We maintain silky smooth skin all winter, thanks to these 9 best body oils

I’ve tried enough body oils to confidently say that I have the smooth, glistening body skin of an overfed dolphin. The right one makes you look expensive, like you casually sunbathe on a private deck in Saint-Tropez even if you rely on your searing hot city rooftop for a glow. Whether you’re after a shimmer body oil for that “just got back from vacation” look, an after shower body oil to trap in every last drop of hydration, or a body oil perfume that makes people lean in and say, “Wait — is that you?” my team and I have tested them all, so you don’t have to.

Let’s get one thing straight out of the gate: body oil vs lotion is not a real debate. Lotion is fine, functional, safe, a good soldier in the battle against ashy elbows — but body oil? Body oil is an indulgence. It’s the final step before slipping into silk pajamas. It’s how you convince your skin to stop acting like it’s the dead of winter, even if it is. And if you’re hunting for the best body oil for dry skin, one that actually absorbs instead of leaving you slick like a rotisserie chicken, I’ve got you.

Below, I break down the absolute best body oils I’ve tried, whether you want a scented body oil that doubles as a signature fragrance, a tanning body oil that won’t leave you looking streaky, or an all-purpose glow-giver that makes clothes feel entirely optional. And because I know you have questions (Will it stain my sheets? Can I layer it with perfume? Will I slide off furniture?), I’ve tapped some experts to answer everything you need to know down below.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is basically the Birkin bag of body oils — timeless, luxurious, and a little bit smug about how effortlessly good it is. It’s a lightweight dry oil that absorbs like a dream, leaving your skin silky but never greasy. Infused with a mix of botanical oils (macadamia, argan, and sweet almond, to name a few), it hydrates, nourishes, and gives you that “I just got back from Paris” glow. Bonus: It doubles as a hair oil, making it a minimalist’s dream.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is the kind of body oil that makes you feel like you belong in a French film — skin glowing, hair tousled, drinking espresso on a balcony somewhere. It’s dry oil, which means it absorbs in seconds (no waiting around, no grease stains on your sheets), and it somehow works everywhere — body, face, even hair. The scent is light, warm, floral, and sophisticated. Every time I use it, I wonder why I bother with anything else.

I’m not the only one on our team who’s a fan, either. “I lather this on like water; it’s so luxurious,” said our Commerce Writer, Emma Sutton-Williams. “It was first recommended to me on a trip to Paris when I hit the drugstores, and now it can be purchased in America in select places. Perhaps my favorite aspect is the sweet, sunny smell that leaves my skin soft and dewy. I use the sparkle version in summer for a sun-kissed glow.”

Key ingredients: Macadamia oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil | Size: 3.3 oz | Fragrance: Yes

Neutrogena’s Body Oil has been around forever, and for good reason—it’s simple, effective, and smells subtly expensive despite its drugstore price. The light sesame oil formula sinks in fast, giving you a soft, glowy finish without the heaviness of thicker oils. Perfect for slathering on post-shower when your skin is still damp, it locks in moisture without leaving you feeling sticky.

This stuff is the definition of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s been around forever, and every time I try a fancy alternative, I end up crawling back. The light sesame oil scent is clean and subtly bougie, like you just got out of a very expensive shower, and it absorbs so quickly that you can put on silk pajamas afterward without regretting all your life choices. The only downside? If your skin is super dry, this might not be enough — it’s more of a maintenance oil than a heavy-duty hydrator.

Key ingredients: Sesame oil | Size: 8.5 oz | Fragrance: Yes

If your skin constantly feels like it’s begging for moisture, Formulary 55’s Body Oil is a game-changer. Packed with nutrient-rich oils like avocado, sunflower, and coconut, this formula deeply hydrates without feeling heavy or suffocating. The blend of essential oils gives it a subtle botanical scent — fresh and natural, never overpowering. It’s the kind of body oil that actually soaks in rather than just sitting on top, leaving you feeling silky rather than sticky. Perfect for layering under lotion if you need extra hydration or using solo when you just want to drench your skin in goodness.

“For those with very dry skin, I can’t recommend Formulary 55 nourishing body oils enough. I’ve tested the Sea Salt & Sage, Jasmine & Merigold, and Palo Santo & Oud, and I love them all,” shares Holly J Coley, Commerce Updates Editor. “Each has rosehip oil and vitamin E — two ingredients that are excellent for skin repair. The consistency is on the thicker side, which I like since my epidermis is like the Sahara Desert, but it may be too heavy for oily skin types. Smell-wise, I like the Jasmie & Merigold the most, but most people will tell you to go with the Sea Salt & Sage, which I wear more frequently. It’s a little lighter, smells rich, and layers well beneath other products.”

Key ingredients: Avocado oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil | Size: 4 oz | Fragrance: Yes

If you want that lit-from-within glow without looking like you lost a fight with a glitter bomb, Typology’s P90 Shimmering Dry Oil is the move. Infused with Vitamin C for a brightening boost and a blend of five organic botanical oils (jojoba, apricot, sunflower, camellia, and buriti), this formula hydrates while delivering a soft, luminous sheen. The shimmer is subtle (think radiant goddess, not middle school body glitter), and it absorbs quickly without a greasy finish. Bonus: the Vitamin C actually works to improve skin tone over time, so you’re not just looking glowy, you’re becoming glowy.

This is not your early-2000s body glitter trauma resurfacing — this is grown-up glow. I’ve been burned by shimmer body oils before, but Typology’s is different. The glow is subtle but undeniable, like your skin just happens to be naturally radiant. It’s hydrating but not greasy, and the Vitamin C is a nice touch because if I’m going to shimmer, I might as well be improving my skin in the process. I’ve worn this on nights out, beach days, and under a blazer just to see if it made me feel more expensive (it did). If you want glow without the glitter mess, this is the one.

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, jojoba oil, buriti oil, sunflower oil | Size: 3.4 oz | Fragrance: Yes

For those who need hydration but can’t risk irritation, Aveeno’s Body Oil Mist is a winner. Infused with oat and jojoba oil, it soothes and softens skin without heavy fragrances or harsh additives. The fine mist application is a nice touch, making it easy to apply without overloading your skin.

For the people whose skin throws tantrums over everything, this one’s for you. Aveeno’s oat-infused oil mist is so gentle it could probably calm a nervous chihuahua. It’s lightweight, fragrance-free (minus the faint oat scent), and actually hydrates without leaving behind a greasy film. The mist application is also fun; you get to pretend you’re misting yourself with something luxurious instead of just fighting off ashiness like the rest of us.

Key ingredients: Oat oil, jojoba oil | Size: 6.7 oz | Fragrance: No

Body oils and acne-prone skin usually don’t mix, but Clearstem’s BODYSTEM Stem Cell Body Oil is built for it. Packed with non-comedogenic, fast-absorbing oils like hemp seed, jojoba, and green tea, this formula hydrates without clogging pores or triggering breakouts. The real magic? It’s infused with stem cells and antioxidants to help soothe inflammation, fade post-acne scars, and keep your skin barrier strong. It leaves a soft, satiny finish — zero grease, zero regrets.

This body oil is magic. It hydrates without suffocating my skin, absorbs fast enough that I’m not sticking to my sheets, and has the added bonus of making any age-old body acne scars look way less noticeable. The texture is silky but weightless, and I don’t feel like I’m walking around marinating in oil. If you’ve avoided body oils because of breakouts, this is the one that’ll change your mind.

Key ingredients: Hemp seed oil, jojoba oil, green tea extract | Size: 3.4 oz | Fragrance: No

Saltair’s Santal Bloom Body Oil is not just a hydration hero — it’s a full-on body oil perfume moment. The sandalwood-forward scent, balanced with creamy florals and a hint of warmth, smells like a chic boutique hotel lobby in the best way. Beyond the fragrance, the lightweight formula absorbs beautifully, thanks to nourishing marula and squalane oils, leaving your skin hydrated and subtly radiant. If you want your body oil to double as a signature scent, this is it.

“To me, body oil is the most luxurious of all body moisturizers, and the one from Saltair in Salt Water Vanilla has been a favorite since I’ve tried it,” shared Coley. “It absorbs super fast and doesn’t leave a greasy residue on my clothes. Its smell is sweet and warm — sort of a sandalwood mixed with vanilla type fragrance. My skin is very dry, so I sometimes mix it with body butter, but other days, I’ll just apply a bit to my shoulders and chest for a moisturizing layer of scent.”

Key ingredients: Marula oil, squalane, meadowfoam seed oil | Size: 3.4 oz | Fragrance: Yes

Tan-Luxe’s Wonder Oil is what happens when a self-tanner and a luxury body oil have a beautiful, bronzed baby. It’s packed with nourishing raspberry seed oil, jojoba, and vitamin E, so it hydrates while giving you an even, streak-free tan that develops over a few hours. The rollerball applicator makes it impossible to mess up (seriously, no weird patchy ankles), and unlike most self-tanners, it smells good, like warm skin and summer, not like burnt biscuits.

I have trust issues with self-tanners. One wrong move and you’re a streaky, orange mess who smells like a haunted bottle of DHA. But this — this is different. Tan-Luxe Wonder Oil is so foolproof that even applying it half-asleep won’t result in disaster. The rollerball applicator is genius and the color is buildable and natural-looking. Somehow, it hydrates instead of drying my skin into a sad, patchy situation. Yes, it’s pricey, but so is fixing a bad tan.

Key ingredients: Raspberry seed oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E | Size: 5.07 oz | Fragrance: Yes

Vacation’s Chardonnay Oil is not your average tanning oil—it’s infused with actual chardonnay grape seed oil, making you feel like a sun-kissed heiress sipping white wine on a yacht. It gives you that deep, bronzy tan while keeping your skin drenched in hydration, plus it smells like luxurious vacation days rather than your typical coconut sunscreen overload. Just don’t forget to wear SPF underneath unless you want to age like a leather handbag.

If I’m going to risk premature aging in the name of a good tan, it better be a luxurious experience—and Vacation’s Chardonnay Oil delivers. This isn’t your typical greasy drugstore tanning oil; it’s infused with actual chardonnay grape seed oil, which somehow makes lying in the sun feel like a rich-person activity. The texture is silky, the glow is instant, and the scent? It’s giving sipping crisp white wine on a yacht while wearing a designer bikini. Just be warned — there’s no SPF, so unless you want to look vintage in the bad way, layer some sunscreen underneath and pretend you’re being responsible.

Key ingredients: Chardonnay grape seed oil, coconut oil, vitamin E | Size: 3.4 oz | Fragrance: Yes

FAQs

What is a body oil?

According to Marina Peredo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in aesthetic dermatology and associate clinical professor at Mount Sinai Hospital with 31 years of experience, body oil is a skincare product recommended to be used on the skin (specifically, below the neck) as treatment or prevention of dry skin.

“It’s formulated with the ingredients extracted from natural sources such as fruit or vegetable seeds, which give the product a smooth texture,” she notes.

What are the benefits of using a body oil?

Though body oils instantly transport us to a serene spa, these indulgent formulas have some skin benefits. “A body oil can help combat extremely dry skin, especially because the skin tends to get dryer in the summer from being in the sun, swimming in chlorine pools,” Peredo highlights. This can make the skin look “ashy.”

Body oils are extremely moisturizing as they combat dryness and improve the appearance of the skin.

When should I use a body oil, and how often?

The best time to use a body oil? Like your favorite body lotion or body butter, Peredo recommends applying your favorite formula following your shower when the skin is moist to help lock in moisture. And yes, you can use it daily.

“Body oil, unlike lotion, penetrates the skin very deep and leaves you feeling moisturized all day,” she adds. “Using a body oil in the summer will also give your skin a nice glow.”

What ingredients should I look for in a body oil?

Much like your go-to toner or facial exfoliator, ingredients to scope out depend on your skin type. Peredo highlights what ingredients to look for in a body oil for each skin type:

• Acne-Prone Skin: Look for body oils with tea tree or coconut oil because they are lighter and won’t break you out. Note that patients with acne-prone skin should use body oils with caution, avoiding areas that are especially acne-prone, like the back and chest.
• Oily Skin: Look for body oils with jojoba oil to help balance your oil production and avoid leaving a greasy residue on the skin. Argan oil is also beneficial for oily skin because it can balance your skin’s sebum levels.
• Dry Skin: Look for body oils with avocado oil because it is heavier and will moisturize the skin more intensely.
• Combination Skin: Look for body oils with flaxseed oil, jojoba oil and marula oil because they will keep the skin moisturized while also preventing oil and breakouts.
• Sensitive Skin: Look for fragrance-free body oils, as fragrance can cause a reaction.

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