Very often, in my beauty experiments, I come across products that I consider similar in form or function and when I find them from different ends of the price spectrum, I share what I call a “Save and Splurge” post. Often, they’re products I like. It only makes sense to share things you like, and finding a good enough option to save money on is always a boon.
But today, I’d like to warn you instead that sometimes, a splurge is a lesser evil than a save option. Today we talk about shower oils.
Let me preface this by saying that I don’t have a lot of experience with shower oils. In fact, I don’t know of many brands that do shower oils, or a body cleansing oil that you can use in the shower. So, my experience may be limited to just one, the very excellent L’Occitane Shower Oil.
Shower oils are, as the name implies, an oil that you use in the shower in place of your shower gel or soap. It cleanses your skin without stripping it of its natural oils, keeps skin feeling moist and supple and contrary to popular belief, does not leave your skin feeling oily after use. Think of it like a cleansing oil for the body – it emulsifies upon contact with water and rinses off clean. I’m a huge huge fan of the Splurge option, but I was also introduced to a Save option not long ago, so here’s what I think of it.
Oh and if you know of other brands that do shower oils, please do let me know because I’m always up to try more!
SPLURGE: L’Occitane Shower Oil with Almond Oil – RM100/250ml (Click for full review)
The splurge option is the epitome of luxury. If you have never tried the L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, please for all that’s good and clean and lovely, do. The product is a wonderful thick, luxurious oil that emulsifies on contact with water, and cleans your skin beautifully without drying it out, and leaves it feeling soft and smooth and moisturised. You use it directly on damp skin, pretty much as you will any shower gel, and then rinse it off. It smells absolutely lovely and while it is rather pricey, it is a wonderful treat and lovely, when your skin is feeling dry. Every one NEEDS to try this at least once in your life, so put it on your birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or Special Occasion wishlist.
If you come across people saying it leaves them feeling oily (and I have and then I go whaa…?) it shouldn’t. Those who do find it leaves their skin feeling oily probably didn’t rinse it out or didn’t emulsify or didn’t actually shower, or just didn’t follow instructions. The L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil is incomparable for me. I haven’t yet come across a similar product… until now, found in the shelves of the pharmacy at a tiny little pricetag. Oh hello?
SAVE: Lipidol Body Cleansing Oil – RM24.90/200ml
Last year I was introduced to a new brand called Lipidol. You can find it at the pharmacy (Guardian pharmacy for now) where the whole range of products retail at just RM24.90 each. Yes, a tiny little pricetag. When I knew they were made by the same people who produce Bio-Oil, I took 3 hasty steps back. I hate Bio-oil. If you like it and it works for you, good for you. I hate it, please don’t try to make my change my mind because I won’t.
Incidentally, all the products in the Lipidol range bar one – the Body Cleansing Oil or what I call the Shower Oil – contain Paraffin as their key ingredient, same with Bio-oil. Suffice to say, its not going anywhere near my face or my skin or just anywhere near me. Period.
So this shower oil, I was curious. Based on the description, the light yellow oil is supposed to be infused with the scent of lime essential oil for a fresh clean feeling in the shower. Lime? Even my dishwashing liquid smells more of lime than this. There is a faint hint of citrus scent but it lies under a stronger scent of what I identify as oil on its way to turning rancid. This bottle is new, and perhaps I had my hopes up when I was told it’d smell of clean, fresh citrus. It didn’t and my nose hates it, and my perfect shower moment was spoilt.
The texture does remind me of Bio-oil – what I previously described as liquid plastic. It is lighter than the L’Occitane version and similarly emulsifies on damp skin on contact with water. It doesn’t lather, but I did manage to create some bubbles. It washes off cleanly (thank goodness!) and the scent doesn’t linger (doubly thankful!) but I don’t find the Lipidol Body Cleansing Oil to make my skin particularly smoother, more moisturised or feel more comfortable. In fact, I felt it to be a wee bit drying, like how my face feels after I use a facial cleansing oil (my dry skin doesn’t like facial cleansing oils anymore).
I’ve used the Lipidol twice. Once to try (I quickly rinsed with a better smelling shower gel after that) and the second time to give it a second chance. I’m not giving it a third chance I’m afraid. I’m done with it and never going near it again.
Save or Splurge?
You know my answer. Suck it up, get the splurge option. It’s not something you’ll use everyday, but when you do use it, your body knows the difference and loves the feeling. You feel pampered and cocooned and your skin feels lovely and smooth and you waft a lovely scent from the bathroom to your bedroom. It’s lovely. But if you are looking for a shower oil to use daily and you aren’t fussed about scent or weird textures then I suppose the Lipidol would be an option. Personally, it’s not for me. Yeah, maybe I’m a snob, sue me 😛
Have you tried the Lipidol Body Cleansing Oil and want to change my mind? Are you a fan of the L’Occitane Shower Oil?
I’m afraid it’s not going to be possible to change my mind on this one. I’m sorry, Lipidol, it just doesn’t cut it as far as I’m concerned. In this instance, I’d much rather pinch my pennies, and save to splurge, rather than to just save 😉
Paris B
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil Price: RM100/250ml Availability: L’Occitane stores and online | Lipidol Body Cleansing Oil Price: RM24.90/200ml Availability: Guardian pharmacy
I am very tempted to try this since I am already using (and liking very much) their Almond Supple Skin Oil to prevent stretch marks from appearing during my pregnancy. Will check out their stores to see if there is any promotions going on. Thanks for the review 🙂
Ah I think you would like this then, Victoria! It’ll be a nice complement to the Supple Skin Oil and I’m sure your skin will love it! 😉
We don’t have lipidol in Canada from what I’ve seen. Just Bio-oil and I haven’t tried them yet.
As for the Almond shower oil…. oh I love it! It was a little strange getting used to, because it doesn’t lather as much as shower gels do. But when I used it, I found my skin feeling so smooth and hydrated. During the summer I found some days I didn’t even need to moisturize that much after my shower.
Yes the price tag is pretty hefty, but as you’ve mentioned, it’s worth the purchase. As of right now because of the winter, I’m using a different shower gel, but I may repurchase this for the summer. I really want to try their almond oil body spray though.
Have you tried the milk almond concentrate? It’s AMAZING! I would use it everyday if it wasn’t $49CAD/200ml…
Lipidol is only starting to roll out worldwide, Joann. It launched in Canada and S. Africa first then here and they said they’re going worldwide so you may start seeing it soon 🙂 That said, maybe I’m prejudiced due to my experience with Bio Oil I can’t really say 😛 I haven’t tried the Milk Almond Concentrate – it’s that good huh? I’m going to have to take a gander at it, don’t I? 😛
I love using oily shower produtct, I so love using oil on my skin, I just make my own mixture and use it fot the evening shower session of just splash a rich amout in the tub for a nice long noureshing bath. I haven’t tried L’Occitane Shower Oil yet, but I am shure going to, I love almond oil, the feel on my skin, the effect after use. Just nice.
Your own mixture! How creative, Wojis 😀 If you happen to come across a promo, give the L’Occitane shower oil a try. It’s really lovely! 😀
It\’s good to see you back Paris (a couple of weeks late, but I was pleasantly surprised to see your post on New Year). Haven\’t been commenting lately, a very busy year for me, but I always kept up with your posts and was sad to be missing them for a while. I hope things go better for you from here on.Anyway, I haven\’t tried shower oils before, partly because as you say, there aren\’t really budget options available and I don\’t really go high-end for bath producs, but you have me seriously considering this. I\’m not sure why I haven\’t considered it since I like the silky feel of cleansing oils and have wanted to try one for hair too (Shu Uemura don\’t stock theirs here as far as I can see and there are no other alternatives) so why not body? It\’s nice to pamper every now and again, especially during the miserable winter.By the way, have you tried the cushion pacts that are popular right now? I\’m curious about your take on them.
Hi Leila, thank you for the welcome back and the supportive words. I appreciate it more than you know 🙂 Yes, I’d say a bathtime luxury is a lovely treat so do try this shower oil. I must confess that I’m quite willing to splurge on bath/shower products which I know many people think to be a waste of money, but it just feels so nice! And sometimes, after a long work day, we just want to feel that nice 😉
I have actually only tried 1 BB cushion pact – the Laneige one. I was toying with the idea of trying the Sulwhasoo one but didn’t in the end because I wasn’t sure if I could live with them drying out so quickly. I did like the Laneige one, so if the others out there are the same then odds are I’d like them too. Only problem would be the drying out 😛
I have not tried any shower oil but I recall reading raves about L’Occitane Shower Oil with Almond Oil. I almost purchased it because it didn’t make it to my shopping cart because slathering oil on my body, then washing it off means it will be an expensive affair lol. In any case, facial cleansing oil has done me good despite my initial fear. Bio-oil didn’t give me a good impression, I am not sure why. Hence Lipidol also went the same path. Thanks for the review and alert 🙂 I am currently using the Body Shop Almond Shower Gel which smells wonderful and easy on the wallet. One day, I will graduate to using Shower Oil and it will be a splurge!
Aww… but you’re right, Jennifer. It is expensive LOL! But I’m a bit of a bath/shower freak. Was willing to splurge on shower items long before my face. Sad but true. I’m glad I’ve worked out my priorities LOL! 😀 Yes, when you do decide to splurge, go for the L’Occitane. Skip all the imitators!
I’m spending winter in Beijing, which is renowned for being oh so very dry, so the L’Occitane shower oil is almost a necessity in addition to slathering on loads of moisturizer after each shower! For summer however, I prefer their Rose n Reine shower gel for a more flowery and summery feel ????
Ooh winter in Beijing! Make sure you wrap up warm, I’m told it can get freezing! I still haven’t been to Beijing but some day I should and when I do, I”ll be sure to pack my L’Occitane shower oil 😉
I love this almond series. A comforting scent. I’ve not come across other bath oil like this except this one. I have one of the Jo Malone bath oil but I use it in a different way. It is more of a moisturizer which I applied on wet skin after shower, emulsify and pat dry. Saw that Aveeno has one too on iHerb. Perhaps i will give this a try.
Right? I haven’t come across a similar shower oil product either. It puzzles me, because you’d have thought that if L’Occitane had it, there would be another brand or two that has it too! REN has a lovely oil too but it is a bath oil and just far too wasted for use in the shower.
We have already finished half the bottle, we all like it! Great buy, just regret nog buying the bigger bottle with the pump and a refill. Not to worry, I’m gonna order as soon as we finish our oil, it’s that easy in Holland. When I do get back to one of the shops, I’ll try the Almond body Oil and the milk, I am very excited. The oil is a delight and yes, if you don’t like the feel on the skin, you are doing it wrong :-).
I agree with you about L’Occitane body wash — smells heavenly and leaves skin feeling amazing.
I also agree with you about the scent of Lipidol — horrible! It reminds me of green Lifesavers, which are supposed to simulate the flavour of lime — which they do not do at all. Furniture polish also comes to mind.
Please save your money and do not buy this stuff.