We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
17 best body oils to bring dry, scaly legs out of hibernation
These skin-firming and softening formulas were tested by 320 women
Tested by Nora MerikFormer Beauty and Grooming Tester
With summer on its way, our neglected limbs might be in need of a little extra TLC before they feel ready for picnics in the park. We get it. That's where the right skincare comes in. If you’re after soft, supple, hydrated skin, investing in the best body oil is a moisturising must.
But first, let's clear up any misconceptions you may have over these nourishing, all-over treatments. If you still associate oils with breakouts and greasy residue, we’ve got news. Similar to the best face oils, body oils are generally light in texture (or, at least, lighter than you may think), fast-absorbing (so no greasy finish) and actually help to balance sebum levels (the natural oil in your skin) to leave your complexion looking clearer and brighter.
There are hundreds of products out there, so the Good Housekeeping Institute oiled up to find the best ones on the market, with the help of our panel of at-home testers. We also spoke to Dr Hasan Benar, dermatologist at Dr Elif Clinic in London, to find out what to look for when you shop.
See below for our winners at a glance but read on for the full reviews.
What’s the difference between body oils and lotions?
The key difference is that body lotions are more lightweight and are better able to penetrate the skin for an instant softening and smoothing effect. Oils, on the other hand, tend to be thicker and are designed to sit on top of the skin, nourishing the protective barrier and preventing moisture loss.
“Lotions are typically water-based, lighter in texture, and can hydrate the skin because of their water content,” explains Dr Benar. “They’re good for everyday use and for people with normal to slightly dry skin, as they absorb easily.
“If you’re looking for deep moisture retention and have very dry skin, a body oil may be more suitable,” she says. “For general hydration, a lotion may be a better choice.”
Note that oils can also double as a lubricant for massaging aching joints, and many are infused with ingredients like lavender and rosemary to help soothe the mind as well as the body. Some on our list can also be used as hair oil, such as the Elizabeth Arden All-Over Oil.
You may, of course, choose to use an oil and cream together. If so, leave your favourite body lotion or best body moisturiser to sink in before adding the oil on top to seal in all that hydration.
Is body oil better than body lotion?
What works on your skin may not suit the next person, so there’s no definitive answer here. But, as Dr Benar explains, there are some benefits to using oils over lotions.
“Body oils are generally more occlusive, which means they lock in moisture better, making them ideal for very dry or mature skin,” she explains. “They’re usually absorbed quickly and give the skin a smooth, radiant finish. They are best applied to damp skin to trap in moisture.”
We recommend applying your body oil and massaging it in straight after your shower.
What ingredients should I look for in a body oil?
When choosing a body oil, look for ingredients that nourish and protect the skin. Dr Benar breaks down some key ones below.
- Jojoba oil closely resembles the skin’s natural oils, making it a great choice for all skin types, especially sensitive types.
- Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids and helps to hydrate and nourish the skin while also providing anti-ageing benefits.
- Coconut oil is deeply moisturising and has antibacterial properties, though it can be comedogenic (pore-clogging) for some skin types.
- Rosehip oil is high in vitamins A and C, helping with skin regeneration, improving texture, reducing the appearance of scars and getting rid of hyperpigmentation.
- Squalane is a lightweight oil that mimics the skin’s natural sebum, which is great for hydrating without leaving a greasy finish.
- Grapeseed oil is a light, antioxidant-rich oil that’s easily absorbed and suitable for oily or acne-prone skin. These oils can provide deep hydration, protection from free radicals, and support for skin barrier function.
How we test
We put a range of market-leading body oils to the test over a two-week period with the help of more than 320 panellists. We asked them to assess ease of use, packaging and how effectively each formula hydrated, nourished, softened and brightened their skin.
Back in the Good Housekeeping Institute beauty lab, we used a specialist hydration metre to measure the moisture levels of the skin both before and four hours after application, to see if they lived up to their claims. All our winners are marked with the GHI Approved logo below.
To bring you the buzziest new releases, we've also included a couple of editor's picks underneath.
Balance Me Super Toning Body Oil
Score: 84/100
Founded by two sisters experiencing the negative effects of a hectic lifestyle on their skin, the Balance Me range is on a mission to soothe skin and minds, as well as doing good for the environment – three big ticks. This award-winning firming body oil was one of the first products the brand developed, and it’s come a long way. It claims to firm and smooth the skin, and our testers confirmed it did just that.
“It made my skin feel smooth and look less crepey, especially around the upper arms,” said one. Another noted a “visible improvement in the décolleté area.”
But what’s the secret? Well, the formula contains juniper to help boost blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, leaving skin feeling and looking more lifted. Macadamia oil works to moisturise the skin, and antiseptic bergamot clears it. The oil has also been bolstered with some aromatherapeutic geranium oil, to help soothe and ease stress.
Score: 84/100
Replenish dry, lacklustre skin with this luxurious body oil, which testers loved for how quickly it absorbed without leaving behind any sticky residue. This is thanks to the lightweight Kalahari oil, a blend of macadamia, borage, mongongo and kukui, which are packed full of fatty acids and antioxidants that help repair and replenish hydration levels.
Not only was this one a hit with our panel for its ability to soften, but it also achieved almost full marks in the lab for lasting hydration. The scent, made from lavender, neroli, rose and mandarin, also proved popular. "It left my face feeling moisturised and soft,” said one tester, while another gave this one-word review: “Divine”.
Score: 83/100
The star of the show in this body oil is sweet almond oil, alongside three other key skin-saving ingredients. The formula is rich in omega 9 fatty acids, which help to nourish skin and increase suppleness. It also contains squalene, an emollient that keeps the skin barrier protected, and therefore looking more toned, as well as antioxidants vitamin E and beta-sitosterol, both great for minimising any reduction in skin elasticity.
The oil made a big impact on our testers’ skin, with many loving the long-lasting nourishment and hydration it provided. “It leaves skin glowing and moisturised for the whole day,” said one happy panellist.
Score: 83/100
As the name suggests, this oil's scents of coconut, mandarin and sandalwood will take you on a sensory trip to the Caribbean, hydrating the skin with jojoba and avocado oils as you go. Like you would a piña colada on a bright, white beach, our panellists' skin lapped this up and loved the “gorgeous, subtle summer smell” as much as we did.
A few mentioned the bottle had a slightly loose lid, with one tester saying they couldn't take it in their hand luggage as a result. But when it came to the actual formulation, this holiday-in-a-bottle oil gained a whole new fan base, as all our testers said it hydrated skin throughout the day.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream All-Over Miracle Oil
Score: 82/100
The Eight Hour range from Elizabeth Arden is nothing short of legendary in the skincare game. The products are known for their versatility and effectiveness, and this hair and body oil is no exception. One tester said it smoothed their dry and coarse split ends (their words!), and it left another panellist's skin feeling “moisturised but not oily.” Now there’s some multi-purpose magic.
It uses a mix of Tsubaki and grapeseed oil, both rich in omega 6 and 9, which are great at reducing inflammation and protecting the skin barrier.
The spray bottle dispenses a fine spritz, which testers said was useful for targeting specific areas. Some found that this oil wasn’t as effective at treating extremely dry patches, such as on the legs, but most agreed that it was a great option for face and hair.
Score: 82/100
Body oils have historically been seen as quite rich and heavy, but this lightweight option from Gisou completely debunks that theory. “It easily buffed into the skin and didn’t make my clothes greasy,” said one of our testers, so it's great for applying after your morning shower, even when you’re in a rush. Despite it being lightweight, it still delivered a heavy dose of “all-day hydration to very dry skin,” according to another panellist.
Its honey-infused formula is rich in replenishing fatty acids and leaves a sweet, lingering smell on the skin. It’s also available in a shimmer version to provide a perfect festive glow.
Score: 82/100
This shimmering body oil received glowing reviews from our panel for the subtle, yet radiant gleam it gave them. So, it looks good, and it feels good too – one tester said it left their skin “hydrated and softer after applying”. Isn’t that exactly what you want from a body oil?
It reflects the light beautifully, especially along the collarbones and the décolletage area. The added sweet white tea and lotus flower aromas make it the perfect night-out option, too.
Score: 81/100
Omorovicza Shimmer Oil is, quite literally, liquid gold. It’s formulated with complexion-clearing colloidal gold, which works to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and age spots. There’s also soothing calendula oil, and collagen-boosting vitamin E for a rejuvenated look.
These nourishing ingredients encourage a natural glow, but the oil also includes some gold particles for good measure. You’ll glisten without feeling greasy too, as the oil absorbs quickly. Take care when dispensing, though, as some testers found it comes out quite fast.
Score: 81/100
With 99.65% naturally derived ingredients, Mirror Water does the job of softening your skin, without using any harsh chemicals. Instead, it’s made up of three nourishing oils: Grapeseed oil to soothe; fatty acid-rich marula oil to soften; and camellia oil to rehydrate dry skin.
Testers said it softened their skin immediately on application and lasted all day. It's quite thick in consistency, which some testers didn’t enjoy, but it works a dream on dry and cracked patches. It’s also fragranced with smoky, woody essential oils, to help you find your zen.
Score: 79/100
Dodging a damaged skin barrier is a hard feat these days, as there are so many things that are out to get it – from environmental aggressors such as UV or pollution exposure, to natural ageing, and even pH-disrupting skincare products. The result can be dry, scaly, inflamed skin.
That’s why Byoma founder Marc Elrick extensively researched the skin barrier before he developed the brand’s patented Barrier Lipid Complex. It’s formulated with sphingolipids, which maintain the barrier and encourage the production of ceramides, to better draw in and retain moisture.
But how did it perform on test? Well, to sum it up in three words, one panellist said it left their skin “hydrated, moisturised and softer.” Another said it helped soothe their “dry, itchy and cracked feet” too, an area particularly susceptible to dryness.
Score: 78/100
Like all the brand’s products, this Aveeno oil uses the power of oats to relieve and repair skin. It’s rich in ceramides, a humectant that’s highly effective at absorbing and retaining moisture in the skin. The impact of this key ingredient was evident in our feedback too, as many claimed it smoothed, hydrated and plumped their skin.
Some did find that it took longer to absorb, though, as its consistency is on the heavier side, so it may be more effective for those with extra dry skin. But at under £10, it’s an easy-to-apply, nourishing and affordable body oil. What’s more, it scored the same for long-lasting hydration in the lab as some of the more expensive options on our list.
Score: 77/100
Lightweight in all senses of the word, our testers thought this conveniently packaged spray oil was perfect for travel. “The packaging is portable, so I’ve been taking the oil to work, and while I’ve been travelling,” said one – massage on the move anyone? However, some did find the spray quite strong, so be sure to aim close to the skin to save you from losing the deposit on the Airbnb.
Overall, it revitalises and hydrates without clogging the skin and causing breakouts. Instead, our testers with dry legs said it “noticeably improved” their skin. It’s naturally fragranced with essential oils, so the lovely scents of lavender, rosemary and orange will follow you around after application.
Score: 77/100
When a brand claim rings true with our panel, we have to shout about it. And for one tester, this body oil left a “noticeable difference in the firmness of my skin after using it”. Simply massage in and let the exfoliating black pepper extract do its repair work, while grapefruit extract encourages the production of plumping collagen, for a tighter and more toned look.
A little goes a long way too – testers agreed that the pump was effective at dispensing just the right amount of the rich and nourishing formula.
Score: 77/100
As much as we love a golden tan, we all know the damaging effects the sun can have. This body oil uses ingredients to minimise the photoaging effects on the skin as much as possible. This is thanks to the high SPF 50 protection, along with rice and rosemary extracts, which help to brighten your complexion and protect cells.
It soothed and hydrated all our testers’ skin, with one saying it “provided intense hydration that lasted all day.” This was clear in the lab test results too, as it scored nearly full marks for retaining moisture over a four-hour period.
Sanctuary Spa Golden Sandalwood Mousse to Oil Moisturiser
Score: 76/100
It wouldn’t be a Sanctuary Spa oil without the presence of golden sandalwood, an anti-inflammatory that help to smooth your skin, as well as coconut and shea butters to soften.
But with a unique mousse-to-oil formula, we were intrigued to see how it performed on test. Some of our panel enjoyed it – one said it effectively “locked in moisture” – but others thought it had “no benefit whatsoever”, and instead made it harder to judge how much to dispense.
Editors' picks
Bodycare is booming right now, but it’s always been core to the Sol de Janeiro brand, and it shows. If you don’t have sensitive skin, you’ll likely love your body moisturisers and oils to be as indulgent and deliciously scented as they are effective – and its formulas do all three.
This one is enriched with cacay oil, which encourages collagen and elastin production much like the best retinol serums do, supporting cell renewal and leaving you with firmer, smoother skin, without increasing photosensitivity.
The texture is silky and light and sinks in so easily, instantly making skin feel plumper and more hydrated. We’ll be using it to bring our flaky limbs out of hibernation this summer. The glass bottle even has a removable rubber coating on the base to stop it falling over – they really do think of everything.
From one of our favourite modern fragrance brands, Phlur, comes this irresistible body oil. Packed with rosehip, jojoba and vitamin C to brighten and strengthen the skin against environmental aggressors, it’s also lightweight and sinks in in just a few seconds.
It features the brand’s cult ‘Missing Person’ scent, which is super fresh with delicate notes of jasmine expertly blended with more heady notes of bergamot. Now that we’ve waved goodbye to winter, we’ve been lathering this on in the office, and are impressed with its lingering scent – we’ve even had “Ooh, what are you wearing?” comments in the late afternoon after a full day of wafting around the building. Not bad.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
We put an acne-clearing device to the test
Best Merit beauty products, according to editors
The GHI's best ever beauty tools revealed
Best beauty subscription services
