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These Softening Body Oils Will Convince You to Add One to Your Routine

Shop options for all skin types—yes, even oily.

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best body oils

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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
    Undaria Algae Body Oil

    Best for Loss of Firmness

    Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil

    $16 at oseamalibu.com
    Read more
  • 2
    Lavender Infused Calming Body Oil

    Best for Sensitive Skin

    The Honest Company Lavender Infused Calming Body Oil

    Read more
  • 3
    Tai Body Oil

    Best for Dry Skin

    Sade Baron Tai Body Oil

    Read more
  • 4
    Sea Sculpt Body Oil

    Best for Cellulite

    Mara Sea Sculpt Body Oil

    Read more
  • 5
    The Body Oil

    Best Fragrance-Free

    Nécessaire The Body Oil

    Read more


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 Loss of Firmness

Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil

Undaria Algae Body Oil
$16 at oseamalibu.com$140 at Amazon
Credit: Osea
Pros
  • Helps promote firmer-looking skin
Cons
  • 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.

2
Best for Sensitive Skin

The Honest Company Lavender Infused Calming Body Oil

Lavender Infused Calming Body Oil
Credit: The Honest Company
Pros
  • Gentle formula
  • Affordable
Cons
  • None

Rose likes this hypoallergenic, gentle-enough-for-babies formula because it combines moisturizing avocado, coconut, and olive oil and has a "calming lavender scent."

3
Best for Dry Skin

Sade Baron Tai Body Oil

Tai Body Oil
Credit: Sade Baron
Pros
  • Soothes dry and flaky skin
  • Fragrance-free
  • Hypoallergenic
Cons
  • None

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.

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4
Best for Cellulite

Mara Sea Sculpt Body Oil

Sea Sculpt Body Oil
Credit: Mara
Pros
  • Helps make skin feel and look tight and firm
Cons
  • 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.

5
Best Fragrance-Free

Nécessaire The Body Oil

The Body Oil
Pros
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Great for sensitive skin
Cons
  • 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.

6
Best Softening

L'Occitane Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Supple Skin Oil

Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Supple Skin Oil
Pros
  • Great texture
  • Moisturizing
  • Sweet scent
Cons
  • None

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.

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7
Best for Glowing Skin

Kopari Beauty Golden Aura Body Oil

Golden Aura Body Oil
Pros
  • Boosts glow
  • Reduces redness
Cons
  • Some reviewers say it makes skin look shiny

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.

8
Best for Mature Skin

UMA Oils Absolute Anti-Aging Body Oil

Absolute Anti-Aging Body Oil
Credit: UMA Oils
Pros
  • Moisturizes dry, cracked skin
Cons
  • 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.

9
Best for Oily Skin Types

Esteli Verano Body Oil

Verano Body Oil
Credit: Eseli
Pros
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Small bottle

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.

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10
Best for Scars

Bio-Oil Skincare Body Oil

Skincare Body Oil
Now 25% Off
Credit: Bio-Oil
Pros
  • Smooths appearance of scars
  • Evens skin tone
  • Affordable
Cons
  • May not see a difference on old or keloid scars

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.

11
Best Multitasking

Josie Maran 100 Percent Pure Argan Oil

100 Percent Pure Argan Oil
Credit: Josie Maran
Pros
  • Multipurpose
Cons
  • 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.

12
Best Lightweight

Avène Skin Care Oil

Skin Care Oil
Pros
  • Fast-absorbing formula
  • Light texture
  • Multipurpose
Cons
  • None

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.

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13
Best Splurge

Tata Harper Revitalizing Anti-Aging Body Oil

Revitalizing Anti-Aging Body Oil
Pros
  • Packed with vitamins
  • Increases glow
Cons
  • 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.

14
Best Scent

Tatcha Hinoki Hydrating Body Oil

Hinoki Hydrating Body Oil
Pros
  • Relaxing scent
Cons
  • If you're senitive to fragrance, you may not like this option

This scented oil, made with hinoki wood essential oil, is meant to calm your mind as it locks in moisture and makes skin feel smooth.

15
Best Sustainably-Sourced

Biography Sea Chrome Revitalize Body Oil

Sea Chrome Revitalize Body Oil
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Nourishing
  • Great scent
Cons
  • It's more expensive than other options on this list

Biography face oils are beloved by makeup artists and celebs alike. Let’s just say Sharon Stone calls them “caviar for the skin”. Now, the brand is conquering dryness from the neck down with their new body oil enriched with hydrating (baobab, argan) and skin-tightening (guarana seed oil) ingredients. It’s lightweight seamlessly seeping into skin and smells deliciously fresh with a crisp combo of seaweed, green tea, Lily of the Valley, and vetiver notes.

Headshot of Genesis Rivas
Genesis Rivas

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

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