Make A Summer Skincare “Whish” — Experience The Whish Body Oils
Though I typically prefer smoothing lotion onto my body because its creaminess offers a more satisfying sensory experience, I’ve been growing increasingly fond of body oils. The latter are particularly helpful in the spring and summer months since, provided that they’re made of lightweight natural oils with chemical compositions that mimic that of the human sebum, they’ll be absorbed in no time, leaving behind no greasy residue and none of the heaviness (or the balmy sensation) that can accompany body lotions and butters. Lately, I’ve been giving the Whish Body Oil in Lemongrass ($28 at WhishBody.com) a whirl — to fantastic results.
Available in six scents — blueberry, lemongrass, coconut, pomegranate, almond, and lavender — each Whish Body Oil contains four moisturizing and soothing botanical extracts: sesame seed oil, sunflower seed oil, olive leaf extract, and jojoba seed oil. Sesame oil contains essential fatty acids like oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and stearic acid, making it a superb moisturizer, along with vitamins A and E to protect the skin from free radical damage and delay aging signs. Since it has a high viscosity, sesame oil has the capacity to seep down past the top layers of skin, nourishing the dermis from within. Jojoba seed oil is even more lightweight and is absorbed in a matter of seconds since its composition so closely mimics that of the human sebum, so that it won’t just sit on the skin or clog the pores, plus it isn’t occlusive so it will let the skin breathe regularly. Because it contains fatty acids like oleic acid, jojoba oil is an excellent emollient and even boasts anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the phytosterols in the formula. Anti-oxidant rich olive leaf extract contains vitamins A and E, along with squalene which helps the skin retain its elasticity. It also contains polyphenols and phytosterols that neutralize free radicals and prevent premature skin aging signs from emerging as a result of UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental aggressors. Oleic acid accounts for 70% of olive oil’s omega-9 content, thereby explaining its superb ability to moisturize, and soothe the skin, leaving it looking radiant and feeling supple. Lastly, sunflower seed oil boasts a high concentration of vitamin E, which protects skin cells from UV damage, as well as beta-carotene, which can be converted into retinol, a popular anti-aging ingredient.
Together, these oils help to reduce any inflammation, soothe and moisturize the skin, boost elasticity, strengthen the skin’s protective barrier so as to seal in moisture and nutrients, and improve the texture and radiance of the skin.
The Whish Body Oil in Lemongrass leaves skin feeling nice and soft, and it’s absorbed rather quickly so you can get dressed and go all the faster (an excellent attribute for a summer skincare product). The lemongrass scent, meanwhile, has a slight citric kick but it also has earthy, herbal, fresh notes that make it feel lighter and less like a household cleaning product (let’s face it: many lemon-scented oils are way too reminiscent of Pledge). I’d be really curious to try the Almond or Coconut varieties since the aromas might be more my speed but, in terms of performance, this body oil is top-notch!
