The 8 Best Dry Body Oils for Residue-Free Moisture

last updated 13 February 2023

I like to play the long game in my beauty routine. That means I don't necessarily go for products that provide instant results. Instead, I'm interested in using time-tested things like retinol, peptides, and most importantly, sunscreen. Sure, these things might not provide instant gratification, but they offer long-term benefits that accumulate with age.

I take the same approach when it comes to bodycare. To me, daily moisture is one of the simplest, easiest ways to care for skin and keep it firm, plump, and supple. That's why I'm loyal to using body lotion and body oil (sometimes at the same time—layer the former under the latter, and I promise you'll have the smoothest, softest skin).

I'm no stranger to thick and greasy formulations, and to be completely honest, I don't mind them, because they tend to offer the most intense moisturizing benefits. However, I get it when people say they want something residue-free. After all, if you're a morning-shower person and you'll be getting dressed shortly after using body oil, you want something that sinks into your skin fast. (Is there anything worse than trying to pull on your jeans over oily legs?) That's where dry body oil comes in. This category of body oil is lightweight and fast-absorbing and often leaves a matte finish on the skin. Translation? It won't leave your skin feeling like an oil slick. Keep scrolling to see the eight best body oils in the game.

Versed

Keep It Supple Moisturizing Body Oil

I love this dry body oil, not only because it's only $15 (although that is a component). With sweet almond, macadamia nut, and coconut oils, as well as calendula flower extract and vitamin E, it leaves my skin soft and smooth. It also envelops it in a subtle, warm scent.

Monastery

Lapiz Matte Body Oil

The main moisturizing ingredient in this body oil is Italian squalane, which helps prevent moisture loss in the skin. The stimulating and energizing scent of ginger, grapefruit, and peppercorn is just an added bonus.

Glossier

Body Hero Dry-Touch Oil Mist

Glossier is in on the dry-oil game. This formula includes three antioxidant-rich oils—sunflower seed, grape seed, and oat—to deeply moisturize. There's also sea fennel extract to smooth the skin and a subtle orange blossom and neroli scent.

Nuxe

Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil

This one is a pure and utter classic. (French-pharmacy fans will surely recognize it.) It can be used on the face, body, and hair. The blend of vitamins and plant oils will instantly soften, smooth, and moisturize. What I love most about it is the scent. It's warm and sophisticated and subtle, and sometimes, I'll completely skip perfume when I'm wearing it. It's that good.

Kiehl's

Creme de Corps Nourshing Dry Body Oil

Mist this luxurious oil on your skin, and it'll absorb in no time at all. With ingredients like grape seed oil and squalane (two ingredients that are common among dry oils), it does everything you want a dry oil to do; it'll moisturize, smooth, and soothe.

Natura Bisse

The Detox Dry Oil

This body oil makes me feel so refreshed thanks to purifying ingredients like seaweed, chia oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil, and vitamin E. It's chock-full of vitamins and minerals, so I spray it on my skin with abandon.

Olverum

The Dry Body Oil

Composed of over 30 essential and cold-pressed botanical oils, this product absorbs almost instantly and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. More specifically, it contains hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and alaria esculenta extract to boost collagen synthesis.

Morrocanoil

Dry Body Oil

Argan, olive, and avocado oils work together to moisturize and protect the skin, while providing it with essential fatty acids and antioxidants. It's also fragranced with a luxurious scent of amber and sweet florals.

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Nécessaire

The Body Lotion

With ingredients like niacinamide, vitamins, and peptides, this body lotion will moisturize and strengthen the skin. I like to layer it under a body oil for the utmost moisture.

Topicals

Slather Exfoliating Body Serum with Retinol and AHAs

With retinol and AHAs like lactic and glycolic acid, this body serum addresses roughness, dry patches, bumps, and dullness. Basically, it's a one-way ticket to smooth skin.

Kosas

Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash

When I'm active in the summer, I reach for this body wash to keep bumps and breakouts at bay. With AHAs and fruit enzymes, it helps unclog pores and smooth texture.

Mutha

Body Butter

Okay, admittedly, this is a heavy body lotion. In fact, it's not a body lotion at all; it's a body butter, and it does leave a bit of residue. However, it's so worth it because it also has such strong moisturizing powers. I swear whenever I use this, my skin is instantly plumper, firmer, and more glowy.

Bioderma

Atoderm Body Cream

This non-sticky, fragrance-free body lotion is one I reach for constantly to soothe my razor burn and moisturize my dehydrated skin.

Sanitas Skincare

Vitamin C Body Lotion

It's rare to find a bodycare product that contains vitamin C, which is a shame because who wouldn't want the brightening and antioxidant benefits of this superstar ingredient? This body lotion delivers vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and squalane to dull, dry, aging skin.

Nécessaire

The Body Oil

This isn't a dry oil, but I find that it doesn't leave a thick residue like others I've tried. I also like the fact that it contains antioxidants, vitamins, and omegas 6-7-9.

Next, This $18 Triple-Exfoliating Body Scrub Makes My Skin Feel Like Expensive Silk

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Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.