Is it better to moisturise with oil or lotion?

Before we dive into this debate I thought I’d tell you that I personally am an avid fan of both oil and lotion, and depending on the time of year, what I’m doing and how dry my skin is I’ll use one or the other, or sometimes both. When I’ve been in the sun all day on holiday there’s nothing I like more than to slap on the KINN organic body oil and let it get to work on nourishing my skin.

Written by Sophie Barrow

Is it better to moisturise with oil or lotion?

Before we dive into this debate I thought I’d tell you that I am personally an avid fan of both oil and lotion, and depending on the time of year, what I’m doing and how dry my skin is I’ll use one or the other, or sometimes both. When I’ve been in the sun all day on holiday there’s nothing I like more than to slap on the KINN organic body oil and let it get to work on nourishing my skin.

So, you’ve heard conflicting things about oils and lotions, and you’re not sure if one is better than the other, or if one should be completely avoided? Yes, I’ve been told many times that I should put oil on my face too often… But I digress, let’s delve into the case for lotion.

Lotion is the best potion?

Lotions are a mix of oil and water and because of this water content they tend to offer a more sheer moisturising effect. Whilst they are great on dry skin the effects won’t necessarily last a long, however this does make them a great option as an everyday product. In hot and more humid climates these will also sink into your skin faster which make them far more practical. But, make sure you check those ingredients on the back as there are many hidden ingredients that are included that can, in many cases dry skin out, so it’s best to avoid gel-based products as these typically contain alcohol. Instead look for organic products, like our organic body lotion, that contain high quality ingredients that have been carefully selected to nourish skin rather than strip it of its natural moisture.  

 

Spoiled with Oil!

Oil is one of those things that many people don’t like to use because they think it’s slippery and doesn’t necessarily sink in that well. Part of this is down to the complexity and superiority of a formula, the cheaper the formula (in terms of hidden bad ingredients, again like alcohol) the worse the oil. But oils can be wonderful for the skin and when made properly they should sink right in! Some of the best ingredients that can be found in an oil include avocado, jojoba and almond as these mimic the natural lipids found in our skin which means that these similarities can help repair and regulate the skins natural moisture barrier, which is responsible for our own natural oil production. By mimicking the natural oils our skin makes you can help to dial down our natural sebum production and therefore get any acne a little more under control!  

Our organic body oil contains many wonderful vegetable and essential oils that are great for repairing and protecting dry skin.

So what does this all mean?

Well in truth, only you will know if your skin is better using oil or lotion based products. However, one of the most important things is to make sure that you are moisturising once a day after your shower and make sure that you are using skin friendly products to cleanse your skin. (Which we’ll discuss in a later post)

For me I find that when it’s very cold mixing a few drops of oil and lotion together will really give my skin the boost it needs, on a day to day basis I use the KINN organic body lotion, and when I’ve spent the day sunbathing and have time to wait, or if I feel like having a pamper, then there’s nothing I love more than massaging on the oil.  

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