Whether it’s Zoë Foster touting the benefits of rosehip oil, or Jennifer Hawkins calling Moroccanoil her new obsession”, oils are definitely having their turn in the limelight. But it’s not just oils for the face and hair that are enjoying a resurgence, body oils have also witnessed an increase in popularity in the last few years. In fact, the Bio-Oil body oil has maintained its status as the number-one selling skincare product in Australia for over four years. So why the sudden interest in a product that’s been available for thousands of years? Three beauty brands tell us about the benefits, the perception of the product and who’s buying it.
Shifting perceptions
The knowledge of oils has been well documented through centuries, mainly stemming from the eastern cultures of Morocco and Indian Ayurvedic cultures, but it’s only recently that the western world has been realising their potential. The role of natural oils was reduced with the rise of chemistry and during the skincare revolution, where body oils using natural oils was overridden by mineral oils. The only problem was mineral oils presented a very sticky and less effective formulation. Since then, there has been resurgence back to natural oils due to their ability to be easily absorbed into the skin, while providing a non-sticky and non-greasy application,” says brand manager, Felicity Darcy from Aspen Pharmacare.
MOR co-founder Deon St. Mor believes the increasing popularity in recent years can be attributed to educating customers about the differences between various products such as creams, lotions and body oils. He also has found that as the self-tanning industry has grown, so has the use of body oils. Consumers are after a highly nourishing product which is light on the skin and not too thick. They tend to purchase body oils to concentrate on dryer areas of the skin, such as knees, elbows and ankles.” Living Nature spokesperson Louise Henderson says the growth is a result of the education of oil starting to filter through the various magazines and different brands advertising their oils and because women are wanting the most authentic source for pure nourishment of the skin.”
In the past, oils have been known to leave a sticky, greasy residue on the skin when applied – leading to creams being the preferred choice over oils. Some oils can also be denser, making it more difficult for active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin. However, new formulations and ingredients are changing all that. When used correctly and with the benefits being experienced, people’s perception of oil has changed and is continuing to change,” reveals Darcy.
Body oil benefits
Body oil is generally used in the treatment and prevention of dry skin and traditionally includes oils extracted from natural sources such as fruit or vegetable seeds and vitamins. Body oils, using effective ingredients, can be rapidly absorbed into the skin delivering essential ingredients to target skin conditions such as scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, ageing skin and dehydrated skin,” says Darcy. Body oils can also be used to smooth skin, ease symptoms of itchy and problem skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis and heat rash, treat sunburn and rough cracked heels and prevent foot odour and fungal infections.
And while it’s clearly working super hard in the treatment department, it’s also proven to be a rather versatile little product. Body oils can be used as an all over body moisturiser, an after shaving oil, bath oil, eye cream, lip balm, hot oil” hair treatment, a massage oil and nail and cuticle nourishment.
Moisturiser versus body oils
St. Mor says that customers tend to choose a body oil over their regular lotion/moisturiser if they are after something light but extremely hydrating. Moisturiser is a combination of oil and water plus other active ingredients mixed and emulsified into becoming a cream,” reveals Henderson. Oil is the purest form of the nourishing and softening of the skin to keep it supple without the water and other ingredients.” Because body oils have less ingredients than moisturisers, there is less need for the stabilisers and additives used in moisturisers to increase their shelf life, according to Henderson.
Nature meets science
It was nature that provided the inspiration to create the formula behind some of today’s best-selling body oils. Scientists discovered the remedy through the observation of the grooming of ducks where they secrete oil from their preen gland and distribute it over their entire plumage,” says Darcy. Scientists quickly took note of the oil’s unique properties. Not only did it protect the feathers from damage, but it helped maintain their sheen and suppleness without being sticky or greasy.” A laboratory re-creation of a ducks preen gland oil was developed which allowed for easy absorption into the skin, such as PureCellin Oil - Bio-Oils’ key ingredient.
Who’s using it?
Everyone, really. With so many different benefits, beauty brands have found the demographic of those buying body oils is very broad, with customers tending to buy body oil with a specific treatment in mind. The brands also found there were no big sale discrepancies between those living in dryer areas of Australia and those living in average conditions. We find our sales of the body oil to be even across the nation, so we find women are purchasing body oils with a purpose,” reveals St. Mor.
Product recommendations
Not sure where to get started when it comes to finding the perfect body oil? We’ve compiled a list below of some of bd’s favourite products.
Almond Tonic Body Oil - Firming and Anti-Water by L'Occitane
Alpha Keri Oil by Alpha Keri
Beach Body Oil by Bobbi Brown
Body Oil, Detoxifying (Skin Eruptions) by PHYT'S Certified Organic Professional Skincare
Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturising Body Oil
Energy Body Oil by Living Nature
Gotu Kola and Lotus Body Oil by Sundari
Kukui Nut Organic Body Oil by Alba Botanica
Luxurious Body Massage Oil – certified organic by Synthesis 345 Organics
Luxurious Rosehip Body Oil by KORA Organics by Miranda Kerr
Nourishing Body Oil by Botani
Pure Coconut Moisturising Body Oil by INECTO
Satin Body Oil - "Huile Satinee" by Guinot
Therapy Sweet Orange & Jasmine Therapeutic Body & Bath Oil by The Aromatherapy Company
Vital Feeling Beauty Oil for Body by Gatineau Paris
Visit the beautydirectory section to discover more oils to have you looking and feeling revitalised.