The Best Shower Oils to Use Instead of Basic Body Wash

You probably remember your first encounter with an oil cleanser. The concept of washing your face with oil (especially if you have oily skin) seemed totally crazy when it first became popular, but it turned out to make total scientific sense.

That's because "oil dissolves oil, making cleansing oils a great way to eliminate not only makeup but also the general dirt and grime," explains board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D. But beyond that, oils have the added benefit of being nourishing for the skin. "Regular soap with detergent ingredients strips skin of its natural oils and leaves the skin dry and irritated," notes Dr. King.

In recent years, body care has gained traction as people come to understand that taking care of the body's largest organ means all of it — aka all that skin below the neck too. Enter: shower oils.

As with facial cleansing oil, shower oils also offer better skin benefits for your body. "Regular body wash can strip the skin of natural oils, whereas shower oils not only don't strip but replenish moisture," says board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, M.D. So basically, if you're looking for clean, hydrated skin, these body cleansing oils are the answer. Here are the best shower oils to switch out your bar soap.

01 of 06

Kopari Hydrating Vitamin C Shower Oil

Buy It, $28

This silky, light shower oil smells like a tropical vacation, so that's its first win. It's rich in antioxidants from coconut, passionfruit seed, and hibiscus seed oils, all of which protect and hydrate your whole body, leaving it feeling silky smooth and soft.

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L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil

Buy It, $29

This classic product comes out of the bottle as a liquid oil but transforms into frothy milk as it comes into contact with water. Moisturizing with, unsurprisingly, almond oil as it cleanses, skin is left smooth and with a hint of the luscious almond scent reminiscent of a French pâtisserie. (Make your daily ritual even more luxurious by making it a eucalyptus shower.)

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Glossier Body Hero Daily Oil Wash

Buy It, $20

Fragrance lovers will swoon for this orange blossom and neroli scented oil wash. Body Hero is Glossier's only body cleanser, because why mess with perfection? Its blend of coconut, meadowfoam, olive, and soybean oils soften; sesame oil soothes and purifies; grapeseed oil is rich in antioxidants; and finally, sunflower seed oil helps maintain the skin barrier and lock in moisture.

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Skinfix Eczema+ Foaming Oil Body Wash

Buy It, $26

This do-no-harm oil wash is the perfect pick for sensitive skin types and even eczema-prone skin. With its fragrance-free blend of aloe vera juice and gentle oils such as jojoba, sunflower, and apricot kernel, the skin is left soothed and hydrated — never irritated.

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Rituals The Ritual of Karma Shower Oil

Buy It, $13

On the fence about switching from your go-to shower gel or bar soap? This affordable option allows you to try out the sensory experience of a shower oil while spending less than $15. The Ritual of Karma is a white tea and holy lotus scent with clean, green, and lightly floral notes.

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Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil

buy it, $29

This formula is both eczema-safe and a good value at just under $30 for a full liter (more than double the size of any other option on this list). Plus, you get to add a French pharmacy mainstay to your shower routine. The vegetal bio-lipids in this formula create a protect film on the skin's surface, which work to strengthen the skin barrier while keeping the skin hydrated and irritants away.

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