What's Actually in a Body Oil? Argan, Marula, Avocado + More

You know that window right after you step out of the shower, when your skin is still damp and you have about thirty seconds before something (or someone) pulls you in a different direction? That's the window a body oil is made for, and it's the whole reason I make mine the way I do.

If you've been burned by body oils that sit on top of your skin, stain your clothes or take forever to sink in, or you've been curious about them but never quite committed, this one is for you. A few drops on damp skin, a quick massage, and you're done. It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly, and leaves you feeling fresh and hydrated, and it feels nourishing without feeling heavy.

What makes it feel that way

It all comes down to what's in the bottle, so here's the whole label, one oil at a time.

Argan oil is a light, silky oil that's mostly oleic and linoleic acids with some vitamin E, and it gives the blend its smooth glide.

Avocado oil is a richer oil that's high in oleic acid and carries vitamin E too. It's a classic emollient, which is just a fancy word for something that softens dry skin, and it adds cushion.

Marula oil is known for absorbing quickly and leaving skin feeling soft and moisturized, which is a big part of why the whole blend sinks in so fast.

Meadowfoam seed oil comes from a small plant native to the Pacific Northwest, and it's a rich emollient that doesn't feel greasy.

Pomegranate seed oil is a deep golden oil with vitamin E and plant sterols that rounds out the blend.

Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate on the label) helps keep the more delicate oils stable for longer, so the last drop in the bottle is as good as the first.

The blue part

The name comes from blue tansy, a flower whose essential oil is a deep, dramatic blue because of a compound called chamazulene. In this oil it gives a fresh floral scent, geranium rounds it out and peppermint adds a cool note, so it smells like a spa without trying too hard. Every one of those is listed on the label, because I want you to be able to read it and know exactly what you're getting. If you want to get better at reading labels in general, my guide to how to read a skincare ingredient list is a good place to start.

How to use it

Start with a few drops on clean, damp skin right after your shower and massage it in until it's absorbed. It's made for the body and you can use it lightly on the face too, just test a small area first and keep it away from your eyes.

Ready to try it?

Grab the Blue Tansy Body Oil and put it in the shower window you already have. If you want the full routine, the Purify Body Scrub is a sugar scrub made with sweet almond oil and shea butter that goes on damp skin in the shower right before the oil, and the rest of the body care collection is there if you want to keep going.

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