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Home » Bath & Body » I love body oils : The case for body oils and why I love them

I love body oils : The case for body oils and why I love them

September 30, 2011 Paris B 66 Comments

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 🙂

i love 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

66 Insightful comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. When not blogging about beauty or life beyond 40 find her talking about feeding dogs real, wholesome food. Connect with us on social media at Instagram.

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66 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  1. Jamilla says

    September 30, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    I’ve got that same tiger!! I use body oils, because it’s the only thing that works on my desert dry crocodile body skin! My new fave is Burberry Body spray body oil – heaven!

    Reply
    • ParisB says

      October 1, 2011 at 1:36 am

      OMG you’re kidding right? We have the same tiger yay! 😀 Thanks for the body oil rec – will take a peep!

      Reply
  2. Amanda says

    September 30, 2011 at 11:15 pm

    I love using oil on my face, but I don’t like doing the same thing on my body. Having oil on my arms and legs makes me feel I’m sticky. The hot and humid weather does play a role in my decision 🙂

    Reply
    • ParisB says

      October 1, 2011 at 1:38 am

      Sometimes it might be to do with the consistency of the oil 🙂 But I will agree that in a non air-conditioned environment, it can feel too heavy 🙂 What’s your favourite oil for the face then?

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        October 1, 2011 at 2:45 pm

        My favorite facial oil is Marie Veronique Organics 🙂 It’s expensive, but the performance is excellent!

        Reply
        • ParisB says

          October 5, 2011 at 9:58 am

          Nice! That’s the one that was missing from my set so I never got to try it 🙁

          Reply
  3. j3nny9irL says

    October 1, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    Okays cannot stand already. Gotta go down to KLCC and find Melvita~! 😛 *cross fingers* hope they have carrot oil~~

    Reply
    • ParisB says

      October 5, 2011 at 9:56 am

      I was there last week and the store still isn’t open! I want to check out some of the oils too!

      Reply
  4. Kari says

    October 1, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    Ok I am going to have to get off my butt and try an actual body oil… if I can get to the bottom of my lotions. They’re such popular gifts but I don’t know a lot of people who like to use them regularly!

    Reply
    • ParisB says

      October 5, 2011 at 10:00 am

      Do try body oils. I love them and will have a hard time going back to lotions 😀 I do agree though that body lotions are very popular gifts. I guess its something that everyone will use at some point or another 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lisa says

    October 1, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    Yay!!! To body oil!!! I recommend Jo Malone’s dry body oil. I think it’s only available in two scents at the moment. One is citrusy while the other is pear and freesia. Both are lovely, lovely, lovely….

    Reply
    • ParisB says

      October 5, 2011 at 10:01 am

      Thank you for the suggestion Lisa! I was down in Singapore over the weekend but forgot to go to the Jo Malone boutique! Argh! 😛

      Reply
  6. C says

    October 2, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    I would like to say I’m a fan of body oils but I’m still saving up for the one I want- the l’occitane almond supple oil or whatever it’s called. For the moment I sometimes like to use pure sweet almond oil with maybe some olive oil mixed in and I agree- it makes the skin very soft, and it’s not at all oily.

    Reply
    • ParisB says

      October 6, 2011 at 9:39 am

      I’ve heard a lot of good things about L’Occitane’s body oils. I think I might have to try it. Great to hear your home made recipe works too!

      Reply
  7. Vanessa says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:35 am

    I love body oils and usually use them in the night- just before bed. My most recent purchase was L’occitane’s Almond Tonic body oil and I can’t help but think of that almond jelly dessert whenever I use this oil. I’m not complaining though- love it!

    Reply
    • ParisB says

      October 6, 2011 at 9:43 am

      Ah! Another vote for L’Occitane’s oils! I guess I really have to go and check it out soon 😀 I’m not a fan of that almond jelly dessert though so I’m wondering if I’ll like it 😛

      Reply
  8. Swati says

    April 26, 2012 at 6:16 pm

    yes, good body oils are definitely expensive but I don’t mind shelling out my money on them!!! its worth it and they feel so luxurious too. I am currently using the body shop polynesian monoi oil and its amazing with its light jasmine scent. but, since the summers have begun, I didn’t dare to use it yet but will definitely try it tomorrow and see if it makes me oily or not!!!

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 27, 2012 at 9:43 am

      I have a bottle of Monoi oil too but the coconut/jasmine smell isn’t something I’m used to 🙁 Doesn’t leave me feeling as comfortable as rose or lavender or other spicier scents do

      Reply
  9. Janine Aniko says

    October 29, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    This was extremely helpful! and insights given from having a tropic weather too! I was contemplating for a while now which was better: lotion or oil, and having been using the former for years (Aveeno at that) I wasn’t really happy since it sticks a lot, becomes hell when you start to sweat. I didn’t want to neglect my skin but using body lotion has become tiresome.
    I’m using Neutrogena’s Body oil for now; it’s okay, but I’m thinking of trying more from Body Shop. Any thoughts on this particular brand? 🙂

    Thank you so much for this post! I can’t stress enough how well it helped me to decide! 🙂

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      November 1, 2012 at 11:15 pm

      I’m happy this post helped, Janine. I love using body oils but I have not tried the ones from The Body Shop, mainly because I find them a bit too scented for my liking. I prefer something that’s more natural.

      Reply
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My Women Stuff by Paris B

Welcome to My Women Stuff, a beauty blog based in Malaysia, written by veteran blogger, Paris B. We now write for women of 40 and above because that's how old I am! What you can expect is honesty, critical views & a healthy dose of shared life lessons sprinkled amongst beauty product reviews. Settle in for a read. Read More about us

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