Regular readers will know how attached I am to using body oils. So attached, I even made my case out for them. They are the only body moisturisers I use. Not lotions, butters or creams. I hate those. But I love a good body oil. I also know my tastes in body oils run to the expensive (REN Moroccan Rose and Antipodes Heavenly Oil come to mind). Not my fault that you need good oils to make a good body oil, you know 😛
But there are 2 oils that I’ve been using for a while that are relatively affordable and which are quite good as well. So I thought I’d let you know about them, if you want to experiment with body oils but aren’t sure about plonking down the cash for the pricier ones.
There is a slight problem in that I’m not sure if we get either one locally in Malaysia. They both happen to be natural/organic skincare brands and I don’t hang out enough in stores selling organic or natural produce to know if they stock these, so if you do know, please feel free to share the information in the comments.
Weleda Lavender Relaxing Body oil – RRP US$21/100ml
Weleda is a natural based skincare brand which (I believe) originates from Germany but is found worldwide. I haven’t tried other products in the brand although I did also recently purchase a cleansing milk to try. This Lavender Relaxing Body Oil was my first time trying anything from the brand.
The bottle is a nice hefty dark green glass which brings to my mind a medicine bottle. I liked it though. It felt solid and I always feel that oils keep better in a glass bottle than a plastic one. The thing I did not like about the packaging is that it isn’t a pump bottle. When you twist off the cap, there is a stopper in the mouth of the bottle, to control the flow of the oil, but it is still something you have to pour. You know how it is, it gets hard to estimate use and if you are not careful, you can overpour. But its a small bother.
The oil is a clear oil that has a lovely strong, soothing lavender scent. I have run out of my favourite Dollymoo lavender body oil and its far far too expensive to ship anymore here so this has had to take its place. The oil is not very thick, and it absorbs very quickly and easily into my skin. If you apply it on damp skin, it’ll be quick, but I like applying it on dry skin before bed, so it stays on longer, but I don’t mind that. I love the gentle lavender scent and the texture and its very affordably priced for a nice body oil.
I purchased mine on iherb.com for US$16.13 (approx RM49) and I don’t think it gets better than that! (You can use my iherb code MPW213 to get 5% off your order if you like 🙂 )
Ingredients: Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, fragrance (parfum)*, limonene*, linalool*, geraniol*, coumarin*. * From natural essential oils
Pangea Organics Body Oil – Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom – RRP US$24/120ml
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains that separate SouthWestern France and Spain. Its a lovely region but I didn’t know they were famous for lavender. Anyway, the Pangea Organics brand uses Pyrenees Lavender blended with Cardamom in their rejuvenating body oil.
Like Weleda, this is my first proper brush with the brand Pangea Organics. Pangea Organics hails from the USA and is USDA Certified Organic for most of their products. The body oil is certified organic with the “Made with Organic Ingredients” label which allows for 70% organic ingredients. It gets too complicated delving into the intricacies of organic products and certification and I’m not well versed in the subject matter. I’m not 100% into the whole organic movement so its just a personal thing for me.
I got this body oil also from iherb.com for about US$20.40 (approx RM62) and it was mostly because I was curious how lavender and cardamom would smell like. Cardamom is a spice commonly used in South Asian and South East Asian cooking and is quite spicy. Pangea Organics say its purifying, invigorating and uplifting the senses, while lavender is soothing, tension relieving and relaxing. Quite a bit of contradiction there, but you know what?
It works. The usually sharper scent of lavender oil is tempered by the spiciness of the cardamom so the smell is more rounded and soothing. The smell in this oil isn’t as strong as that in the Weleda oil so I dock points for that. I like them more strongly scented with whatever essential oils it contains.
The product comes in a pump bottle that is very practical and the oil feels a little thicker, but works well, absorbing quickly and keeping my skin moisturised. I’m already more than halfway through my bottle because its just easier to pump out a portion, than it is to unscrew the Weleda bottle and pour out what I need.
Ingredients: Helianthus annuus (organic sunflower) seed oil, simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) oil, sesamum indicum (organic sesame) seed oil, olea europaea (organic extra virgin olive) oil, cocos nucifera (organic coconut) oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (organic blood orange) oil*, lavandula angustifolia (organic lavender) oil*, elettaria cardamomum (cardamom) oil*, lavandula mailette (lavender mailette) oil*, mixed tocopherol (vitamin E). *Essential oil
I like both oils and I think they are both nice quality body oils that absorb well into skin and is thick enough to be used as massage oils, without leaving that sticky residue behind as is usually found in most massage oils. If you like the scent of lavender then you will prefer the Weleda Lavender Body Oil. I personally prefer it too because the scent is stronger and more all-enveloping as you massage it into your skin. The Pangea Organics rejuvenating oil has a much lighter scent and although my skin feels comfortable, I don’t find it as relaxing to the senses. Matter of what you prefer, really 🙂
Are you sold on using body oils yet? What scents do you like in your body moisturisers?
I like relaxing scents like lavender or its variants and also am not above a nice fresh rose scent. The “problem” I’d say is that high quality lavender and rose essential oils are pricey so the products too tend to be a bit pricier. Still, these 2 featured here are relatively wallet friendly so they are a good place to start experimenting 🙂 I plan to pick up some other types next time so if you have tried either brand and have a fave please share!
Paris B
Local available of Weleda and Pangea Organics is unknown. Prices are as set out above in USD and my purchases were made from iherb.com through friends and family members. You can get 5% discount off your order using this code MPW213
My fav body oil got to be the Loccitane almond supple skin oil..hv been using it every night n it really managed to diminish scars on my skin..pricey but it is really good!!
Hi Sammi, I love the L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil but I can’t get myself to use the body oil of the same scent. Not usually a fan of almond scents >.< But its good to know it works so well for you! I wish L'Occitane would make other scents - I'd love to try something in lavender!
I just saw the Pangea Organics booth in Gurney Plaza but I’m not sure if they have the lavender oil in particular as I didn’t browse. The Weleda oil is available on strawberrynet.
Ooh Pangea Organics is available here? Nice! I checked the prices of the Weleda on Strawberrynet but wow! Its higher than retail >.< Someone mentioned Weleda is also available at Justlife but at a whopping RM88! I think its just better to buy off iherb 😉
i have been buying from iherb for years. Ask me! Ask me!
Recently got Nuxe body oil sample bottle. Not sure if i like it?
I take it you have had good experiences on iherb, Shannen? 🙂 I haven’t tried Nuxe but from what I can tell, its a dry oil and I personally dislike dry oils. My skin always feels papery and dry, never moisturised, so I always go for proper oily oils
Hi Shannen, would like to check with you how long does it usually take for your iherb orders to reach you? I ordered some Real Technique brushes on May 14th and elected to have it shipped via Global Priority Mail by DHL (too cheap to go with the courier service :P) and it has not arrived yet 🙁
Thank you!
Irene
Pangea is available in Penang Queens Bay Mall, but not sure what range of products are they carrying 🙂
Thanks for the heads up Jaime! I haven’t seen them in KL yet but it could also be because I haven’t been out to the malls in ages! 😀
Yay LAVENDER! I need to get going on some oils. It’s getting colder and heater is cranked up high most of the time drying the skin up. I’ll give iHerb a try cos I’m thinking of real techniques brushes too 🙂
Yep! iherb is the best place to get the RT brushes too and supplements! 😀
I think I’ve seen both locally before but they are hard to find. I’ve come across Weleda at a nearby organic shop and cannot remember where I’ve seen Pangea Organics. I like monoi, coconut and jasmine… ya, beachy smells, on my body. I also like musk but not too warm or sharp. I don’t usually like lavender unless it smells like Kiehls’ MRC. My current favourite body oil is the Nuxe one.
Someone mentioned Weleda is available at Justlife. But at RM88 for the oil, I’ll pass. I’d rather get the Antipodes one 😛 We’re polar opposites when it comes to scents, Lyn! You like all the ones I dislike haha! I don’t do powdery lavender scents either. I usually go for the fresh sharp scents like the one in the MRC. Its refreshing and soothing and doesn’t make me want to sneeze
I try to stretch the usage of either my body lotion or body oil by combining both. I just put a few drops of Palmer’s Skin Therapy Rosehip Oil to the Vaseline Body Lotion (right now may favourite is Total Moisture Nourishing) and mix them together in my hands before moisturising the whole body. Or mix L’Occitane Almond Supple Oil to the Derma Healths Skin Labs Concentrate Vitamin E Cream on those days where my skin feel really dry. This way I don’t really use either mediums that much. On terms of scar minimisation I only see improvements on new scars and not so much on the old ones. I like the idea of using lavender body oil but will probably use this together with a non fragrance body lotion.
I was taught to do that at REN once too. The oil mixed with lotion/cream somehow makes the latter absorb better and be more hydrationg. But I still dislike using lotions and creams so I usually stick to just pure oils. But you’ve made some nice recipes there – at least your body lotions will now smell better and work better too! 😀
I love both brands very very much. Weleda has nice oils, even some for hair 🙂 And Pangea is great!
That is so great to know! I haven’t tried anything from either brand till now so its great to know that they do good products. They’re both not easily available here, nor very affordable (boo!) but I hope to try more of them soon 😀
you can get Waleda products at Justlife online store.but it costs RM88 + RM10 shipping cost for Weleda Lavender Relaxing Body oil
Thanks for the heads up Mia! That is an astronomical price hike >.< I think I'd stick to iherb for supplies, especially when friends & family are making orders - we all can share shipping and save 😀
I actually have that Weleda oil on my wish list, I believe it’d be a great product to use after an evening shower before going to bed. Maybe even in the bath? But the mango body butter caught my attention (from the other brand) instead, so next time. Yes, Weleda is a German brand is it’s easily available in most (all?) European countries.
I’m not sure about the bath, but its certainly nice after a warm shower for sure! I’ve heard that Weleda is a good brand and not too pricey. Wish it was more easily available here (without the astronomical price tag they put on it >.< )
I don’t use any body oil. The only oil I use is Moroccanoil for my hair and Bio Oil for my scar. I love Weleda products 🙂 They’re available here *hint*hint* 😀
Ahhhh I want to check out the Weleda products! I’ve heard so much good things about them – seems like a nice and affordable brand!
L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil all the way. I’ve loved it since my first pregnancy. These sound pretty good too, especially the lavender one 🙂
Yep, its soothing which is nice 🙂 I have heard so many good things about the L’Occitane almond oil but I can’t get over the scent 🙁 I love it in the shower oil just not in the body oil. I know, weird 🙁
I love a good body oil. A good quality/luxury one makes me think of spa time! I have used Ole Henriksen lavender body oil. It’s a huge bottle and last for ages. Good and very moisturizing but I prefer a stronger scent! (just like the spa!)
You’re so right, Tammy! Good oil with nice strong scent is like having a spa every day! 😀 I haven’t tried the Ole Henriksen one but we do have the brand here so the next time I see it, I’ll take a sniff!
Green tea oil!
Love it so much been using it for my body and my face too!
Takes care of scars and practically improves overall skin condition 🙂
Green tea oil? Gosh, that’s new to me! Is there a brand under which you can find this?
Hi yes, green tea oil 🙂 let me know if u are interested. Will send u more info
Sure thing, it does sound intriguing – never associated green tea with oil 😛
I find body oil is an acquired taste. I have been using Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse lately but somehow, my skin doesn’t seem to like it. I find the scent too strong as well.
I’ve been told the Nuxe oil has a strong beachy scent? I suspect it won’t be for me either 😉 Also, if I recall, the Nuxe body oil is a dry oil and I don’t like dry oils. My skin feels weird when I use dry oils. I much prefer using the regular oily oils, if that makes sense haha… but you’re probably right. Its not for everyone.
I don’t know why people tend to associate it with beachy scent. It doesn’t smell like beachy scent to me; beachy scent is uh, salty and fishy. It has no salty scent to it, haha. Reminds me of the burning oil (I don’t know the right term) used in temples. I had some rashes on my leg after using it. I am very reluctant and hesitant to use it on my hair and face. I have specific serum for both. So now, the bottle is sitting on the table.
Hahahaa your definition of beach scent cracked me up! But you’re so right. The smell of the beach is salty! I think people associate it with the tropics and coconuts and heady flowers, so they call that beachy. Not sure about it, since I don’t like anything with coconut in it!
Hi Paris, why not try to make it yourself, you just have to find a good lavender essential oil, ( ignore body shop one! ) I am a big fan of body oil but due to my extremely oily skin, I can’t really use them. I don’t like dry oil too because they are made with dimethicone in order for them to dry. I can’t seems to find jojoba oil locally as I heard they are similar to the oil that human skin produce, thus can slow down skin’s oil production. I bought a bottle of argan oil recently, and to my big surprise it has what I looking for, it easily absorbed into my skin and doesn’t sit on top of it, so I tried to use it on my face and found it really balancing my skin and make it less oily. The con? It’s expensive 🙁
Hi Veronique, have you tried the Argan oil by Melvita? It isn’t very pricey and has quite a nice light texture. I don’t like dry oil because my skin feels weird when I use it and it doesn’t seem to benefit my skin at all. But I’m also too lazy to make my own oils LOL! I guess I’d pay for a good, well blended one (not too keen on the ones by the Body Shop) because ultimately, sourcing ingredients etc can work out more expensive 😉
The Pangea Organics Lavender and Cardamom should smell awesome if it’s the same scent in their lipbalm of the same combination! (which I absolutely adore) 😀 Wondering now if they have a body oil equivalent of the Egyptian Fennel with Grapefruit and Sweet Orange… 😛 Will have to go check it out!
Not sure how the lipbalm smells but this smells like warm lavender (if that even makes sense) I just prefer the stronger scent of Weleda because this one is a bit tame. I looked at the Pangea site but they don’t have that one. There’s another 2 in Geranium and Lemongrass which do sound lovely 🙂
Pangea Organics is available in Penang and they’re expanding to KL/PJ soon. If you want to get any specific products, you can contact them at Pangea Organics Malaysia FB Page. I’m so environmentally concern that I have changed my whole skincare range to Pangea.
Thanks for the heads up Jerine 🙂 Although with all the additional shipping from Penang down to KL (not including the shipping from USA to here) I think it would be far too large a carbon footprint to be eco friendly anymore 😉 Maybe try Esmeria Organics – they’re EcoCert certified and a local brand, manufactured locally so the carbon footprint is relatively tiny and the environment will be happier for it! 😉
Hi Paris! I now make my own body and face oils! I buy the pure essential oils and carrier oils from Soap Artisan in Publika and mix them according to what my skin needs! Loads of recipes available online and my skin is absolutely loving the blends I’ve put together for my specific needs! The oils are fully imported but very reasonably priced as they are packed locally. So no (figurative) crying over spilt expensive REN Moroccan Rose body oil anymore. But I may still splurge on that occasionally. 😀
That must be fun Fizz 🙂 I don’t have the sort of patience and interest to mix my own, I guess. Prefer to get them ready made but I have to check out the store the next time I’m in Publika. Who knows what else I can find in there 😉
Weleda is being distributed in Malaysia – quite widely. I first came across the brand in Cyprus & the Pomengranate Oil is my absolutely favorite. Smells delicious!!
The distributor for Weleda is in the back of the Federal Hotel in Bukit Bintang (enter from the entrance closer to Low Yat) in a shop in the hotel lobby – strange place to put an outlet, I know, must be the hotel owner who discovered the brand and wanted to bring it to Malaysia
They are distributed in a few organic stores, the biggest one I know of is Just Life, but I think they do not stock the full range, just a selected range. So for the more ‘eclectic’ items you’d be best off going to Federal Hotel, BUT they only open during office hours which is a bit of a pain if you’re working!!
Thanks for the info! I ever paid any attention to them before and to have a store in a hotel lobby? That does make it sound a bit pricey (even if they aren’t supposed to be)