9 Body Oils That Are So Good They May Replace Your Go-To Lotion (2024)

Black Friday Deals

TL; DR

The Mara Algae + Moringa Sea Sculpt Body Oil is our top choice overall, delivering tons of lightweight, long-lasting hydration without any greasy residue. The Saltair Nourishing Body Oil also has a beautiful, moisturizing feel and is a great pick for those who want a fragranced option; it comes in five different scents.

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Flax and celery seed, kelp sea oil, plankton | Scent: Light, fresh | Size: 4.06 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our all-around favorite is this lightweight yet deeply hydrating option. Samantha, our tester with dry skin, was thoroughly impressed with how much moisture it imparted—and how long that moisture lasted, too. (That’s thanks to a base of sunflower seed and castor oils, coupled with squalane as well.)Despite that, it wasn’t the least bit greasy and absorbed beautifully. It improved the texture of her dry skin too, leaving it feeling smoother and softer. While it is fragrance-free, it does have a naturally light and fresh scent (it actually might be a little too light for those who want a more scented product). It’s especially great for the warmer, summer months, though our takeaway was that those with extra dry skin might want an oil that’s just ever-so-slightly thicker during the winter.

Samantha, tester with dry skin: “There’s soft, and then there’s silky-soft, and that’s just how I would say this oil makes my skin feel—silky soft. It feels like a real gem and a treat for your skin.”

Key Ingredients: Sesame seed oil | Scent: Fragrance-free | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Nab this winner at the drugstore if you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a body oil. The big caveat: We found that it was super important to follow the product directions and apply it on damp skin post-shower, rather than on dry skin. Doing so made it feel much more hydrating and also helped it absorb even quicker than it would otherwise. Also worth noting: It’s fragrance-free, which Gabriella, our tester with balanced/sensitive skin, really appreciated. However, just keep in mind that the moisturizing benefits didn’t last as long as other options. Still, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better body oil at this price point.

Gabriella, tester with balanced/sensitive skin: “I'd recommend the product to someone who enjoys a stacked post-shower routine that would integrate the oil into their body-care lineup.”

Key Ingredients: Hinoki oil blend | Scent: Woody, earthy | Size: 1, 3.8 oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes

As a general rule of thumb, any body oil will be a good choice for those with very dry skin, but this one was particularly hydrating. Gabriella was quick to call out that the change in moisture in her skin was immediate. And while it’s an oil, it’s very thick and rich, transforming into almost a balm-like texture as you work it into the skin. Plus, not only is it very moisturizing, that moisture also lasts and lasts. FYI, the woody, earthy scent is pretty intense; we likened it to one that was very spa-like. It’s appealing, for sure, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance it may be slightly too overpowering.

Gabriella, tester with balanced/sensitive skin: “I definitely noticed an immediate difference after applying this oil. My skin was very soft and silky.”

Key Ingredients: Squalane, rosehip seed and avocado oils | Scent: Fragrance-free (+2 others) | Size: 3.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For those who may be a little hesitant about trying a body oil, this is the perfect entry-level product. It’s so lightweight that Gabriella noted she actually had to reapply quite a bit in order to notice a change in hydration, although it did leave skin feeling softer right away. Want more moisture? You can easily add more to up the ante and/or consider layering it over a body lotion. While it may not be the best pick if you have very dry skin, this is a great option for anyone seeking a featherweight feel.

Gabriella, tester with balanced/sensitive skin: “I love how buildable this is. This is a product I'd keep at my desk to use for hydration touch ups throughout the day while knowing that it won't stain my clothes. Its lightweight feel allows you to really play with the amount you're using.”

Key Ingredients: Safflower seed oil, borage oil, sesame seed oil | Scent: Mild, citrusy | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

To be fair, any body oil will impart a pretty, dewy finish, but we were especially pleased with how gorgeously glossy this one was. Samantha noted how aptly named this winner was, lauding the beautiful, dewy glow it offered. A subtle-yet-refreshing citrus scent was also a nice plus. And while it didn’t impart quite as much smoothness as some other winners, it still did an excellent job at locking in moisture without ever feeling, well, oily. Credit a trio of safflower seed, borage, and sesame seed oil, all of which are rich in essential fatty acids.

Samantha, tester with dry skin: “I'm not sure what I like most about this product—the fact that it not only makes my skin feel good, but look more dewy and more hydrated as well, or the subtle and fresh scent.”

Key Ingredients: Kukui, cacay, moringa, karanja oils, squalane| Scent: Earthy (+6 other options) | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This is the perfect pick for those who like their products to have a delicious fragrance. So much so that we deemed it an awesome alternative for people who may not want to wear perfume but still want to smell good. We tested the Santal Bloom variant, which has an earthy, sophisticated scent, although it’s worth mentioning that this comes in four other options as well; whether you like earthy, fruity, or floral fragrances, there’s a choice for you. But don’t worry, it moisturizes beautifully as well. And because the formula is slightly thicker, a little goes a long way. Just note that it does take a bit longer to absorb than other options we tested, so it can feel a bit oily on the skin for a few minutes.

Samantha, tester with dry skin: “This works double-duty to make your skin feel good and smell really good. It's like two products, a scent and a moisturizer, in one.”

Key Ingredients: Botanical oil blend, undaria seaweed | Scent: Citrus | Size: 1, 5.6, 9 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Thick and rich, we deemed this perfect for applying before bedtime. The heavier feel was also why a little bit went a long way; even just one pump delivered plenty of hydration and plumpness. But to that point, it definitely does take a little bit longer to absorb and fully soak into skin, another reason to reserve it for P.M. purposes. Another reason to make it a part of your nighttime routine? The soothing, citrus scent (which, it bears mentioning, is entirely naturally-derived.)

Gabriella, tester with balanced/sensitive skin: “This was the heaviest and richest of the oils. I personally loved it because it made me feel like the product was deeply-infused with great hydrating properties. Immediately after application, my skin felt plumped and hydrated.”

Key Ingredients: Argan, grapeseed, and meadowfoam seed oil | Scent: None | Size: 1, 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You probably (read: hopefully) are diligent about using sunscreen on your face every day, but what about on your body? That’s equally as important, which is why we appreciate that this winner has built-in SPF—making it easier and more enjoyable to check that daily sun protection box. Samantha also loved how incredible it left her skin feeling—soft and hydrated but not overly greasy or heavy. It also had a lightning-fast absorption time. The only minor drawback? It does smell a little bit sunscreen-y, although that wasn’t a huge deterrent. But it’s worth mentioning that it relies on chemical sunscreen ingredients, which can potentially irritate those with sensitive skin.

Samantha, tester with dry skin: “I normally don't wear sunscreen on my body, but this product offered sun protection, hydration, and a nice glow, so ALL of my bases were covered!”

Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil | Scent: Almond | Size: 3.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Keep this on hand for your next massage. Rich and decadent, it has a truly luxurious feel—and packs tons of moisture to boot. Plus, that moisturization is not only immediate, it’s also long-lasting; Gabriella noted that her skin felt hydrated throughout the entire day. (Credit the use of sweet almond oil, one of the top oils our experts recommended. Keep reading for more on that point.) That being said, this formula is definitely on the thicker, oilier, slightly greasier side and didn’t absorb very quickly. It’s part of the reason why we deemed it best for a massage, though you could also try using it at bedtime and letting it soak in overnight.

Gabriella, tester with balanced/sensitive skin: “I like that it felt like a true massage oil that you could slowly work into the skin. It felt like a very decadent experience.”

FAQ

• What’s the difference between body oil and body butter?

  “Body butter is a thicker, greasy formulation that blends oils into thickeners such as shea butter or cocoa butter,” explains Dr. Newman, adding that they’re best for addressing very dry, cracked hands and/or feet. Dr. Yadav adds that they may also take longer to absorb into the skin than body oils.

• What’s the best way to apply body oil?

  “It's ideal to apply body oil to clean, damp skin right out of the shower. The oil will help seal that water into the skin, promoting lasting hydration,” says Dr. Yadav. “Otherwise, there's no ‘best’ way, just apply it all over, as you would a lotion, concentrating on drier areas.”

• What oils are best to use on your body?

  Both experts we spoke with cite jojoba oil as one of the top picks, noting that its composition is very similar to that of our skin’s natural oil so it won’t feel heavy or clog pores. If you need lots of moisture, Dr. Newman recommends argan or coconut oils, both of which are richer. (However, avoid coconut oil if you’re prone to breakouts, as there’s a good chance that it can clog pores, Dr. Yadav cautions.) She also likes sweet almond and grapeseed oils, as they’re also not too heavy but do impart plenty of moisture.