4 Incredible Benefits of Shower Oil (& the Best One to Use)
While it may sound counter-intuitive to wash your skin with oil, allow me to change your mind.
There are all kinds of advantages to shower oil, including (but not limited to), maintaining your skin’s natural barriers against infection while also moisturizing and cleansing.
On top of that, shower oil will leave your skin feeling soft, supple, and rejuvenated. What more could you want?!
In this article, we’ll dig into the many benefits of shower oil so you can see why it is worthy of becoming a staple in your beauty routine.
What is shower oil?
In case you’re unfamiliar, shower oil is a product that you can use in place of (or in addition to) shower gel.
It carries the same cleansing properties as soap, without many of the downsides. And you don’t have to worry about residue either. Shower oil rinses off in the same way shower gel or body wash would, leaving behind nothing by soft, smooth, hydrated skin.
What does shower oil do? & What are the Benefits
Now that we’re clear on what shower oil is let’s take a more detailed look at some of the many ways it can benefit your skin.
1. It cleanses AND moisturizes
That’s right; shower oil performs two essential functions in one simple step. Not only does this save you time, but it will also save you money!
While you may feel inclined to use shower oil after cleansing with shower gel, you will find that the shower oil provides sufficient cleansing power without causing the skin irritation or dryness that often comes after using soap.
Shower oil protects your skin’s natural oils while working to trap dirt and grime and wash them away.
When you step out of the shower after using shower oil, your skin will feel supple and nourished, rather than parched and irritated.
2. Shower oil won’t strip your skin
As mentioned above, soap often leaves your skin feeling irritated or dry. That’s because soap actually strips away your body’s natural oil reserves and disrupts your skin's pH.
This pH change can cause flare-ups of skin conditions like eczema and rosacea, lead to inflammation, and cause general discomfort.
On top of this, your skin is then forced into overdrive as it works to restore its natural pH. This can lead to excessive oil, as your skin overcompensates for what it has lost.
Shower oil, on the other hand, will protect your skin’s natural oils while whisking away dirt and grime. In turn, this will prevent skin irritation and limit the symptoms of eczema and other similar skin conditions.
3. It reinforces your skin as a barrier to infection
Your skin is a delicate microbiome full of microorganisms that protect your body from toxins, pathogens, and organisms that could be harmful to your body. Your skin is covered with a fine, naturally oily layer (known as sebum), which works as an antibacterial barrier against these microorganisms that may try to penetrate your skin.
When you wash with shower oil, you are reinforcing this precious layer of natural oils, making it easier for your body to protect you from infection. Where washing with soap may leave your skin dry and susceptible to pesky bacteria, shower oil will leave it fortified against invaders.
4. Shower oil nourishes and rejuvenates
One of the biggest benefits of shower oil is its rejuvenating quality.
Instead of washing away both the good and the bad substances found on your skin’s surface, shower works to gently cleanse only the dirt and grime, while leaving your skin’s protective layers intact. In fact, shower oil works to fortify this moisture layer.
Lipophilic substances (substances that contain fat, ie. oil) are better able to penetrate your skin, which means your skin can easily absorb the nutrients and hydrating qualities found in shower oil. As a result, shower oil leaves your skin looking and feeling plump and supple.
Is shower oil the same as a body wash?
This is the question on everyone’s mind. As stated above, both having cleansing properties. However, body wash will provide more soapy subs vs the oil will create a creamy texture when mixed with water.
What are bath oils?
Many use the term bath oils and shower oils interchangeably. If you are interested in oil baths to further help with any dry or sensitive skin simply add the bath oil product to your bath water to let it soften and moisturize your skin.
You can make your own bath oils using a mix of natural essential oils and carrier oils. Almond oil and argan oil are both great to mix and add to your bath water, which can also be used as a directly as a body oil. For additional questions regarding sensitive skin, consult your dermotolgists for skincare advice.
Which shower oil is the best to use?
Go ahead and call us biased, but we highly recommend the Hydrating Shower Oil by Felicia Jarrel!
This product was specially formulated with hydrating oils, fresh mandarin, and wild tuberose to leave skin feeling supple and refreshed. It also has a sensual fragrance, developed by our founder, Felicia Jarrel.
If your skin is prone to dryness, pair the shower oil with our Shay + Papaya Extract Body Lotion for an extra boost of hydration.
Other popular oils for your body include:
- Mon Paris Shower Oil,
- Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil
- Glossier Body Hero Daily oil
- Keihl's Creme de Corps Smoothing Oil-to-Foam Body Cleanser.
Your skin is the largest organ on your body and deserves to be treated right! Shower oil will help maintain your skin’s natural oils and reinforce its barriers against infection while leaving it feeling luxuriously hydrated. This product does not disappoint!
If shower products are not your thing, try our bath soaks for a completely immersive bath experience.
