For soft, dewy skin with a ton of natural beauty benefits, add a body oil to your skin-care routine.
You’ve probably noticed oils creeping into the skin-care aisles of your beauty boutique. Or perhaps coconut oil has made its way from your kitchen to your bathroom. There’s good reason for these rich, botanical concoctions to become part of your skin-care routine. We spoke to Kristina Tsiriotakis, head of learning and development for L’Occitane En Provence in Canada, to dish on beauty and body oils.
They’re super hydrating
“Body oils pack the most moisturizing power of any body treatment,” says Tsiriotakis, “Most lotions are 70 percent water, meaning your skin is receiving very little nourishing oil.” Although many favour creams because they are quick-absorbing, oils will always be more hydrating because they don’t break down as easily. The take-away? A couple of extra minutes in the morning applying an oil will keep you hydrated all day.
They’re full of good-for-you ingredients
Body oils are made from plant oils, all of which contain vitamins, proteins, mineral and essential fatty acids. Tailor your purchases to your needs by learning what different oils are good for. For example:
• Almond is high in omega-9.
• Vitamin E is great for healing.
• Shea is regenerating and is a must for those suffering from psoriasis, eczema and rosacea.
• Grape seed is good for strengthening and toning the skin.
They’re perfect for dewy, summer skin
“Body oils give the skin the most supple, dewy and lustrous look,” says Tsiriotakis, “which is perfect for when we start to show our skin more.” For that sun-kissed, just-from-the-beach glow, get a body oil.
We all know that winter tends to leave skin dry, but summer has its own dehydrating culprits too. Water, sun and air conditioning can all contribute to parched skin, so a body oil is ideal year round.
Almond shower oil, $24, loccitane.ca .
They are multi-taskers
“The texture of body oils provides the right base for massages,” says Tsiriotakis. Also, “body oils offer the best delivery system for essential oils.” Derived from plants, essential oils require a carrier or base oil to be safely applied to the skin.
How to add body oils into your routine:
Get smooth: “Exfoliation is key as a first step,” says Tsiriotakis. Removing dead skin cells ensures the oil is able to penetrate the skin fully.
Get clean: If you don’t want to give up your body butter, try a shower oil. “Shower gels can sometimes strip the skin of its natural oils,” says Tsiriotakis, “shower oils will cleanse the skin, but also leave it more balanced.”
Get hydrated: “It’s important to use a body oil on damp skin,” says Tsiriotakis. “This will emulsify the oil and allow it to really sink into the skin.” Still nervous? Tsiriotakis recommends adding a pump or two of oil into your body wash or lotion. You get an added dose of hydration with quicker application of a pure oil.
Get dressed: It should only take a couple minutes for body oil to sink into your skin. To be safe, wait a full five minutes after application before getting dressed.
Slideshow
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Saving face
This product is full of 8 essential oils that help to protect the skin's moisture barrier. It's light, non-greasy and incredibly nourishing.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Saving face
This product is full of 8 essential oils that help to protect the skin's moisture barrier. It's light, non-greasy and incredibly nourishing.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Cocktail
This two-in-one dry oil and toner combines the nutritive properties of four precious oils with the benefits of a fresh tonic water within a fifty/fifty bi-phase formulation. It helps target dryness while helping to give skin firmness.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Coffee?
The packaging calls it a balm, but this product is full of coconut, grapeseed, sweet almond and coffee arabica seed oils to help target stretch marks, cellulite, psoriasis and eczema.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Fresh and so clean
This luxury organic skin care line is made in Vermont and knows a thing or two about oil. One of its newest launches is a oil cleanser which has quickly become a favourite among staffers at Canadian Living. The Biocompatible oils and esters dissolve makeup and cleanse skin while leaving the skin's barrier in perfect harmony. Great for anyone with dehydrated skin or if you live in a climate that experiences extreme cold—aka Canada.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Mind & body
The great thing about body oils? They also work aromatherapy wonders. This blend is a combination of sesame, safflower and rice bran oils as well as grapefruit, chamomile and vanilla essential oils for an uplifting treat for mind and body.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Cult favourite
This oil is a favourite among some of the most stunning women in Hollywood, but it works wonders on everything and claims to work with all skin types. This luxury facial oil consists of 11 different kinds of oils. Some of which are arnica, it helps with healing the skin, perfect for any rough patches or acne. Primerose helps with hydration and redness and jasmine and neroli oil can help you relax.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
See ya cellulite
A great skin soother, this oil also works to reduce the appearance of cellulite using algae extract (a powerful antioxidant).
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Sheen queen
There are a lot of serums and hair oils on the market, but one of our favourite ones is Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil. The formula uses argan, coconut, macadamia-nut, sweet-almond and grape-see oil to help enhance shine, smooth away flyways and stop frizz in its tracks.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Stay hydrated
Another multi-tasker, this dry oil (for hair, face and body) includes a blend of grapeseed, sesame, and argan oils leaving your skin super soft and hydrated.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Treat yo self
This oil based balm is packed with 12 essential oils to help reduce imperfection and rebalance skin's barrier. Sitting just under $100 bucks a pop it's pricey, but worth the splurge. The texture and smell is super indulgent and makes the mundane task of cleansing your face so much more enjoyable.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Multitasker
This multi-purpose oil works for both hair and body, and is formualted with organic Community Trade argan oil frm Morocco.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Smooth moves
This organic body oil helps to improve skin and visibly improve it's texture after one month of regular (a few times a week) use. The star ingredients are organic birch leaves, organic rosemary, rusks, apricot kernel oil and jojoba oil.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Light as air
A cult favourite, this oil (with a non-oily texture) is lightweight and full of vitamin E.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Face time
Water and oil seem to get along pretty well in this formula. The hydrating formula improves skin elasticity and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while a cold-pressed blend of seed oils allows for maximum potency of actives for optimal results.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Scented oils
This limited edition oil features the fragrance of the brand's Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette. Apply to skin fresh out of the shower, or put a couple drops in your bath for a subtle, clean scent.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Sun saver
After spending the day soaking up UV rays your skin becomes dry because its barrier breaks down, preventing it from retaining lipids and moisture. Sooth sun exposed skin with a light oil, like this one from Vichy. Its comprised of sheer oil; apricot kernel oil, coriander and blackcurant seeds, plus its jam packed with fatty acids that help nourish and build up your barrier. If you don't like anything heavy on your skin apply in the shower then rinse off, but if you're craving something weightier apply on dry or post shower skin.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Say no to irritation
Formulated for skin post-wax, this product contains coconut oil, arnica oil, aloe vera and calendula oil that works to soothe skin and heal irritations.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Quick-dry hero
This incredibly moisturizing oil is perfect for summer when quick-dry and sunkissed are your main priorities.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
The real deal
This multi-purpose—skin, hair, lips, nails—hydrating oil is 100 percent again oil and is super lightweight. Although it does absorb quickly, a little goes a long way.
The best beauty oils for hair, body and skin
Cuckoo for coconut
If it ain't broke... If coconut oil is your go-to, we won't tell you to pick up something more complicated. Make sure to buy organic if you're putting this straight on your skin.
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