Say hello to your softest, smoothest skin ever with these silky formulas.
You may have mastered your skin-care routine by now, but don’t skimp on the rest of your body. Fortunately, staying moisturized from head to toe is easier than ever. All you need? A bottle of one of the best body oils on the market.
The best body oils leave your skin feeling soft and looking glowy, while simultaneously moisturizing and strengthening your skin barrier. According to board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, who is based in New York City, body oils also offer long-lasting hydration for all skin types — without any stickiness, grease, or waxy residue. “Many people might assume that using a body oil would do the opposite and cause the skin to feel greasy, but body oils tend to be fast-absorbing,” she explains.
Head-to-toe elixirs are especially essential in the summertime since oils can replenish any moisture lost due to heat and other causes “Being in chlorine pools, the beach, and the sun over the summer can leave our skin feeling dry and dull,” explains New York City board-certified dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD.
According to New York City board-certified dermatologist Brian Hibler, MD, you should look out for body oils that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as rosehip seed and jojoba oils, which “mimic the natural oil in our skin so it won’t clog pores.” He also recommends squalane, which he describes as a “great emollient” that’s “especially great for acne-prone skin.” Green also recommends choosing a body oil formulated with vitamin E, which she says is most often associated with its ability to intensely hydrate and protect against environmental irritants and pollutants,”
For oily and acne-prone skin types, common comedogenic (or pore-clogging) ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa butter, and beeswax may exacerbate acne breakouts and should be avoided when choosing a body oil. Meanwhile, those with sensitive skin should avoid body oils with synthetic fragrances and dyes, says board-certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, MD, who is based in Newport Beach, California.
Now, for the good stuff. We narrowed down more than a few of our favorite body oils — both scented and fragrance-free — that will keep your skin silky-smooth and glowy throughout the summer months and beyond.
Tatcha Hinoki Body Oil
Tatcha’s Hinoki Body Oil is made of a blend of natural Hinoki oils, which result in soft skin and a calming aroma experience. According to senior commerce writer Angela Trakoshis, this oil sits on the skin comfortably and gives a healthy glow to the body.
Ole Henriksen Firmly Yours Toning Dry Body Oil
Ole Henriksen Firmly Yours Toning Dry Body Oil doesn’t leave that slippery, greasy residue on the skin. In fact, it dries down completely and disappears into our skin in seconds. Its formula is loaded with conditioning peptides to improve elasticity — yet another reason why it won a 2022 Best of Beauty Award.
Eau Thermale Avène Body Oil
The star player in this Eau Thermale Avène Body Oil is calendula extract, which soothes irritation from overly dry skin and reduces inflammation. You’ll also find avocado oil in it — which leaves your skin soft and silky — plus nourishing ingredients like vitamins A and E.
Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Body Oil
Dermatologica’s Phyto Replenish Body Oil contains a cocktail of oils — avocado, plum seed, and sunflower oil — which are all rich in omega fatty acids that help replenish the skin barrier. The product also comes infused with fermented red ginseng, which, Dr. Hibler notes, is excellent for reducing inflammation and calming irritated skin.
Supergoop Glow Oil Body Sunscreen SPF 50
What’s better than a body oil that makes you radiant? A body oil that makes you radiant and provides you with sun protection. Supergoop’s Glow Oil Body Sunscreen SPF 50 formula features skin-soothing marigold extract and grapeseed oil, which contains two times more vitamin E than olive oil for nourished, soft skin.
Ren Atlantic Kelp and Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Toning Body Oil
Ren’s moisturizing Atlantic Kelp and Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Toning Body Oil does way more than keep skin smooth-to-the-touch. The formula boasts sea salt to remove dead cells and magnesium salts to relax and soothe stressed skin. No wonder it’s a past Best of Beauty winner.
Bio-Oil Body Oil
Bio-Oil has been a favorite of Allure editors, dermatologists, and skin-care enthusiasts for years. It’s made up of a blend of soothing lavender, chamomile, and sunflower oils, plus it’s plenty powerful. According to Dr. Hibler, the oil can be used to reduce the appearance of scars, uneven skin tone, and stretch marks. The formula is also spiked with vitamins A and E, which Hibler says can boost collagen production.
Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Oil
Having scooped up an Best of Beauty Award in 2017, Kora Organics’ Noni Glow Body Oil is a not-so-secret favorite of ours. Infused with organic noni extract (an antioxidant-rich fruit native to the South Pacific islands), alongside nourishing rosehip and sunflower seed oils, it’ll leave your skin feeling baby-soft and gleaming with hydration. Best of all, it doesn’t leave behind any slippery, greasy residue.
La Mer The Renewal Body Oil Balm
We get it, $210 for a body oil seems absurd, but hear us out. La Mer’s The Renewal Body Oil Balm is a luxurious after-bath product that will make you feel rich and gleam from head to toe. The Best of Beauty-winning treatment holds a thicker, oil-like texture that’s made up of the brand’s Miracle Broth, which is a concoction of high-quality oils like olea europaea fruit oil that makes skin feel smooth as butter.
Ellis Brooklyn Salt Soothing Scented Body Oil
Love the smell of the beach? Ellis Brooklyn’s Salt Soothing Scented Body Oil is for you with its salty-floral notes of Tahitian Tiare. This light and airy treatment also features hydrating squalane and firming rosehip oil for soft yet firm skin all day long.
Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Lightweight Body Oil
You can easily find this Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Lightweight Body Oil, which was specifically formulated for dry skin, at your local drugstore. It relies on sesame oil’s nourishing powers to lock in moisture and clocks in at under $10 for an 8.5-ounce bottle. “It leaves the skin feeling soft and silky and absorbs quickly,” Dr. Peredo says.
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil
Enriched with squalane and grapeseed oil, Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil quickly absorbs into skin, giving it a subtle, healthy-looking glow. It also has a creamy, sweet, vanilla-like scent which makes it even more delightful.
SheaMoisture Daily Hydration Body Oil
You really can’t go wrong with SheaMoisture’s Daily Hydration Body Oil. This drugstore pick-up can be used as a traditional body oil, or you can add a few drops of the coconut oil-and-milk formula to your bath to really soak in the moisturizing benefits.
Nécessaire The Body Oil
Nécessaire offers several minimal skin-care products like this Body Oil, which Dr. Gabriel loves for its fast-drying and lightweight formula. It’s made with a blend of organic oils, including hydrating sweet almond, and is free of synthetic fragrances, sulfates, phthalates, and parabens.
Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Nourishing Body Oil
If you have very tired, stressed skin, this would be a good oil to pick. Sweet almond and lemon oils are lightweight and stimulating, so they have the added benefit of brightening dull complexions. And the lemon scent is a fizzy jolt that’ll boost your mood every time.
Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Body Oil
Board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre, MD, who is based in Thousand Oaks, California, loves using coconut oil as a body moisturizer. “It’s light, does a good job locking in moisture, and has good anti-inflammatory properties,” he tells Allure. Herbivore Botanicals’ Coconut Body Oil features the nourishing ingredient, along with vitamin-rich jojoba seed oil. Its delicious, tropical scent is just the cherry on top.
Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil
Anything that comes with a pump automatically gets extra credit for convenience. But the Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil is much more than just a pretty package. The formula inside — which includes olive, sunflower seed, and grape seed oils — also smooths scaly elbows and gives skin a glowy (not sweaty) look. We love keeping it in the shower and applying it while our skin is still damp.