Believe it or not!
Our skin is the largest and one of the most important organs in our bodies as it makes up 70% of our bodies area. Skin plays a crucial role when it comes to overall health and well-being, it consists of 3 different layers: the epidermis (Top), Dermis (Second) and hypodermis or subcutaneous layer (Base). The skin is a complicated organ that has several functions, its basic purpose is to protect us from injuries, infections and water loss. Apart from this the skin plays an important part of regulating our body temperature while also protecting us from UV rays and producing vitamin D, which is essential for preventing a variety of diseases.
So, it is safe to say we really do need to look after our skin and make it a priority!
Body Lotion
Body lotions seal moisture into the skin to prevent drying, body lotions soften rough elbows, knees & heels, along with other dry areas of the skin. A quality body skin lotion can work wonders on scaly, dehydrated skin that feels rough and looks unattractive, hand body lotion works especially well on the hands and feet but can be applied all over the body. Body lotion provides many benefits to people who make time to use it on a regular basis. Lotion is lighter than body butter and has a non-greasy feel to it that absorbs quickly into the skin. It is an emulsion blend of both water and oils, making it great for those with not so dry skin
5 benefits of Body Lotion
- Locks in moisture. A hot bath or shower actually dehydrates our skin leaving it dry, with a reduced level of natural oils, so a natural body lotion is the perfect way to replenish the skin’s moisture balance.
- Smooths and soothes skin. Shaving is rather traumatic for skin and some shaving gels contain ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) which can cause further irritation.
- Delicately scents skin. A naturally scented body lotion is a great way of giving your skin a subtle fragrance without using artificial perfumes. For those with fragrance allergies, seek out a scent-free body lotion to enjoy all the other benefits.
- Prolongs your summer glow. Using a body lotion or after sun lotion helps to moisturise the skin and is the best way of retaining your tan.
- Keeps skin supple. Body lotion helps to combat the dryness that often makes skin look older than it is, helping to keep it supple and youthful.
What should I look for in a body lotion?
- Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and dimethicone, which help keep skin hydrated.
- Glycerine, propylene glycol, proteins, and urea also help attract water to your skin.
- Lanolin, mineral oil, and petrolatum lock in moisture.
Body Butters
Body butters for the skin are mainly Shea butter that comes from the African shea nut tree. Shea butter has a high melting point which is about skin temperature and means it absorbs almost immediately on contact with the skin.
Cocoa Butter comes directly from cocoa seed and has a nice chocolaty scent to it and a luxurious texture.
Mango butter comes from mango seeds and is loaded with extra Vitamin C and has a little more of an oily texture. It gives a nice glow to the skin and is not as heavy as the other two butter.
Body butters are used to hydrate the skin, and the best time to apply body butter is directly out of the shower while your skin is still moist. Body butters help seal in moisture that is already in your skin. If you apply the butters directly to dry skin they may not be absorbed into the skin, body butter has a heavier, balmier feeling than lotion.
5 Benefits of Body Butter
- Moisture. Natural body butters only contain natural ingredients. Body butters are good for the skin because they contain emollients from the nut oils inside the seeds. Once applied to the skin, this makes it possible for the body butter to last longer than any lotion, and because most lotions contain water…body butters only contain the butter(s) used and carriers oils used.
- Protection. Body butters also form a protective barrier over the skin to lock in moisture. Our skin already has a natural barrier to help protect us from the elements, but free radicals in the dry air, hot sun and cold winter weather can all have damaging effects on our skin. Body butters form an additional protective layer for our skin from those elements.
- Skin Nourishing Vitamins. All body butters have essential Omega 3 fats that benefit the body. Omega 3 fats are very moisturising and help calm inflammation. Shea is one of the more common body butters and contains Vitamins A, E, and F. Shea butter has been used for years to improve hair and skin. The natural vitamins and fatty acids found in shea butter is what makes this butter so incredibly nourishing and hydrating for the skin. Shea butter has also been known for reducing inflammation as well as aiding in the skin’s natural collagen production because of the different acids (Oleic, Stearic, Palmitic, and Linolenic) that protect and nourish the skin to prevent it from drying.
- Softer Skin. After using body butters, many people notice how soft and supple their skin is. The butter relieves dry, cracked skin and promotes healthier skin to be beneficial for people with problematic skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. People who suffer from eczema or psoriasis do not have the proper pH balance of moisture in their skin.
- Universal. Body butter can be used EVERYWHERE on the body! An all over body moisturiser including the lips, revitalizes the hair, cuticle softener, can be used to reduce stretch marks, scars and helps reduce wrinkles.
What should I look for in a body butter?
- Body Butters should be mainly made up of fats, oils and humectants
- Hard oils or beeswax to prevent the butter from liquefying
- Cocoa butter, Shea butter & Mango butter are all solids at room temperature giving the butter thickness, also it helps with elasticity and promotes cell regeneration
Does body butter lighten skin?
Due to its high concentration of Vitamin E, Shea butter is a potent skin lightener.
There are many essential oils on the market that are recognised as useful in achieving even skin tone, dealing with hyperpigmentation and lightening dark areas.
