Shower oil for dry skin | how I am keeping my skin soft and glowing in midlife

Dry skin is something I have become much more aware of as I have got older. We often talk about the changes we notice in our faces during and after menopause, but the skin on our bodies can become drier too.

For me, it is particularly noticeable on my arms, the back of my hands, my lower legs and chest. Sunshine, central heating, colder weather and long hot baths and showers can all leave my skin needing more attention than it did when I was younger.

I have always been good at looking after my face, but I admit that body care has sometimes been more of an afterthought. I would use whichever shower gel or bar of soap happened to be in the bathroom, then promise myself I would apply body lotion afterwards. Quite often, I wouldn’t.

My nail technician was regularly commenting on my dry arms or dry legs when I'd go in for a manicure or pedicure!

So I have been trying to improve my skin by thinking about how I cleanse my body in the first place, and a shower oil for dry skin has made such a positive difference.

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Shower oil for dry skin, I took the Besque Luxury Shower Oil with me to Sardinia

Why do we experience dry skin after showering?

A shower should leave us feeling clean and refreshed, but sometimes it can leave your skin feeling tight, itchy or visibly dry, and your shower gel or soap may be contributing to the problem.

Hot water can wash away some of the natural oils that help protect the skin. Some soaps and strongly cleansing shower gels can do the same, particularly if you shower frequently or spend a long time under the water.

Our skin also produces less of its own natural oil as we age. Hormonal changes around menopause may make dryness more noticeable, while sunshine, air conditioning and central heating can all add to visible dryness.

I like to keep my body-care routine as simple as possible. So a gentle cleanser used in the shower made the most sense to me, then if I do skip the body lotion, I have still added much needed moisturiser.

What is a shower oil?

A shower oil is an oil-based body cleanser that is designed to be used with water.

Unlike applying a traditional body oil after your shower, a shower oil cleanses the skin and then rinses away. Many formulas emulsify when mixed with water, changing from an oil into a lighter, milky wash or soft foam.

The aim is to cleanse without leaving the skin feeling stripped of moisture. It can be a particularly appealing option if you experience dry skin after showering or find that ordinary shower gels leave your skin feeling tight.

I had previously thought a shower oil might feel greasy, but I have been loving the  Besque Luxury Shower Oil and it doesn’t feel like that at all. It starts as a silky oil, then transforms as I massage it onto my wet skin.

Keeping my midlife skin moisturised and cared for on holiday and at home

Why I'm loving the Besque Luxury Shower Oil

Of the two Besque products I have been trying, the Luxury Shower Oil has been the immediate standout for me, 

It goes onto wet skin like an oil, but as I massage it in, it develops into a soft, silky foam. It still feels as though it is cleansing properly, but without that squeaky-clean or slightly tight feeling I can experience with some shower gels.

The scent is gorgeous too. It includes botanical oils such as sweet almond, evening primrose and rosehip, along with geranium, patchouli and lavender oils. It makes an everyday shower feel much more luxurious without adding another complicated step to my routine.

After rinsing, my skin feels soft, moisturised and comfortable. It also has a lovely subtle glow rather than looking dry and dull.

I took the Shower Oil away to Sardinia with me and appreciated it even more there. After long days in the sunshine, my skin felt hot, and a little sore at times (despite using my SPF).  But the oil-to-foam texture of the Besque Luxury Shower Oil felt light, gentle and soothing and really did moisturise my sun damaged skin.

It isn’t an aftersun treatment, of course, and protecting our skin properly with SPF is always important. But as my everyday body cleanser, it felt far kinder to sun-dried skin than a traditional foaming shower gel.

And quite the accolade, my husband loved it too, in fact I have had to hide it away from him since we got back, it's mine!

Shower oil vs shower gel

A shower gel is usually water-based and designed primarily to cleanse. A shower oil begins with an oil-rich texture and combines cleansing with a more nourishing skin feel.

That doesn’t mean all shower gels are drying or that every shower oil will suit everyone. The individual formula is important along with your skin type.

The real difference for me is how my skin feels afterwards. A good shower oil should rinse away cleanly while leaving the skin soft and comfortable, rather than coated or greasy.

If you enjoy plenty of foam, a shower oil may initially feel different from your normal body wash. The Besque oil does create a soft foam, but it is silkier and less bubbly than a typical shower gel. I like that because it makes the experience feel gentler and more indulgent.

How to use a shower oil

Using a shower oil is very easy:

Wet. your skin with warm rather than very hot water, then pour a small amount of shower il into your hands.  Massage it gently over your body, add a little more water and allow the oil to turn milky and lightly foamy.  Rinse thoroughly.

Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing with a towel so the oil continues to absorb into your skin.

If your skin is particularly dry, apply a moisturiser or the magic body oil while it is still slightly damp.

You do not need to use a separate shower gel first. The shower oil is the cleansing step, so adding another body wash could defeat the purpose of keeping the routine gentle.

But remember that an oil-based product can make the shower floor slippery, so rinse the area properly after use.

A simple face oil routine for mature skin

Alongside the Shower Oil, I have been using the Besque DIVINE9 Facial Serum.

Although it is called a serum, it has the texture and nourishing qualities I associate with a face oil. It is made with a blend of nine botanical ingredients, including frankincense, black cumin, broccoli seed, vitamin E, evening primrose, manuka, apricot kernel, avocado and calendula-infused olive oil.

A face oil for mature skin can be a useful way to add nourishment, particularly if your skin feels dry or tight by the end of the day. Oils can help soften the skin and support a more comfortable, supple feeling, although they do not replace everything else in a balanced skincare routine.

I use DIVINE9 after cleansing in the evening. I apply four or five drops across my face, then massage it in gently. A small amount goes a long way, so there is no need to drench the skin.

I haven’t been using it long enough to make dramatic claims about lines, firmness or other long-term changes.  But it feels nourishing, is easy to incorporate into my evening routine and leaves my skin feeling soft and comfortable. I also enjoy taking a little time to massage it into my face rather than rushing through my skincare.

If you have particularly sensitive skin or known allergies, always check the full ingredient list and patch-test a new facial oil before using it more widely. Besque also advises that DIVINE9 may contain traces of nuts.

Do you use a face oil before or after moisturiser?

The answer depends on the product and your own skin type, but a facial oil is usually best as the final step of your evening skincare routine.

I cleanse first, apply any lighter water-based products, then massage in my facial oil. If my skin needs more, I can follow with moisturiser, although DIVINE9 is feeling nourishing enough on its own.

The important thing is not to introduce several new products at once. A simple routine makes it much easier to understand what your skin likes and what may be causing irritation.

My simple routine for dry skin

I have realised that caring for dry skin does not necessarily mean adding more and more products. Sometimes it is about making a better choice at the first stage of the routine.

My current approach is very simple:

• Keep showers warm rather than extremely hot.
• Use a shower oil instead of a strongly foaming or perfumed body wash.
• Pat the skin dry gently.
• Apply extra body moisturiser when my skin needs it or add a dry skin balm on dry patches.
• Use a few drops of facial oil as part of my evening skincare.
• Stay consistent rather than expecting an overnight transformation.

My goal is for my skin to feel healthy, comfortable and well cared for with a nice healthy glow.

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My thoughts on Besque so far

Besque is a British skincare and wellness brand with a focus on nourishing, oil-based formulas made using carefully chosen botanical ingredients. Its skincare range includes facial serums, shower oils and body oils designed to cleanse, soften and support the skin without making the routine feel over complicated. The brand’s approach is very much about working with the skin and turning simple everyday steps, such as cleansing your face or taking a shower, into a more soothing and luxurious ritual.

The Besque Luxury Shower Oil is a new hero product for me, I love the way it transforms from an oil into a soft foam, the relaxing scent and how moisturised my skin feels after using it.
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It is not an inexpensive everyday shower product, but it feels luxurious and a little goes a long way. For anyone who finds that ordinary shower gels leave their skin feeling dry, it offers an excellent alternative.

I am also enjoying DIVINE9 as part of my evening routine. although it is early days to declare any major changes.  Neither product is about chasing younger-looking perfection. I simply want to care for the skin I have now and making a simple daily routine feel that little bit more luxurious.

Save 15% at Besque
If you would like to try the Besque Luxury Shower Oil, DIVINE9 Facial Serum or another product from Besque range, you can receive 15% off your order if you use this link.

Love from
Michelle xx


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​Disclaimer: These products were gifted to me as part of a paid collaboration with Besque. As always, all experiences and opinions are my own.

Besque Luxury Shower Oil is proving very popular!