Un aceite secante o aceite que se seca es un aceite que se endurece y se convierte en una película dura y sólida luego de estar expuesto al aire durante algún tiempo. El término "secar" en realidad es incorrecto - ya que el aceite no se endurece por efecto de la evaporación de agua u otros solventes, sino como consecuencia de una reacción química por la cual se absorbe oxígeno del ambiente (autooxidación). Los aceites secantes son un elemento importante de las pinturas al aceite y varios tipos de barnices. Algunos aceites secantes usualmente utilizados son el aceite de linaza, aceite de tung, aceite de semilla de amapola, aceite de perilla y aceite de nogal.

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A drying oil is an oil that hardens to a tough, solid film after a period of exposure to air. The oil hardens through a chemical reaction in which the components crosslink (and hence, polymerize) by the action of oxygen (not through the evaporation of water or other solvents). Drying oils are a key component of oil paint and some varnishes. Some commonly used drying oils include linseed oil, tung oil, poppy seed oil, perilla oil, and walnut oil. Their use has declined over the past several decades, as they have been replaced by alkyd resins and other binders. Since oxidation is the key to curing in these oils, those that are susceptible to chemical drying are often unsuitable for cooking, and are also highly susceptible to becoming rancid through autoxidation, the process by which fatty foods develop off-flavors. Rags, cloth, and paper saturated with drying oils may combust spontaneously (ignite) after a few hours as heat is released during the oxidation process.

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