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Lotions vs Oils - What is best for you?

11 May, 2014 - 09:06pm by - First Lady | 23 Comments

Article by BR Natalie

We've said it before and we'll say it again.  In the words of the Starks 'Winter is coming'.  It's time to step up our moisturising routine and protect our skin against dryness, cracking and flaking.

Chances are when you think of a moisturiser you think of lotion.  The thought of slathering your body and face in oil probably brings on the beauty fear sweats.  You might not know it, but oil is the moisturiser of choice in many regions around the world - and making the switch from lotion to oil might just be the thing to save your skin this winter.

What's the difference between lotions and oils?

Lotions, simply put, are oil and water mixed with an emulsifier to keep them together.  Many lotions have extra 'goodies' added to them, including aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin D, shea butter and keratin.  These are all key ingredients to  replenish and repair the skin can be used to alleviate various skin conditions such as eczema. Lotions can penetrate deep in to the skin and are formulated to be noncomedogenic (the fancy term for "non pore-blocking").

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.

it’s a wax that is very similar to the skin’s natural sebum. So, while it feels really nice on the skin, it can’t soak in and moisturize as deeply as an oil like Argan - See more at: http://redandhoney.com/why-i-stopped-using-coconut-oil-as-a-skin-moisturizer/#sthash.Srkgf82J.dpuf

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.

 

Over to you beauties, do you regularly use oils as your moisturiser or does it just not appeal to you?  Get chatting below!

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Comments

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15th April, 2015

This is a really good article as I have often thought oils would be superior to creams but obviously they are both really important for different reasons. Thanks for the article

10th December, 2014

I actually love oils on my skin. I've started using them more and more in my thirties. Also since having children, oils are often used in their skin care and it opened my horizons to think past lotions.

8th August, 2014

I'm an oil lover I hate and I mean hate with a passion applying lotion on my skin. Just don't like it.

But using an oil is what I love!! Apply it when your skin is still wet just after washing, then pat dry down.

Oils late longer on the skin then water based lotion. Argan Oil is my fave!

3rd August, 2014

I used to be just solely moisturiser. But since Ive joined beauty review and tried the Thursday Plantation oil. I can clearly see a difference between the two.

20th May, 2014

I've been using moisturiser in the morning and then cleaning my makeup off at night and applying coconut oil and trying to really rub it into my scars, haven't really noticed any change yet but it's only been 3 weeks so I'll continue to keep trying :)

20th May, 2014

I use rose hip oil now. have been using it for a couple of months now and I must say Im loving it... I was using Palmers cocoa butter and before that coconut oil (which I felt made my skin more oily and prone to pimples)

18th May, 2014

Wow great article! Body lotion is my to to moisturiser, but I might try some oils now. I use argan oil for my hair and grape seed and olive oil on my hands and cuticles. So I must have a look at some of the others.

16th May, 2014

I use lotion mostly but have been experimenting with various hair oils recently too.

16th May, 2014

There are a couple of oils I am going to give a go, thanks BR. I have used apricot oil ever since my daughter was born and I love how it feels on my skin and my childrens. I usually add it to baths or as a massage oil and it has other uses too, such as make up removal and cooking. Added bonus is it isn't very expensive.

15th May, 2014

I use Rosehip oil or Bio oil and then Moisturizer

14th May, 2014

Actually the first oil I ended up using on my face was my avocado cooking spray applied with a cosmetic cotton pad. Not the best idea. The first actual facial oil was Trilogy's Antioxidant + and although I have used other facial oils Antioxidant+ remains my current fave. I did get into body oils last year but have only used a few. I once found a bottle of pregnant belly oil on special and bought that for my body since it was a big bottle and cheap, I found that oil to be a bit greasy. I did try Trilogy's body oil last year when there was a special but the scent was a bit strong, loved the texture though.

13th May, 2014

Wow! Keen to try jojoba and sweet almond oils! I suffer from dark undereye circles - they just appear everyday, and hopefully the jojoba will help with my oily/acne prone skin!

13th May, 2014

I love using both but love using an oil in winter. I also use oils instead of using face wash. So much nicer and a lot cheaper than buying face wash!

13th May, 2014

I'm loving sweet almond oil at the moment for my face and hair. I also like coconut oil as a hair treatment. I'm about to get some castor oil for my scalp as I have heard it helps with hair growth. I prefer natural oils to lotions as the best things come from nature versus made in a lab.

13th May, 2014

I've never used body oil before, actually I hadn't really heard of it until this week on BR haha. I would love to try something new, especially these oils. They looks fantastic! I'm normally just a lotion girl because that is all I have ever used. The only oil I use is for my monthly olive oil home hair treatment haha.

nemesisroxx
20th May, 2014

Ooo where do you get your apricot oil from pintsize? thanks for your comment! Would like to try it too :)

pintsize
20th May, 2014

Nemesisroxx I just buy the Healtheries one which I think is available at health food shops (like Health 2000) and maybe also at Countdown... it lasts such a long time I actually can't remember where I last bought it from. xx