No lotion, oil, or fat almost stopped me from doing this protocol. I am definitely a lotions and potions person.  But understand that following this is not debatable if you want success. I decided it was worth giving up for 3 weeks. Your skin is the largest organ of your body. When you are on Phase 2, the HCG puts your body in a state of lypolysis and is searching for fat to burn. It will pull the oil in the lotion right through your skin instead of getting it from your fat reserves.  It is one of the first areas I address if people are in a stall or think they have lost less than they should. Often they are not even aware of what they are doing until I start asking them questions. I have had clients in a stall and we have figured out they were getting oil from Neosporen, WD-40, Preperation H, sunscreen, vitamins and many other sources. When they stopped using it they started to lose weight again.

The exception to the rule for oil is MCT Oil (Medium Chain Triglycerides). MCT Oil is listed in many of the recipes and is a high grade oil that is very helpful. (No it’s not just coconut oil. It is derived from coconut oil).  Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT’s) are fats that are easier for the body to digest.  Most fats consumed in our daily diet are long chain triglycerides, which are broken down in the intestine and then must be converted into a form that can be transported in the blood.   But MCT’s are broken down to caprylic acid at a much faster rate, making them more absorbable even in individuals who produce low levels of lipase.  An important benefit of MCT Oil is that it has a high concentration of caprylic acid.  Caprylic acid is a fatty acid that has potent natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which can be beneficial in keeping a healthy balance of intestinal flora. In laymen terms, it is a healthy good fat that helps my clients energy levels. This oil is a favorite among athletics alike and is well known among body builders.  The  MCT oil can be used in recipes for cooking (low temperatures) and as a salad dressing; use it wisely.  No more than 2-3 Tab. daily or it will affect your weight loss. I finally found a source that is a great product and price which you can purchase in the store.  It does have calories but if you stick to the 2-3 Tablespoons it is extremely helpful for clients who are very deficient in fatty acids (which most of us are) and the issues that deficiency can cause. It has also really enhanced my food on Phase 2 without affecting my weight.

Mineral oil is also ok since it does not absorb into the skin like regular oil does. Same guideline, no more than 2-3 Tab. daily. Mineral makeup, mascara, eye shadow and powders are fine but any oil based foundation is not. Lipstick is fine since it is usually wax.

For lotion the first few rounds I did I use aloe vera gel or glycerin.  They were something but not great.  My next find was a no oil spray called Na-PCA from Twinlab.  It smells great, and it a natural moisturizing factor in human skin.  It is also inexpensive and sells for $7-8 dollars at places like Sprouts, Sunflower market or other health stores. I still spray it on especially in the summer.

I now have found a fabulous alternative to lotion that I will never do another round without.  It is Alba oil-free moisturizer. It feels like a very clean and moisturizing lotion and is completely oil free.  It is a little pricier at $17 dollars at Sprouts but it goes a long long ways.  I have been using mine for over 4 months and it is not even half gone.  Once I found this I stopped looking for anything else.  I do understand Mary Kaye has some oil free products so if any of you try them let me know how they worked and if they affected your weight loss.

If you want to really get technical about oil you can buy shampoo and conditioner that has no oil. Hair does not absorb the way skin does so I just used my regular hair care and I was fine. You also need to be aware of oils that might be in supplements you are taking like flax seed oil or vitamin E. If it were me I would not take them on Phase 2 and then start them again in Phase 3.  Yes, even a very small amount on Phase 2 can affect your weight loss.  Many vitamins have starch and or sugar in them which can be a problem in Phase 2 and Phase 3.  I do not want to stock a lot of items but I do have a few that I carry so you are sure to have safe items in Phase 2 and Phase 3.  Sometimes you have to be a detective.  If you suspect something you are doing may be affecting your weight loss, stop that one thing and see how you react.

Sunscreen is another area of concern. Normally I always use sunscreen on my face so I had to wear a visor when I was in the pool or outside on Phase 2 in the summer. You can try the Coppertone Pure & Simple for babies which is oil free.

Just make sure you are reading labels. If you come across another no oil alternative that works, please let me know so I can share with everyone else.