Almond Shower Oil - 250ml - L'OCCITANE

Product Information

Maya, here! The Cut’s Beauty Director-at-large here with some added advice: What’s great about shower oils is that the formula is versatile enough to be used year-round, so it’s best suited for every season. However, if you’re prone to dry skin, you should definitely reach for this formula more during the summer and winter months. Why? Well, the harsh weather during that time of year tends to take an extra toll on dry skin types. Shower oils function as an occlusive, which means they create a protective barrier on the skin for added hydration. So during summer heat strokes, when your skin is dried out from sun exposure and chlorine during pool days, this barrier keeps dehydration at bay. And when you face all of the elements in brisk and cold winter months, shower oils replenish the skin with ample amounts of moisture when used daily.

Dr. Lily Talakoub, a board-certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Board of Dermatology, says shower oil is a soap-free cleanser made without a surfactant, which works like an emulsifier. Most are formulated with an ingredient that allows the oil to transform into a milky texture as soon as it hits water, and you can use it in lieu of soap or body wash. Though they may seem indulgent (and some are), they are also a handy tool in stopping dry, itchy skin before it starts, which is especially important during colder fall and winter months. Before you even begin browsing the best shower oils, you may be wondering what they are or how they work — which is why we tapped California-based, board-certified dermatologist Divya Shokeen, MD. Per the dermatologist, shower oils are a “type of cleansing product used in place of traditional soap or shower gel.” She also tells Allure that the best shower oils are “designed to cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils, leaving it feeling nourished and hydrated.”