Dryness with oil dry skin can sound odd, but skin can be dry in some spots and oily in others. Cleveland Clinic calls this combination skin. Moisturizing is the first step for dryness. Cleveland Clinic includes olive oil among useful moisturizers, and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) points to creams and ointments when skin feels dry.
Last updated 3 October 2026. This article gathers guidance from Cleveland Clinic and the AAD. Treat it as background reading, not a diagnosis.
What does dryness with oil dry skin mean?
The phrase is not a medical term. If you came here looking for a product that soaks up spills on floors, this is not that page. This page is about skin that feels dry, or dry and oily at once.
Cleveland Clinic says dry skin does not make enough sebum, an oily substance made by the sebaceous glands. Combination skin is oily in zones such as the forehead, nose and chin, while other areas feel dry. Oily skin makes too much sebum.
Can skin be dry and oily at the same time?
Yes, according to Cleveland Clinic. Combination skin can be oily in some zones and dry in others. Skin type is also not permanent. A Cleveland Clinic specialist says it can shift with the seasons and with hormone changes such as puberty, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
So the mix of dry and oily patches you notice now may look different in a few months.
What causes dry skin?
Cleveland Clinic defines dry skin as skin without enough moisture to stay soft. It lists these causes:
- Age. Cleveland Clinic says the skin’s moisture-producing oil glands dry up as you age.
- Climate. Desert-like, cold or windy places reduce skin moisture.
- Health conditions. Allergies, eczema, diabetes and kidney disease are named.
- Jobs. Healthcare work, hairstyling, farming and frequent hand-washing are named.
Signs are skin that is cracked, rough, tight, flaking, scaling or itchy.
What helps when skin is both dry and oily?
For dry skin, Cleveland Clinic names moisturizing as the main treatment, best done right after a shower or bath while skin is still damp. It suggests products that lock in moisture, such as petroleum jelly, hyaluronic acid, lanolin or mineral oil, and ones that attract moisture, such as glycerin.
The AAD adds simple habits. Keep baths and showers to about five to ten minutes in warm water, and pick fragrance-free products. Cleveland Clinic also cautions against using too many skin care products, or ones too harsh for your skin type.
Do oils help dry skin?
Some may. In an article on olive oil, Cleveland Clinic calls it a helpful moisturizer for people whose skin is dry or sensitive. The advice there is to use a small amount on damp skin, enough that skin feels smooth rather than sticky.
The AAD, for its part, recommends reaching for a cream or ointment when skin feels dry and rubbing it in gently. Our pages on body oil for dry skin and face oil for dry skin go deeper. For lotions, see body lotion for dry skin.
What should oily or acne-prone areas know about oils?
A dermatologist quoted by Cleveland Clinic says oily skin is more likely to have oil trapped in pores, which can lead to acne. Another Cleveland Clinic page tells acne-prone people to keep coconut oil off the face, shoulders, chest and back.
If only some areas are oily, a lighter product may suit those spots. A dermatologist can help you choose.
When should you see a doctor?
Cleveland Clinic advises contacting a provider when dry skin itches without letup, looks infected, hurts or breaks out in a rash.
The AAD adds that skin that stays dry after you try its tips is a reason to book a board-certified dermatologist. Its page on darker skin says dryness that will not go away may point to an undiagnosed condition such as eczema, ichthyosis or psoriasis. It also notes that some people wrongly assume their skin is too dry for moisturizer to help. See also our guide on why skin stays dry even when you moisturize.
Frequently asked questions
Can skin be dry and oily at the same time?
Yes. Cleveland Clinic calls this combination skin: oily in certain zones, such as the forehead, nose and chin, and dry elsewhere. It also says skin type can change with seasons and hormones, so what you see now may not last. A dermatologist can confirm your skin type if you are unsure.
Why is my skin both dry and oily?
Cleveland Clinic does not give one cause. It says skin type can shift across the year and during hormone changes such as puberty, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Cold, windy or desert-like climates can add dryness. If the pattern is new or comes with a rash, ask a doctor.
Does oil on the skin fix dryness?
Not by itself, in the sources we checked. Cleveland Clinic describes olive oil as a helpful moisturizer for dry or sensitive skin, used sparingly on damp skin. The AAD favors a cream or ointment for dry skin, and Cleveland Clinic calls moisturizing right after a bath the key step.
Should I avoid oils if my skin is also oily?
Be careful. Cleveland Clinic’s dermatologist notes that oily skin is more prone to clogged pores and acne. That is our own reason to ask a dermatologist before adding facial oils if breakouts are common for you. If you do try one, test it on a small area first.
Sources (all checked 3 October 2026)
- Cleveland Clinic, Dry Skin (Xeroderma), updated 23 June 2022.
- Cleveland Clinic, What Is My Skin Type and Why Does It Matter?, dated 21 November 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic, How Olive Oil Benefits Your Skin, dated 6 May 2025.
- Cleveland Clinic, Is Coconut Oil Good For Your Skin?, dated 29 December 2022.
- American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin, updated 2 January 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology, Dry skin remedies for darker skin tones, updated 4 November 2022.
Written by the Dry Skin Tips editorial team. We do not claim medical review of this article. If you have a skin condition, see a qualified health professional.