The 10 Best Drugstore Body Oils Keep My Skin Moisturized and Impossibly Glowy
Supermodel-worthy legs under $20.
I think of moisturizers in terms of seasons: Winter is for rich body butters, spring and fall are for classic lotions, and by the time summer rolls around, I’m all about a body oil—especially an affordable drugstore option.
I'm also m not the only one who appreciates the lightweight emollients: Dermatologists are fans, too. Not only can body oils help you hydrate by locking in moisture, but they also create “a protective barrier on the skin, immediately eliminating the appearance of dryness, flakiness, and even ashiness in darker skin tones,” says board-certified dermatologist Jeanine Downie, MD. “Simply put: “With body oil, skin not only feels better—it looks better.”
To get the most out of your body oils, look for formulas with ingredients like coconut, olive, or jojoba, or argan oil—or ”any nut oil, really,” says Dr. Downie—and apply them to wet or damp skin. Rub in your oil of choice for a minute or two, says board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD, with extra focus on dry spots like the ankles, elbows, knees, and heels. “Wait a few minutes [after] massaging the oil into the skin before a light pat dry, layering on a moisture lotion or cream, or getting dressed,” she adds.
And while I tend to oil up, sunscreen up, and go about my sunny day, Dr. Downie suggests going with that layering option to help lock in hydration. “I recommend finishing with the heavier or more occlusive product to really seal the deal,” she says. “For those who are 'slugging', first apply your favorite light lotion or a lightweight body oil… to damp skin right after a shower, followed by a heavy or more occlusive cream formulation.”
Ready to get slick with it? Read on for a roundup of the 10 best drugstore body oils that (mostly) come in at under $20, straight from the experts and yours truly.
Viral Hits
These social media stars aren’t just internet hype—they deserve spots on your vanity (and legs!).
Vaseline’s Sunlit Glow Body Oil sold out after It-Girl Olandria Carthen broke the internet with her VMAs glow last fall; I was literally hesitant to share that I owned two bottles, lest I get jumped for them. I feel a bit safer sharing that info now that they’re back in stock, and can confidently say that the shimmery finish and sweet, warm scent are well worth all the hubbub.
While Dr. Shamban isn't convinced of its powers regarding the ubiquitous stretch-mark-fading claims associated with this cult-favorite oil, she does find it to be “a great moisture sealing and skin-softening product.” The ingredients list includes rosemary oil, vitamin A, and vitamin E (the last of which is basically the Beyoncé of moisturizing).
Dermatologist-Beloved Brands
You know them, you love them, and chances are, your derm has mentioned them at more than one appointment. These are the tried-and-true, good-for-you brands that are as adept at body oils as they are facial cleansers and body washes.
Aveeno’s bread and butter are oats; specifically, prebiotic oats that can help tackle dryness in even the most sensitive of skin types. Its Moisturizing Body Oil Mist—a recommendation from Dr. Downie—pairs anti-inflammatory soybean and jojoba seed oils in a spray-on formula ideal for those seeking something gentler.
Yes, it’s a cleansing oil, but don’t let that deter you; Dr. Shamban says in the shower is actually the best time to apply a body oil, “especially if it's still steamy and you are wet.” This recommendation of Dr. Downie’s “does double duty, cleansing and helping to soften and seal in moisture,” she explains.
Drugstore Classics
Consider these the “oldies but goodies," classic products from classic brands that were probably on your mom’s shelf (and maybe even your grandmother’s). They’ve stood the test of time for a reason.
A recommendation of Dr. Downie’s, Neutrogena’s Body Oil has had a devoted following for decades. Fans flock to the formula for its lightweight feel and fast absorption. (Say that five times fast.) You can use it during your shower, after your shower, or, if you’re seeking maximum relaxation, add some drops to your bath.
Another pick from Dr. Downie (and from high school-aged me!) is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Oil, a no-fuss daily skin-softener that contains—you guessed it—cocoa butter, along with vitamin E and emollients like soybean and sesame oil. It dries down pretty fast, has a fantastic nostalgic smell, and, at under $8, is an absolute steal.
Pricier Picks
Why, yes, I did create a whole category of products that are under $25 just to include these two. But trust me: If you can afford to spend an extra few bucks, you’ll be thankful you did.
While Saltair’s Body Oils do contain skincare ingredients such as squalane, plumeria flower extract (which soothes the skin), and a host of oils, I personally find that the scents are what stand out; specifically, how the fragrance collections allow you to build an entire routine—from body wash to deodorant and, naturally, body oil—centered around your favorite scent.
Ontu is a new-ish, Target-exclusive brand that’s essentially built on the idea that your body deserves the same ingredients that you treat your face to (albeit with a sumptuous musk scent that you probably don’t want in your serums). In the case of the Glow Dry Body Oil, those ingredients include rosehip oil and squalane, which work together to hydrate and plump.
Summery Scents
If your priority is smelling seasonally appropriate (while still glistening in the sun with your hydrated skin, of course), these are the oils for you.
Tree Hut’s Body Oil offerings include Moonlight Glow, a balancing formula with a fruity fragrance, and Ocean Glow, which has a cleaner, sea breezy scent and imparts a megawatt glow. But I’m taking this moment to recognize the warm, summery vanilla of the Tropic Glow variety, which is like the beach in a bottle.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Dang—I wish I could get my body as glossy as my lips?” If so, NYX has come to the rescue. The brand’s Fat Oil Body Oils are designed to bring the non-sticky shine associated with the Fat Oil Lip Oils to the skin below the neck. Coconut Cutie does so with a coconut-and-peach fragrance that smells like a poolside bevvy (complimentary).
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Meet the Experts
Dr. Jeanine Downie, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New Jersey. Dr. Downie graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology. She then completed a Master of Arts program at American University. She received her medical degree in 1992 after completing a rigorous course of study at the State University of New York, Health Science Center in Brooklyn. Her extensive background in dermatology includes a residency in Pediatrics at Cornell Medical Center, New York Hospital, and a residency in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she also served as the Chief Dermatology Resident. In addition to her private practice, Dr. Downie is a staff member at Overlook and Mountainside Hospitals.
Dr. Ava Shamban, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in California. A California native, Dr. Ava graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and earned her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She is currently a member of the ASDS, the AAD and serves on the editorial board for The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. In addition to her practices in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, Dr. Ava was also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the UCLA-Geffen School of Medicine.
