Lotion vs Oil which is better for your body? Find out!

For many of us, sometimes our skin starts looking like the desert, dry, cracked and dehydrated. If you're one for piling on lotion, but you don't seem to get the moisturizing results you'd like, it might be time to go the nature or should I say traditional way on your stubbornly parched skin. The trick is finding moisturizers that are truly non-toxic. Moisturizers are great for keeping the skin hydrated and healthy-looking, and reducing the signs of aging; however, compared to other beauty products, moisturizers often contain the most amount of synthetic chemicals and petroleum by-products, many of which are linked to serious health concerns, Seeing as moisturizers work by deeply penetrating skin, it's smart to consider using green products, which contain fewer synthetic chemicals that may enter your bloodstream.

Women are lotion lovers, but in most parts of the world, oil is actually the more popular option for hydrating dry skin. And there are differences between the two. Some manufacturers have to add all sorts of fillers and emulsifiers to create a creamy lotion, while certain plant-based oils are super effective at keeping us hydrated and radiant without needing the added ingredients. Still, not all lotions are eco-evil. And when looking for a winner in the oil versus lotion debate, I think there is a place for both.

I believe oils and lotions have varying benefits and drawbacks, but both can be incorporated into a healthy beauty routine. Oils protect the skin's lipid barrier and are great at preventing moisture from evaporating from the skin. Some people believe applying oil, especially to acne-prone skin, will clog pores, cause breakouts, or leave a greasy film. The truth is, that most natural oils are easily absorbed, not greasy, and are non-comedogenic, that is, they have a low potential to clog pores, which makes oils perfect for all skin types. Body lotions, on the other hand, are designed to penetrate the skin, leaving it softer, hydrated, and younger-looking. Lotions have the benefit of containing a number of beneficial ingredients such as aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin D, shea butter, and keratin, I have a client who not being able to do without lotion, uses lotion in the morning and oil at night. All of these ingredients replenish the skin of its lost moisture, repair damaged skin, and can alleviate various types of skin conditions.

Want to try using oils as moisturizers? Keep these points in mind as you shop around for dry skin soothers:

Be an expert on extraction. It's important to know how your oil is extracted because you don't want it exposed to high temperatures, or extracted using harmful chemical solvents. Cold-pressed is ideal, but CO2-extracted oils are also allowed in certified-organic products. As a rule of thumb, always stay away from synthetic fragrances, sometimes listed as "fragrance" on the ingredients label, and instead opt for unscented, or scented with cold-pressed essential oils.

Avoid this oil. Avoid beauty-care products containing mineral oil. This is a processed petroleum product, and who wants to wear that? Look for products with the fewest amount of ingredients and those that do not contain fragrance, parabens, petroleum jelly. Women, in general, have a misconception that skincare and beauty require fancy products with lots of ingredients to work better. The reality is that an inexpensive bottle of sweet pure coconut oil will likely work just as well as an expensive bottle of the latest big-brand moisturizer lotion to hydrate your skin, give it a healthy glow, and reduce the signs of aging. 

Wear the winners. Coconut oil is an excellent choice for body moisturizing. At cooler temperatures, coconut oil solidifies, but if you scoop a bit into the palm of your hand and rub it between your hands, it will turn into a smooth body moisturizer, and its also good for the face. I love sweet almond, olive, and avocado oils too.