Best Body Oils: 8 Gorgeous Formulas for Soft, Glowing Skin All Winter

As soon as the heating goes on, skin starts to feel tight, dull and itchy. Body lotion helps, but a good oil does something lotion cannot: it seals in moisture and leaves skin with a soft, satin glow that lasts all day. This guide to the best body oils covers eight current best sellers, from a drugstore classic to luxe firming formulas, so you can find the right texture, scent and finish for your skin.

Every pick appears on Amazon’s Premium Beauty or Beauty best-seller lists, or is the best-selling body oil from a well-known brand. Below you will find a quick overview, a comparison table, a closer look at each oil with an honest drawback, and a guide to choosing and applying body oil without feeling greasy.

The Best Body Oils at a Glance

• Best Overall: NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
• Best Budget: Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula
• Best for Scars and Stretch Marks: Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
• Best Fragrance-Free: Biossance 100% Squalane Oil
• Best Lightweight Almond Oil: L’Occitane Almond Body Oil
• Best Firming Oil: Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Firmeza Body Oil
• Best Glow Oil: OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil
• Best Splurge: ELEMIS Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend

Quick Comparison

The 8 Best Body Oils for Soft, Glowing Skin

These are the best body oils across every price level. We list what each brand says about its formula, who it suits and who should skip it.

1. NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil

The French cult classic earns the top spot because it does everything well. NUXE says its vegan formula blends seven botanical oils with omegas 3, 6 and 10, offers antioxidant protection and long-lasting hydration, and can be used on face, body and hair. The dry-touch texture leaves a satin finish rather than a slick, and the scent has notes of vanilla, magnolia and orange blossom.

Best for: anyone who wants one bottle for skin and hair. Skip it if: you prefer fragrance-free skin care.

2. Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula

This drugstore staple has been around for decades for a reason. The light sesame oil glides on easily, absorbs quickly and leaves skin soft and silky, according to Neutrogena. You can smooth it onto damp skin after a shower, use it as a massage oil or add it to bath water, and the 8.5-ounce bottle lasts a long time.

Best for: budget-conscious shoppers and anyone who wants a big bottle for daily use. Skip it if: you dislike any fragrance; it has a light, subtle scent.

3. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil

Bio-Oil is one of the best-known body oils in the world. The brand says it is clinically proven to help improve the look of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone, and the formula includes vitamin E, chamomile oil and lavender oil. It is lightweight, non-comedogenic, vegan and paraben-free.

Best for: scars, stretch marks and uneven tone. Skip it if: you want an all-over luxury glow; it is more treatment than pampering.

4. Biossance 100% Squalane Oil

If you have sensitive skin, this is the pick. Biossance makes its squalane from sustainable sugarcane rather than shark liver, and the brand says it mimics skin’s natural moisture, absorbs quickly without greasiness and works on face, body and hair. Squalane is a stable, lightweight emollient, which is why it shows up in so many skin care formulas.

Best for: sensitive, reactive or acne-prone skin. Skip it if: you love a scented ritual; this one is about pure hydration.

5. L’Occitane Almond Body Oil

L’Occitane’s almond collection is famous for its soft, nutty scent. This body oil is described as fast-absorbing, lightweight, non-greasy and vegan, with a smoothing, beautifying effect on skin. If you already love the brand’s almond shower oil, this is the natural next step.

Best for: anyone who wants a light everyday oil with a comforting scent. Skip it if: you have a nut allergy; check the ingredient list first.

6. Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Firmeza Body Oil

Sol de Janeiro’s firming oil is scented with Cheirosa 62, the brand’s pistachio and salted caramel fragrance. It combines a guaraná caffeine complex to visibly firm, Brazilian açaí oil to nourish and micro algae extract to depuff. The brand says a clinical study showed 24 hours of nourishment after one use.

Best for: fans of the Bum Bum Cream scent who want a firming oil. Skip it if: you dislike sweet fragrances.

7. OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil

OSEA soaks hand-harvested undaria seaweed in botanical oils to create this rich but quick-absorbing oil. The brand reports that after one use, testers saw improvements in moisture and skin elasticity, and the citrusy scent mixes grapefruit, lime and cypress with mango-mandarin notes. Apply it to damp skin to lock in moisture.

Best for: an all-over glow and anyone who loves clean, citrusy scents. Skip it if: natural color variation in skin care bothers you; the brand notes batches can vary.

8. ELEMIS Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend

Our splurge pick is a long-time favorite for stretch-mark care. ELEMIS blends camellia oil, sweet almond oil and vitamin E to nourish, condition and soften skin, and the brand also suggests it for nails, hair and scalp. It absorbs easily and feels nourishing without heaviness.

Best for: anyone focusing on skin elasticity. Skip it if: you want a big bottle for daily all-over use; this is a premium treatment.

How We Chose the Best Body Oils

Following our editorial policy, we started with Amazon’s current best sellers in body oils across the Premium Beauty and Beauty stores, kept trusted brands, read every product page and used only the claims each brand makes. We then spread the picks across price levels, from a budget drugstore oil to splurge-worthy treatments, and avoided repeating the main picks in our luxury body care guide.

How to Choose a Body Oil

The best body oils all lock in moisture, but texture, scent and extras vary a lot.

Dry oil or rich oil?

“Dry” oils such as NUXE and L’Occitane sink in fast and feel almost powdery, so you can get dressed right away. Richer oils like OSEA and ELEMIS feel more nourishing and suit very dry skin or evening use.

Scented or fragrance-free?

Scented body oils double as a light fragrance. If your skin is sensitive, choose a fragrance-free formula like Biossance squalane, and patch test anything new.

Look for useful extras

• Vitamin E: an antioxidant that also helps keep oils stable.
• Squalane: lightweight and well tolerated by most skin types.
• Caffeine: often used in firming formulas.
• Shimmer: some oils add a light glow for bare legs and shoulders.

How to Apply Body Oil the Right Way

1. Apply to damp skin. Right after a shower, pat skin lightly and smooth on oil while it is still damp; the water helps the oil spread and absorb.
2. Use less than you think. A few pumps cover legs and arms; add more only to dry spots like knees, elbows and shins.
3. Massage in upward strokes. It feels good and helps the oil sink in.
4. Wait a minute before dressing. Dry oils need about a minute; richer oils a little longer.
5. Layer for very dry skin. Apply oil first, then a body cream on top in winter.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying to completely dry skin. It can feel greasy and sit on the surface.
• Using too much before bed. Oil can transfer to sheets; let it absorb first.
• Slipping in the shower. Shower oils and body oils make tubs slippery, so rinse the floor after use.
• Storing in a hot, sunny bathroom. Heat and light can make oils go rancid faster; keep the cap closed and the bottle out of direct sun.

FAQ About the Best Body Oils

Is body oil better than lotion?

Neither is better; they work differently. Lotion adds water and moisture, while oil seals it in. Many people use both in winter: oil first on damp skin, lotion on top.

Can I use body oil on my face?

Some, like NUXE Huile Prodigieuse and Biossance squalane, are designed for face and body. Check the label before using any body oil on your face.

Do body oils clog pores?

It depends on the formula. Look for non-comedogenic oils, like Bio-Oil, if you are prone to body breakouts.

When should I apply body oil?

Right after a shower or bath, while skin is still damp, is the most effective time.

Final Thoughts

For most people, NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is the best all-rounder, Neutrogena’s sesame oil is the best budget buy and ELEMIS Japanese Camellia is the splurge for stretch-mark care. The best body oils turn a quick post-shower step into a small daily ritual. Pair your oil with a matching scent from our best body mists or a warm fragrance from our best fall perfumes, and keep hands soft with our luxury hand creams. Explore more self-care ideas in our wellness section.