The dry season in Vietnam dries skin quickly. This piece records three body oil formulas Lê Mai uses for moisture at three levels: light, medium, deep.
The Vietnamese dry season and skin
The southern dry season runs from December to April. Air humidity drops below 60%. Skin loses water through the epidermis faster than it can replace naturally. The result is tightness, flaking, sometimes itching.
Body oil differs from lotion or cream in that it contains no water. It is all oil, acting as a seal to prevent evaporation and supplement lipids in the skin barrier.
Carrier base · choosing the oil
Three main carrier oils: jojoba, sweet almond, fractionated shea. Each has a different fatty acid profile, leading to different absorption and feel.
Jojoba is a wax ester, similar to natural sebum, absorbs quickly. Sweet almond is rich in oleic and linoleic, both absorbing and humectant. Fractionated shea is thicker, stays on skin longer.
Recipe one · jojoba as base
30ml for light dry-season use:
Jojoba 25ml. Sweet almond 5ml. Rose essential oil 1%. Neroli 0.5%. Vitamin E 0.5%.
Mixed in a dark glass bottle, shaken evenly. Applied after showering while skin is still damp. Absorbs quickly, not greasy. Suitable for combination to normal skin.
Recipe two · sweet almond for dry skin
30ml for moderate dry season:
Sweet almond 20ml. Tamanu 5ml. Jojoba 5ml. Rose 1%. Geranium 0.5%. Vitamin E 0.5%.
Thicker than recipe one due to tamanu. Used at night, left overnight. Tamanu soothes irritated skin. Suitable for dry to very dry skin.
Recipe three · fractionated shea for cooler months
30ml for cooler months or very dry skin:
Fractionated shea 15ml. Sweet almond 10ml. Argan 4ml. Frankincense 0.5%. Sweet orange 0.5%. Vitamin E 1%.
The thickest of the three; warm between the palms before applying. Stays on skin 30-45 minutes, then absorbs fully. Suitable for very dry skin or the northern cool season.
Safe essential oil dilution
All three recipes keep essential oil under 2%. This is the safe daily-use ratio for adults. Sensitive skin can go down to 1%.
Do not exceed 1% citrus oils when sun exposure is expected within 12 hours (phototoxicity). Do not use high-ketone oils for pregnant women. Patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours before broader use.
Store in dark glass bottles, sealed, below 25°C. Use within 3-6 months while the essential oils have not oxidised.
Three recipes. Three moisture levels. One dry season.
No recipe is the single right answer. A starting point. Different skin, different adjustments.