Body Oils

I love a good moisturising body cream, balm or lotion and I have amassed a collection of some lovely ones that I enjoy using after a bath or shower but when the weather gets a little warmer or when I fancy some deep moisturisation or a pamper then much like I do for my face I like to use an oil or I like to layer my products, especially on the lower leg area which tends to get dryer than the Sahara desert!….Attractive! 🙂

Body oils, depending on the formulation, can be extremely efficient and potent as some do not contain ‘fillers’ or emulsifiers like a cream or body lotion may and you often get more value for money in terms of ingredients as you only pay for the purer, naturally active and effective ingredients which then translates into the results on the skin.  I would check the ingredients list and invest in oils that tick all the boxes for you as I appreciate it is quite a subjective thing.

If you are preparing to bare a bit of skin as the weather warms up (she says hopefully) then I believe that with regular use of a body oil all year round you will get a hit of concentrated hydration resulting in softer, more supple skin and a natural healthy glow. Additionally even if you have neglected your body, oils are transformational and can have an immediate impact on dryness and provide a sheen to make you look and feel more alive.

Here are a few of my current favourites and some long-standing loves:-

Liz Earle Superskin Dry Oil and Liz Earle Superskin Treatment Oil 

I have both versions of this body oil, marketed for day and night but you can use them whenever you like.  It would be remiss of me not to mention both as they are of supreme quality in my opinion.

If you want to smell like Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate from head to toe, and let’s face it who wouldn’t, then you need these oils in your life. They are so luxurious. Beautiful weighty glass packaging and superlative intense moisturisation that lasts. You do not need to use much at all, tempting as it is.  I find they are best applied to a damp body.  These are truly part of a ravishing body ritual.

Liz Earle Superskin Dry Oil for Body – £35.00 for 100ml

Ingredients

Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil, Borago officinalis seed oil, Punica granatum seed oil, Rosa rubiginosa seed oil, Citrus aurantium amara (petitgrain) leaf/twig oil, Lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, Anthemis nobilis flower oil, Citrus aurantium amara (neroli) flower oil, Linalool, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Tocopheryl acetate, Parfum (fragrance), Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Coumarin.

The is a dry oil with a spray to mist over the body quickly after your shower and it sinks into skin fast and leaves you nice and dry to get dressed. Time can often be limited for all of us in the morning and convenience is key so this oil is perfect.

The oil contains some superhero naturally active ingredients such as borage oil, cranberry seed oil and one of my favourite antioxidants – rosehip oil – along with skin conditioning naturally derived emollient agents and esters.

The oil is light, sinks into skin quickly with minimal rubbing. It smells unbelievable.

Liz Earle Superskin Treatment Oil for Body – £35.00 for 100ml

Ingredients

Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, Macadamia integrifolia (macadamia) seed oil, Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil, Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Punica granatum seed oil, Borago officinalis seed oil, Menthyl lactate, Citrus aurantium amara (petitgrain) leaf/twig oil, Linalool, Rosa rubiginosa seed oil, Lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, Anthemis nobilis flower oil, Calophyllum tacamahaca seed oil, Alaria esculenta extract, Citrus aurantium amara (neroli) flower oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Tocopheryl acetate, Parfum (fragrance), Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Coumarin.

The night-time treatment oil is richer and thicker than the dry oil and is an oil that you decant into your hands to smooth on the body.  Decant a small amount and let it warm and expand in your hands before applying it to your body with swooping motions. The oil is more golden and yellow in colour.

The oil contains some of the same naturally active ingredients as the dry oil, some lovely omega oils which are high in fatty acids in higher concentrations and the addition of alaria esculenta extract (brown algae) which is supposed to help with firmness. The deep moisturisation factor is excellent and it lasts and lasts.

Liz Earle have an Ingredients Policy which you can read here.

Such lovely quality oils and a real treat for a parched body. The scent is dreamy.

I used to sneak the Liz Earle Superskin concentrate onto my body on pulse points and on my décolletage which was a very decadent treat but now I don’t have to. I have seen great results on my legs in particular, a lovely sheen.

Decléor Aromessence Sculpt and Decléor Aromessence Relax Intense

Big squeal. The packaging…… If you have held a frosted glass Decléor tear-drop aromessence for the face in your hand then you will understand what I mean – these are giant versions for the body. Very, very satisfying indeed. These oils are luxurious, spa-like and provide hydration and comfort and a feeling of well-being.

Decléor often change-up their offerings and these oils may not necessarily be readily available or may have been replaced by new products (which I expect will be just as delightful) but these are my stockpiled ones that I am enjoying.  100% pure, 100% natural. No parabens, no preservatives and no mineral oil.

Decléor Aromessence Sculpt Firming Body Concentrate – £40.50 for 100ml

Ingredients

A cocktail of 8 Essential Oils: Frankincense, Myrrh, Camomile, Rose, Grapefruit, Lemon and Lemongrass and Tamanu Oil.

Macadamia integrifolia seed oil, corylus avellana (Hazel) seed oil, prunus domestica extract, limonene, triticum vulgare (wheat) germ oil, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, calophyllum inophyllum seed oil, citrus paradisi (grapegruit) extract, litsea cubeba fruit oil, citral, tocopherol boswellia carterii oil, helianthus annuus (sunglower) seed oil, commiphora myrrha oil, glycine soja (soybean) oil, helichrysum italicum extract, linalool, anthemis nobilis flower oil, rosa damascena flower oil, citronellol geraniol, daucus carota sativa (carrot) root extract.

The blend of this body serum is out of this world. This is my second bottle. The scent is soft but invigorating and energising, I love citrus and lemongrass combined.

I apply it all over. The product is said to leave skin feeling firmer and toned and it is supposed to help with re-sculpting your silhouette. I can’t vouch for those claims but I appreciate the fine and silky texture of the oil and I like how supple and smooth my skin is after use and I adore the scent.

I use this oil on hips, thighs and tummy and massage firmly.

Decléor Aromessence Relax Intense Relaxing Dry Oil – £43.00 for 100ml

Ingredients

Essential Oils of Tonka Bean, Ylang-Ylang and Vetiver, Vanilla extract, Jojoba and Camellia Plant Oils.

Simmondsia, chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, corylus avellana (hazel) seed oil, camellia lissi seed oil, citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) peel oil, vanilla planifolia fruit extract, tocopherol, linalool, dipteryx odorata seed extract, glycine soja (soybean) oil, vetiveria zizanioides root oil, cananga odorata flower oil, benzoate, coumarin, geraniol, benzyl salicylate.

 This relaxing body serum has one of my favourite oils in it – vetiver.

The blend is so relaxing, particularly good on tense areas of the body such as the top of the back and shoulders but I like to apply this all over. The olfactory benefits help to relieve tension. You get nutrition for the skin and a dry finish.

This a great oil to use for a pamper session at home on an evening or weekend, it is very spa-like and you may want to drift off and have a snooze after use so give yourself some ‘me time’.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse and Huile Prodigieuse OR

A classic. I have both the Huile Prodigieuse OR, which is shot with delicate gold shimmer mineral flecks, and original versions of this multi-purpose dry oil for the face, body and hair.  The signature scent is delectable – orange blossom, magnolia and vanilla. Out of all the oils featured in this write-up this one truly is the most multi-purpose due to the formulation and texture. Free from preservatives, silicone and mineral oils.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse – £29.00 for 100ml

Ingredients

The product is formulated with seven oils – Tsubaki oil, sweet Almond oil, Camellia oil, Borage oil, Hazelnut oil, Macadamia oil and Argan oil.  Free from preservatives, silicone and mineral oils.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Tocopherol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol [N2206/B].

I use the original oil after a bath of shower whilst my skin is still damp. An oil gives a deeper moisturisation as it really soaks into the skin. This oil is lightweight, the most lightweight of all the oils mentioned here.

I like to seal in the moisture on my lower legs in particular with a touch of body cream or lotion too and I have the matching Nuxe body lotion to layer up and the perfume. You know I love to layer and the Nuxe signature scent really comes into its own in warmer months, a stunning fragrance.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR – £20.00 for 50ml

Ingredients

This oil contains the same seven precious botanicals as the original version.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Dicaprylyl Ether, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Mica, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Silica, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Ci 77491/Iron Oxides, Tocopheryl Acetate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ascorbic Acid, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol [N2213/A].

This is sheer indulgence. The oil is so delicate, fine and lightweight. The shimmering mineral particles are gorgeous. I like to shake the bottle and watch them glimmer and catch the light.

I apply the OR version to the décolletage, shoulders and down the front of my legs for a touch of glamour. This oil enhances skin of any colour.

It is also beautiful gently pressed onto cheekbones after make-up for a pretty natural highlight or smoothed all over the face before make up to give a stunning sheen and that lit from within glow when paired with a lighter base. You can use a small brush or your fingertips to apply it lightly to your face on those high points where the light hits and where you would like a little sheen.  Some great make-up artists apply a little oil to cheekbones to prep skin prior to applying a base as it brings natural light to the complexion,  limits the amount of product that clings to that area and I think that is a fabulous tip and incredibly youth-giving.

I have linked to Caroline Barnes and her You Tube Channel here as she has some wonderful advice and is so relatable, her Speed Beauty tips are fantastic. Watch the video with Caroline and Nadine Baggott here to see the oil tip in action, it really does make a difference.

This gold shimmer oil is also perfect for hair. I am a natural dark brunette and the little shimmer particles really catch the light in the sun, I imagine it would be the same for lighter hair colours such as blonde or grey to illuminate. The oil is lightweight enough not to make your hair greasy, just apply it sparingly through the lengths and ends of your hair.

I think you should be popping this onto any skin that is exposed, even if it is just your feet peeping out from jeans.  When the light hits your body the shimmer is so classy, no huge glitter particles here thankfully.

Body oil application tips:-

• Apply treatment oils to a damp, warm body ideally. I apply mine to sopping wet skin. This makes the oil go so much further so your product lasts longer and it also seals in moisture.
• You do not need to use a lot as oils are concentrated. Apply the oil sparingly, you can always add more where you need to.
• Have fun – use a few of your favourite oils in small doses to layer up and create your own blend/scent.
• Use a dry oil spray for quick hydration, the spray formulations are so time-saving and easy to use and you can get dressed comfortably afterwards.
• A word of warning about oils and sunscreen, read all the advice available, and follow product instructions. The way I use a body oil in terms of layering is pretty much they way I would treat my face too and I apply sunscreen last, leaving a little time between layers to allow products to sink into skin.
• If you have showered in the morning and don’t intend to bathe/shower at night but wish to treat your body overnight with an oil then just lightly spritz your body with a toner or splash with water before you apply the treatment oil at night, the product goes much further, this seals in the moisture and allows the oil to glide over the skin.
• When you have a few more minutes to spare use the oil to massage your skin and get the blood flowing, especially on hips, thighs and the tummy. I would personally avoid any products that are aimed at ‘cellulite reduction’ or ‘slimming’. I find such marketing negative, preying on insecurities. I do not believe any product can perform ‘miracles’ but I do believe that lavishing a bit of attention on your body can allow you to see results of increased hydration, smoothness and suppleness and if you see any other effects on top – bonus.

This is just a small selection from my collection of body oils.  I have mentioned some others on my Instagram Account here in the past. I hope you have enjoyed reading about them.

Please let me know what body oils you would recommend or that you are using at the moment and love, perhaps you have a recipe for your own blend?

I would love to hear from you.