The Great Debate: Oils vs. Lotions

Oil-based face moisturizers are a newer category in skincare, sometimes taking the place of a lotion in your daily skincare regimen. Face oils are having a moment but lotion is a classic. Have you wondered if you can just swap in an oil where you’d typically use a lotion? 

An article on Dermatology.com states that newer, state-of-the-art moisturizers are made with ingredients meant to replenish the skin’s natural moisture. Picking out the best moisturizer depends on your skin type and any skin issues that you’re experiencing. 

Mambino sells both oils and lotions for the face and body, all with different benefits and properties. Read on to learn why you might want both in your regimen. 

When to use an oil

A Johnson & Johnson Consumer Healthcare study published via Cossma found that most vegetable-based oils (jojoba, almond, etc) have a similar composition to the skin’s natural oil, so they’re easily absorbed and can penetrate deeply into the layers of the skin. The oils also naturally contain beneficial nutrients for the skin, such as triglycerides, flavonoids, phytosterols and tocopherols.

Oils are usually rich in essential fatty acids, which are superhero nutrients for moisturizing your skin—they help repair your outer barrier to prevent moisture loss, says Manhattan dermatologist Sue Ann Wee, MD in an article on Free People’sBLDG 25 blog. 

Oils are great to use when your skin is damp—like after getting out of the shower—and can help to draw in the moisture that’s already on your skin. Lots of Mambino fans useMoisture Me Nourishing Body Oil right after the shower because skin is warm, damp and the oil sinks right in. It has a base of organic almond oil, organic shea butter oil, organic jojoba oil and organic olive oil in addition to organic pomegranate, buckthorn, tamanu, sweet orange and lavender oils for their therapeutic properties. 

Another skincare ritual that feels like a real treat is double cleansing. Double cleansing starts with an oil-based cleanser to help lift makeup and dirt from the skin before using a face wash to rid skin of excess impurities. OurCleansing Oil + Makeup Remover is full of organic jojoba oil, squalene and green tea to begin purifying skin in the morning and evening. 

And what about lotion?

Lotions, on the other hand, are designed with water so they work to pull moisture down into your skin. They’re also great for drier skin that needs a hydration boost. 

Lotions often also contain a multitude of vitamins, antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients. Creams are usually packed with “a host of ingredients that address multiple concerns, from acne to anti-aging,” says NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Julie Karen on the BLDG 25 blog. So if you want a great multi-tasking product, a lotion that addresses your concerns is a smart choice. 

For example, our Brightening Sheer Moisturizer not only hydrates skin with organic aloe, coconut oil and olive oil, but also contains organic evening primrose oil to help fight free radicals and organic buckthorn oil to promote skin repair and reduce inflammation. Or our Hydra-Firming Moisturizer, again with organic aloe, coconut oil and olive oil to hydrate, as well as African marula oil that’s full of antioxidants that work to firm the skin. 

With either option, you’re getting a host of good-for-skin ingredients. You might find it beneficial to swap out different consistencies based on the time of year or what your skin is craving in the moment.