Body oil is the ultimate indulgence, a soothing treat your skin will soak up with alacrity and reward you with a smoothness and sheen you’ll be pleased to bare

Know your oils

Every day skin needs to replace close to 100mg of lipids (fats).We can do that via good nutrition, and with the right bodycare products. Not all oils are equal. There are three main origins – minerals, animals and plants.

•  Mineral oils - from fossil fuel (such as petroleum – so not sustainable), create a layer on top of skin, potentially blocking pores and disturbing moisture and oxygen regulation.

•  Animal fats (saturated fats) - are on the whole compatible with human skin. Lanolin, a fatty wax from oils in sheep’s wool, and akin to sebum in our own skin, is often used in skincare.

•  Plant oils - are rich in unsaturated fatty acids that aren’t produced by the body, we have to eat or apply them. These well-tolerated, easily absorbed oils allow the skin to breath and function healthily, deeply nourish, and prevent drying. Plant oils extracted from seeds, nuts and fruit, are also renewable and biodegradable.

How to use oils

Nothing moisturises like body oil. Body lotions replace water; oils are even more effective. Regular use of a body oil containing plant oils seems to re-educate skin to hold water and regulate moisture content. Using body oil daily reaps rewards for dry skin. For normal skin using an oil weekly maintains good condition.

Tips for use:

•  The ideal time for skin treatments is mid-day – inconvenient for most of us! So we suggest using oils morning or early evening

•  Apply to slightly damp skin after a bath or shower

•  Gently massage in – soft smooth strokes

For more tips on massage – click here for a random video on YouTube >

Wild Rose Body Oil

With the finest organic rosehip seed oil, this is rich in antioxidant vitamins A and E to fight free radical damage and promote new cell growth. Rosehip seed oil contains exceptional amounts of linoleic (Omega 3) and linolenic (Omega 6) essential fatty acids that nourish skin. Rosa moschata is often used to reduce pinkness in scars and minimise stretch marks.

On test……

Caroline Shola Arewa (50) – a spiritual and personal development coach (www.creatingease.com) ‘My skin is quite dry, yet not a lot of this oil is needed for a good result, and it absorbs quickly. I use oil daily, and as a trained aromatherapist I appreciate the rich, luxurious, uplifting aroma that lingers as gentle perfume. The attractive blue glass bottle protects the oil and - unlike plastic - won’t ‘leak’ into the product. The quality makes this great value.’

Sea Buckthorn Body Oil

Containing golden-red pulp oil from edible Sea Buckthorn berries - rich in unsaturated essential fatty acids, including Omega 3, 6 and 7, along with beta carotene, provitamin A and vitamin E, which help skin exposed to UV radiation, winds and free radical damage.The plant oil also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and supports the skin’s lipid layers.

On test……

Laura Lim (22) – a fashion graduate – says: ‘The refreshing smell reminds me of lemon and citrus – and it lingers, which I found calming. I’d never used body oil before, but this spreads evenly and easily, taking about 10 minutes to soak in entirely. My skin has dry patches, and I noticed improvements. A little goes quite a long way, which is good as I have to watch the pennies, so I’ll use it for pampering sessions.’

Birch Cellulite Oil

Tender young birch leaves contain flavanoids which encourage the processes of flushing out toxins and restoring skin radiance. This oil also contains organic rosemary and ruscus to support skin tone, along with revitalizing apricot kernel oil, moisturizing organic jojoba oil, and vitamin-rich wheatgerm oil to help replenish and refine skin.

On test……

Emma Farrell (35) – freediving instructor and author of ‘One Breath’ (www.emma-freediver.co.uk) ‘My skin is sensitive and dry. I’m a classic pear shape, and although I teach freediving, I spend hours at a computer, organising courses. I’ve always been cellulite prone and I’m sure using this oil helps combat it! After dry skin brushing, I apply the oil (which sinks in quickly) in sweeping strokes from knees to waist. The fruity, zesty aroma makes me feel alive, and my skin feels softer and more supple.’

Lavender Relaxing Body Oil

Fragranced with lavender, myrrh, palmorosa and frankincense, this oil’s base is from sweet almond and sesame seeds. Sweet almond oil is a first rate emollient, while sesame seed oil has a high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids and protective antioxidants. This oil’s fragrance calms and soothes body and mind - perfect for a massage.

On test……

Denise Bryant (50s) – a teacher at Michael House Steiner School in Derbyshire ‘My facial skin is sensitive and oily in patches, while the skin on my body gets quite dry. The Lavender Oil smells just like the flowers, pungent but calming, and as it’s light it’s easy to apply. After using Lavender Oil every day my skin was noticeably less dry, and my kind of hair, which is dry, wiry and very thick and vigorous, loves Weleda oil products. Lavender Oil now joins my list of Weleda favourites.

Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil

One of the most powerful beauty ranges yet the Weleda Pomegranate Range has been proven effective to help reduce the visible signs of ageing. The 100% organic pomegranate seed oil and pure natural extracts help to promote skin renewal and firmness, enhancing your skin’s vitality and protecting against skin-damaging free radicals. Ageing and tired skin is revitalised by this nourishing body oil which accelerates natural skin renewal by 50% in two weeks.*

On test……

* Forearm patch test vs control. Cell turnover in Stratum Corneum measured by Chroma Meter and Remission-Spectroscope. 20 subjects between 39-64 years of age, two-week product application, twice daily.

Click here to find out more about Pomegranate >

Watch a video about our body oils >

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© Weleda 2011