After a bath or shower, what to use to moisturize the skin of our body, make it more elastic, toned but also counteract itching and dry skin? Nature helps us also in this case with all its strength and offers us precious and powerful vegetable oils to take care of our beauty. So today we see which are the best vegetable oils to apply on the body, based on scientific research.
The best vegetable oils for the body, what science says
Maybe because it was the basic ingredient of the body oil that Cleopatra used every day to keep her skin young and elastic, or maybe because it is easily absorbed and therefore simple to apply, but sweet almond oil is definitely one of the best vegetable oils for body skin care. Sweet almond oil helps moisturize the skin, counteracts dry skin, but also irritations, psoriasis and eczema. Not only that, almond oil helps reduce scars, makes the skin smooth and rejuvenated, counteracts stretch marks and makes the skin more toned (Ahmad et al, Complement Ther Clin Pract, 2010). Sweet almond oil should be used for the skin of the body, less so for the skin of the face since it can be comedogenic in the case of acne-prone skin. In the case of sensitive skin, a vegetable oil that can be used is jojoba oil, which, unlike other oils, can be applied literally from head to toe. In fact, jojoba oil helps to rebalance the production of sebum on the scalp and face, it is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-acne and anti-psoriasis. Jojoba oil nourishes the skin without leaving the greasy sensation, preserves the degree of hydration of the tissues without blocking transpiration, makes the skin radiant and elastic (Gad et al, Polymers, 2021). Another oil to be used to strengthen the skin is sunflower oil, which preserves the skin barrier and improves skin hydration (Danby et al, Pediatr Dermatol, 2013). Then, here's a skin beauty butter, shea butter. This product moisturizes the skin and at the same time helps to soothe itching in case of dermatitis and eczema (Nisbet et al, Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 2018).
Olive oil, an oil not to be used
Olive oil, due to its beneficial properties, is called liquid gold. However, what extra virgin olive oil does for our health when it is taken orally, as a condiment, it does not do for the skin when it is applied externally. In fact, studies have shown that regular application, even in small quantities, of extra virgin olive oil to the skin for 4 weeks has reduced the integrity of the skin barrier and induced a mild erythema. Not only that, in predisposed people the constant application of extra virgin olive oil on the skin can cause or worsen, if it already exists, atopic dermatitis (Danby et al, Pediatr Dermatol, 2013).
Vegetable oils, how to apply them on the skin
After a bath or shower, when the skin is still damp, is the best time to apply the chosen vegetable oil. Massage a small amount of product on the skin of the body with slow circular movements and from bottom to top. Vegetable oils and butters can be found in all specialty stores, chemist's and herbalist's shops and online.
