Body oils are the unsung hydrating heroes of skincare. They offer many of the same benefits of a body lotion, but they’re better at creating a barrier to lock in moisture. The best body oils are lightweight, hydrating and nourishing, without a heavy, greasy feel, like our top pick, L’Occitane’s Almond Supple Skin Body Oil, and our drugstore favorite, Shea Moisture’s Coconut and Hibiscus Body Oil.
The best body oils nourish and hydrate without feeling greasy—and can offer additional skin benefits.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Body oils deliver radiance-boosting antioxidants and over time can help strengthen the skin barrier. When shopping for the right one, look for superstar ingredients such as squalane, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid for deep, lasting hydration without irritation. After consulting with deputy editor Jane Sung and licensed massage therapist Matthew Perry, we’ve rounded up all the best body oils that soften and nourish.
Size: 3.3 ounces | Key ingredients: Almond oil, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E | Price per fluid ounce: $16.06 Best for:
Improving the appearance of stretch marks
Fast absorption
Nice scent
Skip if:
You don’t like a spray applicator
L’Occitane’s body oil consistently receives top marks for its velvety feel and satin finish. It’s made with 50% almond oil that hydrates, softens and makes skin supple, so it’s a great post-shower add-on for bare skin-season. One reviewer says it “makes you look like you’re glowing,” and many rave about the fresh almond and warm vanilla scent.
This body oil is very affordable and multi-purpose: It can be used as a post-shower skin hydrator, massage oil or luxurious spa bath addition. The texture is not sticky, and it doesn’t leave a heavy feel, but instead if absorbs well into skin rather than sitting on top. Reviewers love that this tropical-smelling oil glides on smoothly and doesn’t leave a greasy residue like some other options.
Best Luxury Body Oil
An Antioxidant-Rich Formula With Skin Benefits
Nordstrom
Retrouvé Baume Ultimate Body Oil
Size: 5.1 ounces | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, vitamin C, ceramides | Price per fluid ounce: $47.06
Best for:
Creating a healthy skin barrier
Brightening and firming
Addressing dryness and uneven skin tone
Skip if:
The price is off-putting
Retrouvé’s formula is rich and concentrated. It’s packed with ingredients like vitamin E, vitamin C, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil and bakuchiol, which work together to reinvigorate dull skin and address the visible signs of aging. In addition to its intense moisturizing properties, it treats fine lines and wrinkles, evens tone, and makes skin glowy, so you’ll want to show off skin rather than cover it up.
Maude’s cold-pressed oil is a hybrid moisturizer, massage oil and after-shower treatment. This formula is rich in fatty acids that soften, moisturize and soothe. It’s fragrance free, too, so the scent won’t clash with any lotion or perfume, and it’s not irritating on sensitive skin. Reviewers note that a little goes a long way with this one.
While this is often used as a pre-wash hair and scalp oil, it’s also a non-greasy hydrator that can transform dry skin from flaky and parched to soft and supple. It’s comprised of six botanical oils—including jojoba, coconut and macadamia nut—that are ultra-nourishing to prevent itchy, cracked skin. Sung uses it regularly and likes the pleasant scent, with notes of bergamot, vetiver and neroli, and how it’s not overpowering either.
Best Smelling Body Oil
Skin Enhancing With A Light Citrus Scent
Amazon
Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil
Size: 5 ounces | Key ingredients: Undaria seaweed, white lupin, botanical oils | Price per fluid ounce: $10.40
Best for:
Pleasing scent
Boosting elasticity
Moisturizing with a satin finish
Skip if:
You don’t like a pump applicator
Finding a body oil with a smell that is not overbearing or excessively sweet can be a challenge, but Osea’s formula’s scent—with notes of mango, mandarin, grapefruit, lime and cypress—is light and uplifting. Another favorite of Sung’s, this oil is made with algae that gives skin benefits, too. It relieves dry skin and leaves a nice glow without a slippery feel, and it boosts skin elasticity and crepiness for a more youthful appearance.
Best Oil For Stretch Marks
Dermatologist-Recommended With Clinical Results
Amazon
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
Size: 4.2 ounces | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, vitamin A, rosemary oil, chamomile oil | Price per fluid ounce: $5.13
Best for:
Decreasing the appearance of stretch marks and dark spots
Affordability
Non-comedogenic formula
Skip if:
You’re sensitive to a slightly oily feel
This cult favorite body oil has long been used by pregnant women to prevent stretch marks, and it’s also a standout for fading old and new scars and hyperpigmentation. This formula has thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon, and users say it’s hydrating and soothing on patchy, dry skin in all seasons. To note: Some say the screw cap packaging can be tricky because the oil comes out quickly.
Those with aging skin may struggle with crepiness, uneven tone and overall dullness, and Esker’s formula works to remedy all those things. It contains nourishing antioxidants—carrot seed is its star ingredient—and squalene, evening primrose and jojoba oil to moisturize, smooth, soften and make skin appear more even overall.
Best Shimmer Body Oil
Shimmer-Infused For A Healthy Glow
Amazon
Nuxe Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse
Size: 1.6 ounces | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, botanical oils | Price per fluid ounce: $20 Best for:
Illuminating finish
Nourishing and softening skin
Nice scent
Skip if:
You don’t want something with shimmer
Body oils naturally leave a sheen on skin, but this one contains micro flecks of shimmer to create an illuminating finish. It’s made with seven botanical oils that offer up to eight hours of moisturization, and the vacation-inspired scent contains notes of vanilla, orange blossom and magnolia. Nuxe’s muti-purpose oil can be used on the face and hair, too, and it’s available in roll-on form.
Best Shower Oil
Cleansing Formula That Supports The Skin Barrier
Sephora
Sol De Janeiro Delicia Drench Shower Oil
Size: 13 ounces | Key ingredients: Bacuri butter, prebiotic hibiscus, oil blend | Price per fluid ounce: $2 Best for:
Nourishing and softening skin
Oil-to-foam formula
Supporting the skin barrier
Skip if:
You don’t love fragrance
Sol de Janeiro’s beach-inspired scents are legendary among tweens, teens and adults, and for good reason. Users rave about the woody floral scent of this cleansing shower oil, which has notes of vanilla orchid, sugared violet and sheer sandalwood. This formula contains an oil blend with coconut and sunflower seed oil to nourish, prebiotic hibiscus to support the skin’s microbiome and bacuri butter to lock in moisture so skin stays hydrated throughout the day.
Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung assigned and edited this story. She oversees the beauty section and has reported on lifestyle topics for two decades.
We consulted licensed massage therapist Matthew Perry, learning and development manager at The Now, a nationwide chain of 70-plus massage and wellness boutiques, for this piece.
How We Chose The Best Body Oils
Our general approach to determining the very best body oils was to meticulously research, report on and, in some cases, test a wide variety of available body oils on the market.
We began by seeking out best-selling body oils from reputable brands, and we also considered more niche formulas from smaller, newer-to-market companies.
We took a massage expert’s insight into account when considering various body oils. We also relied on Sung’s market knowledge and longtime experience testing this product category.
We evaluated specs such as price and key ingredients in each formula.
We considered hundreds of online reviews, only including body oils that had 4-star ratings or above.
What To Consider In A Body Oil
Ingredients
Body oils are intended to be deeply moisturizing and in some cases offer extra skin benefits, but there are specific ingredients to seek out when shopping. “A jojoba and coconut oil base helps to deeply hydrate the skin, allowing for better absorption and long-lasting moisture,” says licensed massage therapist Matthew Perry, learning and development manager at The Now. He also recommends formulas containing vitamins A, C and E, as well as essential fatty acids. “Rosehip oil helps regenerate skin cells and promote collagen production, and prickly pear seed oil aids in the prevention of skin damage and supports overall skin health with antioxidants,” he says.
Perry also suggests calming ingredients such as sandalwood, reishi, and helichrysum to help soothe inflammation, reduce redness and restore balance to the skin. “Depending on skin sensitivities or allergies, it’s best to choose a clean, plant-based formula,” says Perry. “Avoid body oils with sulfates, parabens or synthetic fragrances, which can irritate the skin. Opt for oils made with organic botanicals that can be easily absorbed.”
Fragrance
Fragrance is very personal, so it’s important to find a body oil with a scent you like as it will be with you for all, or at least most of, the day. Our best overall pick, L’Occitane’s Almond Supple Skin Body Oil, has an almond and warm vanilla scent that is popular with users. Osea’s Undaria Algae Body Oil, our choice for best smelling body oil, has a light citrus scent with notes of mango, mandarin, grapefruit, lime and cypress. Nuxe’s Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse is also popular for its smell, which evokes vacation vibes with its notes of vanilla, orange blossom and magnolia.
Some body oils, like the Maude Oil, are unscented, which can be a great choice if you have sensitive skin or are layering with any sort of perfume or other beauty products that have fragrance.
Application
There is a specific time to apply a body oil for peak nourishing and hydrating effects. “It is best to use body oil right after a bath or shower, while your skin is damp, to help seal in the moisture,” says Perry. “Alternatively, you can add a few drops of body oil to your bath for a soothing soak. For aromatherapeutic benefits, find a body oil with essential oils and breathe in deeply for a moment of calm.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our pick for best body oil overall is L’Occitane’s Almond Supple Skin Body Oil for its softening properties and satiny smooth finish. For stretch marks, we like Bio-Oil’s Skincare Oil, which works to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, acne scars and hyperpigmentation. If you have exceptionally dry skin, we recommend Roz’s Willow Glen Treatment Oil. “Everyone can benefit from a good body oil to hydrate, balance and nourish the skin,” says Perry. Body oils are especially recommended for anyone living in a dry climate to moisturize and restore the skin’s natural glow. Combine a body oil with a moisturizing body lotion to double down on the benefits, locking in hydration while delivering essential nutrients to the skin.
They can both be a good fit, but they work slightly differently. “Body oils work by locking in moisture and delivering nutrient-rich ingredients into the skin,” says Perry. “Unlike water-based lotions, body oils create a protective barrier to help prevent moisture loss while nourishing the skin with antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids that hydrate and restore balance.”
In general, dermatologists recommend body oil formulas with plant-based oils like jojoba, coconut and almond oil as they are deeply moisturizing and tend to be well-tolerated. Many dermatologists recommend Bio-Oil’s Skincare Oil to reduce the appearance of acne scarring and stretch marks. If you have sensitive skin, dermatologists will tend to suggest something fragrance free, like the Maude Oil, which is also organic.
