Abstract Aeolian samples from deserts in northern China were studied using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of quartz and potassium (K) feldspar separates. K-feldspar has shown advantages over quartz for dating samples younger than 100 years, due to its more homogeneous equivalent dose ( D e ) values, higher internal dose rate and higher luminescence sensitivity to dose. Without additional measurements, the luminescence characteristics of quartz obtained in D e determination procedures can be used to reveal the source material and/or quartz thermal history for the deserts in northern China. The results indicated that the duration of paleosol formation in desert areas reflects regional paleoenvironments.