This noncomedogenic shower oil is great for those with sensitive and eczema-prone skin because of its niacinamide, which helps soothe the skin, says Song. In my experience, many body washes irritate the eczema patches on my arms and neck, however, this is so gentle and reduces the tightness, flakiness and redness that my skin frequently experiences, even though it has a subtle added fragrance.
I also love how many uses I can get from this bottle. Typically, a 7-ounce body wash lasts me a month or so, but this has lasted me at least three months. All I need are a few pumps, which create a nice lather all over my skin, from my neck to my toes.
Plus, it’s gentle enough for those with very sensitive skin — even babies, says Yadav.
Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide | Certifications: n/a
This oil-to-gel formula has glycerin and plant-derived squalane to help maintain a healthy skin barrier and nourish the skin, according to the brand. It feels lightweight on the skin, making it suitable for all skin types, and comes in a large size that’ll last a long time. It’s also decently priced considering how much product you get. For best results, the brand recommends massaging a small amount onto wet skin and letting it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off.
Key ingredients: glycerin, squalane | Certifications: n/a
La Roche-Posay’s cleansing shower oil also comes recommended by Song. For one, it’s a noncomedogenic, fragrance-free formula, which is helpful for those with sensitive skin. It’s also soap-free, which means it cleans the skin without using drying ingredients (like sulfates) that most typical body washes have, according to experts in our guide to body washes for sensitive skin. “I loved how easy it was to lather up this body wash with such a small amount, especially since not all shower oils get very sudsy,” says NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez, who received a sample from the brand. “It’s also unscented, so it doesn’t clash with my other products.”
Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, shea butter, thermal spring water | Certifications: National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance
“Since using this in my shower routine, I’ve definitely seen a difference in my skin,” says NBC Select Ashley Morris, who has acne-prone skin. “It feels smoother and more hydrated, and I especially love layering it with exfoliating body washes for an extra boost of moisture after using a chemical exfoliant.” It’s suitable for all skin types and shouldn’t leave skin feeling dry or tight, according to the brand.
Key ingredients: glycerin, squalane, jojoba seed oil, rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil | Certifications: n/a
You can use this silky yet milky shower oil in three ways: to cleanse the body, use it as a base for shaving (in place of shaving cream) or as a bath soak, according to the brand. “This shower oil is my current obsession,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. “It never feels oily or greasy, and the smell is absolutely incredible — it has a clean scent that’s subtle and not too overpowering. But my favorite part is how soft and smooth my skin feels after using this product. Simply, no other shower oil does it better.”
Key ingredients: sweet almond oil, grape seed oil | Certifications: n/a
To elevate her shower routine into a more luxurious, self-care experience, NBC Select social media commerce editor Sadhana Daruvuri uses this oil from Glossier (the brand sent a courtesy sample.) “Since it’s an oil, it’s easy to dispense into my hand and spread over my body, but it immediately foams up, which gives it a little bit more substance and makes me feel more clean,” says Daruvuri. This shower oil has an orange blossom neroli, which she says is very calming and makes her skin smell nice after showering.
Key ingredients: glycerin, vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, castor seed oil, soybean oil | Certifications: n/a
Mustela’s multipurpose shower oil combats any dryness and itchiness your baby or child may be experiencing. It focuses on moisturizing, softening and soothing the skin while creating a silky and hydrating barrier on the skin, according to the brand. Reviewers say their children (from newborns to elementary-aged) have less irritation, get an effective cleanse, smell cleaner and appreciate the fact it’s nongreasy and doesn’t leave an unwanted and uncomfortable residue. Adults can also use this shower oil as a face wash or a makeup remover, according to Mustela. It has a 4.6-star average rating from over 1,600 reviews on Amazon.
Key ingredients: glycerin, sunflower seed oil, avocado perseose | Certifications: National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance
Avène’s shower oil, which is suitable for all ages, largely focuses on moisturizing the skin and protecting it from future dryness, according to the brand. “It’s fragrance-free, which makes it great for people with sensitive skin like me, and I can totally feel it hydrating any dryness as I use it,” says NBC Select updates editor Zoe Malin. “I’m especially looking forward to using this shower oil in the winter, when my skin gets the most dry and flakey.” This option is noncomedogenic, free of common irritants and is safe to use if you’re experiencing flare-ups, according to Avène.
Key ingredients: thermal spring water, glycerin, evening primrose oil, jojoba seed oil | Certifications: n/a
If you’re looking for a shower oil that hydrates and brightens your skin simultaneously, consider this one from Kopari. “It feels great against my skin, and I can work it into a foamy lather, which makes me feel extra clean,” says Malin, who was sent a sample from the brand. After using this consistency, Malin says she notices how much softer her skin is after showering and that it’s great for shaving because she doesn’t get razor burns when using it.
“I look forward to using this because it smells so incredible without being overpowering or perfume-y,” Malin says of the formula, which has notes of sweet coconut milk, vanilla, and warm spice.
Key ingredients: hibiscus seed oil, coconut oil, passionfruit seed oil, avocado oil | Certifications: n/a
This shower oil, which has a 4.5-star rating from over 100 reviews at Kiehl’s, removes dirt and oil easily without damaging the skin, according to the brand. Reviewers say it doesn’t create a big foaming lather but has a luxurious, lightweight feel that leaves their skin soft and smooth — even saying it helps minimize side effects of keratosis pilaris and eczema. They also recommend using a small amount because it goes a long way and prevents it from being too slippery in the shower.
Key ingredients: grape seed oil, castor oil | Certifications: n/a
“This shower oil has one of the most luxurious lathers I’ve ever seen from a product in this category as well as a warm (but not too strong) scent,” says Yadav. “It’s packed with nourishing oils including sweet almond, sea buckthorn and oat, the latter of which offers soothing properties alongside cica and a blend of skin barrier-supporting ceramides.” While the pour-out bottle may cause overuse of the product, the bottle itself has a flat back that makes it easy to push up against your shower wall — great for those with limited space.
Key ingredients: sweet almond, sea buckthorn, oat, cica, ceramides | Certifications: n/a
“Cleansing body oils work on the principle that ‘like attracts like,’ meaning the oils in the formula attract oils and other impurities on the skin, allowing them to be cleansed away with water,” says says Dr. Carmen Castilla, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. One of the main benefits of a cleansing body oil is that it keeps the skin’s lipid barrier intact. “The lipid barrier is essential for retaining moisture — when it’s intact, the skin remains hydrated and balanced,” says Castilla.
Most cleansing body oils also leave a light layer of oil on the skin to lock in moisture, which may be hydrating enough for normal skin types to skip post-shower moisturizing. In addition to their cleansing and hydrating properties, they can also be a great addition to your shaving routine, as the oils give the razor a nice, slippery surface to glide over and help minimize irritation, says says Dr. Nazanin Saedi, a board-certified dermatologist.
Before shopping for a shower oil, there are a few things our experts recommend paying extra attention to.
This is the biggest factor you’ll want to pay attention to when shopping. Song breaks down a few key ingredients to keep an eye out for:
You’ll also want to be cautious of fragrances and artificial dyes if you have sensitive and dry skin. These may make you more prone to irritation and allergic reactions from additional ingredients, says Song.
Because cleansing body oils help support the skin barrier, they’re great for people with a weakened skin barrier, such as those with dry or eczema-prone skin. That being said, while those with oily skin may prefer a foaming or gel body wash to cut through excess oil, they can still use cleansing body oils, says Yadav. Just make sure you’re thoroughly rinsing it off, and choose a non-comedogenic formula made with lightweight oils to reduce the risk of breakouts.
Whether your skin is naturally dry or not, cleansing body oils can be a great replacement for traditional body washes during the colder weather months. “As weather cools off, environmental shifts like harsh, cold, dry air as well as indoor heating and hot showers can strip the skin of its natural oils and weaken the skin barrier, all of which causes skin to be drier and, often, more sensitive and prone to irritation,” says Yadav. “A cleansing body oil will help fortify the lipids of the skin barrier, preventing transepidermal water loss as well as external irritants from compromising the skin.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter covering skin care and hair care for NBC Select, including recent stories on the best SPF moisturizers and gua sha tools. For this article, I interviewed dermatologists about how to properly use a shower oil and included their recommendations along with highly rated formulas the NBC Select staff liked.
Michelle Rostamian has more than 10 years of experience covering beauty and skin care topics. For this story, Rostamian spoke to board-certified dermatologists and included their direct recommendations and products based on their guidance.
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