How to Use Body Oil
Body oils are a great way to deeply moisturize the skin. Contrary to popular belief, they will not necessarily leave your skin oily. Using a natural body oil is also a way to moisturize without using preservatives and synthetic chemicals.
Water and oil combine to make a moisturizer. Body oils contain no water, so they should be applied to freshly showered skin that has been toweled off but is still very moist. You can also mist your skin with water or a hydrosol before applying. This is a very important step to avoid a greasy residue and provide real hydration to your skin.
There are natural and synthetic body oils. These are very different and both have their advantages and drawbacks. Body oil often contains natural ingredients like Sunflower or Sesame oil along with other conventional ingredients like Isopropyl Myristate. An all natural body oil will only contain natural oils and other natural ingredients like Sweet Almond oil, Jojoba, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, and essential oils.
Conventional body oils usually contain synthetic ingredients that improve absorption and reduce greasiness. If you aren’t used to using natural products, you may wish to start with a body oil that contains synthetics. Most skin types do not have any problem with these ingredients and they do improve the products texture and usability. These body oils also often contain natural ingredients so you get the benefits from both. They also have a longer shelf life than natural oils, and can cost a lot less.
A natural body oil can truly be a treat for the skin. It’s one of the best choices to moisturize very dry or very sensitive skin. A truly all-natural oil contains very little else except natural vegetable and carrier oils, and perhaps natural plant extracts. They contain high concentrations of essential fatty acids like Oleic and Linoleic acids. A great way to see if natural body oils are for you is to pick up a small bottle of Sunflower oil at the grocery store. This oil is a very common ingredient in many different skin care products and can be used straight out of the bottle for most skin types.
Natural body oils contain some natural preservatives and antioxidants, but they still have a limited shelf life. Most are only fresh for 6 months to a year. If you don’t plan on using it often, it might be best to purchase a small bottle. Look for products that contain organic, cold pressed oils, though not all ingredients are available in that form, such as jojoba and grapeseed oil.
You may need more water droplets on your skin that you would if you were using conventional oil. Use a hydrosol instead of water for a spa quality aromatherapy experience.
Making your own body oil can be very simple. Certain oils like Sunflower, Sweet Almond, and Grapeseed oil are good choices to use straight out of the bottle. These can often be obtained at a grocery or natural food store. Once you’ve started to do it yourself, you can customize a complex formula with exotic ingredients and extracts like essential oils. These can also double as massage and bath oils.
Natural Body Oil Ingredients
Sunflower Oil is non greasy and is suitable for most skin types. It is one of the easiest absorbed oils. It is naturally rich in Vitamins A, C, D, and E, which are wonderful antioxidants and nutrients for the skin. Sunflower oil is also sold as a high oleic acid variety, which is more shelf stable and commonly used in cosmetics.
Safflower Oil is very similar to Sunflower, except it may be heavier and less easily absorbed. Both are very high in essential fatty acids and have approximately a 6-9 month shelf life.
Sweet Almond Oil is heavier than most other oils. It is great for dry skin and to use as a massage oil because it takes a little while to absorb. This oil can be expensive, but it is one of the more luxurious available. It has a short shelf life of 6 months.
Grapeseed Oil is one of the lightest oils available. It is a good choice to avoid a greasy residue.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride are just chemical names for a form of coconut oil that has been altered to give it a long shelf life. Don’t think that your oil is not all natural just because these chemical sounding names are on the label.
Jojoba is very similar to the sebum that your own skin produces, making it a good choice for sensitive skin. It also has a very long shelf life of over a year. This is one of the more expensive oils.
Scented Body Oil
Be sure that you like the fragrance of your body oil, because it may linger on your skin. In fact, many all-natural perfumes are very heavily scented body oils or butters. If you have sensitive skin, you may wish to purchase a fragrance free product. Naturally scented oils have the same beneficial essential oil plant extracts that are used in aromatherapy. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a natural fragrance cannot be irritating however. These extracts contain powerful natural phytochemicals, and some people can develop sensitivities if they over use the same scent, which is easy if you buy every skin care product in your favorite fragrance. Lavender oil, for example, is found in so many products, it is becoming one of the most common sensitivities seen in aromatherapy.