A Body Oil With Carte Blanche — Lierac Paris Sensorielle Oil’s Softening White Flower Blend

Hope you had a fantastic Fourth of July weekend! Many of you probably spent a substantive amount of time in the sun, whether frolicking at the beach, sipping Margaritas by the pool, grilling in your backyard, or venturing to a primo spot at your local park for the day’s fireworks show. If your skin felt parched by the day’s end, you could’ve used a few drops of Lierac‘s latest skincare elixir, one of my lifesavers this summer: the Sensorielle Multi-Use Oil For Face, Body & Hair.

The golden oil features a blend of three white flowers: gardenia, the late Billie Holiday’s blossom of choice, a deliciously fragrant flower known to protect the skin and hair, binding moisture and providing thermal protection; jasmine, one of the most frequently used floral notes in the fragrance universe, which is also rich in antioxidants like flavonol (also found in dark chocolate), which helps to increase blood flow, fights free radicals, strengthens the hair and skin’s natural barriers, and reduces protein oxidation; and camellia extract, obtained by cold-pressing its grains during the fall months, which contains polyphenols like EGCG which, in turn, slows the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme that triggers the production of melanin, leading to sun spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation. Thanks to its EGCG content, camellia extract operates as a brightening agent, fighting visible aging signs. It also boosts skin cells’ immune functions, protecting the skin from free radicals.

Aside from the floral blend, the Lierac Sensorielle Multi-Use Oil contains a mix of four hydrating, nourishing, vitamin- and antioxidant-packed botanical oils: vitamin A- and E-rich sweet almond oil, which softens the skin and boasts anti-inflammatory properties; hazelnut oil, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (they account for 85% of its constitution), free radical-fighting vitamins A and E, and vitamins B1, B2, and B6, and which is known for its emollient properties, its astringent and toning properties (which make it useful for acne-prone skin), and its ability to easily penetrate skin and hair without leaving any oily residue behind; argan oil, extracted from Moroccan argan kernels, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid and linolelic acid account for nearly 80% of its constitution) that nourish and hydrate skin and hair, polyphenols that contain antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and carotenoids that protect the skin from UV rays and other free radicals; and grapeseed oil, which has antioxidant and re-texturizing properties.

Though you can use this golden oil on hair or skin, I really love its effects on the latter. For optimal results, I’d suggest applying the oil to your body right after showering, while skin is still slightly damp, massaging the lightweight oil ever so delicately. Initially, of course, your skin will appear shiny and oily but, within minutes, the oil will be fully absorbed, leaving behind no greasy, sticky, balmy residue (so you can wear those white pants or lay on those freshly laundered sheets without hesitation). It provides instant relief to skin, soothing and softening, but the results will prove even more dramatic with continued use — I’ve even noticed that those unseemly bumps on the back of my arms (a mild case of Keratosis Pilaris) have become less visible (and less pronounced to the touch).

My one caveat: don’t expect a white floral fragrance so romantic it could be coming from a bridal bouquet. In actuality, the hazelnut and argan extracts give the oil a nutty, earthy feel, while the camellia extract infuses it with more of a fresh herbal scent. The gardenia and jasmine notes, then, play a supporting role as far as the oil’s scent, softening the overall aroma and providing a hint of femininity. Still, it’s a perfectly lovely aroma — just don’t expect a lush garden!