When it comes to a moisturizing skin care ritual, there are layers of hydrating lotions and nutrient-dense oils to apply. But to get the most out of your routine (and make the most effective use of all the products in your repertoire), the order of application is crucial.
Do you put body oil or lotion on first after toweling off from the shower or bath? Each serves your skin differently. Lotion delivers a hydrating layer that sinks into the surface. Body oil seals it all in, acting as a protective barrier to lock that moisture in.
The short and simple answer to this skincare dilemma is that lotion should come before body oil. But you’ve got to build a routine that actually works for you and your skin. Here is what you need to know.
Should I Use Body Oil or Lotion First?
If lotion is the hydrating layer and body oil is the protective seal, it's generally recommended to add the lotion first, then apply the oil. This two-step layering system follows the gold-standard skincare rule: start your routine with the lightest formulation first, then move on to the heavier, oilier ones.
But why does body oil go before lotion? It comes down to how each formula actually works. Lotions are water-based, which makes them incredibly effective at delivering hydration and nutrients to the skin. But that moisture is just as prone to evaporating as your skin's own natural hydration. Body oil is an oil-based product that can slow down that moisture loss and keep all the hydrating goodness locked in where it belongs.
You can, of course, opt for an even simpler, one-step routine: skip the lotion and just reach for the body oil. Especially when applied to damp skin right after a bath or shower, oils can still improve skin's resilience and lock in moisture, even without that added first layer of lotion.
Just remember, when it comes to your own routine, you do you! If you prefer to layer in a different order or add or remove steps, there is nothing wrong with experimenting with your own personal ritual.
What Is Body Oil For?
Body oil is like the protective older sibling to lotion. Unlike lotions, which are usually water-based, body oils are formulated around oils as the primary ingredients.
Oils act as a shield, protecting the skin barrier from the environment. They are occlusive ingredients that reduce the natural loss of water from the skin's surface, which happens with everyday exposure to the environment.
Oil-based products are especially helpful for soothing dry, rough patches and during the winter months, when the skin is particularly susceptible to harsh outdoor conditions.
How To Use Body Oil
Incorporating body oil into your post-shower routine feels luxurious — as it should. It's a few more intentional moments of self-care that your skin will thank you for.
For those who have never indulged in a soothing application, how do you apply body oil so it doesn’t feel too thick or, worse, greasy? The key is to start with a small amount, add more as needed, and take the time to gently work it in.
Here is how to apply body oil, made simple:
- Apply a small amount to your palm.
- Rub your hands together to gently warm them up for easier application.
- Slowly massage the oil onto the skin's surface, working your way up from your toes.
- Pay extra attention to dry, rough, and dull patches — all the areas that need extra support.
If body oil is the only layer in your skincare routine, get the most out of its hydrating and protective qualities by applying it to warm, slightly damp skin after a shower or bath. Towel off, then massage in a nourishing layer of oil to help seal in that moisture.
Maybe you have even more elements in your post-shower bodycare routine. Keep in mind, as the heaviest layer, body oil should come last, after any serums and lotions. Again, as an occlusive barrier, it will lock in all those lighter products, making them much more effective.
Choosing the Best Body Oil for Dry Skin
So many of the commercially available body oils look good on the surface, but dig a little deeper, and you'll find petrochemical-derived formulations, known hormone disruptors, and other questionable ingredients hiding in plain sight.
Choosing a body oil with the right ingredients makes all the difference. First and foremost, look for products containing oils rich in fatty acids and barrier-supporting lipids, the building blocks your skin needs to stay hydrated, protected, and resilient.
Second, look for clean ingredients. At Prima, our formulas are free from over 2,800 problematic ingredients. These are substances flagged for health, eco-toxicity, and contamination concerns. (For context: the US bans just 12. Europe bans around 1,300.) We hold ourselves to a higher standard, and we push the skincare industry to do better as a whole.
This is the commitment to clean ingredients that forms the foundation of our Beyond Body Oil. Every element is plant-derived and purposefully chosen. Jojoba and squalane work to protect your skin's natural moisture barrier, while apricot kernel oil delivers fast-absorbing vitamins and fatty acids to nourish from the outside in.
Then, we choose organic hemp for a boost of CBD to help fight off external stressors. With magnesium to soothe and helichrysum to calm, our therapeutic Beyond Body Oil formula repairs, rebuilds, and always supports soft, supple skin.
All You Need Is a Simple Layering Routine
Sometimes it can feel like there is a lot of confusing noise around the right way to do skincare, including questions about whether it’s lotion or body oil first. But the simple truth is, better skin doesn't require a complicated 10-step routine. It just requires a few simple steps:
- Start with a warm shower, then towel off.
- Apply your lotion first, letting it absorb.
- Seal it all in with intensely nourishing Beyond Body Oil.
The lotion hydrates, the oil protects, and together, they work to deeply hydrate and provide long-lasting protection. This is simple, intentional, and effective skincare at its best.
