10 best body oils that will leave skin feeling nourished

This body oil comes in a bottle with a spray nozzle applicator – which is ideal for spritzing onto skin without any mess. Suitable for sensitive skin, it contains soothing oat oil and jojoba oil. The midweight oil makes skin feel silky-soft, and it soaks in well while still leaving a slight layer on the surface. Its scent is sweet but subtle, and calming. Because of how gentle the oil is, I’ve used it on my kids’ skin too.

While the spray applicator makes application easier, it’s worth noting that this means just a small amount of oil is released at once. I liked that though, and found it meant there was less time waiting around for the oil to sink in before getting dressed.

This well-known body oil is presented in a generous 250ml bottle for its affordable price point. It has a press-down release lid for straightforward application, and the signature Palmer’s scent is uplifting, with the sweet and creamy cocoa butter notes adding a summery element. It does have a runny consistency, making full-body coverage quick and easy to achieve – but because of this, I was careful not to spill any.

The conditioning formula feels nourishing on skin without being heavy. Suitable for all skin types, those prone to eczema can use it too. Because of how easily it pours, I also like adding this gentle, fragranced oil to bath water – for a relaxing, skin-softening soak without the effort of application.

A body oil comprising ingredients including Hebridean seaweed extract, jojoba oil, almond oil, bergamot and sandalwood, its natural scent is reminiscent of a luxurious spa experience. Presented in a glass bottle with a pump applicator, it releases thick oil that spreads easily across skin without being runny or sticky.

A small amount of this intensely nourishing oil goes a long way, and makes skin feel softened and soothed. I noted that the smoothing effect it creates lasts a few hours. The oil feels like a treat to use and works for both a calming bedtime ritual and a moisture-promoting boost.

A vegan-friendly option that contains plant oils, this product feels intensely smoothing straight after being slathered onto skin. While applying the oil, the lavender scent is quite noticeable – but it’s worth noting this fades quickly. I didn’t mind though, because you experience the initial relaxing fragrance but aren’t left with overpowering notes of lavender.

A small amount of the oil goes a long way, so I’d recommend releasing just a few drops from the pump applicator at first. While it absorbs well, there is a rich layer left on skin so I tended to use this before bed rather than ahead of getting dressed.

This shimmer body oil has a brightening citrus scent of orange, grapefruit and lemon that we could detect for hours afterwards. The lightweight formula feels nourishing, and I didn’t feel any of the initial tingling that sometimes comes with using vitamin C products. The oil is quite runny when released from the bottle and this means it spreads easily across the body.

It’s softening on skin and there’s also a leftover shiny glossiness where the oil lingers so I needed to wait a bit longer before getting dressed post application.

This is a multi-tasking bath and body oil, and I’ve used it directly on our skin and poured it into water for soaking in. The glass bottle has a screw-top lid so you can apply it liberally, with the potent scent being released instantly. This fragrance is a combination of bracing eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil so it’s invigorating. I particularly like using the oil after busy days or when tired, for its soothing feel on skin and refreshing scent.

The luxurious oil spreads across large areas of skin easily, and it leaves a smoothing finish on limbs. As it’s quite rich, a tiny bit in the bath is a great option to soften skin without leaving as much of a glossy layer.

Undeniably a treat splurge, this luxurious body oil has an incredibly comforting scent and it’s become my go-to for relaxation at the end of a busy day. It’s presented in a tall glass bottle with a pump applicator, making the product easy to use. Ingredients include camomile, vetivert and ylang ylang, and the fragrance is a blend of centring and calming.

A small amount of the rich oil spreads well and it’s great for smoothing dry skin patches and helping with all-over moisture. Easily absorbed on skin, I also like adding a few drops into bath water as part of an unwinding ritual, too.

Presented in a fun pink and white bottle, this body oil comes with a screw-top lid and additional pump applicator and I liked having the option of both. It has a signature summery Sol de Janeiro scent that is very sweet – and could be quite overpowering if that’s not your preference. It contains key nourishing ingredients like sunflower seed oil, coconut oil and jojoba seed oil.

The pump releases a generous amount of the midweight product at a time, which slides over skin and soaks in fast. It leaves a softening layer, without overt glossiness and skin feels smoother to the touch. Applying this oil straight after a shower gives the day a brightening boost, and it was particularly loved by my teenage daughter.

This body oil is in a glass bottle with a flip-top cap and because it’s not squeezy I needed to shake it a little to release the product. That’s not a problem though, as it means you don’t risk spillage and it minimises mess.

The oil has a refreshing feel on skin and while it’s a midweight formula there’s no greasiness or lingering shiny layers. Instead I saw more of a gentle brightening finish akin to using a toner.

Because of its speedy absorption, this is a great oil for dabbing onto skin in a rush, too. As a busy mum, I really appreciated this.

As soon as I opened this body oil I noticed its rousing scent blend of fresh peppermint and eucalyptus and warming ginger and black pepper. It’s presented in a compact 100ml glass bottle, with a narrow lid that releases small amounts at a time. The oil is a thick consistency but it spreads well.

It takes a little longer to absorb into the skin’s upper layers, but this means I saw and felt a smoothing glossiness. Because of its essential oil base, I’d say this is a body care buy for massage, or a self-care moment, rather than to quickly slather onto skin.