We all have our favorite, luxurious, buttery moisturizers that we love to keep on hand to keep our skin soft and hydrated. However, the truth is that lotion may not always be the answer for every dry skin concern.
A few years ago when I was suffering from cystic acne, I was using multiple dermatologist-recommended gels and lotions on my face. These topical treatments made my face feel like it was on fire anytime any moisturizer touched it. I was searching for something, anything to hydrate and soothe my poor face. So what finally worked? Coconut oil! My dermatologist was surprised, to say the least. But why should she have been? We should all know the amazing benefits of oil!
What should I know about oil?
There are many misconceptions regarding oil, especially those regarding applying oil to your face and body. One such misconception is that oils will clog pores, cause acne, or leave your face feeling greasy. The truth is that natural oils are easily absorbed by the skin, help the skin to retain moisture, and do not require preservatives. Oil are also noncomedogenic, meaning that they will not clog your pores. Scoreeee! Oils are also high in nutrient and antioxidant levels, making them great anti-aging moisturizers and great for UV protection. Furthermore, you can spread out the useful life of an oil by applying it to wet skin. This makes oil AMAZING for all skin types and cost effective too.
“I was searching for something, anything to hydrate and soothe my poor face. So what finally worked? Coconut oil!”
What about lotion?
Lotion, on the other hand, can be a great moisturizer as well. Lotions can contain great ingredients such as aloe vera, vitamin E, shea butter, and more that do wonders for sensitive or dry skin. Lotions are created by combining oil and water together with an emulsifying agent such as wax. This is what gives lotion the ability to lock in moisture once it is applied to your skin. This is what we want right? Not always. This ability to lock in moisture also comes with the ability to clog pores. Furthermore, with water as a main ingredient, lotions often contain preservatives to keep the water from growing moldy and affecting the integrity of the lotion. This is where preservatives come into play and from our research we know that not all preservatives are created equal, not even the “natural” ones.
That is not to say that lotions are bad. This just means that you have to do that much more research to ensure that you have chosen the right lotion for you that will not compromise your health. One of my favorites is Organic Hand & Body Lotion Unscented from Puracy.
So what should I use?
The answer to this question often depends on your own personal body. Which is the most annoying answer to any question, am I right?! So, to better answer your question, I would suggest that if your normal lotion is not fulfilling your moisturizing needs or if you are in need of a new one that you give oil a try! Especially in the Fall and Winter months, our skin can be left even more dehydrated than usual. These months are the perfect time to try out oils!
If you know how to choose the right oil, it is often a better and safer bet than lotion as they may have fewer chemical additives that may be absorbed by your skin and enter your bloodstream.
What should I look for when buying an oil?
Remember that just because an oil says “organic”, “cold-pressed”, or “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the cleanest oil for you. The best way to choose your oils is to avoid products containing synthetic fragrances and perfumes. You should then choose cold-pressed or CO2-extracted oils that are unscented or scented with only cold-pressed essential oils. Some of my favorite oils are coconut oil, jojoba oil, and if you are feeling really fancy…Emerald Body Essence by Osmia Organics. Loooooooove!
What do y’all think? What are your favorite oils? Leave a comment, I would love to know!
Sources:
Darmstadt, GL, and SK Saha. “Effect of Skin Barrier Therapy on Neonatal Mortality Rates in Preterm Infants in Bangladesh: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial.” NCBI. October 26, 2016. Effect of skin barrier therapy on neonatal mortality rates in preterm infants in Bangladesh: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial.
Gause, S., and A. Chauhan. “UV-blocking Potential of Oils and Juices.” NCBI. October 26, 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26610885.
Kottner, J., and V. Kanti. “The Effectiveness of Using a Bath Oil to Reduce Signs of Dry Skin: A Randomized Controlled Pragmatic Study.” NCBI. October 26, 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27815985.
Zerbe, Leah. “We Found the Best Moisturizer for You.” Rodale’s Organic Life. May 22, 2015. http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/we-found-best-moisturizer-you.
