THE OIL BAR, BODY EDITION

A Slippery slope to (the art of) ritual

If there’s one word we’ve heard tossed around the wellness community and then some, it’s glow. Whether referring to microbiome-induced radiance or the result of a topical treatment, one might think that the endless pursuit of dew is a rabbit hole of product, procedure, repeat. The Collective woman, however, knows there’s a thoughtful choice to accompany each specific need, while celebrating the small, ceremonial moments that create both an elegant life and radiant-ready skin. If beauty acts as a mirror to our overall wellbeing, nowhere a more poignant place to start than the art of body care, tending to our largest and most protective organ.

“I inherited the ritual of body care as a teenager, learning to apply lotion after a best friend’s older sister made sure we understood the importance of taking care of our skin. At the time, Bath & Body Works reigned supreme, so every decision was made around scent, (think sun-ripened raspberry, country-apple or cucumber melon). Of course consideration never went as far as skin-supporting ingredients, but while my awareness of clean beauty has evolved, the ritual has stayed with me ever since, as I pause for body care after each nightly shower.”

Sarah Garvin

(self) care born of curiosity.

If repetition becomes routine and routine makes ritual, it’s crucial to first understand the why behind each choice: the purpose of certain cosmetic ingredients, and how the skin may or may not respond. New isn’t always better and more isn’t always best. Quality eclipses quantity when it comes to what touches our skin, and sometimes the most dazzling new innovations might not be in alignment with your skincare needs of the moment.

Skin is our largest living organ, with the outermost layer, or epidermis, acting as a crucial barrier against initial germs, light, chemicals and environmental stressors, all the while working to retain vital moisture. Think support over disruption when curating your vanity essentials, working in tandem with the skin you’re in… (and not the skin you’re eyeing on Instagram.). Look at not only the sensory elements of a product, (scent, weight, texture, sheen) but how your skin responds. Is it a pleasure to experience? Does your skin visible react? Is it comfortable, moisturized, soft and supple? Most importantly, does it inspire an extension of your own self-care into other areas of life.

“My nightly shower is nonnegotiable. I exfoliate the day, slough off what is no longer serving me. Lotion is then the first product to come in contact with my skin, usually right after toweling off, while skin is still damp, then I layer on a particular body oil. Next stop is my robe, and a moment of actual calm: nowhere to be but wrapped up, moisturized and in my body. By the time I’m heading to bed, this ritual has not only released the pressures of day but cocooned both my skin and nervous system. I’m ready for a night of deep, restorative sleep.”

From everyday staples, botanical discoveries and delightful indulgences, meet Collective’s most curated edit on all things body oil: am to pm and everything in-between.