calendula encourages repairing of skin and healing of wounds, while offering strong anti-inflammatory benefits, so it is great for promoting the healing of dehydrated, cracked or irritated skin, common during the winter months. 

Calendula works well for every skin type, including sensitive, broken and inflamed skin, offering calming, soothing, softening, moisturizing and potent healing benefits. 

Wonderful in body and face oils, healing salves or balms, creams and lotions. Learn how to make a calendula infused oil here.

4. Meadowfoam oil 

Rich in fatty acids and thus deeply moisturizing and emollient, meadowfoam is a heavier oil which absorbs into skin really quickly. Forms a non-greasy-feeling protective layer on skin which effectively shields skin from the winter elements, while hydrating, healing and delaying the signs of aging related to dehydration and outdoor elements. 

Meadowfoam oil is very stable due to naturally occurring tocopherols, and the absence of polyunsaturated fatty acids- which are particularly prone to oxidation. Meadowfoam is therefore less likely to go rancid, even when exposed to oxygen, high temperatures and other conditions which cause less stable oils to go rancid. 

Meadowfoam oil can be rather expensive, so adding to your body and face oils, creams, lotions and salves at dilutions of 5-15%, will add meadowfoam’s beneficial properties and stability, while keeping the cost of your products moderate.

Try blending your own nourishing and protecting facial oil or body oil with your choice of the oils above!