Here's a short blog post for my favourite winter body oil.
Dr Hauschka Blackthron Toning Body Oil was one of my rare impulse buys which eventually turned into a staple. I have been using this for 3 winters now!
If you came to this review by google search you are probably looking for something to prevent or minimise stretch marks. When I first bought this body oil I had no idea that it is designed for preventing stretch marks. I did use this throughout my pregnancy and lucky me, I do not have a single stretch mark. But was it actually cause and effect?
Background on stretch mark formation
The skin has multiple layers. Although stretch marks are visible from the surface of the skin, they are actually formed in the dermis (deeper layer) of the skin, caused by over-stretching and tearing of connective tissues. Topical products are unlikely to penetrate deep enough to the dermis layer in the skin. What I believe would help though, is a balanced diet containing good quality proteins (for supplying collagen and elastin in the skin), vitamins, as well as maintaining the overall hydration level of the skin (both in terms of water intake and religious moisturising). This is where this body oil comes in handy, because it is very nourishing and it helps to lock the water in the skin.
My experience
The bottle deserves a special acknowledgement. It is the best body oil bottle ever invented - no leak, no drip, and no oily footprint from the bottom of the bottle. The only problem is you can't unscrew and open the lid to refill it with other body oil - what a bummer! [ETA: the brand responded to my review! They told me that the lid can be opened with a good grip. So I borrowed some muscle and voila! By upcycling these I won't have to put up with another leaky bottle ever again in my life!]
The wonderful thing about this oil is that it warms up when it is massaged into the skin. I sometimes skip moisturising in winter because it is too cold - but I won't find an excuse to not moisturise with this oil. It is a wet oil (vs. a "dry oil" which absorbs quickly but tends to be less moisturising). I usually get dressed straight away but the oil does not transfer.
The other thing I like is the scent. It is slightly herbal or even medicinal - kind of a love-it or hate-it scent - but certainly not for everybody.
Same with all other body oils it is best to apply the oil on moist skin (immediately after shower). This helps to lock the moisture into the skin and it also helps the oil to spread and absorb.
Ingredients
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Prunus Spinosa (Blackthorn) Flower Extract, Betula Alba (Birch) Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed (Jojoba) Oil, Hypericum Perforatum (St John's Wort) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lecithin, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Citral, Coumarin, Farnesol, Eugenol.
About me
Makeup artist and hair stylist based in Sydney. Founder of the well-known award-winning bridal specialist team Faces Makeup and Hair. Beauty junkie with an obsession for skincare.