Combining aloe vera and hazelnut oil: the dry touch issue

"Dry touch" is not a marketing argument; it's a measurable property. Hazelnut oil has this property, which makes it compatible with an aloe vera gel without weighing down the skin.

What a dry touch means

A vegetable oil penetrates faster if it contains a high proportion of short-chain unsaturated fatty acids. Hazelnut oil, rich in oleic acid and low in saturated fatty acids, disappears from the surface in a few minutes.

Conversely, a heavy oil remains on the surface and forms a film. Neither is better: the first suits oily skin, the second very dry skin. A dry touch is a comfort criterion, not a quality one.

Aloe vera as a base

The gel is applied first and hydrates the surface, which is essential for the oil to help retain anything. Applying vegetable oil to dry skin is like lubricating a surface that will remain dry.

How to use aloe vera daily: a thin layer, morning and evening, on clean skin. It is advisable to let it dry before the next step; otherwise, the two textures will mix on the skin instead of layering.

Dosage

Three drops of hazelnut oil for the entire face, once a day. For combination skin, two drops are enough. Do not mix the gel and oil in your hand: apply the gel first, wait, then apply the oil by pressing without rubbing.

The routine is the same morning and evening. In the morning, sunscreen is applied on top, once the oil has been absorbed—about five minutes.

For which skin types

Combination and oily skin: this is the most suitable combination of all those that pair a gel and a vegetable oil. Normal skin: it is perfectly suitable. Very dry skin: hazelnut oil will lack body; a richer oil will work better.

For blemish-prone skin, hazelnut is reputed to be non-comedogenic, but this reputation varies from person to person. A test on a limited area for a week provides a more reliable answer than any scale.

Choosing your oil

Cold-pressed, unrefined, in an opaque bottle. Its dried fruit scent is a good sign: an odorless hazelnut oil has been deodorized, thus impoverished.

It oxidizes moderately quickly, lasting eight to twelve months after opening. Stored away from light, it easily maintains its shelf life.

And in our catalog

The purifying aloe vera cleansing gel handles the first step of this routine, and the nourishing face oil plays the role of the oily phase with a comparable light profile. Our comprehensive aloe vera page provides more information on the plant.

The homemade mask, if you want to try

Mix a teaspoon of aloe vera gel with a few drops of hazelnut oil in a small bowl. Apply to a clean face, leave on for ten minutes, rinse with lukewarm water. Once a week is sufficient.

You can add a drop of lavender essential oil for fragrance, but it's not necessary and introduces an allergen where there was none. For sensitive skin, it's better to omit it.

This type of preparation does not keep: it should be prepared at the time of use, and any remainder should be discarded. An aqueous mixture without preservatives becomes a culture medium within a few hours at room temperature.

The right amount, daily

For morning cream, the common measure is a hazelnut-sized amount for the entire face. Beyond that, the product doesn't penetrate further: it stays on the surface and gives that greasy film impression often mistakenly attributed to the formula.

For oil, three drops are sufficient. For gel, the equivalent of a small hazelnut-sized amount also. These benchmarks are more valuable than any bottle indication because they can be verified visually.

A natural treatment, and its limits

This combination soothes and hydrates. It does not act on spots, established wrinkles, or pore diameter. Natural products are no exception to this rule: what acts on the surface is visible on the surface.

Thanks to its lightness, hazelnut oil can be used all year round without weighing down the complexion, which is not the case for all vegetable oils. This is its main asset, and the reason it is included in many formulas intended for young skin.