Photo: Wonderflaw
Who?
Başak Ulubilgen
For how long? 4 months
My first Tried & Tested of the year is dedicated to one of the best and most effective body oils I’ve tried for my, at times, ostentatiously dry winter skin. I jump through many hoops to keep my skin moisturized during cold and dry winters: Dry brushes, exfoliators, body butters; you name it, I use it. I even try to opt for warmer showers, although I prefer scorching hot water. However, a body oil that I’d been meaning to try for a long time came to my rescue this winter, making my body care ritual much more effective.
I’ve always been a fan of Osea and their approach to skincare, but I hadn’t used much of their products except for their face wash and serum. I have also tried many oils during my time as a beauty editor. But I could tell by looking at this body oil’s ingredient list that it would be different. The Undaria Algae —from which the oil gets its name— is one of the main ingredients. This hand-harvested seaweed is soaked in barrels of oil to infuse the vitamins and minerals. A flower called White Lupin is used to improve skin elasticity. A blend of passion fruit, açai, babassu, and rice bran oils helps deeply moisturize. Grapefruit, lime, cypress, mango, and mandarin notes accompany the Undaria Algae, an earthy citrusy composition that transports you to their spa nestled in Venice Beach, California.
It feels very hydrating on the skin without feeling greasy, which is a feature I’m always looking for in body oil. Because the oil is infused with seaweed, the colors of the oil may vary in one, and naturally occurring seaweed particles may be present at the bottom. But the brand ensures it’s normal and doesn’t affect the oil’s purpose.
I apply this oil after every shower, and with each application, I feel my skin becoming increasingly soothed, hydrated, and, most importantly, protected from the dry indoor heat and the cold weather outside.
