Body Balms Are My Hot Girl Summer Essential—These 10 Give Me the Glossiest Legs
Deep hydration and a silky shine.
I’ve become a bit of a body care obsessive recently, and I love to tell everyone about it. I have completely leveled up my pre- and post-shower routines to include the best oils, soaps, and fragrances on the market because I truly believe that taking the time for self-care is a small everyday luxury. As the summer continues to heat up, I want my entire body glistening, and that’s why I’ve been on the search for the best body balms that money can buy.
“Body balms are one of my favorite ways to support the skin barrier, especially for dry, dehydrated, or mature skin,” celebrity esthetician Melissa Fox tells me. “Unlike lighter body lotions, which contain more water, body balms are more concentrated and rich in nourishing oils, butters, ceramides, and occlusive ingredients that help lock in moisture.”
As someone who doesn’t like feeling sticky after applying my products, the best body balms for me are well-fragranced without being too heady, lock in moisture, and keep me looking supple and hydrated all day long. They need to toe that line between working alone and seamlessly blending into the rest of my routine when I’m feeling extra. Sometimes, they even replace my body lotion altogether. It’s a tall order, but of course, I have a fabulous roster of body balms that I have been researching and testing, so if you’re also in your glowy skin, pink lip gloss, and vibes era, keep reading for the ones that should be on your radar this season.
Eau Rihla is one of the most underrated scents from Diptyque, but if you don’t want to splurge on the perfume just yet, the body balm is your next best bet. A gorgeous blend of butters is perfumed by the leather, iris, and cedarwood scent that Eau Rihla is known for. If you want to make it last even longer, use it as a perfume primer and apply it to your pulse points before spraying your perfume.
An almond butter and oil combination is the star of this luxe L'Occitane formula that you'll never want to put down. A few additional ingredients, such as shea butter, triglycerides, and more, keep the formula emollient without feeling too heavy, making it perfect for any skin type.
My mom is the one who introduced me to Oak Essentials, and this body balm is one of the best things that I've discovered from the line. Sea buckthorn, coconut oil, and cocoa butter are the key ingredients in this formula, and a bit of body heat will turn it into a gorgeous occlusive oil that will make your skin glow all summer long.
If you want a lighter, more pliable body balm, Osea has you covered. If you know anything about this brand's body care products, then you'll know that this formula is as effective as it is fun to use. Seaweed and a combination of oils flood the skin with moisture, leaving behind a lit-from-within glow that will have all eyes on you this summer. Tack on the pump packaging for anyone who identifies as a germaphobe (me), and you have a winning body balm.
Cyklar’s In-Shower Body Oil Balm is packed with ceramides, coconut seed butter, and oils like jojoba and sweet almond, but somehow it remains incredibly lightweight. Even though it’s marketed to be used in the shower, you can absolutely use this product in your regular skincare routine and get the same, glowy results as you would post-bath.
If you prefer your balm to travel with you, Jones Road’s Hippie Stick will be right up your alley. This sunflower, coconut, and castor oil blend comes in a convenient stick applicator you can simply twist up, apply, and toss in your bag for easy touch-ups throughout the day.
Aesop consistently has some of the chicest care formulas on the market, and this Geranium Leaf Body Balm is no different. This one's for the scent-obsessed, particularly if you like green, aromatic notes, but don't worry; the actual formula of the balm is also fantastic. A combination of nut oils, plant butters, and other nourishing ingredients like glycerin is combined in the most elegant, shelfie-worthy packaging. The best part? This scent is unisex, so this balm makes for a fantastic gift.
If you're a fan of French pharmacy products, then you're likely well aware of the brand Avène. Still, this Melt-In Balm feels like one of the more gate-kept products from this line, so I'm here to sing its praises. Safflower, shea oil, vitamin E, and the brand's signature thermal spring water are all featured in this balmy formula. As with most of this brand's products, it's perfect for dry, irritated skin, so if you have eczema, this might just become your new go-to.
I grew up using Palmer's products, but the brand's recent refresh has locked me in again. One of the newer products I've discovered is the body balm featuring the brand's signature coconut oil, paired with vitamin E, shea butter, and even sunflower seed oil. You'd think that kind of nourishment would be extremely pricey, but this balm is less than $11, which is a steal if you ask me.
What's fragrance-free, great for sensitive skin, and comes in a sleek tube for easy, on-the-go application? Dorē's Le Baume, of course. Castor oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E are all featured in this formula, and, as with many of my favorite French beauty products, it can be used all over the face, on the lips, and even on your cuticles without any irritation.
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Meet the Expert
Celebrity Master Esthetician Melissa Fox is the founder of and visionary behind Flawless by Melissa Fox in Miami and West Palm Beach. Having trained under the legendary dermatologist Dr. Frederic Brandt, Melissa has spent the last two decades blending true, corrective, science-based results with bespoke client experiences, a hallmark of her Flawless practice.
