To use body oil, keep your shower short and warm, pat your skin so it stays slightly damp, then smooth a small amount of oil over it and massage it in. This guide covers how, and what dermatologists at the American Academy of Dermatology say about moisturizing dry skin.
We sell an Argan Oil Pipette and a Pure Jojoba Oil, so read this with that in mind. Where the evidence is thin, or where our own listings say more than the sources support, this guide says so. For oils on the face, see our facial oil guide.
The American Academy of Dermatology advises patting skin dry after bathing and applying moisturizer while it is still damp, because damp skin helps the product trap water and keep it from evaporating.
For dry skin, AAD dermatologists point to creams and ointments rather than lotions. We found no AAD page recommending a plain plant oil alone, though it lists jojoba oil among cream and ointment ingredients.
The AAD recommends fragrance-free products for dry skin and warns that “unscented” products can contain chemicals that hide odors. A dermatologist it quotes says natural ingredients can still aggravate allergies.
Dry skin that persists, or that burns, stings, cracks or bleeds, deserves a dermatologist visit. The AAD says it can signal atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or kidney disease, not only a missing moisturizer.
How Do You Use Body Oil?
Bathe briefly, pat dry, then apply the oil to still-damp skin and massage it in. The steps below follow the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advice on moisturizing, not a lab test of our own.
- Keep the shower short and warm. The AAD says to limit baths and showers to five to ten minutes in warm water, and to close the bathroom door to help hydrate your skin.
- Pat your skin dry; do not rub. The AAD says to gently pat your skin with a clean, dry towel, because rubbing can irritate extremely dry skin.
- Apply while the skin is still damp. The AAD says to put moisturizer on when your skin is still damp after a shower or bath, after washing your hands, and whenever your skin feels dry.
- Massage it in gently. The AAD says to take time to gently massage the moisturizer into your skin.
- Place it where skin is driest. Our Argan Oil Pipette page says the dropper lets you place a single drop on dry patches such as elbows and heels. No source we read gives a body-oil amount, so start with a little and add more.
- Reapply when skin feels dry. The AAD says to apply moisturizer several times a day, not once.
Should You Apply Body Oil on Damp Skin?
Yes, going by dermatologist advice on moisturizers: apply right after bathing. The AAD guidance we read is about moisturizers in general, and we found no test that compares body oil on damp and dry skin.
- Why damp skin: AAD dermatologist Dr. Jason Clark says moisturizer is more effective right after the shower because it traps water in the skin and keeps it from evaporating.
- The AAD's phrasing: “Apply moisturizer to your skin right after you get out of the shower to prevent water loss,” he says.
- What is not shown: None of the AAD pages we read tests oils against creams, so how much water a plain oil holds in is not established here.
Is Body Oil Enough for Dry Skin?
Maybe not. For dry skin the AAD points to creams and ointments, and we found no AAD page that recommends a plain plant oil by itself.
- Cream or ointment first: The AAD says ointments and creams add more moisture and are more effective than lotions. It describes an ointment as the thickest option and the most effective for dry skin.
- Where oils appear: The same AAD page lists jojoba oil among ingredients to look for in a cream or ointment, alongside glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter and petrolatum. Argan oil is not on that list.
- Where an oil can fit: Used on damp skin, an oil is a moisturizer step like any other. If skin stays dry, the AAD advice is a cream or ointment and a dermatologist visit.
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Check the ingredient list first. The AAD asks for fragrance-free products for dry, sensitive skin and says “natural” does not mean gentle for everyone.
- Fragrance-free, not “unscented”: The AAD says to look for products labeled “fragrance-free.” An “unscented” product can contain chemicals that neutralize or hide other ingredients’ odors, which can irritate dry, sensitive skin.
- Natural is not a safety guarantee: AAD dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Kazin jokes that “poison ivy is all natural,” and cautions people with sensitive skin about organic skin care lines because many ingredients can aggravate allergies.
- What ours contain: Our Argan Oil Pipette is listed as 100% Argania spinosa oil, 30 ml, and its page says no fragrance is added. Our Pure Jojoba Oil is listed as 100% Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, 120 ml.
- Oily or acne-prone skin: The AAD says too much moisturizer can clog pores and lead to acne for some people, and suggests considering a lighter gel or skipping it. Try a small area first.
- What our page says: Our Pure Jojoba Oil page says it “signals sebaceous glands to produce less.” We found no source for that, so we do not rely on it here.
When Should You See a Dermatologist About Dry Skin?
See one if skin stays dry after you follow the steps above, or sooner if it hurts. This guide is information, not medical advice.
The AAD says to see a board-certified dermatologist if you still have dry skin after trying these tips, because it may stem from an underlying condition such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or kidney disease. Another AAD page says skin that is red, cracking, itching, stinging or has a rash may be excessively dry, and that dryness that becomes painful, cracked, bleeding, stinging or very irritating needs an appointment. If anything you apply, including a moisturizer, causes burning, stinging or irritation, the AAD says to tell your dermatologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you use body oil?
Keep the shower short and warm, pat your skin so it stays damp, then smooth on a little oil and massage it in. The AAD says to moisturize right after bathing and several times a day.
When is the best time to put on body oil?
Right after a bath or shower, while skin is still damp. The AAD says moisturizer is more effective then because it traps water and keeps it from evaporating.
How much body oil should you use?
We found no source that gives an amount. Our Argan Oil Pipette page says the dropper places a single drop where it is needed. Start with a little and add more.
Is body oil better than lotion?
We found no study comparing them. The AAD says creams and ointments are more effective than lotions for dry skin, and does not name plain oil as the main option.
Is body oil safe for sensitive skin?
Not automatically. The AAD asks for fragrance-free products and a dermatologist it quotes says natural ingredients can still aggravate allergies. Try a small area first, and stop if skin burns, stings or itches.
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