The quick answer is any good quality, fresh, food grade oil, such as almond, grapeseed, jojoba, olive, or emu. For more info, see below. This has been posted before, and now lives in my blog. (Are you reading the blogs?)

Cloud says oil:

I have to say I'm a big fan of oil as an aid in healing. I've used oil on all my piercings with great success. Of course, I live in a very dry desert. If you live in a very humid climate, using oil may not be for you.

And there are those who disagree with me, saying that the use of oil attracts dirt and germs to your piercing. There may be some truth to that, but since my normal post-piercing routine includes twice daily head-to-toe washing with antimicrobial soap, it doesn't seem to be a problem for me. I've never had an infected piercing, at any rate.*

For me, oil not only alleviates any dryness and flaking of the skin, but helps lubricate the piercing, reducing crusties and allowing the jewelry to move smoothly in the piercing if it wants to, without having the crusties pull on it, or pull through it.

I started off using almond oil, then experimented with olive oil and grapeseed oil, and finally, emu oil. Nowadays my first line of defense on any irritated piercing is a little emu oil. (Really pissy piercings get soaked.) I wonder if hemp oil would be good on piercings? I know lavender oil is one of the only essential oils which can be directly applied to the skin without a carrier oil. Tea tree oil is often touted as a good remedy, but I think it's too harsh for everyday application on normal healing piercings (plus it smells funky). Its best use is a medicinal application, such as an anti-fungal for overgrowth problems—possibly if you live in a very humid area or your internal chemistry is off because of poor diet, illness, etc.

Probably any good, food grade, skin nourishing oil can be used, but be careful if you have allergies or skin sensitivities. Oil goes bad quickly in hot weather, so make sure your oil is fresh and not rancid. You do have to make sure to wash your piercings regularly, though. So try it, especially if you have very dry skin, but don't forget to drink lots of water too. Just a tiny dab around (not IN) the piercing.

*Except for the one done with a GUN.

^^ I think thats the post I was looking for. Thanks Cloud.

I don't read the blogs. I don't come on here enough to find time to read the blogs as well but I might try if I can find time.

I'm def gonna try emu oil when I can, but I just use Vit E oil for when my nostril piercing gets dry.

Vitamin E is actually not a very good oil to use--too thick; it "suffocates" the piercing. You want an oil that's going to absorb easily.

Vit E doesn't go through the skin, it has to be in your diet. I naver no idea where this urban myth came up, but it's an annoying one.

I had some jojoba oil in my oils collection (thank god for being a massage therapist) put some on last night before bed and after having a shower this morning. Seems to be ok so far, not too thick either.

yes, jojoba oil is good stuff.

I blame The Body Shop.

The Jojoba oil wasn't hurting but I got some emu oil today as I wasn't sure how pure my jojoba oil was. Lets see how this goes!

sidenote here: am i correct in understanding that food grade extra virgin olive oil is okay to use on a septum piercing? and if so, how soon is too soon? i've only had mine done about six days and it seems to be healing very well so far, and i tried a dab of olive oil last night and it felt great this morning. i just want to make sure i'm not oiling too soon. thoughts?

also, how concerned should i be about oil actually getting inside the piercing hole? like with my new (4wks) earlobe piercings (8g). is it something where i should let it set for a couple hours then rinse in the shower?

thanks for the advice & patience.

-robert.

Here's the way I do it. Keep in mind this is not a common aftercare regime, and not everyone agrees with me.

Yes, if you use a good, fresh, olive oil, it should be fine. Although it's not my first choice of oil. Just a tiny dab around the hole after washing and soaking. Leave it on--no need to rinse off. It should absorb fairly well into the skin. I begin using oil immediately after piercing, and typically use it through the entire initial healing period. As for getting in the hole--you want it around the outside of the whole where the crusties tend to appear. Try not to get it in the flesh tunnel, but don't sweat it too much if so.

I LOVE emu oil it's pretty good for making skin super soft and stretchy

OK well seems my body like the jojoba oil better. I think maybe the emu oil is too thick. I could be just imagining it, but I think the emu oil has made my bump a little bigger and doesn't keep it as moisturised.

whatever works best for you

Personally, I use jojoba oil with just a few drops of lavender oil mixed in. It smells lovely and alleviates the dryness in no time!

lavender oil is a good addition and has antiseptic properties

Incredibly mild though, as in "barely there" mild. If you like it, fair go, but I really can't imagine it making an substantial difference.

I think the best use of lavender oil for piercings is to add a drop or two to soaks for nose piercings--counteracts the funk smell.

For medicinal purposes, making a strong tea of lavender and using that as a soak is probably better, and especially good, I think, for genital piercings.