Body oil is a great option for moisturising and hydrating your skin. It locks in moisture, contains vital micronutrients and is great for all skin types. Organic and natural body oils tend to be the safest and best for your skin. Use this guide to discover the best natural body oils for your skin type and needs.
Body oil is great for your skin. To understand why, we need to understand the purpose of body oil ā moisture and hydration. Our skin loses moisture naturally and this is especially true after cleansing and exfoliating. Using a lotion, oil or body butter creates a layer on top of the skin that seals in moisture and therefore prevents dehydration and dryness. Body oil can be used in place of body lotion and might be the better option for you and your skin type. Contrary to the belief that oils are heavy and greasy, body oil tends to sink right into the skin, while many lotions can take some time before they absorb. Another myth about using plant oils for skin care is that theyāre not good for oily or acne-prone skin. Many plant oils like jojoba, avocado and almond, for example, mimic the lipids found in our skin. This means they can sink into the deep layers of our skin and balance our natural oil production. Oils can therefore prevent excessive oil production and are great at healing excessive dryness. The other difference between lotion and oil is that the former often contains water and lots of other binding ingredients and preservatives or thickeners. A plant-based body oil however contains either one or a few pure plant oils. Meaning, a body oil tends to deliver a more potent form of micronutrients and nourishment. This makes body oil great for restoring your skinās barrier ā the top layer of skin.
No matter what body oil you look for, itās important to consider the purity, origin and processing of the ingredients. Youāll want to pick a body oil that contains minimal ingredients and largely just contains plant-based oils. Organic body oil is a great option as it means the plants that the oil is derived from were grown without the use of nasty chemicals and pesticides.
The type of body oil that you use will depend on your skin. Those with oily skin can, or even should, use body oil, but might prefer to use one that has a lighter consistency. Those with a dehydrated and/or dry skin type might like to opt for something that is richer on the skin. Jojoba oil is a great all rounder body oil that is suitable for all skin types. Jojoba oil is the liquid wax esters found in the seeds of the jojoba shrub. This golden oil is lightweight to the touch but feels nourishing on the skin ā it settles in quickly and doesnāt feel greasy, making it great after the shower. Because jojoba oil is actually liquid wax ester, itās the closest thing to our skinās sebum/oil. The similarity between jojoba oil and our own skin oils means it can penetrate the deeper layers of our skin and restore balance at the cellular level. Jojoba oil is therefore great for those wanting to heal skin concerns like dryness, mild irritations, oiliness and acne. The Jojoba Company is one of our favourite brands for all-natural and pure jojoba oil. The Jojoba Company handcrafts its jojoba oil from the Wadi-Wadi jojoba shrub. Located in the small rural town of Yenda in Australiaās Riverina region, Beresford is the largest nurtured sustainable wadi-wadi jojoba farm growing 80 hectares of gorgeous beans. The Jojoba Company has a range of jojoba oils and jojoba oil-based skincare, formulated for different skin types and needs.
You might think body oil is best used in winter but there are many summer oils youāll want to have in stock for the sunnier season. A shimmer body oil is an oil that makes your skin, and tan, glisten and glow in the sun. Shimmer body oil is great for that beach holiday or that night out. The Butt Naked shimmer body oil is actively good for your skin ā with jojoba, coconut and no nasties. The shimmer particles are plastic-free and create a subtle luminance on the skin ā not a glittery look. Another summer essential is tanning oil. When choosing a tanning oil, youāll want to avoid any of the conventional ones that tend to have parabens and other harsh oils in them. An all-natural tanning oil uses plant-based oils to help you get that safer tan this summer. The Noosa Basics tanning oil is made from grapeseed, avocado and coconut oil ā with plenty of certified organic ingredients. Youāll want to apply this tanning oil and sit under the morning sun for 10-15 minutes. Be sure to avoid long sun exposure.
One of the common uses for oils is to heal skin concerns like scars and stretch marks. A stretch mark oil is great for both healing and preventing stretch marks. A stretch mark oil is specifically designed to minimise the appearance of stretch marks texture and colour. The Noosa Basics stretch mark oil contains no petroleum-based oils, only pure plant oils. The blend of jojoba, rosehip and camellia means this stretch mark oil firms the skin and increases elasticity, helping reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Using a stretch mark oil will prevent stretch marks from forming as it makes your skin more elastic and less likely to tear ā this is great for when youāre pregnant and your skin is expected to do a lot of stretching.
Another great oil for healing stretch marks and other scars and marks is glory oil. Eco by Sonya Glory Oil is loved by many for its ability to accelerate healing and reduce the appearance of fine lines, redness, scars and stretch marks. Glory Oil is a superfood concoction of inca inchi, acai, and pumpkin seed oil which make glory oil rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, Zinc, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. You can use glory oil all over your face and body or just on specific areas of concern.
Babies have sensitive skin, which is why it is so important to choose natural and, where possible, organic skincare. All-natural baby oil tends to be a nourishing blend of pure plant oils that are enriched with vital micronutrients to keep your babyās skin nourished and protected. Using baby oil for a baby massage is a great way to bond with your little one while relaxing them. Baby oil can be unscented, or it may contain some gentle essential oils to promote sleep and nourish the skin. Unscented baby oil may be preferable if your little one has extremely sensitive skin and is reacting to lotions or fragrances.
There is nothing better than a body massage using aromatherapy oils to promote relaxation. Body oil for massage will consist of a base or carrier oil such as organic jojoba oil or sweet almond oil, and can be used plain, or with essential oil blends for an aromatherapy massage. If you suffer from headaches, a scalp massage using peppermint essential oil and pure lavender essential oil can help to reduce tension and relieve pain. For a sensual massage, you may like to use rose essential oil to evoke feelings of love and desire. Or if rest and relaxation is what you are after, lavender and ylang-ylang essential oil make a beautiful combination to promote a feeling of zen.
Generally speaking, any pure and natural body oil is good for dry skin. But there are a few that are stand-outs. Argan oil of morocco is a great option for those with dry skin. Argan oil of morocco is made from the kernels that grow on argan trees, native to Morocco. You can use argan oil of morocco as a pure oil and apply it directly to the skin and hair, or you can find it lots of nourishing skincare products. Again, jojoba oil is also great for those with dry skin as the oil will sink into the deeper skin layers and work to balance your natural oil production and prevent dryness.
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