One of the more fascinating releases from The Body Shop that I watched with some interest a few years ago, was this product – The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil. The Oils of Life is a category unto its own with more than just a facial oil, which may explain the rather long product name.
There are one or two other products in the Oils of Life range, but my interest laid primarily in the facial oil. I am after all, a big fan of facial oil, and this one was one of the more easily accessible, and I dare say, one of the more affordable ones. I had to see how it fared.
Well, to pre-empt you, let me just say that if you have oily or even combination skin, this is not the facial oil for you. But if you have dry skin, or live where the weather will turn very cold and dry, then you (and your wallet) will enjoy this one! 🙂
First off, can I just have a cheer for the beautiful packaging? The Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil comes in a lovely ombre-shaded glass bottle, with a glass dropper. I love the warm, sunset tones used in the design of the bottle. The oil itself is a clear, pale yellow. I’ve had mine for quite a while now, and the bottle on my dresser cheers me up no end! 😀
The texture of the Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil is indisputably an oil, with an oily feel. If you don’t like the feeling of oil on your skin, then this will not sit well with you. However, if you are already familiar with using facial oils, and massaging oils into your skin, then this is a texture you will enjoy. I do find that it has an after-feel of a dry oil, in that my fingertips don’t feel very oily, unlike say a rosehip oil.
I find that about 2 drops, massaged into damp skin is sufficient for use as a light serum, under a moisturiser. It leaves my skin feeling soft, comfortable and well moisturised. I use this at night, and sleeping in an air-conditioned room doesn’t dry out my skin. It feels very comfortable. I hesitate to make claims to more revitalised or firmer skin, as I do use a plethora of other skincare, both day and night, and I do take care of my skin. So, I cannot claim that this one product has helped with fine lines or skin texture. But I will say that it does plump up the skin with regular nightly use, and keeps it protected and well moisturised all night. For that, I am happy with it.
I do however, have to make a note about the scent. The scent of the Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil is rather warm, spicy and woodsy. In a cool room or perhaps, in cooler weather, scents like this feel comforting. In warm weather, it can smell a little strong. Granted, they are a combination of plant-based essential oils, but I do feel it to be rather muskier than I’d like.
I can’t use this oil on its own however. I find the scent too strong, and it doesn’t seem to work as well, when used as a mask, the way I like to use my oils. But as a light serum (just 1-2 drops!) under a moisturiser in the evening, it is very nice. Mix it into your moisturiser, if you prefer (or are lazy) to reap its benefits. I prefer to layer, but that works too.
If the scent sits well with you, I think this is a pretty decent facial oil, and a good introduction to a blended facial oil that has a nice texture, revitalises skin and is pretty affordable in the long run, because you don’t need very much.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Facial Oil is a blended facial oil that comes in 2 sizes – 30ml and 50ml. The texture of the oil is quite oily so will sit better on those with dry skin, or those who live where the weather gets cold and dry. Massage about 2-3 drops into damp skin as a light serum, followed by a moisturiser or use it on its own if you prefer. I need a cream over it. The warm, musky scent is rather strong, so do take note of that if you are sensitive to scents of that nature.
PROS: Light texture, Absorbs easily into damp skin, Makes dry skin feel more moisturised and more comfortable, Makes skin feel smoother and more comfortable with regular use, Revitalises dry skin, Quite affordable as you only need very little product each time
CONS: Scent is rather strong
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone with dry skin who’d like to try a more affordable facial oil to help their skin feel more comfortable, Anyone who lives where the weather gets cold and dry and wants an affordable blended facial oil
PRICE: RM199 | £30 for 30ml or RM269 | £38 for 50ml
WHERE TO BUY: The Body Shop stores or online
For those interested, here is the full ingredient list
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Emollient), Olea Europaea Fruit Oil/Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil (Emollient), Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil/Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent – Occlusive), Camelina Sativa Seed Oil (Emollient), Rosa Canina Fruit Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent – Emollient), Nigella Sativa Seed Oil (Emollient), Parfum/Fragrance (Fragrance Ingredient), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate (Antioxidant), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Citronellol (Fragrance Ingredient), Geraniol (Fragrance Ingredient), Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil (Fragrance Ingredient), Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil/Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Leaf ) Oil (Fragrance Ingredient), Origanum Majorana Leaf Oil (Refreshing Agent), Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil (Fragrance Ingredient), Coumarin (Fragrance Ingredient), Lavandula Angustifolia Oil/Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil (Natural Additive), Lavandula Hybrida Oil (Fragrance Ingredient), Citral (Fragrance Ingredient), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil/Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil (Fragrance Ingredient)
What is interesting is that this oil contains olive fruit oil, and my skin used to go bonkers on contact with olive oil. It was so bad that I’d avoid it completely in any product. But it works in this one, which tells me that it is either a better formula or that my skin has changed over time, so can now tolerate ingredients it could not before. That, I find interesting, for it reopens up a whole new world of experiences and products for me! 😀
Have you tried anything from The Body Shop Oils of Life range?
I’m kind of interested to have a go at their cream from the same range now. I have the essence, which I’ll tell you about another day. I hadn’t paid a lot of attention to TBS for a while, but you know what? They’ve improved a lot in recent years. Do let me know if there’s something else in the brand I’ve missed that I should try! 😀
Paris B
I really wish companies would stop adding fragrance to products that go on the face. It doesn’t matter if they’re organic or synthetic, I don’t want them.
I’m the same, although I have to admit, some smell better than others. I’ve read it’s because consumers expect it, and also they have to mask some of the natural ingredients that don’t actually smell very good even if natural. A little scent I think is fine. But it’s when its too strong that it’ll bug me
I’ve seen this facial oil been advertised endlessly by The Body Shop and never actually was too interested seeing as I enjoy using my rosehip oils. It’s nice to hear that it has more of a “dry” rather than an oily texture, which would definitely make it much more of a pleasure to use. What a shame about the scent though- thank you for mentioning it as it has completely put me off! I do agree that the packaging is divine, I love the glass bottle and its sunset colours too 🙂
The colours on the bottle are so beautiful! But the scent could do with some toning down for sure. Not everyone appreciates a scent this strong or musky. What’s your favourite brand of rosehip oil? 🙂
I’m not really interested with strong fragrance in facial oil.. Tamanu oil is my go-to facial oil but mostly available online cannot be purchased in store ^^” BTW thaks for sharing this dear~
Interesting, I”ve actually come across references to Tamanu oil recently but haven’t yet tried any products with it. What is your favourite brand for Tamanu oil?