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Body Oil vs. Body Lotion - Which is Better for Dry Summer Skin?
mHola beautiful people! Summer is here, so let’s talk about dry skin. As the seasons change, so does our skin, and we all have times in our life when our skin feels dry, cracked, and damaged. It happens to everyone - regardless of age or skin type. The summer months can be particularly challenging, and leave those of us with dry skin feeling like a reptile at the end of the day, which can be frustrating, especially when we naturally tend to show more skin in the warmer weather.
If you suffer from dry skin this summer, you might wonder how to return the hydration and deweyness to your skin. With so many products on the market, selecting the best possible option to rehydrate your skin can be overwhelming. Choosing between a body oil vs. a body moisturizer might confuse you. Not to worry; we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about body oils, moisturizers, and preventative skincare so that you can transform that dry summer skin and get your glow back in no time at all!
What causes dry skin? |
While we all love the feeling of warm sunlight caressing our skin during the summer months, the ultraviolet rays can cause the skin to dry out quickly. The sunlight absorbs and evaporates the moisture in our skin, which can leave it feeling dry, itchy, and dull.
Dry skin, clinically known as xerosis or xeroderma, can be caused by many different factors. Some people have naturally dry skin, while others tend to dry out due to certain external factors and lifestyle choices.
Other factors in the summer months can also suck the moisture right out of your skin. If you’re someone who likes to relax by the pool, you may notice how tight your skin feels after swimming - this is due to the chlorine and other chemicals that pool water is treated with. The chemicals will strip your skin of its natural barriers and oils, leaving it looking dull and chalky. Even if you stay inside in the air conditioning all day, you aren’t safe from dry summer skin because the AC itself can absorb a lot of moisture in the air, which will once again leave your skin feeling parched.
The differences between body oil and body lotion |
Body lotion and body oil can both help give the skin a smooth and hydrated appearance. Body oil is thicker, heavier, and usually more naturally derived with fewer ingredients than body lotion. Body oils help create a layer over the skin that locks in moisture and keeps it from evaporating.
Body lotion is a thinner, more lightweight formula and often has a higher water content and more added ingredients like synthetic chemicals and scents than body oil. It can still help replenish moisture in the skin.
So, which one is better - body lotion vs body oil |
In the United States, we are more reliant on body lotionsthan in other parts of the world. In many other countries, oils are the more popular choice when it comes to hydrating dry skin.
Right now, body oil is starting to have its moment in the United States, and many people with dry skin are turning towards natural plant-derived oils instead of their traditional body lotion.
One of the reasons that body oil is better for your mind, body, and spirit is that it is often more natural and thus healthier for the body. Plant oils mimic the naturally occurring oils that our skin produces to protect itself.
Not all oils are created equal, though. Some oils like mineral oil, and bay oil are not derived from plants and are instead pulled from petroleum products. It’s essential to choose a high quality, natural plant oil like our Ceremonial Body Oil, which is made with clean and natural ingredients.
Many body lotion manufacturers add all kinds of fillers and toxins in order to get that thick creamy formula, like Parabens, BHA’s, and DMDM Hydantoin.
Oils don’t need nearly as many ingredients and help protect the lipid barrier of the skin. They are rich in antioxidants and nutrients that nourish the skin and body. They are also easily absorbed into the skin since they don’t have any synthetics.
Many people might worry that a body oil could clog the pores, especially those who have acne-prone skin, but in reality, most natural oils will not cause acne. There are two types of oils - those that are comedogenic, which means pore clogging, and those that are non- comedogenic. Most clean, plant derived oils won’t clog pores, and will be quickly absorbed to help balance the skin.
Lotions are created by blending oil and water together - but oil and water don’t blend naturally. There are added ingredients that come into play, as well as preservatives, to keep the ingredients from going bad.
Lotions and creams aren’t all bad - if you choose an all-natural clean beauty product that uses botanical ingredients instead of harsh chemicals, they can help have targeted results. If you’re looking for a great facial cream, try out our B-magic Skin Regeneration Cream.
Overall, for moisturizing the body in the summer, we recommend a good high-quality natural body oil like our Ceremonial Body Oilwhich is packed full of botanical ingredients and plant magic to help nourish and restore dry skin.
How to use body oil to get soft, supple skin this summer |
The best time to use body oil is right after you get out of the shower. You might even choose to apply it before you dry your body off with a towel. Many body oil users love to apply it before they even step out of the shower. You can use body oil once or twice a day, depending on how much moisture your skin needs.
We love creating beautiful rituals out of our self-care and beauty routines at LAB.otanica which is why we created Ceremonial Luxury Body Oil. The luxurious oil helps to improve elasticity, tone, and firmness while also enhancing collagen production and reducing inflammation.
It’s made with botanical ingredients and luxe natural oils, including avocado oil, babassu oil, and marula oil.
To use Ceremonial, simply pump some of the oil into your palms. Pat the oil into your skin and then gently massage the oil in small circles until it is absorbed by your skin.
Other tips to help keep your skin hydrated this summer |
Along with making sure to replenish the moisture in your skin with high-quality body oil, it’s a good idea to take some preventative measures to keep your skin from drying out quite so much. Here are a few tips to keep your skin moisturized all summer long.
Drink plenty of water, especially after spending time in the sun or after losing moisture as a seat during a workout. For an added boost of hydration, try adding some cucumber slices to your water, or sip on delicious coconut water which is full of electrolytes to keep you hydrated.
Avoid allowing your skin to become burned in the sun. You can do this by staying in the shade, wearing protective clothing and accessories, applying a natural SPF, or simply limiting your exposure to direct sunlight.
At LAB.otanica, we believe it is healthy to get some direct sunlight each and every day, but it might be best to avoid going out during the heat of the day - when the sun is directly overhead - at least at first. It is a good idea to limit exposure to direct sunlight between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm during the summer or year-round if you live in a warm or tropical climate.
If you have the air conditioning turned on, consider also running a humidifier to restore moisture in the air.
Our goal is for you to fall in love with the skin you live in! Manifesting a joyful summer, warmth, abundance, love, and for your skin to stay glowy all year long.
Pura Vida!
Created in Synergy with Amanda Morgan & Meleesa Luna
