Best Essential Oils for Dry Skin - DIY Moisturizing Body Oil Recipes

Do you ever get dry, itchy skin? I do and I really hate it. I get bad dry skin on my legs and before I know it, I am scratching my legs like crazy and causing little scabs. Not only is it painful, but it is also ugly because then I have dry, scabbed legs, yuck!

I have found a good skin care moisturizer though, it is actually a body oil made with dry skin essential oils. It has worked exceptionally well at stopping this dry-itchy cycle that I used to go through during the changing of seasons.

There are actually several effective essential oils for dry skin, as well as carrier oils. The official term for dry skin is xeroderma. The best essential oils don't just moisturize, they also soothe and balance the skin. Read on to learn more about these natural oils plus get DIY Recipes to try!

10 Best Essential Oils for Dry Skin

No matter your skin type, even if you have sensitive skin or combination skin, the key is to achieve normal skin that is balanced, instead of skin that is too dry or too oily. You can add natural oils to your skincare routine, here are some popular choices for dryness:

1. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavandula angustifolia, OK for Kids 2+

- This versatile oil is on just about every top essential oil list because it treats a wide array of health conditions and ailments. It also blends well with many essential oils. Lavender essential oil is always the first nourishing oil that comes to mind when skin healing is needed. It’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions are extremely soothing and calming to your skin (and your mood!).

2. Frankincense Essential Oil

Boswellia carterii, OK for Kids 2+

- Well known for its calming effects and rejuvenating properties. It soothes dry skin and heals irritations. It also offers anti-aging benefits for a youthful complexion. It is frequently used to naturally combat fine lines and wrinkles. Frankincense essential oil contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial actions important to the skin’s healing process.

3. Myrrh Essential Oil

Commiphora myrrha, Caution with pregnancy/lactation

- Frequently used for very dry skin, this resin oil is anti-inflammatory and has good skin protection and regenerating potential. Let myrrh essential oil hydrate your skin, just add to a face oil before bedtime and apply to face. Do not use if pregnant, it can stimulate menstrual flow.

4. Helichrysum Essential Oil

Helichrysum italicum, OK for Kids 2+

- Its regenerative action makes it perfect for treating a wide variety of injuries and skin conditions. It soothes, calms, and has the ability to reduce inflammation. Helichrysum essential oil assists aging skin by healing damage and hydrating skin.

5. Patchouli Essential Oil

Pogostemon cablin, OK for Kids 2+

 - Valuable for treating a wide range of skin conditions and disorders, including dry skin. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions can promote skin healing. Patchouli oil is fabulous in skincare blends for dryness, inflammation, scars, and eczema.

6. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Anthemis nobilis /Chamaemelum nobile, OK for Kids 2+

- Well known for its sedative effects, it is also useful in addressing a variety of skin conditions. Roman Chamomile essential oil can assist with inflammation and support the skin healing process. Perfect choice for a dry skin bedtime blend.

7. Geranium Essential Oil

Pelargonium graveolens, OK for Kids 2+

- Excellent oil for skincare, geranium essential oil has regenerative actions that can heal dry skin and anti-inflammatory actions that reduce inflamed skin. It can be a valuable aid at relieving dermatitis, eczema, and acne prone skin.

8. Palmarosa Essential Oil

Cymbopogon martinii, OK for Kids 2+

- If you suffer from dry skin or oily skin, the is one of the best natural remedies to have in your arsenal. Palmarosa oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, both are important for skin healing. It helps balance sebum production and stimulates cell regeneration. It also has skin-softening effects. 

9. Sandalwood Essential Oil

Santalum album/Santalum spicatum, OK for Kids 2+

- An excellent choice for skin problems. It has natural emollient properties that help protect moisture while also reducing inflammation. Sandalwood has anti-aging, skin-softening, itch-relieving actions that make it a wonderful choice for natural skincare. 

10. Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Daucus carota, Avoid during pregnancy/lactation

- One of the best oils to promote beautiful skin. It aids in skin cell regeneration, which helps with dry, cracked, and chapped skin. Do not use carrot seed essential oil if pregnant, it can stimulate menstrual flow.

Best Carrier Oils For Dry Skin

Some carrier oils are better for dry skin, here are my favorites to use with essential oil blends for dry, itchy skin.

• Avocado Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Apricot Kernel
• Argan Oil
• Rosehip Oil (best for adding as a second oil)
• Evening Primrose (best for adding as a second oil)

Moisturizing Body Oil Recipe

I like to use Vitamin E oil in my body oil recipes for an added boost with skin repair and hydration too!

The base for this recipe is avocado oil which is known for its moisturizing properties and is rich in vitamins, especially vitamin E oil which helps reduce scarring and wrinkling. It is also easily absorbed by the skin which is great because I hate feeling like a grease pit after applying body oil. Read more about Avocado oil benefits & uses.

• 8 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 4 drops Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)
• 1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
• 1 oz Avocado oil
• 1 oz glass lotion pump

Add ingredients in the glass bottle, shake to blend. Apply anytime skin feels dry and needs some extra moisturizing. It is especially helpful to apply after getting out of the shower before getting dressed to help lock in moisture.

This body oil could also be used as a relaxing massage oil, lavender and frankincense oil in this recipe are not only skin-repairing but also are very calming essential oils.

Essential Oil Blends for Dry Skin

I know you may not have every oil listed in these recipes. Feel free to try a different carrier oil or substitute any essential oil, you can use these recipes as guidelines or follow the recipes exactly. Some of my best blends have come from experimenting.

How to Create A Custom Body Oil for Dry Skin

I prefer to start with 1 oz when making a new blend. This way here if I do not love my new blend, then I am not being too wasteful and stuck to long with an unfavorable recipe. If I especially love the blend, then I can make a larger bottle by doubling or tripling the recipe next time.

Step 1: Choose Your Base

First, you will need to choose the base oil for your blend. Pick 1-2 carrier oils for from the list of recommended carrier oils for dry skin. I find that rosehip oil and evening primrose are best when added as a second oil and not used as a primary base. So, for example, use 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil and 1 tablespoon of rosehip oil (2 tablespoons equal 1 oz).

Step 2: Pick Your Essential Oils

Next, pick what essential oils for dry skin you want to include in your blend. Select 2-5 essential oils. Choose oils that you enjoy, have available in your collection, and oils you do not have any sensitivities, contraindications, or allergies too.

Step 3: How Many Oil Drops?

Dilution is an important factor to remember when creating a body oil. More than likely you will want to use it daily over an extended period, 2% dilution is best. This is approximately 12 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.

Deciding how many drops of each essential oil you need in your recipe is really up to you. You will want to note any safety concerns about your chosen oil, like if they are phototoxic or if there is a safe maximum dermal level you need to stay under. Blend your essential oils together before adding to your base oil.

Step 4: Blend Oils Together

Use a drop by drop blending method, adding and smelling the aroma as you go to get the right combination you will enjoy. Remember this is a custom blend, unique just for you, you decide if you like it or not.

Be sure to have a notebook with you when you create your blend so you can write down your recipe. You will want to make it again if you like it, and maybe even share it with others. So many times I thought I would remember a new blend I have made, only to be disappointed when the recipe slipped my mind.

Final Thoughts on Using Essential Oil for Dry Skin

These body oils can be used for more than just itchy or dry skin too. They can be used as moisturizing bath oils for those of you that like to take baths, just add a few squirts in your bath water and enjoy. Be careful when getting in and out of the bathtub as it will be slippery.

You can also use body oils as massage oils too. I am sure a special someone would love to be pampered with a nice back & shoulder massage using your homemade body oil :)

When you know the best essential oils for dryness, it is simple to start adding them to your daily routine.

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More Essential Oil Recipes for Skin

• Homemade Honey Sugar Scrub
• DIY Peppermint Body Butter
• Bath Oil Recipes with Essential Oils
• Easy Jasmine Hand Cream Recipe