If your body lotion isn't moisturizing enough, then consider adding a body oil into your routine. Body oils can "boost moisture, deliver vitamins, and reinforce the skin barrier," says Blair Murphy Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. They mimic your skin's naturally produced sebum. Layered on top of a lotion, they seal in moisture and make skin feel soft and smooth, adds Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "They're especially helpful for those with dry, rough skin or for those looking for a glowy appearance." But any skin type can use a body oil; the key is to find the right one for you.
Our Top Picks
1
Best for Sensitive Skin
The Honest Company Lavender Infused Calming Body Oil
In fact, "some oils help to regulate natural sebum production, making them great for oily or acne-prone skin," says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Look for lightweight and non-comedogenic formulas (which won't clog pores) that include rosehip, jojoba, and hemp seed oils, Rose suggests. For dry or mature skin, turn to argan, oat, olive, and grapeseed oils, per Garshick. Instead of skimming ingredient labels to find the formulas best for you, keep scrolling; we've gathered dermatologist-approved options for all skin types.
1
Best for Sensitive Skin
The Honest Company Lavender Infused Calming Body Oil
1
Best for Sensitive Skin
The Honest Company Lavender Infused Calming Body Oil
Rose likes this hypoallergenic, gentle-enough-for-babies formula because it combines moisturizing avocado, coconut, and olive oil and has a "calming lavender scent."
It's more expensive than other options on this list
This is another of Camp's go-tos; it's fast-absorbing and lightweight, and the infused seaweed helps target loose skin for a short-term toned and lifted appearance.
This formula is a dry oil, so it instantly absorbs into the skin—no greasiness, stickiness, or tackiness left behind. Garshick says it's a great option for sensitive skin because it contains soothing and protective ingredients like camelina oil, safflower oil, glycerin, and Avène thermal spring water.
Soothe dry, itchy, or flaky skin with this vitamin-rich body oil. It's chock-full of oils, including jojoba, prickly pear, evening primrose, oat, rice bran, broccoli seed, and sea buckthorn, making it no match for uncomfortably dry skin.
Rosemary, lavender, and chamomile oils combined with vitamins E and A help smooth the appearance of newly formed scars and stretch marks while promoting a more even skin tone.
6
Best Softening
L'Occitane Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Supple Skin Oil
6
Best Softening
L'Occitane Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Supple Skin Oil
The texture of this formula, made with sweet almond oil, will make you a body oil convert on first application. It's silky, buttery, smooth—and your skin feels softer after every use.
It's more expensive than other options on this list
If you want an oil that feels as luxurious as it looks, this is it. The formula is packed with antioxidants and vitamins that offer softer, smoother, and glowier-looking skin.
It's more expensive than other options on this list
As we get older, skin becomes dry, thin, and prone to roughness and cracks in some areas. This oil helps soothe these concerns, thanks to pomegranate, moringa, grapeseed, and jojoba oils. Neroli, rose, sandalwood, and juniper berry essential oils give it a luxurious and relaxing scent.
It's more expensive than other options on this list
If you're looking to soften the look of cellulite or counteract a loss of firmness, this sculpting body oil may help. It contains sea kelp oil to support collagen production, plankton rich in fatty acids to smooth skin texture, and flax and celery seed extracts to reinforce the skin barrier. Use it alone or with a body sculpting tool for even better results.
This lightweight body oil adds nourishment and hydration without feeling heavy or sticky. It contains golden jojoba and hemp oils, which play nicely with oily skin and won't clog pores.
It's more expensive than other options on this list
"Argan oil is a great hydrator because it's rich in fatty acids, which strengthen the skin barrier to protect the skin," says Garshick. "It also contains linoleic acid, which is anti-inflammatory." Use this 100 percent pure argan oil on your body, face, or hair to tame flyaways.
Glowy skin is made easy with this formula, which contains hydrating squalane, nourishing shea and coconut oils, and tiny specks of 24kt gold that melt into your skin as you rub.
Some reviewers don't like the dropper for application
For those sensitive to scent, you'll love this fragrance-free, sweet almond-oil-based formula as much as Camp does. He recommends it because it's rich in antioxidants, minerals, and fatty acids. Your skin feels softer and smoother without feeling weighed down.
Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok