The Best Oil for Dermaplaning (and Which to Avoid) | Australia

If you have started dermaplaning at home, there is one question that changes everything about how it feels: what do you put on your skin first?

Use the right oil and the blade glides, your skin stays comfortable, and you get that smooth, glassy finish. Use the wrong one, or skip it altogether, and you risk drag, redness, and clogged pores a few days later.

This is the bit most tutorials gloss over. So here is the honest, skin-first version: why oil matters, what to look for, the best oils for dermaplaning, the ones to avoid, and how to use it properly.

If you want the full step-by-step technique as well, our Complete Guide to Dermaplaning at Home covers that start to finish.

Do you need oil to dermaplane?

Firstly, you can dermaplane on clean, dry skin. But a good facial oil makes it safer, smoother, and far more comfortable, which is why so many women now dermaplane with oil (a technique often called oilplaning).

Here is what the oil actually does:

• It creates glide. The oil sits between the blade and your skin so the edge moves smoothly across the surface instead of dragging. Less drag means less irritation and a lower chance of nicks.
• It protects your skin barrier. Dermaplaning removes the very top layer of dead skin along with peach fuzz. A barrier-supporting oil cushions the skin while you work and helps it feel calm afterwards.
• It nourishes as you go. The right oil leaves skin soft and hydrated, not tight, so freshly exfoliated skin feels comfortable rather than exposed.

Think of it as the difference between shaving your legs dry and shaving them with a proper prep. Same tool, completely different experience.

What is oilplaning?

Oilplaning is simply dermaplaning with a facial oil applied to the skin first, rather than working on dry skin. The blade glides over a thin layer of oil, removing peach fuzz and dead skin while the oil protects and hydrates underneath.

It is the same tool and the same technique. The oil is what makes it gentler on the skin barrier, which is why it has become the preferred method for anyone with dry, sensitive, or mature skin.

What to look for in a dermaplaning oil

Not every facial oil belongs anywhere near a blade. The best oil for dermaplaning ticks four boxes:

• Lightweight and fast-absorbing. You want enough slip for the blade to glide, without a thick, greasy film that the blade has to plough through.
• Non-comedogenic. This means it sits low on the pore-clogging scale. Freshly exfoliated skin is more receptive to everything you put on it, so a pore-clogging oil is the last thing you want.
• Barrier-supporting ingredients. Look for squalane, jojoba, and ceramides. These work with your skin rather than just sitting on top of it.
• Fragrance-free or very low fragrance. Added fragrance and undiluted essential oils are a common trigger for redness on skin that has just been exfoliated.

The best oils for dermaplaning

If you are choosing a single oil, these are the ones that consistently perform well for dermaplaning across different skin types.

• Squalane: The gold standard for dermaplaning. Squalane is ultra-lightweight, absorbs quickly, and is non-comedogenic, so it gives beautiful glide without clogging pores. It closely mirrors the skin's own oils, which makes it a safe pick even for sensitive skin.
• Jojoba: Technically a wax ester, jojoba is loved because it mimics your skin's natural sebum almost exactly. It is gentle, balancing, and well tolerated by most skin types, including oily and combination skin.
• Grapeseed: Thin, light, and rich in antioxidants. Grapeseed is a good option for oily or combination skin that wants slip without any heaviness.
• Rosehip: A nourishing oil often chosen for mature skin and uneven tone. It is a little richer than squalane, so a few drops go a long way.
• Argan: Packed with vitamin E and fatty acids, argan helps replenish and soften the skin after exfoliation. Best in small amounts so it does not feel greasy under the blade.

Bonus tip: whichever oil you choose, less is more. Two to three drops is usually plenty for the whole face. Too much oil coats the blade and actually reduces control.

Oils to avoid for dermaplaning

Some oils are wonderful for the body or hair but wrong for a blade on your face. Skip these:

• Coconut oil. Popular, but it sits high on the comedogenic scale (around a 4 out of 5) and is a common cause of breakouts after dermaplaning. It is also too heavy to give clean glide.
• Heavy mineral oil blends. Thick, occlusive products such as body oils designed to lock in moisture are not made for the face and can leave a film the blade struggles to move through.
• Undiluted essential oils. Neat essential oils are far too concentrated for freshly exfoliated skin and are a frequent trigger for stinging and redness.
• Heavily fragranced oils. Added fragrance offers nothing for glide and raises the risk of irritation on skin that has just been resurfaced.

Quick reference: oils for dermaplaning

Dermaplaning oil vs dermaplaning spray: which is better?

Dermaplaning sprays are having a moment, so if you have seen them popping up, you have probably wondered whether a mist could replace your dermaplaning facial oil. Here is the honest comparison.

A dermaplaning spray is a lightweight mist, usually water or humectant based, that adds a little slip and hydration before you glide. An oil sits on the skin and creates a richer, more protective cushion between the blade and your skin barrier. Both can work. They just do different jobs.

Glide: Oil gives rich, consistent slip. Spray is lighter and can dry down and need reapplying.

Barrier protection: Oil cushions and nourishes as you go. Spray gives a lighter layer with less protection.

Best for: Oil suits normal, dry, sensitive, and mature skin. Spray suits very oily or acne-prone skin that finds oil too rich.

Aftercare: Oil doubles as nourishment afterwards. Spray usually needs a separate moisturiser.

The verdict: for most women, and especially anyone with dry, sensitive, or mature skin, an oil is the more protective choice and the one we recommend. If your skin runs very oily and you find oils too heavy, a light hydrating mist can do the job, though many women simply reach for a lighter oil like squalane instead. There is no rule against using both: a mist to refresh, a few drops of oil for glide.

Why a purpose-made dermaplaning oil beats a single oil

A single oil can do the job, but it usually means compromising on one thing to get another. Squalane gives you glide but not the deeper nourishment of a richer oil. Rosehip nourishes but can feel heavy on its own. The reason a dedicated blend works so well is that it balances glide, barrier protection, and nourishment in one bottle, formulated specifically for a blade on the face.

That is exactly why we made the Make My Shave Dermaplaning Facial Oil. It is Australian-made and blended with squalane, jojoba, ceramides, and light botanical oils, chosen to protect the skin barrier while you dermaplane and to hydrate and nourish the skin straight afterwards. It is lightweight enough to give clean glide, and skin-loving enough that plenty of women use it as an everyday facial oil, not just on dermaplaning days.

Designed for dermaplaning, loved every day. That is the short version.

How to use oil when you dermaplane

Here is the quick version. For the full technique, angle, and aftercare, see the Complete Guide to Dermaplaning at Home.

1. Cleanse and dry your skin. Remove all makeup and SPF, then pat completely dry. Oil is the one thing you apply on top; water underneath causes drag.
2. Apply two to three drops of oil. Warm the drops between your fingertips and massage evenly over the areas you plan to remove facial hair. 
3. Hold the skin taut and glide. Keep the blade at roughly 45 degrees and use short, light, downward strokes. The blade should glide over the oil, never scrape.
4. Finish and nourish. Rinse or leave the residue to absorb, then apply a little more oil, your hyaluronic acid serum, or moisturiser. Freshly dermaplaned skin absorbs skincare beautifully, so this is the moment to make it count. Always finish with SPF if you are heading outdoors.

How often? Dermaplaning is best done every 2 to 4 weeks, which gives new skin cells time to surface before your next treatment.

Tips for getting the most from your dermaplaning oil

• Patch test anything new. Before using a new oil across your whole face, test a small amount on your jaw or inner arm and wait 24 hours.
• Use it before and after. Oil before for glide, a few drops after to nourish. Skin that has just been exfoliated drinks it in.
• Keep your blade clean. Sanitise your blade with isopropyl alcohol between uses so oil residue and bacteria do not build up, and replace the blade as soon as you feel any drag.
• A little goes a long way. If your skin feels slippery rather than cushioned, you have used too much. Blot gently and carry on.

The same principle applies well beyond dermaplaning. A good facial oil also adds the slip you need for a facial gua sha massage, so one bottle can quietly earn its place across your whole routine.

Best Oil for Dermaplaning: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need oil to dermaplane?

No, you can dermaplane on clean, dry skin, but a lightweight facial oil makes it smoother, safer, and far more comfortable. The oil gives the blade glide and cushions your skin barrier, which reduces drag, irritation, and the risk of nicks.

What is the best oil for dermaplaning?

Squalane is widely considered the best single oil for dermaplaning because it is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and is non-comedogenic. Jojoba, grapeseed, rosehip, and argan also work well. A purpose-made blend such as the Make My Shave Dermaplaning Facial Oil combines squalane, jojoba, and ceramides so you get glide and barrier protection in one bottle.

Can I use coconut oil for dermaplaning?

It is best avoided. Coconut oil sits high on the comedogenic scale and is a common cause of breakouts after dermaplaning. It is also too heavy to give the clean glide a blade needs. A lighter, non-comedogenic oil is a safer choice.

Is dermaplaning oil or dermaplaning spray better?

For most skin types, oil is the more protective choice because it creates a richer cushion between the blade and your skin barrier and nourishes as you go. A lightweight dermaplaning spray can suit very oily or acne-prone skin that finds oil too heavy, but it offers less barrier protection and can need reapplying. Dry, sensitive, and mature skin generally do best with a facial oil.

What is oilplaning?

Oilplaning is dermaplaning with a facial oil applied to the skin first, instead of working on dry skin. It is the same tool and technique, but the oil protects and hydrates the skin barrier as the blade removes peach fuzz and dead skin, making it gentler for dry, sensitive, and mature skin.

How much oil should I use?

Two to three drops is usually enough for the whole face. Too much oil coats the blade and reduces your control, so start small and add a drop only if you feel any drag.

Do I put oil on before or after dermaplaning?

Both. Apply a few drops before for glide and barrier protection, then apply a little more afterwards to nourish freshly exfoliated skin. Skin absorbs oils and serums more effectively straight after dermaplaning.

Is the Dermaplaning Facial Oil made in Australia?

Yes. The Make My Shave Dermaplaning Facial Oil is Australian-made, blended with squalane, jojoba, ceramides, and botanical oils, and formulated specifically to be used with dermaplaning.

The bottom line

The tool gets the attention, but the oil is what makes dermaplaning feel effortless. Choose something lightweight, non-comedogenic, and barrier-supporting, skip the heavy or fragranced oils, and use just a few drops. Your skin stays comfortable, the blade glides, and you get that smooth, glassy finish every time.

Ready to make it easy?

Our Dermaplaning Facial Oil is blended for exactly this, or you can get the tool and the oil together in the Dermaplaner + Facial Oil Kit. Australian-made, and every order supports Currumbin Wildlife Hospital on the Gold Coast.