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My favorite way to step up your skin-care game? By incorporating a body oil into your daily (ehr, nightly) regime. While there are dozens of options to choose from, keep in mind that the best body oils on the market are those that lock in moisture and deliver intense hydration—that is, without leaving a greasy residue.
As you shop for body oils, look for ones formulated with skin-loving ingredients like vitamins, ceramides, fatty acids, and antioxidants—though I’ll dive deeper into the specifics later on.
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How and When to Apply Body Oil
For optimal results, apply a few drops of body oil to damp or even wet skin (read: right after showering) to avoid moisture loss. If you have super dry or dehydrated skin, you may consider applying lotion before going in with the body oil to help seal in hydration and moisturization.
What to Consider When Shopping for Body Oil
Skin type and concerns
When shopping for body oils, consider your specific skin type, and, if applicable, concern. For example, if you have sensitive skin, your best bet is to opt for a hypoallergenic and/or fragrance-free body oil. Similarly, some body oils are also specially suited for, say, dry or dehydrated skin.
Ingredients
Look for hydrating and moisturizing staples such as argan oil, squalane, rosehip oil, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil, which are among the most common ingredients in body oils. Coconut oil is also popular; however, since it’s comedogenic (in other words, it can clog pores), it’s not the best choice for those with acne-prone skin.
The Best Body Oils Broken Down by Category
Most Popular
This best-selling body oil from Malibu-based skincare brand OSEA has won the hearts of many, including TQE editor and content strategist Hallie Katz, who tells me that she wishes she had tried this product sooner. Plus, she says, “I’m admittedly not great at keeping my body properly moisturized, mostly because I hate feeling sticky and regularly find myself running out the door after a shower. OSEA has solved all of my problems with an oil that’s equal parts lightweight and moisturizing. Bonus points for its spa-like scent that legitimately makes me feel more relaxed!” Readers, take note: The Undaria Algae Body Oil is especially unique in that it’s infused with seaweed, which is known for its powerful hydrating properties.
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Best for Dry Skin
This budget-friendly body oil is specially formulated for folks with dry skin thanks to its nourishing sesame oil-enriched formula — which is packed with vitamin E — and silky-smooth, non-greasy formula. My mother-in-law was the one who turned me onto it a few years ago, and I’ve been hooked on it ever since. I like to apply it straight after showering to lock in moisture. Pro tip: Those ultra-sensitive skin may opt for the fragrance-free version.
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Best with SPF
A body oil infused with SPF? Just take all my money. Supergoop!’s Glow Oil SPF 50 Dry Body Oil Sunscreen stands out for its non-greasy feel, glowy finish, and nourishing formula that’s loaded with vitamin E-rich ingredients like argan, grapeseed, and meadowfoam seed oils. Best of all, it’s both water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a must-have for your next trip to the beach.
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Best Lightweight
As you can guess by its name, the OUI the People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss Oil is famous for its weightless texture. But while you’ll barely feel it on the skin, don’t be fooled: It’s loaded with noteworthy ingredients, including hydrating squalane, skin-brightening rosehip seed oil, and vitamin-loaded avocado oil. Shoppers can choose from two scents (orange blossom, pictured, or cedarwood); the fragrance-free version is ideal for those with sensitive skin.
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Best Budget
Clocking in at under $10 per 8.5-ounce bottle, Palmer's Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Body Oil offers excellent bang for your buck. Its skin-loving, fast-drying formula, which is said to lock in moisture for 48 hours, won’t disappoint, either. Ingredient highlights include fatty-acid-rich cocoa butter, moisturizing vitamin E, and a slew of antioxidants to deliver intense hydration. Its subtle cocoa butter scent is just the icing on the cake.
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Best Spray Option
Designed for daily use, the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Dry Body Oil Mist is ideal for post-shower spritzing. Its nourishing and conditioning formula is enriched with 98 percent naturally derived ingredients, including fatty acid-packed oat oil and vitamin E-loaded jojoba oil. Additionally, since the body oil spray is hypoallergenic and free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes, it’s especially great for sensitive-skinned folks.
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Best Bronzing
The Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil lets users achieve a natural-looking tan without having to step foot outdoors. Suitable for all skin tones and types, this product’s tinted transfer-resistant formula, which can be used on both the body and face, is chock-full of nourishing ingredients, including moisturizing powerhouses such as coconut oil and cupuaçu butter. Its shimmery, visibly glowy finish only adds to the sunkissed aesthetic, while the fan-favorite Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Cheirosa ’62 scent is an incredible added bonus. Choose from two shades: Rio Sunset and Cococabana Bronze (pictured).
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So, whether you prefer fragrance-free varieties, tinted formulas, or an all-over glowy finish, the body oil options are seemingly limitless. And, while you’re at it, don’t forget to stock up on other equally important, editor-approved skin-care essentials, either!
