When it comes to caring for your skin, knowing which products will serve you can get confusing, especially with the seemingly endless number of options that promise to care for and protect your skin.
One hot debate: Body oil vs. lotion, which is better to use?
Spoiler alert: This debate is not an “either or” type of thing because your skin can benefit from using both body oil and lotion. Here’s why using both body oil and lotion will moisturize your skin:
- Both hydrate the skin, which is crucial for healthy skin, especially as you get older.
- Both help you get that smoother, softer skin that just feels good, especially in drier climates and during colder months.
- Both can be used every single day!
- Both are suitable for all skin types, but if you have any concerns, please consult with your dermatologist as to what types will work best for you and your skin.
Besides these benefits, keeping your skin moisturized goes beyond skin health. After all, your skin acts as a protective barrier for the rest of your body, so ensuring your skin is as healthy as possible is crucial for overall health. Using both body oil and lotion can provide this all-important benefit!
Related: Click here to read 7 ways body oil can elevate your skincare game
So let’s break it down when it comes to body oil vs. lotion because there are some differences, and it’s important to understand these differences so you can make the best choices for your beautiful skin year round.
What makes body oil different than lotion?
Body oils are thicker and heavier than their lotion counterparts. What does this mean? The consistency of body oils allows them to create a barrier on the outer layer of your skin that helps prevent moisture from leaving your skin. Oils can also reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
Quick Body Oil Myth: Body Oils are harder to spread, especially in hard-to-reach places. FALSE. The application is different than lotion, which may make it seem harder to use, but it’s not!
For oil, you’ll want to pat it on, not rub it in. If you’re still having difficulty reaching some spots, mixing oil and lotion in your hand before application will help you get the coverage of lotion. More on that later!
Related: Click here to read more body oil myths + truths
When it comes to usage, a few drops will do when you use body oils, and they work best when applied to damp skin. Plus, you can actually give yourself a mini massage when you’re rubbing the oil into your skin. #winwin
What makes lotion different than body oil?
Lotions are more lightweight and thinner than body oils. Unlike body oils, their lighter consistency allows them to penetrate the skin more easily, resulting in an almost instantaneous soothing and softening feeling. And if your lotion has added anti-aging ingredients, your skin can look younger longer too.
Click here to shop our age defying probiotic body lotion
Don’t forget, with lotions, you’ll definitely use more and might have to re-apply more often, but that means more opportunities to gift your skin the love it needs.
Is Body Oil Better than Lotion? We’ve broken down the differences between the two, but here’s the secret: Using body oil and lotion together creates a dynamic hydration duo. It’s not an either/or thing.
How Do You Use Body Oil + Lotion Together in Your Skincare Routine?
When it comes to choosing your ideal body oil and lotion products, it comes down to understanding three things:
- Your skin type and skin goals.
- Any existing skin conditions you might have.
- Your expectations from both products.
Depending on these three things, we have some ideas for your body oil and lotion routine.
Which body oil and lotion should you choose based on your skin type and needs?
With the number of body oils and lotions available, which ones are best for you? That depends on the results you’re seeking AND if you have any existing skin conditions. When it comes to lotions, knowing your skin type is important.
- If you have sensitive skin, we recommend our UNZENTED line, and ultra-clean scent free formulas.
- If you have mature skin, our age defying probiotic lotion has got you covered (available UNZENTED or in one of our BESPOKE aromas)
- Dry skin? You’re going to love what the probiotic lotion does for your skin.
As with body lotions, understanding your skin type can be helpful when choosing your body oils as some can affect your skin in both positive and negative ways. When choosing your body oils, look for ingredients that are as natural as possible (i.e. the fewer chemicals, the better), and look for oils that are specific to your needs. To give you some ideas, here are some popular oils and reasons you might want to choose products that contain these oils. Here are two of our favorites ingredients for your skin:
- Coconut oil has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties, which help protect the skin in harsher conditions. Our body oil uses this ingredient because it is deeply hydrating and antioxidant-rich.
- Sunflower oil can be used on all skin types and is laden with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories as well as some wound healing properties. Our body oil benefits from this ingredient making it rich in emollient linoleic and oleic essential fatty acids.
Ok, let’s talk combining oils + lotions. Since both body oils and lotion are skincare winners in our book, there’s no reason to choose one over the other. In fact, we recommend combining your favorite body oils and lotions to create some winning duos that can extend the life of your products, create your perfect scent combos (some of which can also help you relax!), help get your favorite body oils in those hard-to-reach places, and gift your skin a double dose of the moisture, smoothness, and softness it deserves day in and day out. Combining body oil and lotion is especially beneficial in dry climates and during the colder months too. What’s the best way to combine oils and lotions?
- Mix oil and lotion together and apply. Only mix as much as you’ll need for each application since the ingredients can separate when stored as a combo, making them less effective for future applications.
- Apply one product right after the other, applying the lotion first, then the oil so the oil can seal in all the moisture from both products.
Body oil vs. lotion. To us, these two skincare powerhouses are BFFs, not foes. Both can gift your skin the love and moisture it needs, and with the variety of products available, you can create the unique body oil and lotion routine that will serve you and your skin for decades to come. And don’t forget to check out our Zents-ational line of body lotions and body oils! We create each product with clean ingredients designed to offer optimal healing and health to you and your beautiful skin.
