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Why you should swap your body lotion for a dry oil

Sarah Young
Saturday 26 May 2018 16:14 BST
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Hydrating your skin is a necessity, especially in the summer months, but who really has the time to wait around for sticky body creams to sink in? Not us.

But instead of neglecting body care altogether, consider incorporating a more convenient way to moisturise in the mornings: dry oil.

Faster absorbing and lightweight, dry body oils are less heavy than traditional lotions and creams and tend to be made up of essential fatty acid-rich oils derived from vegetables, seeds and herbs like rose hip, sesame, grapeseed and sunflower oil.

So, how exactly do you use them?

To get the most out of the nourishing ingredients in a dry body oil, we suggest using it straight after showering, when your skin is still damp and can retain generous amounts of moisture.

Simply mist a light veil over your arms, legs and anywhere else that needs a little hydrating before working the oil in with your hands.

Here are some of our favourites.


​Crème de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil, £35.50, Kiehl’s

Kiehl’s Crème de Corps body butter is a firm favourite among beauty buffs, but as the weather warms up we suggest investing in this sister product instead.

A faster-absorbing alternative, it is residue-free, dry to touch and, thanks to notes of vanilla and almond, it also smells pretty great too.

The lightweight oil is made using squalane, derived from olives, as well as avocado, sesame seed and grapeseed oils which leave skin feeling soft and super-hydrated.

The Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil, £19.50, Rituals

A 100 per cent natural dry oil, Rituals’ The Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil energises your skin with invigorating ginger and cinnamon.

A great option if you’re feeling tired and rundown, or post-workout, it’s enriched with energising herbs that increase blood flow and circulation to create a warming sensation on the skin.

Quickly absorbed, it leaves your skin feeling silky soft and smelling great.


Liz Earle, Superskin Dry Oil for Body, £36, John Lewis

Skincare expert Liz Earle has done it again with this luxurious dry body oil that leaves your skin with a gorgeous, radiant glow.

Formulated with the brand’s Superskin blend of cranberry, rose hip and borage seed oils, it instantly smooths and revitalises skin.

Simply spray onto your body and smooth in using large circular movements in an upwards direction, day or night.


Oud & Bergamot Dry Body Oil, £52, Jo Malone

This might be one of the most expensive body oils on our list but it’s also one of the most lavish.

Formulated with the same signature scent as Jo Malone’s cologne, it contains notes of bergamot, cedarwood and oud wood to create a sumptuous way to pamper, fragrance and moisturise your skin all-in-one.

The perfect combination of skincare and scent, it’s a great moisturising alternative to your favourite fragrance.

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