A while ago, I mentioned in my comment replies about preferring body oils to body lotions. Reader melchewvin picked up on it and asked if body oils would be too oily here in Malaysia because of our humid tropical weather. I promised I’d talk about using body oils but what with one commitment and another, I couldn’t find the space. Well I’ve recently decided that while commitments are all well and fine, I want to write about stuff I like, when I like. And I like body oils 🙂
My pet tiger loves body oils too 🙂
I actually started with the REN Moroccan Rose Body Oil which is a very lovely, very lux rose scented body oil. I then went on to purchase the Marie Veronique Anti-Aging body oil with Rose and Neroli, and most recently, I was sent a Lavender Body Oil from DollyMoo. I’ll be reviewing these 3 body oils in the coming days/weeks so if you’d like to know my thoughts on each of the body oils I have, do remember to subscribe or just come back for more.
Today, I’d just like to plead my case for body oils, and why I like them and prefer oils to lotions.
Body Oils are not Oily on the skin
The big question I’m sure many of you here in the tropics are wondering, is “How can you apply oil on your body when its so hot and humid here? Don’t you get oily all over?”
Well, my answer is no, I don’t. Based on the body oils I have, I’ve realised that the oils used are very light and in fact, absorb very quickly into the skin. I don’t even have to massage it very much and the softening effect on my skin is quite instant. I must say here however, that the ones I use contain quite high quality oils so that may be a contributing factor. The texture is light and it is not oily like cooking oil, if you can imagine. Slathering cooking oil on your skin may do the job if you use extra virgin olive oil, but I just prefer something lighter and bit more lux.
Body Oils smell better
If you like essential oils then you will like the smell of most body oils. I find that body oils smell better than lotions. It might be because essential oils are easier to mix into other oils, or because you can infuse oil with flowers and plants. You can’t do that with lotions which are an emulsion. I do find that body oils have a more natural scent. Roses smell of freshly plucked roses fresh in from the garden, not the powdery nose-tickling scent of roses you get in some body lotions. Lavender smells of freshly cut and dried lavender, not the musty smell of lavender that’s been hanging in the cupboard for 20 years, as you sometimes get in body lotions.
Body Oils make my skin feel softer
Compared to body lotions, I find that oils soften my skin more and make them feel softer more quickly and lasts longer. When I apply body lotions, I sometimes end up with a layer of lotion on my skin that just sits there, not absorbing into the skin. When I wash my hands, I get the slippery feel. When I use body oils, I find that they absorb right into my skin, perhaps with a bit of massaging, and I don’t get that icky sticky feeling thereafter.
It will be interesting to note that in Ancient Rome ladies (and men) used perfumed oils on their body after their baths. It acted both as perfume, and to soften their skin. So, my use of body oil is going back to basics 🙂
Body Oils are expensive
I will not lie. Body oils – the good ones – are expensive. I am willing to pay for pricey body oils, because if I’m rubbing oils into my body, I would be happier knowing that a high quality oil is used. I’m not fussy about the oils being natural or organic (its a plus, but not compulsory) but I am fussy about how they feel, how they smell and whether I like it. Also, I like rose and lavender scented body oils. Lavender calms me down, and helps me sleep better enveloped in the calming scent and oil. Rose is a nice comforting scent to cocoon yourself in if you’re feeling a little down or just want some Me time. So, these are my favourite scents, and these are pricey.
Rose in particular, is an expensive essential oil, and a good rose scent that doesn’t smell musty and powdery and old, is usually pricey. So I do expect to have to pay more for a rose scented oil. Lavender on the other hand is more affordable, but good lavender that again, doesn’t smell musty or powdery is pricier. So yes, body oils are a luxury.
Body Oils are economical
Ah what a contradiction! The reason I say they are economical is because you don’t have to use a lot of oil to cover a large expanse of skin. If you associate body oils with the oils used during an oil massage, let me assure you that its not quite the same. The oil used for massage is usually thicker and the masseuse uses more each time. When you are applying body oils at home, you actually use just a little because it can go far.
I usually pump some oil into my palm, and then warm up the oil between my hands before applying to my skin. If you apply on damp skin e.g. after a shower, you will find that it absorbs better. But you can also apply on dry skin which is what I usually do before bed.
Warming up the oil makes it lighter and helps to cover a wider area. It also releases the scent and if you breathe in while applying it to your body, it helps you relax and wind down at the end of a tiring day. I haven’t used up my body oils at all and because they are oils, I try not to stockpile too much because I know oils can go rancid. So I will (try to) use up these body oils I have before indulging in another. And because its economical in use, it will be a while.
Have you used body oils before? Would you consider it? Do you have a body oil you like that you think I should try? 🙂
Paris B
Am a fan of oils and can’t wait to create my own once all stuff arrive
Ah can’t wait for you to have your own brand 😉
LOVE oils but like you, I only want to use the good (read: pricey) ones. For everyday use, I’m happy with your regular drugstore Nivea/Garnier/Vaseline ones. Body oils are perfect for if I’ve soaked in a hot bath for an hour and my skin is nice and soft from the bath oils. The body oil thereafter adds a touch of luxe to the entire process.
My favourite is also the body oil from REN (I think you talked me into it!). But I also have a grape oil one from L’Occitane which is not too bad as well. For a touch of luxe in everyday, I stick to nicer body lotions from L’Occitane. Just can’t afford to use expensive body oils everyday!
Ooh the REN one is so awesome isn’t it? I love how it smells and how it feels too. I might have to check out the L’Occitane one – probably cheaper than REN 😛 But I have to be patient also and use the ones I have now up first before they turn rancid 😛
aww…you need to start using your pet tiger more often! i’m already an avid reader and now i want to REAAAAD. body oils unfortch don’t work on me – i find them quite oily still. glad that they work for you.
Haha pet tiger is shy 😛 I sleep in an air conditioned room, perhaps thats why I like them better 😀
Hi Paris, I’m wonderiong where can I get the DollyMoo Lavender Oil?
Only in the USA I’m afraid. Their website is dollymoo.com and you can email to see if they’ll ship (will be pricey though because they use glass everything!) The lavender oil is very lovely though.
Yes, i use body oils as well and love them and yes again, i use the pricier ones bcos of the quality – it really makes a difference.
Body oils are not oily at all when applied on the body. I try to apply immediately after my shower but sometimes time does not allow this.
Compared to body lotions and creams, i find body oil more effective in helping keep my skin soft and hydrated; my skin was starting to get dry skin working and sleeping in airconditioned enviroment.
love the body oils and won’t go back to body lotions/creams anymore.
*high 5 Rudi*!
I try to apply after a shower too but I usually do my face first by which time I’m all dried out LOL I’m glad you agree with me about how much nicer body oil feels on the skin compared to creams or lotions. Other than the fact its hard to travel with, and that its less portable, body oils are WIN! 😀
Hi Paris B,
I had very dry skin which can be prone to eczema, so do you think I am safe to use body oil?
Honestly I’m not sure Priscilla. I’m not sure if the eczema may be further aggravated by the essential oils used in the body oil. I personally feel that perhaps for eczema prone skin, just plain unscented moisturizer or cream is best. But I might be wrong 🙂
Thanks for your replies!!! Sure… Will go try out first before I really buy one…
If I may be an inquisitive kitty and nudge my way into this conversation…
I suffer from eczema all over my body and I actually find that my skin responds positively when I use Eubos Shower Oil for Sensitive Skin (greenish/blue bottle, can be found in most pharmacies). However, what works for me might not work for you, so you might want to patch test first. 🙂
eehh, I always thought it would feel like cooking oil as well..XD Would try body oils in the future. ^^
Haha… no no, doesn’t feel like cooking oil at all 😀 Next time you stop by a counter that has body oils, cop a feel 😉
I don’t know if it was on my end or what, but my feed reader didn’t pick up your image, just a placeholder. Otherwise, the article was great, as always.
Could you let me know which feed reader you are using and what you are seeing?
My IE 7 browser feed reader. I get the redirect page that has no error number but just says Internet Explorer cannot find the page. Hope that helps.
That’s very strange. It seems to show up properly in my browsers and feed readers (I use Google Reader), and even email. Perhaps its been blocked for other reasons? I hope you see the pages render properly on the website though.
Yes, it is fine otherwise. I enjoy your blog very much. Thank you.
I’m a recent convert! I’d recently tried cuticle oil for the first time, and moisturizes so much better than a hand cream, plus absorbs very quickly without any greasiness, like you mentioned.
One thing, though, is that I heard arguments that frequent use can actually make your skin drier. I’m not sure if it’s true, but do you find that body oils provide a temporary fix/relief to dry skin, or does it have prolonged benefits, like actually improving dry skin?
Isn’t it impressive? You’d think that an oil would feel oilier, but instead its the opposite! I actually haven’t done any reading on this, but I personally haven’t experienced my skin drying out from the use of body oils. I don’t have very dry skin on my body. I had a dry patch on my knee about 2 weeks ago and I’d rub in some oil every night and after a few days, it went away. It took a while, but it doesn’t seem to be coming back 🙂
I don’t have particularly dry skin, either, so that’s good to know! Thanks Paris!
*sigh* body oil is confirmed to be the answer to my dryness issues but I’m just toooo lazy!!!! *hit me please*? 😀 SEE YOU SOON!
Haha! That’s what husbands are for *ahem* 😛
I love body oil too! Each bottle might seem pricey at first, but since you use less of it each time, it’s almost the same price per use as lotion. 🙂
That’s absolutely true! I find I don’t use very much at all when I use body oils and they don’t make my skin feel unduly warm like lotions do.
No more sticky lotion feel too! 🙂
Awww! The pet tiger makes a comeback! I haven’t seen her for so long! *hugs & cuddles*
I like using bath oils in my shower – I find that it keeps my skin softer and more moisturized for longer compared to a shower gel/cream and lotion routine. Maybe if I use a body oil after it will double the softening/moisturizing effect?
Can’t wait for your upcoming body oils review! 🙂
Aww India says Hi too 😛
I’ve heard of shower oils. I’ve been wanting to try it for ages but the closest I get to it is a body scrub with oils which does what you say. I am itching to try one of those bath/shower oils though. Recommend a good one? 😀
Try L’Occitane Almond Body Oil wash or something. Sorry, no full name, I’m crap with full names. But it’s from the Almond range and it’s oil definitely and it’s FANTASTIC.
Like I just mentioned to Priscilla above, I use Eubos Shower Oil for Sensitive Skin. Finished 1 bottle and onto my 2nd already. I really need to bring this along to SG cos my skin is drier than the Sahara without it! (cos I’m too lazy to moisturize. ahahaha) 😛
I do something similar – instead of a hand cream I use cuticle oil – two drops from the tiny bottle is just perfect! I use this oil from Jessica (a manicure and polish brand) called Phenomen Oil, it smells of almonds and vanilla and is just amazing and delicate and feminine. I love it for my elbows after a good exfoliation. I’ve had this bottle for ages and it’s only half gone too. 🙂
Ahh perfect isn’t it? And it feels so lux too without that sticky feel 😀
I like body oils too and one of my all time faves is actually the Neutrogena Sesame Body Oil. Sadly, they don’t sell it here anymore (they used to when I was a teen) and I can only get it overseas. However, I have a couple of eczema patches and they sometimes react to certain oils, so I need to be a little careful.
I like to use oils right after a shower as I find that they absorb better when skin is slightly damp. I plan to get Dr. Hauschka’s Lemongrass oil simply because I love the scent 🙂
Thanks for the hint re: eczema patches. I think sometimes the eczema may react to essential oils which makes them worse. Just because they are natural or essential oils doesn’t make them safe for everyone 😀 Now that you mention it, I remember the Dr. Hauschka Lemongrass oil too! Dammit woman. Don’t tempt me!
woah the way you put it seems so nice and lux, like a doing a good spa/ massage sorta feel…
i’ll be waiting for your review on the oils, maybe I can ditch body lotions for good hahaha
Definitely! Its as nice as having your home spa. Of course, if you had someone do the massage, it would be even better LOL If you can’t, then just rubbing in a nice body oil is so calming and relaxing. It really helps me sleep better when I remember to use my lavender oils 🙂
Love body oils too! Normal body lotions like Nivea and Johnson & Johnson (The ones I used to use) just don’t cut it for me any more because my skin either still feels dry or it feels greasy after application. I have to use either “higher-end” body lotions e.g. Clarins or body oils now, and I am happy with them 😀
I’m currently using Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Oil- love the scent and the fact that it does the job of moisturising my skin well! And no, it’s non-greasy unless you overdo the application 😛
Yes to body oils~! I fell in love with L’Occitane’s Almond Skin Supply oil. Oh my it is truly instant and well it’s the second brand which I tried. First was the H20+ Sea Salt Dry Body Oil which is really truly light and you feel nothing once it has been fully absorbed. Yup they are pricey but I must agree they feel good and you need not a lot. I recently bought one Pure Grapeseed oil via someone online coz it’s from the US and mixed together coz the Vitamin E is not high enough and it smells so yummy haha 😛
Just to add to it… I love body oils coz I can use it to massage the breast coz I don’t dare to apply lotion there T.T so it’s truly a plus point for me 🙂
Body oils is definately GREAT for those who have dry skin and their scent is AMAZING! I am using my own DIY body oil ( which I absolutely love! ) and recently started the MVO Body oil as well. I have to say…I can’t live without them.:P
Funny thing is, I’m not as fond of using oil on my body compared to my face. I do like them but I want to use them daily although I did for a season because that particular oil I was using smell so good. I think the problem might be because when I apply oil on my body, I will definitely have to use more compared to applying on my face. As such, my hands are quite oily and it makes it difficult to do other things immediately unless I wash them. So I usually use it only once or twice a week. Speaking of which, I haven’t been using for awhile this period.
I have the same fear as you about the oil getting everywhere so I use it literally right before bed. I don’t find that the oils I use mark things though. I’m still getting used to using oils on the face 🙂
even I love body oils….yup they are comparatively expensive but they do last longer and are more luxurious just as you said!!!
Lovely! Another fan! 😀