For the first 20 years of my life, I only ever relied on a traditional body wash to cleanse my skin. As I got older and needed to address some common concerns like dry skin and eczema, my dermatologist recommended I switch to shower oil. “A shower oil combines the properties of both oils and a body wash,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach. “The formulation cleanses the skin while also providing moisture, leaving the skin feeling soft and hydrated.”
Since incorporating shower oils into my routine three years ago, I haven’t stopped using them. I love the way they effectively clean and treat my skin care concerns. To help you find the best ones, I consulted two board-certified dermatologists and had the NBC Select staff try highly rated options from popular brands.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best shower oils | The best shower oils | How to shop for shower oils | Why trust NBC Select?
To help choose the best shower oils, our experts recommend I keep the following in mind:
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.
Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide | Certifications: n/a
What we like
Something to note
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
What we like
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
What we like
Something to note
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
What we like
Something to note
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
What we like
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
What we like
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
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.
Shower oils are great for dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin, though they can be hit-or-miss with oily and acne-prone skin since they tend to be more occlusive than body washes, says Song. Occlusive ingredients and products tend to create a layer on your skin to protect it (think of products like Vaseline and Aquaphor), but by doing so, can lead to clogged pores, according to our experts. If you have this skin type, they recommend looking for noncomedogenic shower oils that won’t clog or block your pores.
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.
I’m 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 two dermatologists about how to properly use a shower oil and included their recommendations along with highly rated formulas the NBC Select staff liked.
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