When it comes to skincare, oils tend to get the short end of the stick. And honestly, sometimes for good reason. Traditional oils in their raw, natural form are thick, sticky, and can feel heavy on the skin. Sure, they’re packed with hydration and nutrients, which is why you’ll spot them in hair treatments and body oils all over the American market. They’re often never marketed as products for the face—and for good reason. In their natural “wet” state, oils just can’t fully penetrate the skin barrier.
Think of coconut oil. It's kind of the poster child for this dilemma. It’s incredible for the body and hair, but put it on your face (especially if you’ve got sensitive skin) and it can quickly become a breakout nightmare. That’s because the particles of coconut oil cannot fully penetrate the skin barrier.
So, if oils are so beneficial (but can’t fully absorb and can clog your pores) what is left to be misunderstood? Here’s the twist: the game changes when you bring in dry oils. Thanks to innovative French skincare techniques, we now have a way to get all the goodness of oils—like antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins—without the greasiness, the smell, or the pore-clogging effects.
Dry oil doesn’t mean the oil is literally dry. It’s more about how it feels and functions. Unlike those thick, wet oils you might be used to, dry oils absorb quickly into the skin and penetrate! They’re made through a process called cold-pressing, which extracts the oil without using heat. This keeps all the nutrients intact while giving the oil a lighter, silkier texture with a luxurious feel.
In France, dry oils are a staple. People use them for everything—from face to hair to body. But here in the U.S., they’ve been slow to catch on. Why? Mostly because the word “oil” still triggers alarm bells for a lot of people. It’s often associated with clogged pores, breakouts, or looking greasy. And that's a tough first impression to shake.
Another myth that needs busting: if you have oily skin, you should avoid oils altogether. We hear this all the time at Métamorphose. “This sounds great, but I have oily skin!” It seems logical at first, but oily skin often signals that your skin is actually dehydrated. When your skin is thirsty, it overcompensates by producing more sebum. Giving it the right kind of moisture (yes, even in the form of dry oil) can actually help balance things out.
So, maybe it’s time to rethink the way we view oils in skincare. With the right formulation, they’re not the enemy. They might just be the secret weapon.
