Body oil quick picks
Everyday: Bio-Oil Skin Care Oil
Shimmering: Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil
With SPF: Vacation Shimmer Oil SPF 30 Sunscreen
Body oils are a great way to level up your skin care routine from top-to-toe, especially during the warmer months. Summertime is all about looking glowy, and incorporating body oil is a surefire way to take care of your skin all while looking effortlessly luminous. I like to think of body oil as the final step of getting ready, and no summer look is truly complete without it.
Benefits of using a body oil
If you’re building your summer body care product lineup, ideally it would include some iteration of the following: body lotion or cream, sunscreen and body oil.
Dr. Renée Snyder, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, Texas says, “Body oils can penetrate our skin deeper, improve our skin barrier and enhance the absorption of other active ingredients.” She explains the difference between body oils, creams and lotions by specifying that “creams or lotions hydrate the skin but they generally stay on the surface and may need to be reapplied more frequently to maintain moisture level.”
Dr. Elizabeth Hale, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist, emphasizes that “people with dry skin may prefer a body oil over a lotion, as oils provide moisturization and create a protective barrier to help minimize transepidermal water loss. From an aesthetic perspective, oils often leave more sheen on the skin compared to lotions and creams, which many people prefer.”
What to look for in a body oil
Like most skin care and body care, it all depends on your own personal needs and goals. Snyder mentions that ingredients like jojoba oil “mimic our skin’s natural sebum and hydrates our skin. Grapeseed oil is a lighter oil that is rich in antioxidants.” Many body oils are also scented, so look for ones that will complement the kind of fragrances you usually wear. Hale advises to “look for an oil that includes antioxidant-rich ingredients such as vitamin E for added skin-protective benefits. If you have acne-prone skin, look for an oil that is non-comedogenic.”
How to apply body oil
For body oils in particular, there are a few key times to incorporate the step into your routine. Snyder points out that “optimal absorption occurs when the body oil is applied to damp skin to lock in moisture. After showering is the ideal time.” The dermatologist also says applying oils before bed and after exfoliating are good times.
As for application tips, Snyder recommends cleaning the skin, exfoliating (“Removing the dead skin allows better penetration of the oil.”) and warming it up between the palms of your hands. Then, “Massage into the skin, and give it a few minutes to soak in to maximize benefits and not ruin your outfit!”
Hale says it’s important to focus on drier areas of your skin to ensure maximum efficacy. Another technique Snyder highlights is layering different body oils or applying on top of body lotion for intense levels of hydration. She notes that “Massage techniques also help promote circulation with gentle upward strokes. Regular application and consistency yield better results for skin hydration and improvement.”
Editors’ favorite body oils
This French oil is a cult favorite for leaving skin silky, soft and smelling a touch sexy too. Associate editor Lindsey Smith calls it her holy grail beauty product, and beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw is also a longtime fan. The spray is a dry oil that can be used on the face, hair and body.
A reliable body oil you can pick up at the drugstore, Bio-Oil is an expert and editor favorite. Recommended by Hale and Shaw, it's a multi-use product that can deeply nourish your skin, treat scars and stretch marks, all while adding an extra layer of glow.
According to Shaw, this body oil leaves skin glowing, not greasy, and smells amazing. Made with sunflower seed, coconut and candlenut oils, it has a light, tropical scent from plumeria flower, freesia, bergamot and jasmine.
This dry oil is a personal favorite of mine. It is lightweight enough for everyday use and leaves my skin feeling super soft and smelling incredible.
Shaw says this body oil is like liquid gold — it'll make you feel rich thanks to its special blend of Amazonian ingredients and its intoxicating scent. Slightly earthy and exotic, the fragrance comes from breu branco resin, sourced from trees rich in antioxidants. It also features wild-harvested kaya, a fatty acid rich in vitamin E and selenium that helps tighten and tone the skin.
Available in two scents, plus an unscented version, Shaw loves this glossy body oil that doesn't leave a residue on the skin. In addition to safflower seed oil, it contains squalane, rosehip seed oil and avocado oil. Shaw recommends layering the Orange Blossom scent with your favorite floral perfume to enhance the fragrance.
Best body oils
A physician-formulated body oil, Snyder recommends this to her patients. It consists of 11 oils, including organic jojoba and rosehip seed, to soften and strengthen the skin.
Loved by beauty experts, this body oil absorbs beautifully and has a fresh, citrus scent. Besides the botanical oil blend, it has antioxidant-rich Undaria seaweed that strengthens the skin's moisture barrier.
Scented with Bulgarian lavender, this lovely body oil provides a dose of aromatherapy to help you relax. Not only does it feel amazing to massage into the skin, but the lavender fragrance is a proven stress-reliever.
Made with 100% sustainably sourced ingredients and a recyclable glass bottle, this body oil is kind to you and the planet. Its hero ingredient is guarana, which supercharges the skin with firming caffeine.
If you're not a fan of getting your hands greasy, this oil stick is the solution. It's a multi-purpose solid moisturizer that you can apply mess-free to your face, body or hair.
Shimmering body oils
“I’m a big fan of Vacation’s SPF body oils, particularly the new Shimmer Oil SPF 30," Hale says. "It’s a great way to nourish your skin while adding a beautiful glow and broad spectrum protection."
Another pick that packs a one-two-punch of SPF and shimmer, Sol de Janeiro's formula has a dry oil feel once it's rubbed into the skin. Plus, it leaves behind just a hint of shimmer and a beachy scent.
If you’re looking for a delicious-smelling, super luxe body oil, this is it. This oil smells warm and spicy while delivering all the benefits of jojoba seed oil, olive oil and safflower seed oil, along with an unmatched gleam.
Embody the essence of Italian summer thanks to this glowy body oil. The citrus-woody scent combined with the jojoba, olive and safflower oils make this an ideal summer body oil.
