Skincare Without H2O: The Power of Pecan Oil in Anhydrous Formulas

Anhydrous Skincare and the Beauty of Cold-Pressed Pecan Oil

As I set out to become a certified skincare formulator, I was excited about creating products for my mature skin. During the last ten years my skin had swung from slightly oily to acne-prone and, to my disbelief, finally dry! It felt like a continuation of a lifelong pattern—my skin shifting and surprising me at every stage, from the shine of my teenage years to breakouts in my thirties and now the sudden dryness of my fifties—each chapter telling its own story. Those constant changes made me curious about ingredients that could naturally even out tone and restore lasting moisture, so I began searching for a hero local ingredient that could anchor my formulations. That search led me to the Oliver Pecan Company and their rich, soothing, cold-pressed pecan oil.

I began mixing and homogenizing a traditional serum, similar to those you might find at your favorite skincare retailers, and my skin improved. But I wanted to go further and find a new way to truly showcase this luxurious oil. In the back of my mind, I had assumed that the water in skincare was what made products moisturizing—but I was wrong.

Instead of focusing on facial skincare as I had originally expected, I discovered that my favorite formulas were my multipurpose balm, our Tallow & Pecan Balm, and a lotion bar I call the Body Butter Bar. These formulas are known as “anhydrous,” meaning they contain no water—no hydrosols or water-soluble extracts—only butters, oils, and other oil-soluble ingredients. Because every ingredient is active and undiluted, anhydrous products deliver a far higher concentration of natural lipids and antioxidants to the skin, which helps explain their striking ability to soften, smooth, and visibly hydrate. As I tested these products on myself, I was astonished: my skin didn’t just feel moisturized; I could see and feel a visible difference. My skin softened, its tone and texture evened out, and even my arms, legs, elbows, and knees felt healthy and renewed.

I realized all my assumptions about how skincare worked were wrong. Since then, I’ve been developing additional anhydrous products for the face. We’re currently testing a premium Facial Cleansing Oil inspired by Korean skincare—made with clean ingredients and natural scents derived only from the beautiful cleansing oils themselves. For those of us with sensitive skin, these initial products are formulated without essential oils that can cause irritation.

So what makes pecan oil such a skin-loving ingredient?

Cold-pressed pecan oil is naturally rich in compounds that support the skin barrier and improve its look and feel:

Oleic acid (≈55–65 %) – replenishes skin lipids and softens rough areas, improving suppleness.

Linoleic acid (≈25–35 %) – an essential omega-6 fatty acid that helps maintain the skin barrier and reduce water loss for smoother texture.

Palmitic & stearic acids (≈5–10 % combined) – add a protective layer to lock in moisture.

Vitamin E (mainly γ-tocopherol) – antioxidant that helps defend against environmental stress, supporting a more even look over time.

Plant sterols (phytosterols) – calm and condition the skin, contributing to a soft, balanced feel.

Trace minerals (zinc, magnesium) – present in small amounts; supportive of overall skin health.

Together, these constituents help reinforce the lipid barrier, reduce water loss, and improve elasticity—key factors in softer skin and a smoother, more even appearance. It’s these naturally occurring fatty acids, antioxidants, and sterols—not added water—that create the visible glow and hydrated feel you notice after using pecan oil–rich balms and bars.

I don’t plan to create only anhydrous products, but I’m launching with them because their results are simply too good to ignore.

Written by Maria Acosta, Founder & Formulator of M. Carya.