Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use body oil?
Body oil can leave your skin feeling soft and glowy while simultaneously moisturizing and strengthening your skin barrier, says Michele Green, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. They offer long-lasting hydration for all skin types without stickiness, grease, or waxy residue, unlike denser body lotions, Dr. Green adds. “Many people might assume that using a body oil would do the opposite and cause the skin to feel greasy, but body oils tend to be fast-absorbing,” she explains.
Still, absorption can depend on the specific formula and the skin type in question. Morayo Adisa, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago, breaks it down further by comparing how oils, lotions, and creams function across the hydration spectrum: “Body oils are smooth, slick, slow-absorbing liquid topical skin-care products that leave a glowing sheen on the body, while lotions are lightweight, hydrating, and fast-absorbing topical moisturizers great for normal to dry skin, and creams are thicker, deep moisturizers that help protect the skin barrier and are great for very dry skin areas.”
Head-to-toe elixirs are especially essential in warmer weather, since oils can replenish any moisture lost due to heat and other causes. “Being in chlorine pools, the beach, and the sun over the summer can leave our skin feeling dry and dull,” New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD, notes.
What is the best firming body oil for older skin?
The best firming body oils for older skin typically contain ingredients focused on moisture retention and increased collagen production. As Corey Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama, told Allure, you’ll want to keep an eye out for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin for the former, and retinol for the latter. He also pointed to oils rich in fatty acids (such as sunflower oil and rosehip oil, “which can help rebuild the skin’s lipid matrix”), as well as peptides and ceramides for firming. Our top picks include OSEA’s Undaria Algae Body Oil, which is filled with amino acids and antioxidants that can boost elasticity, and Nécessaire’s The Body Oil, which is formulated to visibly improve tone and texture through ingredients such as capsaicin (which increases circulation).
Meet the experts
- Michele Green, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Marina Peredo, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Morayo Adisa, MD, a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist and medical director at Dermatology Physicians
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, a Birmingham, Alabama-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best body oils, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
