How to Use a Body Oil

Be honest: Are you giving your body the same attention as the skin on your face? Do you consistently employ a body care routine with hydrating beauty products? Like many people, you probably answered "no" to one or both of these questions. And that's okay!

In truth, the skin on your body is just as vulnerable to premature signs of aging and risks as the skin on your face. To keep your skin healthy, it is essential to hydrate using a lotion or cream. Neglecting to do so may result in various imperfections, such as dryness, cellulite, fine lines, and other blemishes, affecting your confidence levels.

That's where body oil comes in. 

Body oils contain nourishing vitamins and hydrating nutrients that work wonders for the look and feel of your skin. These formulations work just as well as your favorite lotions or moisturizers to nourish, hydrate, and revitalize the skin on your body. 

The skin is the body's largest organ, and treating it that way is important. When you're ready to learn how to use body oil in your everyday routine, here's everything you need to know:

Benefits of Using a Body Oil

Whether you're treating dry skin or want to add a subtle glow to your body, there are many benefits to learning how to use body oil. Here are seven body oil benefits:

Body oil can help revive dehydrated skin. Most formulas contain hydrating nutrients that condition your skin, improve elasticity, and prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Learning how to apply body oil correctly means you can replace your moisturizer and experience the same hydrating benefits. 

Body oil formulations improve elasticity and help you achieve firmer, plumper skin, which can reduce the visual appearance of fine lines, crepiness, and other signs of premature aging. 

Body oils are oil-based, which means they infuse your skin with a subtle glow and help you achieve a next-level radiance. If you want that subtle, luminous look, we recommend pairing a body oil with a body lotion or cream.

Whether stretch marks, cellulite, or hyperpigmentation, the right body oil can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and provide a smoother and more firm appearance. To reduce the appearance of these imperfections, use body oil consistently in your body care routine — at least a few times a week. 

Body oils are lighter moisturizers and an excellent replacement for your thicker moisturizer during the warmer months and hot summer days.

Struggling with redness or inflammation? Learning how to apply body oil may solve your problems. Many formulas contain calming ingredients like chamomile, a great alternative to creams or lotions that can soothe and calm your skin.

Choosing a body oil with antioxidants can protect you against free radicals and other environmental aggressors. Without incorporating antioxidants into your routine, you risk triggering oxidative stress, which can lead to premature signs of aging and other skin imperfections. 

Which Should I Use? Body Oil or Lotion?

The big difference between body oil and lotion is that body oil doesn't contain water. Lotions revive dehydrated skin and help you lock in moisture for softer, supple skin, and a trusted moisturizer is a must-have in your body care routine, especially during winter.

Body oils are also a great remedy for dry, dehydrated skin. However, the thinner consistency is better suited for warmer spring and summer months. Body oil gives your skin a smooth, supple glow that’s perfect for summertime. 

When your skin needs extra TLC, you may add both products to your routine, which will help you lock in all-day hydration and provide your skin with a glow. 

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and your skincare goals. How much time do you want to commit to your body care routine? What imperfections or skincare concerns are you looking to remedy? Answering these questions will help you find the right products to build a routine that meets your needs. 

How to Use Body Oil

Body oil is a lightweight, incredibly fast-absorbing oil capable of replacing your moisturizer. If you want to incorporate body oil into your everyday routine, here's how to apply body oil after a shower:

• After you take a shower and your skin is clean, pat your skin dry with a towel
• Massage the desired amount into damp skin
• Start at your neck and work your way down to your toes

A little goes a long way, so start with a dime-sized amount and continue to add more as needed. For the best results, apply body oil during your daytime routine before you start your day, and use your go-to daily body moisturizer before bed.

Who Should Use Body Oil?

Most body oils are suitable for all skin types. However, they're especially beneficial for dry, sensitive, or dehydrated skin. 

Body oils can also help with common skincare insecurities, including scars, stretch marks, cellulite, or an uneven skin tone. During our 12-week user trials, 94% of participants agreed that cellulite diminished, and 92% reported the reduced appearance of stretch marks after using The Body Oil.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, be careful when adding a body oil to your routine. When you choose a body oil, we recommend non-comedogenic options with lighter oils and ingredients.

When Should I Apply Body Oil?

Body oils work best when applied to damp or dry skin, so use your go-to body oil after a shower or bath for the best results. Make sure to dry off but keep your skin damp, as this will help maximize the formula's hydrating results.

You can also apply body oil to wet skin after taking a shower, a technique that locks in moisture and helps keep your skin hydrated enough that there's no need to apply any additional lotions or creams.

Apply body oil after your lotion to achieve an elegant glow before you take on the day. You'll experience the maximum moisturizing benefits and achieve luminous skin from your shoulders to your toes. 

Can I Use Body Oil on My Face?

We don't recommend using body oil on your face as it may contain ingredients that irritate facial skin, which has different skincare requirements. Body oils also tend to have a slightly thicker and heavier consistency, which can clog your pores and lead to irritation. 

To experience the same benefits, opt for an oil like The Face Oil, our potent and nourishing blend of babassu, hazelnut, antimicrobial Karanja, and renewing pomegranate. During our user trial of 32 participants, individuals noticed a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation after just four weeks. 

Layering Body Oil and Lotion

Whether your skin is dry and sensitive or needs extra TLC, pairing a body oil with a lotion or cream is an excellent option for achieving an ultra-hydrating and glowy experience.

If you plan to incorporate both products into your routine, we recommend pairing The Body Oil with The Body Cream — two of our products designed to work in synergy. The Body Cream is our multi-award-winning formula infused with a potent blend of sustainably-sourced, high-potency botanicals and bio-engineered clean actives that hydrate, tone, and reduce the appearance of imperfections. During our user trials, 98% of participants agreed that their skin felt firmer and plumper.

When learning how to layer body oil and lotion, it’s essential to start with the cream and then go in with the oil. For the best results, we recommend massaging The Body Cream into your skin and following up with The Body Oil. 

Choosing the Right Body Oil

When shopping for body oil, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of available options. To narrow down your search, here are a few things to look for:

The last thing you want is to deal with an unwanted greasy residue. Avoid heavier oils, including coconut, avocado, and castor oil, which have a thicker consistency and don't absorb as quickly into the skin. Instead, look for lightweight oils like argan, sunflower, squalane, or grapeseed oil. 

Your chosen body oil should do more than just provide your skin with an illuminating glow. It should also contain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals with anti-aging properties to maintain the integrity of your skin. 

Many body oils and beauty products formulated with fragrances contain irritants and harmful chemicals. Instead, consider a fragrance-free option that contains no irritants or allergens. 

If you've never used a body oil before, consider a patch test before applying it to your whole body. This test will ensure the ingredients in the oil plays well with your skin type and will benefit your skin.

Different oils play well with certain skin types. If you have dry skin, look for ultra-hydrating oils, like argan or coconut oil, as these will help you combat dryness and soothe unwanted irritation and inflammation. 

Consider a more lightweight formula without comedogenic ingredients if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Comedogenic ingredients can clog your pores and cause blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts. Comedogenic ingredients to avoid include oleic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, soybean oil, and lanolin. 

Adding a Body Oil to Your Routine: Summarized

Whether you’re looking for a lighter summer moisturizer or something new, Augustinus Bader has an extensive collection of hydrating body care products ready for your routine. The Body Oil is a fast-absorbing, high-performance oil that will improve your skin's elasticity and instantly hydrate while supporting skin barrier function. 

During our 12-week user trials, 100% of participants agreed that the skin’s texture improved significantly, while 94% agreed skin looked revived, renewed, and restored.

Ready to experience the body oil benefits for yourself? Start shopping for The Body Oil or any of our body care essentials today.