Looking for a new way to nourish your skin? Make using body oil part of your daily self-care ritual. Made of botanical oils and silky emollients, body oils transform the act of moisturizing into something sensual and deeply pampering. They’re exceptional at locking moisture into the skin, especially when it’s still damp.
We’ve curated a list of body oils that are sure to please, complete with smooth textures and additional skin benefits. No matter your budget, skin type, or preferences, you’ll discover your next post-shower companion.
Best body oils overview:
- Best overall: Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
- Best budget: Neutrogena Body Oil Fragrance-Free
- Best for dry skin: Johnson’s Shea & Cocoa Butter Baby Oil
- Best splurge: Kora Noni Glow Body Oil
- Best SPF: Supergoop! Glow Oil SPF 50
- Best firming: Ole Henriksen Firmly Yours Toning Dry Body Oil
- Best for sensitive skin: Avène Skin Care Oil
- Best smelling: Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Firmeza Oil
- Best shimmering: Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil
- Best anti-aging: Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil
- Best organic: Kopari 100% Organic Coconut Melt
How we chose the best body oils
To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including ingredients, unique benefits, and more, to create a short list of the top body oils. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best body oil for each category.
Our picks for the best body oils
You’re probably already familiar with Bio-Oil, famous as a remedy for stretch marks and scars. In addition to helping improve those skin concerns, it’s also an excellent moisturizing and smoothing body oil that’s also reasonably priced. It’s made with a base of moisture-sealing mineral oil, along with a few emollients that keep it feeling light and pleasant, plus vitamin E for a touch of antioxidant protection.
The formula also includes retinyl palmitate, a gentle vitamin A derivative that offers some skin-renewing action. The combination of moisturization, protection, and renewal is exactly what the skin needs to look and feel smoother. However, the added essential oils in the formula may slightly increase the risk of irritation, which could be an issue for some shoppers.
Main ingredients: Mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, vitamin E, sunflower oil | Benefits: Fades scars and stretch marks, occlusive | Size: 2 fl oz
Neutrogena’s Body Oil is a little different from others on this list. It’s a two-in-one that works as a leave-on or wash-off body oil. This formula also includes an emulsifier that allows it to rinse off with water. It’s not exactly a full cleansing oil, but it partially rinses off, which is a bonus if you don’t like feeling oil on your skin. It makes for a wonderful in-shower treatment, and you can also use it as an easy-to-clean bath oil.
The star ingredient is sesame oil, which is lightweight, moisturizing, and rich in antioxidants that can protect the skin from damage. The only other emollient is isopropyl myristate, a texture enhancement that improves oil penetration while preventing an oily feel. Because it’s fragrance-free, it’s a reliable choice, even for reactive skin.
It comes in a sizable bottle, so it’s a budget-friendly option, but the flip-top style cap can leak, so be careful with storage.
Main ingredients: Sesame oil, isopropyl myristate | Benefits: Moisturizing, antioxidant, rinseable | Size: 8.5 fl oz
It may not feel particularly luxurious, but if your goal is to keep your skin moisturized on a budget, you can’t go wrong with this classic body oil. Made with mineral oil, this formula is as occlusive as oil can be, which means it’s incredible at locking moisture into the skin. Use it when your skin is still damp post-shower, and you’ll understand what we mean.
In addition to mineral oil, this version also includes cocoa and shea butters which contribute a delicious scent and some additional skin-nourishing benefits. It’s an affordable, rich option, but it can feel greasy since there are no texture enhancers in the blend.
Main ingredients: Mineral oil, shea butter, cocoa butter | Benefits: Occlusive | Size: 6.5 fl oz
This splurge-worthy body oil is made with a blend of precious oils, rich in beneficial components. Rosehip seed oil is the base, famous for its incredible benefits of skin-smoothing, wrinkle-fighting, and brightening vitamin A. It’s paired with noni extract, which has also been shown to help minimize the look of fine lines.
Sea buckthorn and sunflower seed oils offer even more antioxidant protection while lightly moisturizing the skin. It’s an excellent choice if you’d like a lightweight oil that’ll load your skin up with anti-aging components.
Main ingredients: Rosehip oil, noni extract, sea buckthorn oil, sunflower oil | Benefits: Wrinkle-fighting, brightening | Size: 3.38 fl oz
This protective body oil will keep you safe from the sun while giving your skin a glow. As a sunscreen, it’s top-tier with broad-spectrum 50 SPF protection that’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, which is even powerful enough for active beach days. The oil formula is easy to spread, so you may need to apply more product than you think in order to achieve the full protection level.
As an oil, the base is silky, skin-conditioning caprylic/capric triglyceride, which never feels greasy. Botanical oils like grape seed and meadowfoam add their own skin-nourishing and antioxidant touch.
Main ingredients: SPF filters, caprylic/capric triglyceride, grape seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil | Benefits: Sun-protection, antioxidant | Size: 5 oz
Love peptides in your facial care? Your body might enjoy some skin-firming benefits as well. This citrusy body oil contains a blend of peptides and white lupin extract to support the skin’s strength and elasticity. In a clinical study, researchers found that this formula firms the skin in just eight weeks of consistent use.
As for oils, it features lightweight emollients like squalane and coco caprylate/caprate, along with antioxidant-rich Scandinavian berry oils. The texture is non-greasy, it absorbs quickly, and effectively moisturizes and softens. That said, some reviewers mentioned that while they enjoyed the product, they had problems with the lid staying on.
Main ingredients: Peptides, sweet white lupin extract, elderberry, black currant & cloudberry oils | Benefits: Firming, moisturizing, antioxidant | Size: 3.4 oz
Made with Avène’s famously soothing thermal spring water and a blend of rich, reparative oils, this is a wonderful body oil for anyone with sensitive or compromised skin. The blend includes smoothing shea oil, antioxidant safflower oil, and fortifying camelina oil that work together to moisturize, protect, and strengthen the skin.
Despite these nourishing ingredients, this formula is silky and dry-feeling thanks to the addition of lighter emollients. While it does contain a light fragrance, it’s gentle enough to not pose an issue for most users. That said, not everyone enjoys the scent.
Main ingredients: Shea oil, thermal spring water, safflower oil, camelina oil | Benefits: Barrier-repairing, soothing | Size: 3.3 oz
This exquisite body oil is one of our favorites when it comes to both experience and results. The formula is luxurious — it feels moisturizing but non-greasy thanks to its blend of light oils and emollients. Sol de Janeiro’s signature caramel and pistachio scent elevates the experience and leaves you smelling delicious.
It also offers some real skin benefits, including the potentially firming touch of caffeine-rich guaraná. That said, this body oil’s advertised depuffing effect was tested in combination with lymphatic drainage massage, which is a massage technique likely to reduce swelling regardless.
Main ingredients: Guaraná extract, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sunflower oil, olive oil | Benefits: Moisturizing, firming | Size: 3.38 oz
If you’re looking for the best body oil for glowing skin, this is our top choice. This body shimmer oil nourishes the skin with jojoba and sweet almond oils for a touchably soft feel. There are also a few synthetic emollients in the blend to prevent uncomfortable greasiness.
It spreads easily, covering every inch with a delicate, finely-milled glitter for a subtle glow that’s more noticeable in the sun. It has a sweet coconut-vanilla scent that lingers without being overwhelming.
Main ingredients: Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil | Benefits: Shimmering, lightly moisturizing | Size: 1.5 oz
This seaweed-infused oil has an all-natural formula that combats signs of early aging. The main oil in it is sunflower oil, rich in skin-soothing linoleic acid and vitamin E.
The star anti-aging ingredient, however, is undaria pinnatifida, a type of seaweed known for its robust antioxidant protection and ability to reverse some of the noticeable signs of photoaging. This oil has an intoxicating grapefruit scent that lingers gently and adds to the overall experience.
Main ingredients: Sunflower oil, undaria pinnatifida | Benefits: Antioxidant, wrinkle-fighting | Size: 9.6 fl oz
If you want to keep it all-natural and organic, Kopari’s Coconut Melt is a nourishing dream. Made simply with 100% organic coconut oil, it’s not particularly complex, but it’s still worth the splurge. The coconut oil is ethically sourced from a family-run farm, and it’s cold-pressed to preserve the maximum amount of nutrients.
While you could save by picking up a food-grade organic coconut oil, we find that those can turn gritty over time, which isn’t an issue with this high-end melt. Plus, it’s available in a few different scents should you want a fragrance, or stick to unscented if your skin is sensitive. Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature, keep in mind you’ll have to melt it between your hands before rubbing it on, and it can feel a little greasy.
Main ingredients: Coconut oil | Benefits: Moisturizing, soothing, antioxidant | Size: 5.1 fl oz
All in the oil
Our skin’s natural barrier relies on oils to stay intact. This is why body oils are unsurpassed at fortifying and protecting the skin. Our top pick, Bio-Oil, combines the moisture-binding benefits of mineral oil with the antioxidant power of vitamins E and A, all at an accessible price point and with an elegant texture. That said, with so many different body oils with exotic natural formulas or heavenly scents and unique benefits, you can’t go wrong with any option on our list.
How to pick the right body oil for you
All body oils can help moisturize your skin, but to find the one you’ll enjoy the most, make sure to consider the unique benefits, your own skin type, and the texture of the oil.
Benefits
- Softening. Almost all oils are emollient, which means they have an immediate softening effect that’s perfect when your skin feels rough or dry.
- Occlusive. Occlusives like mineral oil and shea butter effectively seal moisture into the skin, so they’re best used immediately after a shower, especially if your skin feels dehydrated. Lighter oils can also help occlude the skin, but not as dramatically.
- Soothing and repairing. If your skin is sensitive, some oils are rich in fatty acids that are known to help soothe and repair the skin, like linoleic acid in sunflower oil and safflower oil, alpha-linolenic acid in rosehip oil, and lauric acid in coconut oil.
- Antioxidant-rich. Plant-derived oils are often full of antioxidants like vitamin E, beta carotene, and more. Antioxidants protect the skin from external forces like pollution that can cause damage, helping to keep the skin looking young and firm.
Skin type
- Dry. Rich body oils with occlusive ingredients like mineral oil do the best job of combating dryness, but even lighter-feeling oils can help to condition your skin.
- Oily. Look for light-feeling body oils with ingredients like lightweight emollients or plant oils like sunflower or grape seed oil.
- Balanced. Most light to medium oils will help maintain the moisture levels in your skin without feeling heavy.
- Sensitive. If your skin flares up easily, body oils can offer a lot of comfort. Look for gentle formulas without fragrances or essential oils.
Texture
- Dry. Most body oils are dry oils, thanks to the addition of texture-enhancers like capric/caprylic triglyceride. They have a velvety feeling on the skin, but they still moisturize well.
- Medium. Formulas without texture enhancers can feel oily. They leave more of a sheen on the skin, which some users love while others find it greasy. Choose these if you want a more natural formula or if you like feeling a bit of residue on the skin.
- Thick. Some body oil ingredients like coconut oil or shea butter are solid at room temperature, so they can feel quite thick. You may need to rub them in before they’ll melt, and like medium oils, they often leave more of a sheen.
FAQ
What body oil do the Kardashians use?
While you’d expect a family of celebrities like the Kardashians to use nothing but luxury products, that’s not necessarily the case. In the past, Kim and Khloé Kardashian expressed their love for Bio-Oil, which is our top pick, while Kylie Jenner mentioned purchasing organic plant oils from Amazon. That said, the Kardashians often switch things around, so don’t feel obligated to stick to just one body oil.
What oils are good for the skin on your body?
From luxurious rosehip seed oil to accessible mineral oil, many oils are excellent for the skin, including sunflower oil, safflower oil, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, and others. In general, the best plant oils have a fatty acid composition that is non-disruptive to human skin, with a lower amount of oleic acid.
What’s the best body oil for mature skin?
While all of the body oils on our list are excellent for mature skin, our picks from Osea, Kora Organics, and Ole Henriksen contain ingredients that help visibly reduce signs of aging.