Tight feelings in the skin may mean the skin barrier (it’s the thin lipid seal between outer cells) is weak. When that seal is reinforced, TEWL (transepidermal water loss, or water lost through skin) decreases and leaves the surface smoother. I really like that the sweet almond oil here can provide softening surface fats that slip between outer cells and close tiny gaps so moisture stays put. GLA, a plant fat your skin uses to rebuild its own moisture-sealing fats, is found in evening primrose oil and may help the seal stay flexible instead of cracking. In a randomized, placebo-controlled 12-week trial, people taking evening primrose oil showed higher skin hydration, lower TEWL, and better elasticity than placebo. What interests me about the diversity of oils in this product is that they each have strengths that can help reinforce the skin barrier, so you have more thorough coverage with each use.†

I suggest adding this body oil to your skincare routine for those of you who want extra help maintaining and improving your skin texture. For my patients, I share this oil as an option to supplement skin health because of its positive potential to improve skin texture. Dry or rough texture often develops when the outer layer loses flexibility and surface cells don’t lie flat. The oils that make up this body oil can help soften that surface. Sweet almond oil provides emollient triglycerides, which are skin-softening fats that cushion the edges where surface cells meet. This cushioning may reduce microscopic roughness and help the skin feel more springy. Patchouli can support this effect by spreading into a thin, even film. Because it’s slow-evaporating, that film remains longer on the surface, filling tiny dry spaces so skin feels smoother throughout the day.†

Skin often feels its driest in places that move the most (like elbows, knees, and other joints) where stretching can strain the surface. I recommend this oil because it has vitamin E and great botanicals that can support comfort in those areas. Vitamin E is oil-soluble, so it blends into the skin’s lipid layer and helps keep moisture sealed in. Lavender contributes natural compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate, which may calm irritation that sometimes develops when the skin is under stress. These ingredients may help skin stay smoother, more supple, and resilient even in the spots that bend and stretch all day.†