Finding a body cream that is perfect for everyday use and has a pleasant texture without a greasy or sticky feeling is not always a facial task. There is a wide variety of textures and effective ingredients on the market, but finding that perfect head cream requires a lot of trial and error.
For those who are looking for deep nourishment of the body skin but do not want heavy textures, much less a product that clogs the pores, you can give vegetable oils a try. There are options that provide intense nutrition and the lipids that our skin needs to balance the skin's natural barrier.
Natural alternatives to commercial creams
Many people prefer to opt for natural cosmetics to avoid certain ingredients such as petroleum derivatives, silicones or parabens. And precisely vegetable oils are perfect for nourishing the skin and maintaining hydration without needing to add anything more than the benefits of each oil.
Therefore, although there are creams that succeed generation after generation, such as the classic Nivea in the blue can for its wonderful ability to retain hydration, it is also true that its effectiveness is due to compounds such as paraffin that form a protective barrier to prevent water loss, but “they can be too heavy or occlusive,” explains natural cosmetics expert Carmen Roldán to the publication Bodymente.
Now, we also want to clarify that “liquid paraffin is not dangerous because it is a petroleum derivative. In fact, the one used in cosmetics is highly purified so that it does not have any kind of impurities that could cause problems,” explains chemist Vladimir Sánchez.
But returning to the Nivea cream, it is true that not all skin tolerates the dense texture of this cream well. “The majority obtain more benefit from vegetable oils that are better absorbed by the skin, do not leave a persistent greasy film and are more compatible with skin that seeks light nutrition,” explains Roldán.
These are the oils that the expert proposes
Jojoba oil: the most similar to human sebum
Jojoba oil is one of the most recommended for oily skin because it has an almost identical structure to human sebum. For this reason the skin tolerates it very well, it facilitates its absorption and without leaving a greasy feeling or clogging the pores.
This oil helps soothe the skin, provides elasticity, works as a moisturizer and softens rough areas such as elbows or heels. It can be used daily as we would a light cream and enhances its effects if applied after a shower to damp skin.
Plant Squalane: Light Nutrition
It is one of the vegetable oils that is most used in cosmetics precisely because of its similarity to the natural oils of the skin. It is obtained from olive oil and is perfect for moisturizing without greasing and reinforcing the skin barrier. “It is absorbed very well, it is light and does not leave a greasy feeling,” explains Carmen Roldán.
Squalane is absorbed so quickly that it feels light, which is why it is very interesting for skin that seeks textures that do not feel heavy. Perfect for rehydrating and replenishing the lipids of mature skin.
Almond or avocado oil with shea: maximum nutrition
There are also options that are much more nourishing and work great when your skin is in real need of deep hydration. The expert recommends the use of oils such as sweet almond or avocado oil mixed with shea butter. A very explosive cocktail that provides a lot of benefits, Carmen points out that this mixture provides elasticity, softens the skin and leaves a healthy glow.
This combination is ideal for treating the driest areas such as legs, arms or those spots with roughness. Due to its texture, it is more appreciated in winter and after a shower it is perfect, it will be absorbed better with a gentle massage.
Nivea cream is not a bad option
Although Carmen Roldán recommends different oils to keep the skin hydrated, she recognizes that classic Nivea is still useful for very dry skin that needs a powerful barrier.
“Now, for people who want more natural cosmetics, better absorption, less heavy feeling and who have combination or acne-prone skin, I would prefer the oils that I have mentioned,” adds the expert. And although the therapist confesses that she does not use anything that is not 100% natural, she also recognizes that each person is different and has seen wonderful skin that has been using Nivea for forty years.
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