Article by BR Natalie
Like the last season of Game of Thrones, Winter is Here. It's time to start slathering our bodies in moisturiser in the hopes of keeping dry, cracked skin at bay.
But if you've been reaching for your trusty body lotion or butter, STOP! Have you considered using an oil?
Why consider using a body oil?
Oils replicate what's already found in your skin - natural oils and therefore protect the skin's lipid barrier. Oils create a barrier on the skin that prevents moisture from evaporating from the skin and therefore leave it moisturised for longer. Although scientists question how deeply oils pentrate the skin, the fact they create the barrier to keep moisture in means many plant based oils have been the only thing to cure severe dry skin conditions.
But won't oil leave my skin, erm, oily?
Many people (especially those with acne-prone skin) believe oil will clog their pores, cause breakouts, or leave a greasy film. This couldn't be further from the truth - most natural oils are easily absorbed, not greasy, and noncomedogenic So they really are suitable for all skin types.
Can I use any old oil for this?
Before you reach for the Canola, you might want to check out these alternatives!
Sweet Almond Oil is a highly nourishing oil which is light and easy to apply. It contains vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B6 and has a high percentage of mono and poly saturated fatty acids. It's gentle enough to use on a baby's skin and is apparently brilliant at reducing undereye dark circles. Add a few drops to the skin under your eyes before bedtime - you should see optimum results after a week or two!
Jojoba Oil is actually a wax! It's very similar to the skin’s natural sebum and leaves a luxuriously smooth feel to your skin. It won't penetrate deeply though, so is best for people who don't have super-dry skin. People with oily skin might be interested to know that Jojoba Oil seems to slow down the skin's oil production. It's thought it does this by being so similar to the skin's natural oils it 'tricks' your skin into thinking it's made enough.
Coconut Oil is a solid in cooler climates, you just need to scoop a little out of the jar and rub it between your palms. Voila! An instant body moisturiser. Coconut oil (possibly due to it's tendancy to solidify) can be a little comedogenic so it's probably best not to use it on your face.
Argan Oil is best known as a hair treatment, but it is an amazing saviour to super dry skin! It's jam packed with vitamin E and is 80% formed from anti-inflammatory fatty acids. Being on of the more expensive oils, it's probably best saved for those real problem areas. Unless of course you can afford to slather your body in this liquid gold!
Grapeseed Oil comes from pressing the seeds of grapes (you might have guessed!). It's full of antioxidents and suitable for all skin types (from dry to greasy) as it actually regulates the body's natural oil production. it is high in antioxidants. It's pretty cheap and you can pick it up along side your cooking oils in the supermarket. A couple of drops a day applied directly to your skin is enough to prevent the signs of aging and even out skin tone.
Olive Oil is rich and thick, and perfect for rescuing dry hands and feet. Slather it on your hands and feet as an intensive treatment or add a little to your bath for a real moisturising treat! You'll want to buy reasonably high quality olive oil - look for 'first cold press' on the label, which means the olives weren't exposedto high temperatures, which would severly decrease the nutrients, antioxidents and fatty acids in the oil.
I have some oil at home that I have been meaning to try but worried it would cause more breakouts, this is an interesting read - I wonder what the best way to apply it is, fingertips or cotton pad?