Like many of you, I’ve spent countless evenings unwinding with a luxurious shower because let’s be honest, nothing works better to melt away the day’s stress. But when it comes to our daily showers, we often stick to the basics, rarely venturing beyond our usual soap and shampoo. So, when I stumbled upon the concept of shower oils, it piqued my curiosity. Could these be the answer to transforming a mundane daily routine into a mini spa experience?
Having never used a shower oil before, I had to get my hands on one and figure out what it does. Is it worth it? Is it different from a normal body oil or body wash? Are we just making up products now? Here’s a rundown on whether it’s really worth investing in skincare’s newest microtrend product.
What Is A Shower Oil?
Basically a body oil, a shower oil is an emulsifier that binds dirt, dead skin cells, and excess oils from the skin’s surface to water for a deeper cleansing than most shower gels provide. You’re supposed to use them on wet skin but you can use them on dry skin and rinse off.
There are two main types: lotions and oils. Lotion shower oils contain water and emollients. They have a lightweight texture and leave behind a little film of moisture that works great on super dry skin or work as extra hydration during dry seasons. Oil shower oils usually come with a type of natural oil in them. They work for people with normal to oily skin who don’t want to strip off their natural moisturising barrier too much.
The benefits of a shower oil are multifold. They are great for dry/cracked skin, work amazingly when you want to double cleanse your entire body, and can be a soothing routine for #selfcare purposes. However, a shower oil does not balance your skin’s pH levels and if you have body acne – you should probably stay away from it. A lot of websites recommend shower oils for sensitive skin but an oil tends to clog pores, so be careful about that!
What’s The Difference Between A Shower Oil And Body Wash?
Shower oils are not the same as body washes. A body wash can be hydrating but its main purpose is to get rid of excess oil and dirt. A shower oil, on the other hand, has more moisturising properties. I don’t recommend using all the recommendations below by themselves. You should follow up the non-lather and non-cleansing oils with a body wash or soap to make sure you’re getting the most out of it!
The main difference is that a shower oil is always more expensive since it has a more natural formulation. They are usually sulphate and paraben-free, infused with or containing a natural oil like jojoba or almond. While not absolutely necessary to your bath routine, they do act as an indulgent addition to make your skin more supple and soft after a shower.
5 Shower Oils You Can Buy To Try
The L’occitane Almond Shower Oil is one of the most popular ones in the market. Infused with almond oil, the oil also foams up after application and leaves your body super hydrated.
The Body Shop Hemp Hydrating & Protecting Shower Oil is another, more budget-friendly pick. Infused with hemp seed oil, this one claims to increase skin moisture by up to one-third. Plus, it leaves your skin feeling soft and supple.
The Sadhev Ayurvedic Magnolia Shower Oil contains a few different types of oils like magnolia, coconut, sesame oil, and castor oil. This one has a sweet scent that adds to the whole experience and is pretty easy on the pockets.
I love kokum, so I also love products that have it. The Kama Ayurveda Kokum Almond Cleansing Shower Oil has an oil to lather formula that contains kokum extract, sweet almond oil, and jojoba oil.
Last, The Bioderma Atoderm Huile De Douche Anti-Irritation Cleansing Oil is formulated with bio lipids, vitamin PP, and barrier skin therapy. It’s more of a cleansing oil but does hydrate the skin, restore lipids and soothe irritation.
Shower oils are a delightful addition to any bath routine, offering luxurious hydration and a soothing experience. Do you need it? Absolutely not, but it doesn’t hurt to indluge in some new products once in a while!
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