Top 12 Body Oils for Nourished, Glowing Skin

Top Pick

Tatcha's Hinoki Body Oil, from their renowned Japanese-inspired collection, Forest Awakening, combines the serenity of nature with skin-loving ingredients. Infused with a blend of cedar, hiba, and hinoki oils, alongside nourishing olive, rice bran, jojoba, coconut, and argan oils, this body oil leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and deeply hydrated.

The refreshing, earthy scent is soothing and subtle, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a lighter fragrance. Plus, the body oil is wonderfully light, absorbing quickly into the skin. While it provides noticeable hydration and a rejuvenated feel, it doesn't offer as much shimmer as other oils in the market.

Key Ingredients: Cedar oil, hiba oil, hinoki oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil | Scent: Fresh forest aroma | Size: Available in 1 oz and 3.4 oz bottles

Top Budget Option

Dr. Mraz advises focusing on body oils with vitamin E for skin barrier health, which is abundant in the cost-effective Jason 5,000 IU Vitamin E Skin Oil. This oil also includes a variety of plant oils like sunflower and safflower, providing long-lasting moisture. However, it’s quite rich, so you may need to wait a few minutes for it to fully absorb before dressing.

Although labeled as unscented, this oil has a faint almond-like fragrance due to its blend of essential oils. Be cautious when traveling, as the bottle can sometimes leak. That said, the formula is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, making it a solid choice for those avoiding these additives in their skincare routine.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, safflower seed oil, rice bran oil, avocado oil, and sweet almond oil | Scent: Unscented (with subtle almond notes) | Size: 4 oz

Best Luxury Option

For those seeking a luxurious body oil, Mara's Sea Sculpt Body Oil features the brand’s exclusive algae blend, sustainably harvested and rich in phytonutrients and fatty acids that keep the skin plump and even. Presented in an elegant blue glass bottle with a convenient plastic pump, it also contains a blend of nourishing ingredients like sunflower, castor seed, and grapefruit peel oils. The oil provides lasting moisture but feels lightweight and absorbs beautifully, leaving the skin soft without any greasy residue.

This body oil is both vegan and gluten-free, and Mara is a Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free brand. Additionally, when purchasing from the Mara website, you can opt to pay a small extra fee to offset your carbon footprint, making your order carbon neutral. A minor consideration: the oil has a faint yellow tint that won’t show on your skin, but it could leave a mark on light fabrics or towels if not fully absorbed.

Key Ingredients: Algae blend, sunflower seed oil, castor seed oil | Scent: Woodsy/Citrus | Size: 4.06 oz

Best for Dry Skin

The Yuzu Solid Body Oil from Eminence Organics stands out as a semi-solid alternative to traditional body oils. Its texture is less messy than liquid oils, making it perfect for travel. To apply, simply take a small amount with clean fingers and rub it between your palms to warm it up. With nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil, a little goes a long way.

This oil is versatile, suitable for use on the entire body or for targeting particularly dry areas like elbows and heels. It also contains lactobionic acid, which gently exfoliates flaky skin. However, its semi-solid form does require warming between your hands before every use, which may be inconvenient for those with busy routines.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, green tea leaf, algae, and lactobionic acid | Scent: Citrus | Size: 5 oz

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Bio-Oil features jojoba oil, a light yet potent ingredient that Dr. Karp recommends for acne-prone skin, as it closely mimics the skin's natural oils. Along with jojoba oil, it includes rosehip oil, rich in vitamins A and C, which act as antioxidants. Together, these ingredients help maintain a balanced complexion without any greasy residue.

The formula is non-comedogenic, making Bio-Oil less likely to clog pores or cause breakouts compared to thicker oils. It's also favored by individuals looking to diminish the appearance of scars and uneven skin tone. This oil absorbs easily into the skin, leaving no sticky finish, and has a light floral fragrance.

Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, rosehip oil | Scent: Floral | Size: Available in 0.9, 2, 4.2, and 6.7 ounces

Best for Mature Skin

The OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil features undaria seaweed, rich in vitamins, which is infused with hydrating oils like babassu and sunflower seed. This combination helps to visibly reduce skin imperfections and boosts elasticity, making it an ideal choice for aging skin. Additionally, this luxurious moisturizer offers a refreshing citrus scent that lingers throughout the day.

This calming hydrator is housed in a chic frosted glass bottle equipped with a pump top for easier, mess-free application. However, you might find that this product takes a little longer to absorb into the skin compared to some other options. That said, OSEA is a Leaping Bunny-certified, cruelty-free brand, and all of their products, including this body oil, are vegan-friendly.

Key Ingredients: Undaria seaweed, babassu oil, sunflower seed oil, and acai | Scent: Citrus with hints of mandarin and cypress | Size: 1, 5, and 9.6 ounces

Ideal for Sensitive Skin

For those with sensitive skin, opting for unscented body oils like the vegan Bolden Unscented Shea Butter Oil is a wise choice. The formulation includes only shea butter and vitamin E, both of which are unlikely to cause irritation. These ingredients work in tandem to hydrate your skin while enhancing its tone and texture.

Bolden, a cruelty-free brand, sources its shea butter from ethically harvested shea nuts in West Africa. Though the oil carries a faint scent of shea butter, there are no added fragrances. Although this oil is gentle overall, individual reactions may occur. Dermatologists suggest patch-testing the product on a small area, like your inner forearm, to ensure it doesn't cause irritation or redness before widespread use.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter and vitamin E | Scent: Unscented; also offered in a sweet vanilla scent | Size: 3.4 and 16.9 ounces

Ideal for Shower Use

Soaps can leave your skin feeling dry, so if you often experience tightness or itching after a bath, or if you just prefer a smoother experience in the shower, consider switching to the Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil. This soap-free, oil-to-foam cleanser is gentle and non-comedogenic, making it suitable for all areas of the body, including the face. It also contains glycerin and niacinamide to help protect and strengthen your skin’s barrier.

This rinse-off oil comes in a convenient plastic bottle with a pump top, and the 1-liter size is perfect for long-term use. In addition to being an excellent body wash, it doubles as a great alternative to shaving cream. While some may appreciate the product’s floral fragrance, those with sensitive skin or a preference for unscented products might want to try a smaller size first before committing to the larger 1-liter bottle, just to check for irritation.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, fatty acids, lipids | Scent: Fresh | Size: 3.4, 6.7 and 33.8 ounces

Perfect for a Shimmery Glow

Nuxe Shimmering Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse combines perfume, makeup, and body oil all in one elegant glass bottle. Once applied, it leaves the skin hydrated, with a golden shimmer and the delightful scent of orange blossom, magnolia, and vanilla. This vegan formula includes nourishing oils like argan, macadamia, and sweet almond, along with a touch of rosemary leaf extract.

While this product imparts a beautiful shimmer, it remains non-greasy, making it suitable for use on the body, face, and hair. However, if you’re prone to breakouts, you might want to be cautious when applying it to your face. Despite its luminous effect, this body oil comes with a higher price tag, but the radiance it offers is well worth the cost.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil, macadamia oil, sweet almond oil, and rosemary leaf extract | Scent: Orange blossom, magnolia, vanilla | Size: 3.3 ounces

Most Adaptable

The Vacation Chardonnay Oil SPF 30 stands out as one of the most distinctive choices here. It offers the moisturizing and luminous effects of a body oil, combined with reliable sun protection for sunny days. This product includes calming bisabolol, vitamin E, jojoba oil, and shea butter, and like all Vacation items, it’s vegan and Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free.

When using Chardonnay Oil for sun protection, make sure to reapply it at least every two hours — or more frequently if you’ve been sweating or swimming. The SPF is provided through chemical sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene. Those with sensitive skin should consider testing a small amount before applying it generously to ensure it won’t cause any irritation.

Key Ingredients: Chardonnay grape seed oil, bisabolol, shea oil, passionfruit seed oil, marula seed oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E | Scent: Champagne-inspired with notes of ginger, peach, vanilla, cocoa, and musk | Size: 3.4 ounces

Final Thoughts

Our top pick for body oil is Tatcha Hinkoi Body Oil, a luxurious moisturizer that combines soothing ingredients such as rice bran, jojoba, coconut, and argan oils. It’s beautifully packaged in a glass bottle with a pump top for convenient use. If you’re on a budget, JĀSÖN Vitamin E Skin Oil offers great quality for under $10, though its rich formula might not be the best for acne-prone skin.

How to Shop for Body Oil Like a Pro

Key Ingredients 

When choosing body oils, Dr. Mraz advises looking for formulas that feature ingredients that support the skin’s barrier. "The skin barrier defends deeper skin layers from external irritants and helps to regulate hydration by preventing moisture loss," she explains. Some key ingredients that protect the skin barrier include fatty acids, lipids, ceramides, vitamin E, and antioxidants.

Dr. Karp suggests opting for body oils that contain jojoba oil as a primary ingredient, as its properties are "similar to our own natural oils." He also recommends choosing products with rosehip oil, which is rich in vitamins A and C, offering antioxidant and skin-supporting benefits.

Scent

When it comes to scented products, whether it's perfume or body oil, the choice of fragrance is ultimately up to your personal preference. However, if you have highly sensitive skin, it's recommended to opt for fragrance-free options to avoid irritation. To reduce the risk of a reaction, both doctors advise doing a patch test on a small area of skin before applying any new product all over.

Application

While most body oils are designed to be applied all over your body, some require a bit more effort. For example, the Eminence Organic Yuzu Solid Body Oil comes in a solid form, meaning you'll need to rub it in a little more before application. If you're short on time, you might prefer oils that are more liquid, which can be sprayed on and absorbed without the extra effort.

Questions You Might Ask

What are the advantages of using body oil?

Body oils help to lock in moisture, making them perfect for replenishing dry skin. According to Dr. Mraz, “After a shower, when the skin is clean and freshly exfoliated, is the best time to nourish it with body oil.” He adds that skin tends to lose moisture during a shower or bath, so applying oil afterward helps restore that lost hydration. A key advantage of body oils is the subtle shine they leave behind, offering a radiant, dewy finish.

How frequently should body oil be applied?

It’s recommended to apply body oils, creams, or lotions after a bath or shower to effectively lock in moisture. Dr. Karp suggests, though, that you can use it throughout the day if you prefer. However, be cautious not to apply too much if you have acne-prone or oily skin, as heavier oils can block pores.

Is body oil superior to lotion?

If you’re torn between choosing a body oil or a lotion, remember that neither is inherently “better” than the other. Dr. Karp explains, “A body oil has less water content and is excellent for locking in moisture, absorbing quickly compared to creams or lotions. A cream contains more water than oil, and a lotion has the most water content. Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference regarding the consistency you prefer.”

However, if you have oily, acne-prone skin, it's better to stick with creams or lotions since body oils may worsen the problem by clogging your pores. Dr. Mraz advises those with this concern to choose an oil-free lotion or cream instead. “If you're prone to acne, avoid using oils on your face, especially those made for body use,” she cautions. “Body oils generally contain heavier, more comedogenic oils than those designed for facial use.”

Trust Our Recommendation

This article was written by Andrea Pyros, a writer for Mytour with extensive experience in covering topics related to beauty, health, and wellness. In her search for the best body oils, she analyzed ingredient lists, prices, fragrances, textures, and absorption. She also consulted with two board-certified dermatologists: Dr. Anna Karp from New York City, and Dr. Deanne Mraz, president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut, to gather expert insights on selecting the right body oils.