PSA: Your Dry, Scaly Winter Skin Deserves This Multi-Use Hydrating Oil
Yads Cauchi is a Dermal Clinician, Nutritionist (BHSc, MSc) and Beauty Journalist. She's also a mum of four. Evidence based skin health and nutrition are her thing and she works from her own skin clinic based in Canberra - you can find her there, or on Instagram and TikTok @yadscauchiskin.
In case you missed it, the cold weather is here and it's brought dry, scaly winter skin with it.
Turns out, banishing the former with hot showers and heating can actually can make the latter worse, which is why skin care for your body is so important.
I personally became super obsessive with body care when I was pregnant with my last baby.
I had a winter baby and the only things that made me feel good were warm showers, self tanning and moisturising twice a day.
And plain salty chips.
Point is, hydrated, healthy skin honestly makes you feel so good, it's worth the annoyance that comes with putting on jeans after moisturising your legs.
If you usually find fitting body moisturisers and oils into your daily routine tedious, you're in luck.
One of my favourite brands Embryolisse Australia has released a new multi-use body, face and hair oil.
Not only does it feel luxe, but this hydrating oil ticks all the boxes and is perfect for lazy and/or time-poor people.
I'll get to my review of this body oil in a bit, but first, let's recap why your skin feels so damn dry once the temperature drops.
Why Do I Get Dry Skin in Winter?
Our skin tends to go drier when it can’t hold onto sufficient moisture.
Things like frequent showers and harsh body products can strip the skin of moisture, however chilly winter winds and low humidity can also cause the water levels in the skin to drop.
This can result in flaking, dryness and potentially itching and/or cracking skin.
You can learn more about how to exfoliate your body in this YouTube video below.
There are few reasons why we get dry legs and body skin in winter (and sometimes all-year round).
Generally, body skin is not looked after as well as the skin on our faces.
Just ask your heels.
Plus, body skin has fewer oil-producing sebaceous glands to naturally moisturise the skin, and the turning over of dead skin cells is slower which = scaly skin.
Hence, we need to help our body skin out by exfoliating and moisturising it.
OK, But Are Body Oils Good?
The body moisturiser vs body oil debate has been going for years.
The body cream camp will argue oils can be sticky, greasy, take forever to soak in and transfer onto sheets or clothes.
But they just haven't tried the right body oil.
(Hint: It's the Embryolisse oil.)
I’ve always loved body oils because they are easy to throw on quickly before getting dressed and running out the door.
I feel like they’re much better than waiting for moisturising creams to dry, but they're also more versatile.
Wondering how to use body oil? And what does a body oil do?
- Good-quality body oils can help lock in moisture because they are occlusive (this means they act like a sealant keeping the water in your skin).
- Body oil products are commonly packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties as a bonus.
- There are in-shower body oils you can apply on wet skin or tip into your bath.
- You can also apply a dry body oil to damp or dry skin, or mix some into your body moisturiser for even better hydration.
My Embryolisse Beauty Oil Review.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser 75ml is hands down the best face cream for pre-event makeup and hydrated, glowing skin.
I'm a huge fan, so it's no surprise the Embryolisse Beauty Oil 100ml is my new love.
I’ve been popping it on as soon as I get out of the shower (on damp skin is always best!) and the super thin texture sinks right in.
The dry oil consistency is very light and doesn’t feel greasy. A little goes a long way, and it leaves my skin feeling super soft.
Honestly, French pharmacy brands always know what to do when it comes to creating body oils.
The oil formula itself is enriched with shea, pomegranate, lemon and apricot oils, meaning you're getting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
And it has a slightly sweet, floral scent that just smells beautifully French.
As a grown up, I love the cute glass pump packaging. But beware, your children will break it so keep it out of their reach.
Can you use this as a face oil? Up to you!
I personally wouldn't use a multi-use oil like this one on my face, but body and hair, yes!
You can add a bit of oil to the ends of your hair for softness and shine.
Even mix a bit of liquid bronzer or illuminator with the oil for extra glow on the shoulders, legs and décolletage.
Final Verdict...
Never tried a body oil? This would be a perfect one to start with.
And if you’re pregnant and just want to feel something, tight, itchy body skin will love it too.
Pro tip: Mix a slurp of this in with a body moisturiser and apply straight out of a warm shower.
It might just be the best thing you do all winter.
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