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Dry skin is often associated with cold weather, but the summer heat can dry out your skin too. The sun’s drying effects, coupled with a lot of time in the pool or beach, will in no time leave your legs as if they were a dried out alligator.
Prolonged exposure to the sun may damage the integrity of the protective skin barrier resulting in cosmetically displeasing dry, cracked skin. Body oil often performs hydration wonders to improve the condition of your skin.
Body glow oil would be your secret weapon for a much healthier option (and smooth, dewy, just-got-back-from-the-spa skin) than tanning. Check out this recipe for homemade body glow oil to achieve the almost airbrushed-arms-and-legs look.
DIY Body Glow Oil
This DIY summer body oil recipe by Stephanie Gerber will give you just a hint of color and shine. You just need two ingredients to make your own summer body oil glow: a lightweight oil and a shimmery eyeshadow. Sunflower oil can be used combined with any brand’s bronze eyeshadow.
Using mineral foundation powder won’t give you the exact results — the color will be too subtle. It will only end up looking like dirty water. Bronzing powder may also work because it appears to be darker, but the choice depends on you.
Once you’ve got your selected ingredients ready, making your own body glow oil is actually pretty easy. Firstly, work with a little amount of oil (like an ounce), and add around 1/4 teaspoon of eye shadow.
Second, scrape the eye shadow with a spatula out into a bowl, but do it cautiously to prevent getting the powder everywhere. Third, measure the mixture, blend, and stir. Keep on putting eye shadow until you obtain your desired color.
Ingredients and Material
- 1-ounce sunflower oil
- 1/2 teaspoon bronze eyeshadow
- Container with lid
Instructions
- Measure and combine the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Transfer to a container with a lid.
- Shake before using every time.
Remember that the oil in the bottle can look dark, but it will not turn your skin into that shade. The effect is rather slight, and the shadow appears to settle down at the bottom of the oil, so you’ll need to shake to recombine before every use.
Benefits and How to Use
If you’re new to body oils, it’s crucial to know how you apply them. Since oils do not inherently contain any water in the formula, they should be used right after you have showered while your skin is still damp.
This will help the existing moisture get locked in. You may also find that you want a dry oil formula which is usually lighter-weight and absorbed faster.
According to LA-based aesthetic and surgical dermatologist Dr. Naissan Wesley, when selecting a body oil, look for one with oils high in linoleic acid (a type of omega-6 fatty acid).
“Linoleic acid is a major building block of the skin barrier. I look for body oils that contain a blend of cold-pressed oils with high linoleic acid levels such as grape seed oil, sesame seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and borage seed oil,” the skincare expert said.
Sunflower oils work to keep the skin moisturized and look radiantly healthy. They are rich in vitamin A and vitamin E, which are antioxidants, thus helping to promote skin health.
Conclusion
Unlike your typical body lotion, the best body oils for glowing skin contain a higher concentration of moisturizing ingredients. Because they’re made up of vegetable-based oils, body oils tend to be absorbed quickly.
That absorption helps repair, protect, and hydrate your skin. A body glow oil can be a part of your summer go-tos. You can depend on the DIY body glow oil recipe above for a gentle hint of color and shine that makes a huge difference.