And now, a grooming-routine fact that you must reckon with: A bar of soap, a tube of toothpaste, and a stick of deodorant aren’t going to cut it.
Nope. You’re a man now. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that you’ve been one of those for quite some time. Which means you need to step up your skincare game and start putting some thought into the best body oils for men. Not only do body oils lock in moisture (especially when applied over a quality lotion), they also happen to smell damn good while creating a relaxed, spa-like vibe.
Whether you think of yourself as an “oil guy” or not, it behooves you to give it some thought. Or better yet, trust that I’ve given it enough thought for the two of us and just lean into my top eight men’s body oil picks instead.
Key Takeaways
To find the best body oil for men, I began by poring over dozens of products, comparing ingredient lists, customer reviews, fragrances, skin feel, and my own cache of products along the way.
The resulting eight are the best of the best based on factors that include but aren’t limited to ingredients, efficacy, fragrance profile, and value for money. Checking all the boxes is my top pick of Ancient Greek Remedy’s Face and Body Oil. And in the budget camp, you can’t go wrong by putting a bottle of Palmer’s Moisturizing Body Oil under your sink.
Our Top Picks
Why it’s great: Ancient Greek Remedy pulls together some of the finest organic ingredients available to create this effective, budget-friendly face and body oil. Cold-pressed olive oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, vitamin E oil, and lavender essential oil work together to lock in moisture and send calming wafts of lavender through the air. Nearly 28,000 5-star Amazon reviews are tough to argue with, but I strongly encourage you to do some of your own R&D with this outstanding bottle.
How to use it: The spray bottle is super convenient, especially for on-the-go use. Apply a few spritzes all over your body as needed and don’t be afraid to use a small amount in your hair and on your hands.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some reviewers complain that it leaves their skin feeling overly oily. If you’re particular about how body oils for men leave your skin feeling, there are plenty of quick-absorbing products out there to choose from.
Size: 4 oz | Scent: Lavender | Skin Type: All | Active Ingredients: Olive Oil, Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Lavender Oil, Vitamin E
Why it’s great: Hey, we don’t always need fancy. Sometimes the best body oil for men is the no-frills one that’s been there along—especially if budget is a consideration. Enter: Old-school skincare workhorse Palmer’s and its ever-reliable moisturizing body oil. Made with cocoa butter and vitamin E, it’s a quick-drying oil that’s perfect for everyday use. Considering the quality of its ingredients and the generous 8.5-ounces of product you’re getting, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better wallet-friendly body oil.
How to use it: Lather this super light oil all over your body in the morning after applying your favorite lotion. Not averse to taking the occasional bath? You could also add some oil to the water before hopping in.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This is a hard-working oil that absorbs quickly to nourish your skin. Other options will be a better fit if you’re into a more spa-like experience.
Size: 8.5 oz | Scent: Cocoa Butter | Skin Type: All | Active Ingredients: Cocoa, Vitamin E
Why it’s great: Using body oil is a great way to take yourself out of your normal grooming routine. If you’re reading this to get some tips on how to spoil yourself beyond that routine, this is your moment. Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Hydrating Body Treatment is a rich, luxurious combination of ingredients that provides nourishment to your skin while elevating your daily regimen.
How to use it: Aesop’s body treatment is one of the best options for treating cracked, damaged skin. Geranium lead, mandarin rind, bergamot rind, and other natural ingredients lock in moisture and target needy areas. Use as needed for skin issues or as a nightly ritual before bed.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: File this bottle under the niche category. It’s best for those who only plan on using it occasionally or who are in need of effective, targeted skin repair.
Size: 3.2 oz | Scent: Unscented | Skin Type: All, Dry | Active Ingredients: Geranium Leaf, Mandarin Rind, Bergamot Rind
Why it’s great: Look beyond Amazon’s top choices and highest-rated products and you’ll be surprised at what you might find. In the case of the best body oil for men, Bio-Oil’s Skincare Oil is worth a look. While they’re best known for pioneering skincare products that reduce stretch marks and scars using jojoba oil and vitamin E, Bio-Oil is also an outstanding moisturizer..
How to use it: If you’re using it specifically for scars, use it twice a day for a few months. Otherwise, apply daily. It’ll absorb easily and won’t leave a greasy residue.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you’re looking for a combo body-oil-fragrance, this isn’t for you. This skincare oil is totally fragrance-free.
Size: 2 oz | Scent: Fragrance-free | Skin Type: All | Active Ingredients: Chamomile, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Lavender
Why it’s great: Which brings us to the part where we talk about which giant bottle of oil to plop on your sink’s vanity to apply every day with great abandon. That bottle, without a doubt, is Handcraft Blends’ 100% Pure Jojoba Oil. Made of 100% pure jojoba oil, no words were minced in the making of this product. It’s the perfect go-to for providing general anti-aging properties for your skin, hair, and nails. Yes, men have hair and nails. Yes, they need love too.
How to use it: In short, every damn day. A few pumps every morning after you hop out of the shower and you’re good to go.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This is another non-greasy oil that absorbs quickly into the skin and won’t rub off on clothes. Though it’s great for everyday use, this isn’t the bottle you’ll turn to if you want more of a spa-like experience.
Size: 16 oz | Scent: Jojoba | Skin Type: All | Active Ingredients: Jojoba Oil
Why it’s great: Like its brethren Palmer’s, Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Gel Oil is an inexpensive, no-frills product that does its job and does it well. The non-greasy cocoa butter formula has a light scent and works overtime to replenish skin and leave it looking smooth and healthy.
How to use it: Use once or twice per day under a moisturizing lotion to keep cracks and skin irritants at bay.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This is a quick-drying gel product, which not everybody is into. As with some other body oils for men on this list, it’s not ideal for those looking for an “experience.”
Size: 6.8 oz | Scent: Cocoa | Skin Type: All | Active Ingredients: Cocoa Butter
Why it’s great: And the everyday drugstore theme rolls on. Indeed, some of the best and most effective products are the ones that are universally accessible and friendly on the wallet. When it comes to easy-breezy summer vibes, you’ll want to reach for J.R. Watkins’ Body Oil Mist. Fortified with sunflower seed and apricot oils, this lemon-scented oil is a nice combination of moisturizer and fair-weather mood-setter.
How to use it: You’re working with a spritz bottle that can and should accompany you to the beach, the pool, or anywhere there’s sun and a crowd of people who look like they could use a good waft of intoxicating lemon.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Being a seasonal fragrance, you’re not going to get as much mileage out of this as you would with an unscented oil.
Size: 6 oz | Scent: Lemon | Skin Type: All | Active Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Apricot Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract
Why it’s great: Swooping in with a direct contrast to that summer-friendly body oil up there is this sexy black butter offering that’s ideal for the colder months. Packed with moisturizing essential oils, this is equal parts skin care and cologne. Take a seat around the nearest fire pit and let the sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, pepper, and bergamot do their jobs.
How to use it: Whip this bottle out on cold nights before heading out for a cocktail date or meeting friends for dinner.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Aside from its seasonality, this is a heavily scented body oil formulated to stand out in a crowd. If versatility is your priority, opt for a more occasion-friendly product.
Size: 4 oz | Scent: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla, Pepper, Bergamot | Skin Type: All | Active Ingredients: Essential Oils
Buying Considerations For The Best Body Oils For Men
Ingredients
When shopping for the best body oil for men, look for natural, non-harsh ingredients. Oils like jojoba oil and avocado oil do an exceptional job of healing dry, cracked skin. And if you prefer quick-absorbing oils that won’t make your skin feel greasy, look for ingredients like tea tree oil, which is lighter, yet still moisturizes.
Scent
Just like it does with all of your grooming products from aftershaves to body washes and everywhere in between, scent matters. Look for unscented products if you have sensitive skin or like your body oil to be in incognito mode. Beyond that, though, you’ve got endless fragrance options from natural scents like jojoba oil to wintry and summery blends.
Bottle Style And Size
Not as trivial as it may first seem, you’ll want to put some thought into the size and bottle form that your body oil comes in. Some heavy-rotation bottles are available in sink-top sizes from eight to 16 ounces. Others are meant to fit into your dopp kit for traveling. And pay attention to the dispensing method—some bottles are made for spritzing, for example, while others have pumps.
Why You Should Trust Us
As a fashion and grooming writer at FashionBeans, I compare, test, and research the products that make a gentleman a gentleman. If it can be worn, carried, or used in a way that elevates your look and feel, I’m into it.
For this comparison, I researched dozens of products, taking into account ingredient lists, customer reviews, fragrances, skin feel, and my own personal experience to find the best body oil for men. After comparing over 40 bottles, I chose the resulting eight based on considerations like ingredients, efficacy, fragrance profile, and value for money. Ultimately, I want to see everyone find the best body oil for them.
Final Verdict
The best body oils for men ultimately come down to your skin’s chemistry and your texture and fragrance preferences. My top overall pick, Ancient Greek Remedy’s face and body oil, is packed with soothing, natural ingredients and comes in at an impressively accessible price point.
FAQ
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Yes, body oil does an outstanding job of locking in moisture and providing immediate dry-skin relief for both men and women. If you’re a fragrance traditionalist, you’ll just want to keep an eye on the oil’s scent profile to make sure it matches your vibe and general preferences.
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For best results, apply body oil right after you get out of the shower while your skin is still slightly damp. Though most body oils are ideal for anytime use, coconut oil is a great after-shower ingredient thanks to its outstanding moisturizing properties.
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Just as you would with your favorite shampoo, soap, or lotion, it’s recommended that you apply body oil every day. To maximize results, layer it over a moisturizing lotion after you get out of the shower.
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