For the first 20 years of my life, I relied only on a traditional body wash to cleanse my skin.
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I → rely → skin
As I got older and needed to address my eczema, a dermatologist recommended I switch to shower oil.
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I → get → oil
“A shower oil combines the properties of both oils and a body wash; [it] cleanses the skin while also providing moisture, leaving the skin feeling soft and hydrated,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach.
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Rabach → combine → skin
”
Since incorporating shower oils into my routine years ago, I haven’t stopped using them.
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I → incorporate → them
To find the best ones, we consulted two board-certified dermatologists and had the NBC Selected staff try highly rated options from popular brands.
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staff → find → brands
The best shower oils
Best overall
This noncomedogenic shower oil is great for those with sensitive and eczema-prone skin because of its niacinamide, which helps soothe the skin, says Dr. Teresa Song, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City.
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Song → help → City
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.
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it → irritate → fragrance
I also love how many uses I can get from this bottle.
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I → love → bottle
Typically, a 7-ounce body wash lasts me a month or so, but this has lasted me at least three months.
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this → last → months
All I need are a few pumps, which create a nice lather all over my skin, from my neck to my toes.
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which → need → toes
Plus, it’s gentle enough for those with very sensitive skin — even babies, says Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist.
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Yadav → ’ → skin
Best for all ages
La Roche-Posay’s cleansing shower oil also comes recommended by Song.
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oil → cleanse → Song
For one, it’s a noncomedogenic, fragrance-free formula, which is helpful for those with sensitive skin.
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which → ’ → 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.
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washes → ’ → skin
“I love how easy it is to lather up this body wash with such a small amount, especially since not all shower oils get very sudsy,” says NBC Selected commerce editor Cory Fernandez, who received a sample from the brand.
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who → love → brand
“It’s also unscented, so it doesn’t clash with my other products.”
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it → ’ → products
Editor’s pick
“Since using this in my shower routine, I’ve definitely seen a difference in my skin,” says NBC Selected associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris, who has acne-prone skin.
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who → use → 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.”
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I → feel → exfoliant
It’s suitable for all skin types and shouldn’t leave skin feeling dry or tight, according to the brand.
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It → ’ → brand
Most versatile
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.
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You → use → brand
“This shower oil is my current obsession,” says NBC Selected updates editor Mili Godio.
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Godio → say → ?
“It never feels oily or greasy, and the smell is absolutely incredible — it has a clean scent that’s subtle and not too overpowering.
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that → feel → scent
But my favorite part is how soft and smooth my skin feels after using this product.
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skin → feel → product
Simply, no other shower oil does it better.”
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oil → do → it
To elevate her shower routine into a more luxurious, self-care experience, former NBC Selected social media commerce editor Sadhana Daruvuri uses this oil from Glossier (the brand sent a courtesy sample).
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brand → elevate → 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,” she says.
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she → ’ → substance
Morris also uses this oil due to its sweet, floral scent and easy-to-use pump.
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Morris → use → scent
It has an orange blossom neroli, which she says is very calming and makes her skin smell nice after showering.
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skin → have → neroli
Mustela’s multipurpose shower oil combats any dryness and itchiness your baby or child may have.
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baby → combat → dryness
It moisturizes, softens and soothes skin, according to the brand.
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It → moisturize → brand
Reviewers say their children (from newborns to elementary-aged) have less irritation, get an effective cleanse and smell cleaner.
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children → say → cleanse
It’s also nongreasy and doesn’t leave an uncomfortable residue, reviewers say.
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reviewers → ’ → residue
Adults can also use this shower oil as a face wash or a makeup remover, according to Mustela.
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Adults → use → Mustela
Most soothing
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.
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which → focus → 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 Selected reporter Zoe Malin.
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Malin → ’ → it
“I’m especially looking forward to using this shower oil in the winter, when my skin gets the most dry and flakey.”
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skin → look → winter
This option is noncomedogenic, free of common irritants and is safe to use if you’re experiencing flare-ups, according to Avène.
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you → use → Avène
If you’re looking for a shower oil that hydrates and brightens your skin simultaneously, consider this one from Kopari.
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that → look → 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.
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who → feel → 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.
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which → use → milk
…and 73 more, not listed.
The Aporia
