As a lotion aficionado, I’ve moisturized my skin with a myriad of lotions, some I’ve bought repeatedly and others I’ve ended up tossing after first sniff. But as a beauty junky, there are times when the thick goopy stuff just won’t do.
Say you need to lotion your back and your college roomie or boyfriend isn’t around, what do you do? Reach for the body oil of course! Though body oils have been used for centuries, they had a resurgence several years ago and have been present on luxury beauty counters and local drugstores in troves.
Not all body oils are the same. Some are extremely greasy, often leaving legs feeling slippery. A girl can’t cross her legs with that. Enter dry oils, a breed of hydrating, long-lasting and lightweight formulas worth stocking up on all year round, but especially in the spring and summer.
For two years now, Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil for Hair, Body & Face ($6) has been a mainstay in my beauty vanity. I’ve bought over four bottles and use this product religiously on my legs, arms and back. Though appropriate for hair and face, I am a bit apprehensive about using this oil for that purpose. It smells amazing and leaves the skin soft and supple. It’s better to apply this after the shower. The spray nozzle allows ample product to come out to moisturize the skin. The Garnier Fructis dry oil is the all-in-one product for vacation when you can’t pack too many skin care products.
Two new body oils have been added to my collection, the Colbert MD Illumino Body Oil ($100) and Nuance Salma Hayek Jojoba Dual Phase Body Oil ($10). Illumino Body Oil is a must have if you can splurge on this beauty aid. It is weightless and super hydrating without the feeling of grease on the skin.
Formulated with Marula, Argan, Borage Seed, Yangu and Passion Fruit oils, the Illumino Body Oil improves elasticity. It also has vitamin E, Oleic Acid and Gamma Linoleic acid to aid in cell repair and improve skin tone and texture. I use about six pumps for my entire body. My skin feels smooth and soft after each use and I don’t have to use another lotion. I use this product in the mornings before because it gives my skin a subtle glow.
Actress Salma Hayek launched a natural skincare, hair and cosmetics line exclusively at CVS called Nuance Salma Hayek and new in the line up is the Jojoba Dual Phase Body Oil. Just like the other two oils, this one doesn’t leave the skin greasy. The dual action formula has jojoba, coconut and passion fruit oils as its main ingredients, which nourish and sooth the skin. Shake the bottle to combine all the ingredients together, which come separated. The nozzle releases a fine mist that sinks into the skin to provide hours of moisture and hydration. At just $10, this is one of the body oils you can use twice a day.
