Summer always has the habit of creeping up on us. And if your legs and limbs are too in need of some hydration as we transition seasons, allow our edit of the best body oils to come to the rescue.
Don’t get us wrong, there’s a special place in our hearts for body lotions too, of course. But when it comes to post-winter skin rehab, a body oil can really work some luxurious magic.
Intense hydration aside, the right formula will rapidly absorb into your skin, which means less downtime before you can get dressed or jump into bed.
But, like all beauty products, not all body oils are built the same. While some will turn you into a shiny, glazed ham, others will leave you with a lightweight, antioxidant-rich, nourishment that works as the perfect alternative or partner to your regular moisturising routine.
Here are our seven fail-safe body oils for a guaranteed glow all year-round.
Clarins Anti-Eau Body Treatment Oil
We say: We know, $70?! But trust us, you get what you pay for. Bursting with powerful, natural ingredients, this formula helps to minimise puffiness and leaves skin dry to the touch and satin-soft. It contains vitamin A, E, geranium and hazelnut oil, and is one of the closest things to liquid gold.
You say: “The oil feels light and luxurious and smells beautiful with citrus tones (it is a French product after all). I believe this is more packed with skin-nourishing elements beyond average body oils.” – Herrikadrizzle
$84 at Myer
Neutrogena Body Oil (Sesame Formula)
We say: A budget fave, Neutrogena’s lightweight body oil works like a dream. Use it to moisturise damp skin post-shower or try adding a few drops into your bath for some full body nourishment.
You say: “My skin has never felt softer, even on the days I don’t apply the product. My elbows are especially loving this product.” – Nove
$8.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Garden of Wellness Nourishing Body Oil Honey Citrus
We say: And the crown for ‘best-smelling body oil’ on the market goes to Garden of Wellness. With a formula combining pure Aussie honey myrtle oil with an array of antoxidant and omega-rich plant oils, prepare for the most hydrated, sweet-smelling skin of your life.
$39.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Read more about the Garden of Wellness Nourishing Body Oil Honey Citrus
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturising Body Oil
We say: Palmer’s is no stranger to blessing dry skin with a cocoa butter-rich hit of moisture. Watch as stubborn dry, scaly patches disappear and supple, glowing skin is left in its place.
You say: “I do a lot of swimming, being outdoors so my skin is often quite dry. I love love love the scent, the sweet cocoa smell is perfect. The oil easily absorbs into my skin, leaving it feeling super hydrated and soft.” – Peta908
$9.69 at Chemist Warehouse
Dermalume Rejuvenation Therapy Neck and Décolletage Firming Oil
We say: If you’re looking to do some rehab on your neck and décolletage specifically, this is the oil for the job. As a body area that’s often exposed (and let’s be honest, neglected) this antioxidant-rich blend is ready to get to work reviving and firming the skin. It contains frankincense oil, rice bran oil, sea-buckthorn oil, and 11 other active oils, and the brand is locally based in Melbourne.
$58 at Dermalume
Read more about the Dermalume Rejuvenation Therapy Neck and Décolletage Firming Oil
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Oil Mist
We say: If you think you don’t have time for a body oil (we get it, they can be messy), allow this quick-dry mist to change your mind. Conveniently packaged for fast application and with a deeply hydrating formula that leaves the greasy after-feel at the door, it’s the lazy gal’s answer to body oil.
$9.74 at Chemist Warehouse
Read more about the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Oil Mist
Clémence Organics Ultimate Body Oil
We say: If you’re prone to sensitivity, this organic pick provides deep hydration without irritation. Camellia and jojoba oils take care of the moisturising task, while calendula soothes to ensure skin comfort. It contains no artificial fragrance but carries a subtle scent from the blend of chamomile and lavender essential oils.
$74.99 at Clémence Organics
Read more about the Clémence Organics Ultimate Body Oil
Main image credit: @summerfridays
Do you use a body oil? If so, which is your favourite?
I have to check out some of these. I’m suprised Biooil didn’t make the list.
Me too, I use it on my legs in winter but i’m a bit unsure of using an oil in summer. I use sunscreen instead and that does the trick.
I wouldn’t want to fry!
Thank you <3
My skin does need a glow
I just got Caudalie Divine Oil and it is so nice! Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is also really great.
Both those brands are fabulous! Cheaper if you buy them from online French pharmacies!
I would love to try the clarins and loccitane oils .
yes they woud be lovely I would think although a bit pricey
Yes to L’Occitane!
Thanks for the list, I’ll have to try some of them out
I have only tried Palmers from this list and it’s amazing
I looooved using body oils when I was pregnant. They helped so much with the belly itching and felt nicer and easier to spread out on my huge belly!
I had such itchy skin when I was pregnant! Turns out I had cholestatis!
I haven’t tried any of the mentioned products but I’ve been using a Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate and Argan Oil which is quite nourishing.
I haven’t used a Crabtree and Evelyn product in years! I didn’t know they were still around!
I prefer to use creams or lotions, they feel richer and more moisturising to me.
Some nice sounding ones here. Sesame in the Neutrogena one sounds different
Haven’t heard of a lot of these…
nice at night after a shower
That’s when I’d use them! Never when I’m out in the Sun!
i find palmers cocoa smells great but its really quite greasy, the Nutrogena one is lovely but smells a bit weird. love to try loccitane for a splurge
I think that we have the Garnier one but I was not too fond of it. I think that it is stilll around the house somewhere.
Some lovely body oils here. I love to try the Essano body oil.
Palmers and Sukin I will try. good list here.
would like to try one, only hesitant about it being too oily.
I currently have a Nivea body oil which I don’t use regularly but I do like it. I’ll be using it more now that it’s getting colder and my skin gets more dry
I use Palmer coco butter formula every day.It is perfect for dry legs.
The Shea oil sounds my thing
I sometimes use coconut oil on my body before I go to bed but have never used a body oil before.
Neutrogena’s body oil makes a great daily cleanser too!
I like adding my own combination of aromatherapy essential oils to a carrier oil.
That sounds nice.
That is a great idea, for personalised body oil formulation!
These all sound great, but it’s hard to beat Clarins for body products.
I love Clarins products too.
I’ve got the Palmer’s Body Oil here to try as part of my Glosscars prize pack. I’m going to have to let it set before getting dressed.
Rebecca223 & Annabella8400 below, marked as spam.
Palmer’s Oil, I love you!
I like using moisturising body oils
I need that Aveeno oil mist. Keep forgetting to pick one up.
I aways wonder if “oil” makes your body feel greasy??
I wonder about this too Normap
I find my skin absorbs oil really well -these are really light
The Dermalume one sounds nice!
When I do use body oil it’s mostly for my legs
I have the Palmers one, I won it with a heap of Palmers products from BH a while ago.
They have good practical products and pried really well -nice prize
I absolutely love the Body Shop’s Monoi radiance oil.
No, but I would love to sample Clarins oil.
I would like to try Clarins oil.
There are some lovely choices there with the realistic prices too .
I’ve tried the Palmers and it smells great. Would love to try the Dermalune and Clemence Organics.
I haven’t tried any of these. Might do so over the summer.
The Palmer’s one is lovely, nice and light and smells wonderful
I’ve used the Palmer’s oil & just bought the Neutrogena one to try 🙂
I love body oils so much. My skin loves them so much. My favourite so far is Linden Leaves Memories – Their body oils are amazing.. and smell so elegant
I don’t at the moment but after reading some reviews of the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Oil Mist want to try it.
Not big on oils, although some of these sound lovely. If I bother with a oil then it’s good old coconut oil out of a jar, something I can use all over.
These sound amazing!
My body really needs some hydration. Working on it though.
BH the Palmer’s isn’t cocoa butter-rich hit of moisture. It is scented that way. I got caught a few years ago after purchasing it online. It is actually Soybean, Sesame & Safflower Oils.
I tend to use body oils in winter.
Want to try Aveeno one listed.