Body Oil Is A Concern? So What Should I Use Instead?

"What would you substitute for a daily body lotion?” is a question we often get.  But before people get to that question, there are more important questions to be asked: “WHY is body lotion a concern anyway? And why should you find a natural replacement?”

Body lotions are applied across large surface areas of the skin and left to absorb throughout the day, which give regular and significant exposure to certain additives and synthetic chemicals which can pose health concerns. The fact that body lotions are sold freely and widely without cautions does not make them harmless.  Alarming, but true.

Primarily, the health risks associated with conventional body lotions and skincare products stem from a specific set of commonly used ingredients:

1. Parabens (Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben) - used as broad-spectrum preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.

Health Risks: Parabens are well-documented endocrine (hormone) disruptors. They can mimic estrogen in the human body, potentially interfering with normal hormone function, reproductive development, and increasing risks associated with hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer.

2. Phthalates (DEP, DBP, DEHP) -  added to body oils and lotions to enhance texture, act as solvents, or stabilize artificial fragrances.

Health Risks: Like parabens, phthalates are endocrine disruptors. Chronic exposure is linked to reproductive toxicity, reduced fertility in both men and women, early puberty, and thyroid disruption.

Phthalates are a particular health risk for children and teens – you can read more about that here: Children and Phthalates - What's the Big Deal?

3. Synthetic Fragrance / "Parfum" - added to provide scent or mask base chemical odors.

Health Risks: Under cosmetics labeling laws, manufacturers can list proprietary blends of dozens or hundreds of individual chemicals simply as "Fragrance" or "Parfum". These undisclosed mixtures frequently contain phthalates, synthetic musks, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can trigger contact dermatitis, migraines, respiratory irritation, and long-term sensitivities.

4. PEGs & Ethoxylated Compounds (Polyethylene Glycol, Polysorbates, Laureth- ingredients) - used as emulsifiers to blend water and oil, and as thickeners or skin-penetration enhancers.

Health Risks: The process of ethoxylation used to create these ingredients often leaves behind traces of contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide. Both are known or probable human carcinogens that can easily penetrate compromised skin.

5. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives (DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Quaternium-15) - added to water-based body lotions to slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde over time to kill bacteria.

Health Risks: Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and a strong respiratory and skin sensitizer. Regular exposure can trigger severe allergic contact dermatitis, asthma flare-ups, and immune system toxicity.

6. Low-Grade Mineral Oil & Petrolatum - derived from crude oil, these petroleum byproducts form an occlusive barrier on top of the skin to trap moisture.

Health Risks: Highly refined cosmetic-grade petrolatum is generally non-reactive, but unrefined or poorly processed mineral oils can contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs have been linked to organ toxicity, skin irritation, and an elevated cancer risk with repeated exposure.

7. Synthetic Antioxidants (BHA and BHT) - Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are used to extend shelf life and prevent oils in lotions from turning rancid.

Health Risks: Both compounds are flagged for potential liver damage, thyroid disruption, and endocrine interference over prolonged application.

So now you know WHY to you need to make the change, the only question left to answer is “Swap it for WHAT?”

We recommend a 100% natural body oil.  But not just any oil.  Some plant oils like flax, soy and sunflower, are easily rancid and really should be kept at under 30C, refrigerated if possible.  Not many bathrooms have fridges last we looked, so using these oils and leaving them in warm bathrooms is not the best choice.  Coconut oil alone is too heavy for many skin types and remains sitting on the surface of the skin where it triggers blemishes; it also can stain clothing, making it less than practical as a daily product for many people. 

So what’s left? 

Our Pure Thai Natural body oils use a mix of mostly rice bran oil – high in natural vitamin E, light, easily & fully absorbed by even the most sensitive skin types, a very high smoke point making it shelf stable on even the hottest day, and it’s neutral and carries no icky “oily“ smell of its own.  We also like the fact that it’s a by-product of a common, sustainable food crop already being grown, since it’s extracted from the bran of the rice kernel, so it doesn’t use extra land or water to grow.  We add two other oils – a small amount of virgin, cold pressed coconut oil for richness, and some extra pure Vitamin E.

Our 100% natural and vegan Body Oils are scented with ONLY pure essential oils.  And packaged in recyclable, medicinal-grade glass – to protect the product from UV degradation and to make sure that harmful phthalates and some of the other chemicals mentioned above don’t leech into the product from a plastic bottle.

Preservatives, colouring agents, emulsifiers, stabilizers etc?  Just No.  not on our watch.

Best way to use our Pure Essential Body Oils? Massage a small amount into clean skin, straight after your bath or shower, when it will be most fully absorbed.  Another way to enjoy them is as a premium massage oil – some of the best things in life are best shared.  If you have specific very dry, trouble spots like elbows, knees or butt cheeks from over-sitting, we suggest a little dab of our Intensive Skin Repair Balm, massaged in thoroughly.

Our Pure Essential Body Oil fragrances are designed for our very diverse customer base, so not all girly-floral.  Although we admit our Ylang Ylang Orange Body Oil is super popular for date nights. 😊 Ginger Lemongrass Mint is delightful on a hot, tropical evening, and Kaffir Lime remains a solid fav across all our customer groups.  Thai Healing Herbs leans to the herbal-masculine end of smells and is popular for premium therapeutic massage, and Vetiver …  well, if you know, you know.

The most important starting point of all?  READ THE PRODUCT LABEL.  Know what’s in your product before you buy it.  Plastic bottle?  Put it back, because that plastic DOES end up in your product, over time, and therefore in your body and your bloodstream.   And that’s a big NO.

If you are unsure in the ingredients in any of your personal care products we always recommend the EWG Skin Deep database – a free site where you can read at first-hand what the Manufacturer Safety Data Sheets say about an ingredient, what warnings have been issued over which ingredients, and why. 

Congratulations on reading thus far - it’s a lot, we know.  As a small reward, use the Coupon Code CLEANBODY at the checkout in our Pure Thai Naturals Online Store to receive 20% off all of our Pure Essential Body Oils.  You’re welcome.

Making sustainable, daily changes has a HUGE impact on our daily health and well-being.  Small changes repeated, replacing harmful products one at a time and thinking more naturally… it matters.