The One Oil Dermatologists Say You Should Be Using For Healthier, Younger Looking Skin

With so many different serums and oils out there to choose from, it can feel daunting trying to find the best one that works for you. Your skin may have different needs than someone else, so it is hard to find *one* oil that works for everyone.

We spoke with dermatologists who all pointed towards one oil (that may surprise you) that is especially great for *dry* skin facing the dead of winter. If that sounds like something you’re experiencing, read on to learn more about skin oils in general, and one particular oil that might have several purposes in your daily life, and how it can fit into your skincare routine.

People have been using oils on their skin “for centuries to promote healthy, younger looking skin,” notes Dr. Cheryl Rosen, Director of Dermatology at BowTied Life. “Some are meant to moisturize and nourish the skin,” she says, while others are meant to “help reduce the appearance of wrinkles or aging.” We’ll be focusing heavily on the latter, but before we do, your skin might fall into one of these three common types— dry, oily or combination.

She says that jojoba oil is especially beneficial for people with oily skin, as it “helps to regulate the production of sebum.” Argan oil is a great choice for people with dry skin, as it helps to “retain moisture in the skin,” and coconut oil can work for people with acne-prone skin, as it helps to “kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.”

There is one commonly-used oil that you might not expect that can really be your best friend this winter, and that is (drumroll…) olive oil! For those of us facing the harsh effects of a bitter January, olive oil can aid us in our anti-aging skincare routines. We spoke with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Heidi Prather, MD, and skincare expert Dr. Rudolf Probst, MD, about the many reasons why olive oil skincare is worth a try this winter.