Lotion is convenient, but oil is forever. At least that’s been my truth lately and even the motto of my beauty regime. Taking care of your body means taking care of your skin, the largest organ of your body. Moisturizing is a must, especially for those who aspire to age gracefully.
I used to be a lotion lady, all about the sweet-smelling scents of Bath & Body Works and other cheap lotion brands. Nowadays, I only use lotion when it’s a matter of convenience. I favor oils.
Oil has become a popular talking point these days and for good reason. It can be used for everything — from cooking to cleaning the mouth (oil pulling), from moisturizing the skin and hair to cleansing the face (oil cleansing method). Now I don’t claim to be an expert on this topic by any means, but I’ve learned what works for me.
The oils I try to keep in constant rotation in the cabinets around the house:
- Coconut Oil (Unrefined, Organic) – Said to condition hair and skin, help with skin disorders or extreme dryness, minimize acne, get rid of nail and foot fungus, and more.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Said to moisturize and protect hair, stimulate skin cell repair, promote regrowth of hair, and more.
- Neem Oil – Said to protect skin, combat fungal infections, help with eczema symptoms, fight acne, treat dandruff and head lice, promote hair growth, and more.
- Jojoba Oil – Said to cleanse the scalp, add to hair shine, promote hair growth, moisturize scalp and skin, ward off wrinkles, minimize acne, reduce inflammation, soften and cleanse skin, and more.
- Vitamin E Oil – Said to heal burns, help with psoriasis and eczema symptoms, noticeably reduce or eliminate age spots and wrinkles, soften skin, remove brown spots, promote hair growth, and more.
- Jamaican Black Castor Oil – Said to help with various scalp and hair problems, treat minor pain and aches, promote movement of bowels as a laxative, heal wounds and burns, and more.
The less added ingredients, the better. I feel comfortable using all of the above on my hair and skin, and coconut oil and EVOO while cooking too. I’ve never had any issues with breakouts caused by the oils. However, I think trial and error should be done. For instance, I’ve learned that Jamaican Black Castor oil does wonders for my hair and moisturizing stubborn dry spots on my body, but absolutely has to stay away from my face or I break out in the worst of ways.
I don’t do oil pulling regularly enough to share my experience on its effectiveness, but there are plenty of sources online that discuss this method and its potential benefits. I don’t do the oil cleansing method, but I do use oil as a nighttime moisturizer — 1. Wash face. 2. Use toner 3. Apply oil(s).
Is your preference oil or lotion?
I’m currently on a mission to replace all of my beauty products with natural beauty products, which is why incorporating oil into my regime has been so important. It has been a slow and gradual process that I have yet to complete. The reality is, there is a lot of harmful stuff in the products we use to beautify ourselves and finding effective alternatives takes time.
A few weeks ago, I scored big at a sale at a local grocery store, picking up a few brands that I know to be less chemically driven than what is on most store shelves. Here’s what I got and my thoughts on the products so far:
Jason 32,000 IU Vitamin E Oil – My skin has always loved Vitamin E oil. This 32,000 IU version is different than any I’ve used before because of the high IU level. It’s only a one ounce bottle, but a little goes a long way. The oil is very thick and sticky and might be best applied with another oil to thin it out (I use Jojoba oil). It’s clear and has no distinct smell. This particular bottle comes with a spatula-like applicator as part of the top. I quite like it, as it makes application less messy. I tend to use this at night and have noticed it’s helped even out my skintone.
Gud Vanilla Flame Body Lotion – I think a good general rule for people interested in natural beauty products is to stay away from goods that include parfum. If you bathe regular and practice good hygiene, there should be no need to slather yourself in fragranced products. With all that said, I love the smell of this Vanilla Flame body lotion.
This is a product is by Burt’s Bee’s and so it is a little more conscious than most other brands on the market. It has no parabens, phthalates or petrolatum, and is not tested on animals. I have this scent in the body wash as well and use it when I want a change from my basic bar soap. As far as moisturizing goes, this holds its own. I do not find that I need to apply it over and over again, which is a good quality to find in a lotion.
Yes to Carrots Super Rich Body Butter – The verdict is still out on this product. It’s not as thick as most body butters that I’ve tried, but it moisturizes well. I like that it is 99 percent natural, and free of parabens, SLS and petroleum. It doesn’t have seem to have much of a scent, although it brings to mind the smell of sunscreen and has “parfum” listed in the ingredients. The butter feels light when applied, but manages to keep my skin hydrated for hours at a time (I think that has to do with the formula’s shea and cocoa butters, and avocado and jojoba oils). I’m interested in trying more from this cruelty-free brand.
Jason Pure Natural Wheat Germ Vitamin E Hand & Body Lotion – Simply said, I like this. This is truly a frill-free product. It’s simple and effective — lotion that hydrates the skin. The lotion is said to be free of petrolatum, laureth sulfates or sodium laurlyl, phthalates and parabens. It’s worth noting that the company itself is recognized as one of the firsts to offer natural products without all the harsh chemicals. I would recommend this to any and everyone with dry and sensitive skin.
Mama Bee Nourishing Body Oil – Another brand by Burt’s Bee’s. I have to say that I’ve really fallen in love with this product. It has almond, wheat germ and lemon oils. I’ve read reviews in which people complain about the smell of this product (comparing it to lemon Pledge), but I love it. It does smell like lemon, which oddly has a calming effect for me. The oil has a thin consistency and goes on light, but it moisturizes well and leaves my skin feeling silky and smooth (especially after bathing). I purchased two bottles (4.0 fl oz.), use it nearly every day and have yet to open the second bottle. This has become a fast favorite and I intend to purchase more once I’m out.
Have you tried any of these products, what do you think? What are your favorite health-conscious beauty products and brands?
*This post is not sponsored.