Dry skin isn’t stubborn, dramatic, or “difficult.” It’s simply skin that needs more support than it’s getting—especially if you live in a climate like Colorado, where altitude, sun, and low humidity pull moisture from the skin around the clock. The good news: your routine doesn’t need a dozen products to help your skin feel more comfortable. Often, using the right face oil—one with a meaningful blend of fatty acids, antioxidants, and soothing compounds—can make a noticeable difference in how your skin feels day after day.
But here’s the key: oils don’t hydrate (only water hydrates). What they do is help your skin hold onto the hydration you give it. When you pair face oils with a hydrating mist or serum, you're giving dry skin exactly what it needs: water + the ability to keep that water where it belongs.
This expanded guide explores why plant oils work so well for dry skin, the specific oils that offer the most meaningful support, and how a well-crafted blend—like Daily Nourish Face Oil—brings them together in a way your skin will actually feel.
Understanding Dry Skin: Why It Happens + What It Looks Like
Dry skin is often talked about like a mystery, but it’s really pretty straightforward. Skin becomes dry when it loses more moisture than it can maintain. This can happen for a long list of reasons:
Environmental Factors
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Sun exposure accelerates water loss and depletes natural lipids.
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Wind and cold temperatures weaken the outermost layer of skin.
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Altitude dramatically lowers humidity, making moisture loss constant.
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Indoor heating pulls moisture from the air (and your face).
If you live in a dry climate or spend a lot of time outdoors, your skin is working harder than you think.
Lifestyle Habits
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Hot showers
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Over-cleansing
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Harsh exfoliants
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Retinoids or strong actives
These can all disrupt the skin's natural lipid layer.
Intrinsic Factors
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Age (your lipid production naturally slows over time)
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Genetics
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Certain medications
How Dry Skin Shows Up
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Tightness (especially after cleansing)
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Rough or flaky texture
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Dullness
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Sensitivity or irritation
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Makeup sitting on top instead of blending in
Dry skin isn’t a problem. It’s just under-supported—and fortunately, it responds beautifully to the right kind of care.
Why Facial Oils Matter for Dry Skin
Let’s clear this up once more:
Oils do not hydrate. They’re anhydrous. That’s not their job.
What they do is incredibly valuable:
1. They slow down moisture loss.
Dry skin loses water quickly. Oils rich in essential fatty acids help fortify the skin’s lipid layer so moisture stays put longer.
2. They soften rough, dull, or textured skin.
Plant oils smooth the skin’s surface, making it feel more comfortable and look more even.
3. They deliver antioxidants where your skin needs them.
Many plant oils naturally contain vitamin E, carotenoids, and polyphenols that help protect the skin from environmental stress.
4. They make your hydration step work better.
Mist → oil = the winning combination for dry skin.
Hydration goes in.
Oil helps keep it there.
5. They are especially effective in harsh climates.
If your environment is working against your skin, oils help level the playing field.
The Plant Oils Dry Skin Loves Most (and Why They Work)
Not all oils are helpful for dry skin. Some are too heavy, some clog pores, and some simply don’t offer the right fatty acid profile. The following oils, however, consistently support dry, depleted, or weather-worn skin—and each plays a unique role.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and extremely rich in linoleic acid (omega-6), which is often depleted in dry skin. It also naturally contains pro-vitamin A compounds (not retinol), which support a smoother, more even feel.
Why dry skin loves it:
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Softens roughness
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Supports a smoother surface
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Absorbs quickly—great for AM use
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Feels light on the skin
Jojoba Oil
Technically a liquid wax, jojoba is one of the most skin-compatible oils available. It closely resembles the skin’s natural lipids, making it ideal for dry skin that’s also reactive or sensitive.
Why dry skin loves it:
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Softens without greasiness
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Helps calm irritation
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Supports skin that feels tight after cleansing
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Non-occlusive but protective
Sea Buckthorn Oil
A vibrant orange oil packed with carotenoids, omega-7, and antioxidants. It’s particularly helpful for skin exposed to sun, wind, or cold.
Why dry skin loves it:
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Antioxidant-dense support
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Helps skin feel more supple
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Especially effective for climate-stressed skin
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Supports skin elasticity
Prickly Pear Seed Oil
One of the most nutrient-dense plant oils on the planet, incredibly rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Despite its richness, it’s surprisingly light.
Why dry skin loves it:
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Deep nourishment without heaviness
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Supports softness and comfort
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Helps smooth the appearance of fine dryness lines
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Ideal for PM routines
Evening Primrose Oil
Known for its high content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)—a soothing fatty acid that’s especially supportive for reactive dry skin.
Why dry skin loves it:
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Softens rough texture
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Helps calm stressed or irritated skin
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Nourishes without overwhelming
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Supports a more comfortable feel overall
Cranberry Seed Oil
A beautifully balanced oil with a rare 1:1:1 ratio of omegas 3, 6, and 9. Lightweight, silky, and extremely antioxidant-rich.
Why dry skin loves it:
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Provides nourishment without shine
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Delivers a silky, smooth finish
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Supports elasticity and softness
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Great for daytime wear
Why Daily Nourish Face Oil Works So Well for Dry Skin
Instead of relying on a single “hero” ingredient, Daily Nourish Face Oil blends these six oils in complementary ratios—each chosen for its ability to support moisture retention, soften texture, or help skin feel more comfortable in dry climates.
This is what makes the formulation stand out:
Rosehip Seed Oil
Adds quick-absorbing nourishment that helps soften dryness and smooth rough areas.
Jojoba Oil
Brings balance, calm, and compatibility—helpful for dryness paired with sensitivity.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Provides antioxidant resilience, especially for sun- and wind-exposed skin.
Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Adds deep nourishment and a luxurious silky feel.
Evening Primrose Oil
Brings soothing comfort to reactive or irritated dry skin.
Cranberry Seed Oil
Creates a balanced finishing texture that absorbs without shine.
Together, they create a face oil that:
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Helps reduce moisture loss
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Smooths rough or dull texture
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Supports comfort in dry or harsh environments
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Absorbs beautifully without heaviness
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Works day or night, depending on how much you use
Daily Nourish isn’t designed to fix skin. It’s designed to support it—and dry skin responds incredibly well to this combination of plant oils.
How to Use Facial Oils for Maximum Results
There’s a right way to use oils—especially if your skin is dry.
1. Apply oils after hydration.
Use the Daily Hydrate Face Mist or while skin is damp. Oils can’t hydrate, but they can help keep hydration in place.
2. Apply while skin is still slightly damp.
This creates the ideal environment for absorption.
3. Press oils in, or gently rub.
Pressing helps distribute the oil more evenly and gently but gently rubbing in the oil is good too.
4. Use less during the day, more at night (depends on your location and climate).
AM: 3-4 drops
PM: 5-6 drops (or more in winter)
5. Adjust based on your environment.
Cold? Windy? Dry indoor heat?
Your skin will tell you what it needs.
6. Pair with a hydrating mist.
For dry skin, face mist → face oil is truly the dream team.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Facial Oils
Even the best oils fall short if used incorrectly.
Using oils instead of hydration
You need water first, then oil to help keep it there.
Using oils on dry (not damp) skin
This prevents proper absorption and can feel heavy.
Using too much oil
More isn’t better. Start small and add only if your skin drinks it in.
Skipping a hydrating step entirely
Especially in dry climates, this is non-negotiable.
Assuming all oils are the same
They’re not—fatty acid profiles matter.
A Simple, Effective Routine for Dry Skin
AM
1. Splash water on your face and gently dry with a towel.
3. 1–2 drops Daily Nourish Face Oil
4. SPF
PM
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2–4 drops Daily Nourish Face Oil
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Optional extra drop on very dry areas
This routine keeps skin supported without overwhelm.
The Bottom Line
Dry skin isn’t something to battle—it’s something to support. And plant oils like rosehip, jojoba, sea buckthorn, prickly pear, evening primrose, and cranberry offer exactly the kind of nourishment, antioxidant strength, and moisture-retention support dry skin thrives on.
Daily Nourish Face Oil brings these oils together in a thoughtful, synergistic blend that helps your skin feel more comfortable, more supple, and more resilient—especially in dry or high-altitude environments.
Healthy skin doesn’t need a complicated routine. It just needs the right kind of care, delivered consistently.
