Discover the 8 Best Body Oils for Healthy, Glowing Skin

What Makes the Best Body Oils?

Body oils hydrate and nourish skin while delivering aromatic therapeutic benefits. The best body oils use plant-based carrier oils as a base combined with essential oils. They absorb well without greasiness, come in skin-friendly formulations, and suit all skin types.

Base Oils

High quality cold-pressed vegetable oils and nut oils provide fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants to hydrate skin. Common base oils in body oils include:

• Coconut oil - Intensely moisturizing and soothing for very dry skin.
• Olive oil - Softens, calms and protects sensitive or irritated skin.
• Sweet almond oil - Lightweight oil that gets absorbed quickly without block pores.
• Apricot kernel oil - Nourishes skin with fatty acids and vitamin E for a smooth feel.
• Avocado oil - Deeply penetrating to promote soft, supple skin.
• Jojoba oil - Mimics skin's natural oils allowing excellent absorption.

Essential Oils

Essential oils give body oils their aroma. When applied topically, they also provide skin enhancing properties from medicinal plant compounds. Great options for body oils include:

• Lavender oil - Soothing and relaxing aroma while treating skin irritations.
• Rose oil - Helps balance moisture levels for a glowing complexion.
• Ylang ylang oil - Smoothes and soothes irritated, inflamed skin.
• Bergamot oil - Antimicrobial to protect skin from bacteria and heal blemishes.
• Clary sage oil - Regulates oil production to prevent clogged pores and acne.
• Frankincense oil - Powerful astringent that tones aging skin.

8 Best Body Oils for Healthy Skin

Keep reading to discover the top body oil options for nourishing skin from head to toe.

1. Coconut Body Oil

Coconut oil is a super moisturizer for extremely dry, cracked skin. It melts on contact with warm skin to provide deep hydration. Lauric acid strengthens skin barrier function increasing water retention in skin cells.

Antifungal and antimicrobial properties make pure coconut oil ideal for treating heat rashes, athlete’s foot between toes or yeast infections. Its sweet tropical aroma uplifts the senses.

2. Olive Body Oil

Olive oil excels at calming irritated or inflamed skin. The omega fatty acids reduce inflammation while hydrating and protecting skin’s acid mantle barrier.

Apply warm olive oil on cracked heels, parched elbows and knees before bedtime. The oil soak softens calluses allowing exfoliation next morning. Its rich, fruity aroma feels pampering.

3. Sweet Almond Body Oil

Sweet almond oil absorbs rapidly without clogging pores making it suitable for oily skin too. It balances sebum production to even out skin tone. Massaging with almond oil boosts circulation delivering nutrients to skin cells.

Vitamin E, omega fatty acids and minerals actively rejuvenate dull skin revealing a luminous complexion. Its mild, nutty smell is relaxing.

4. Apricot Kernel Body Oil

Apricot kernel oil resembles almond oil containing oleic and linoleic acids. But it penetrates even better to nourish skin with vitamins and minerals. Suitable for all skin types, it softens fine lines and scars.

Gamma linoleic acid fights inflammation that accelerates aging. Apply it daily to keep your skin supple and glowing. It has very little scent making it ideal for aromatherapy blends.

5. Avocado Body Oil

Avocado oil has very high skin penetration ability making it perfect for treating dry, mature skin. It stimulates collagen production and reduces appearance of age spots and scars. The heavier oil leaves a protective fatty layer.

Apply on skin after showering while still damp and massage in upward circular motions to enhance absorption. Its rich, fatty smell is an acquired taste.

6. Jojoba Body Oil

Though labeled an oil, jojoba oil is actually liquid plant wax with a molecular structure very similar to skin's sebum. It mixes well with natural sebum allowing deep penetration. Acne-prone skin benefits from its antibacterial activity.

Use jojoba oil to remove makeup and impurities easily. A little goes a long way in hydrating skin for 24 hours. The mild odor makes it a versatile carrier oil.

7. Grapeseed Body Oil

Grapeseed oil has the highest linoleic acid content among natural oils making it invaluable for acne treatment. Its astringent action tightens enlarged pores and controls oily shine by regulating sebum production.

Being lightweight, it suits oily and combination skin well. Apply a few drops daily after cleansing to prevent clogged pores and blackheads. It has almost no aroma allowing custom essential oil blends.

8. Sunflower Seed Body Oil

Sunflower oil protects skin's natural barrier with emollient fatty acids. Oleic acid boosts lipid content to prevent moisture loss and penetration of irritants into skin. It calms inflammation and sensitivity from harsh weather.

Vitamin E neutralizes free radicals to prevent premature aging. Use as an after-sun treatment to soothe sunburns or add it to your moisturizer. The faint herby smell adds mild fragrance.

How to Choose the Right Body Oil

Consider Your Skin Type

Lighter oils like sweet almond, apricot, grapeseed and jojoba suit oily or acne-prone skin. Heavier coconut and olive oils work better for severely dry, mature skin needing richer hydration. Know your skin before choosing an oil.

See Absorption Ability

Test a drop of the body oil on the back of your hand. Rub it in and check if your skin completely absorbs it leaving no greasy residue after 5 minutes. Non-greasy rapid absorption indicates suitability for your skin type.

Mind Comedogenic Rating

Choose oils with low comedogenic rating under 2 to avoid clogged pores and breakouts. Apricot (0), grapeseed (0), jojoba (0-2) and almond (2) have negligible pore-clogging risk. Coconut (4) and olive oils (2) may suit only non-acne prone skin.

Mix with Essential Oils

For therapeutic aroma benefits, add a few drops of lavender, clary sage or bergamot oils to the base carrier oil of your choice. Mind the usage limits for pregnant women or children while blending.

Do a Patch Test

Dab a bit of the selected oil on inner elbow or behind ear. If no redness, itching or irritation occurs within 24-48 hours, it signals skin compatibility.

How to Use Body Oils Safely

Despite natural origins, exercise some precautions using body oils to avoid adverse reactions:

• Perform patch test before liberal application or adding to bath water.
• Read labels to check for nut allergies if using almond or coconut oils.
• Use sparingly on acne breakout areas to prevent pore blockage.
• Don’t apply body oils before sun exposure as they may increase UV damage.
• Store in cool dark place in airtight bottles to prevent oxidation.
• Shake the bottle well before each use for uniform distribution of therapeutic compounds.

By selecting the right plant-based body oil for your skin needs, you leverage their abundant fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants for skin protection and repair from damage.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.