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Self-care in its truest form is about honouring one's entire body - the skin that carries us through seasons and stories. Yet in the pursuit of modern beauty, it is often forgotten below the neck. Moisturisers help skin's surface layers, but true nourishment begins deeper, where the warmth of oil and intention meet. This is the art of body oiling - a ritual of restoration from within.
Body oils are a modern indulgence but a revered skincare practice across ancient cultures. They are not mere replacements but a step or a golden thread tying together age-old wisdom with contemporary wellness. Old School Rituals bring you the timeless steps of this sacred practice, answering the question of how to use body oil for you and your baby with care, patience and love.
What Is Body Oiling?
Body oiling is the act of anointing the skin with nutrient-rich oils. In India, it is the revered abhyanga, where warm herbal oils prepare the body and mind for the day ahead. In Egypt, oils of moringa and castor coated skin before the desert sun, while athletes in Greece oiled their bodies in olive blends before stepping into arenas. Across time, oiling was a ritual that signified readiness, beauty and protection.
Today, body oiling offers benefits backed by both biology and tradition. It boosts circulation, calms the nervous system, strengthens the skin’s barrier and locks in moisture without synthetic interference. For babies, it enhances growth and bonding, while adults enjoy it as a ritual of slowing time.
Here’s how to apply body oil as per the ancient scriptures.
How To Use Body Oil: A Slow Down Ritual For Adults
Step 1: Heat The Oil
Heat the oil. Not in haste, but gently. Warm oil opens the skin like morning suns open blossoms. It allows nutrients to seep into layers beyond what lotions can reach. Choose oils rich in natural ingredients like sesame for detox, almond for softening or try our carrot oil for skin known to brighten and heal.
Step 2: Apply On Dry Skin
Apply on dry skin before a bath or shower, this draws out toxins through the pores and keeps skin hydrated post cleansing. And if you are oiling after a bath? Then ensure the skin is slightly damp to seal in moisture.
Step 3: Massage Gently
Use open palms, not fingertips, to massage the oil gently onto your skin. Practice long, upward strokes on lines. Circular motion on joints and clockwise circles on the stomach. This step is not just about how to apply body oil; it is about how to listen to your body geography.
Step 4: Let It Sit
Allow 15-20 minutes for the oil to soak. Take a moment to read a book or prepare tea. Let this be your transition into stillness. As your skin absorbs not just nutrients but also the silence you wrap around it.
Step 5: Bathe, Don’t Scrub
Use warm water and a mild cleanser after the ritual. Don’t scrub the oil away. Let a soft film remain. This is your body’s new protective layer.
Similarly, for evening, try layering body oil under natural fragrance or floral water. This helps the aroma linger longer, and the skin glows under lamplight.
How To Apply Body Oil For Babies
In many ancient cultures, infants were massaged even before their first cries. Midwives and grandmothers carried warm oils in bowls, anointing the little ones as welcome to the world and for their skin to glow and grow.
To this day, the use of body oil for babies follows the same gentle rhythm.
Choose the Right Oil
Look for natural oil blends such as coconut in summer, mustard in winter or herbal hair oil for scalp nourishment. Our natural beauty products offer body-safe options without synthetic scents or preservatives.
The right way to start a body oiling ritual should be practiced when your baby is calm. You can massage post feeding, post nap or whenever the baby is content.
Technique Matters
Use your palms. Start from the soles of their feet and slowly move up. Draw tiny circles around your knees and elbows, followed by long strokes and gentle rubs down in the chest and tummy- always clockwise to aid digestion—soft pressure on the back.
Practice for 10 minutes regularly to strengthen their immunity, muscle tone, and sleep. But most of all, it teaches trust. It is also about soul care.
Conclusion
At times, we forget to take care of our bodies. But skincare is fully practised when one cares for it fully with care and love. To oil the body is to remember the beauty works in slowness. It is poured, warmed and offered like a prayer. It stood the test of time not because of luxury but because of love.
Find the best of your skincare combo to pair with body oil, dry brushing, steams, or exfoliation once a week. The results don't just show. They stay with practice that remains old.
FAQs
How often should you use body oil?
Body oil is most effective when used as a daily routine. Applying it every day keeps the skin supple throughout the seasons, develops its natural barrier, and nourishes it. Using it three or four times a week guarantees long-lasting softness and wellness without sacrificing any of your hectic activities.
Do you use body oil before or after a shower?
The best results from body oil come from using it as a daily ritual. Applying it every day keeps the skin supple throughout the seasons, develops its natural barrier, and nourishes it. For hectic schedules, using it three or four times a week guarantees wellness and long-lasting softness without sacrificing quality.
How to use body oil correctly?
Warm a few drops of body oil between the palms before application. Massage onto dry skin before bathing or slightly damp skin afterwards to lock in hydration. Use long strokes on limbs, gentle circles on joints, and allow the skin to absorb its nourishment fully.