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Liquid Gold: The Summer Body Oils That Smell As Good As They Look

The nourishing body oils that leave skin glowing, beautifully scented and ready for summer.

If winter is for rich, unctuous butters, then summer is definitely the season for body glossing, nourishing oils that leave limbs gleaming with healthy and heavenly perfumed with evocative sun-warmed fragrances of tropical blooms, coconut and gourmand vanillas.

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When looking for the perfect holiday body oil, make sure you seek out those rich in plant oils that will keep skin supple healthy, rather than synthetic or mineral oils. Also look for those formulas with added actives, or skincare benefits that will help to brighten or firm skin. If you invest in a high-quality oil, it can be a clever space saving buy for holidays, doubling as an intense hair treatment, too.

Lastly in the holy grail of body oil purchases, look for those with a little added shimmer, to really leave skin with that golden sun-kissed glow we’re all chasing this summer…

Here Are 12 Favourites We Love:

Saltair, Salt Water Vanilla Body Oil, £25

Hands down the sexiest body fragrance for summer, the salinity stops the vanilla from being too sweet, just skin-bitingly delicious.

L’Occitane

Amande Sublime Supple Skin Oil, £20

Space NK

Caribbean Shores Shimmer Body Oil, £18

Mirror Water

Smooth Body Oil, £27

Elemis

Frangipani Monoi Body Oil, £48

Laura Mercier

Almond Coconut Bath and Body Oil, £64

Nuxe

Huile Prodigieuse Shimmering Multi-Purpose Dry Body Oil, £24

Sol de Janeiro

Glowmotiions Copacabana Bronze Glow Oil, £35

Kora Organics

Noni Glow Body Oil, £65

Kopari Beauty

Golden Aura Body Oil, £42

Victoria Beckham Beauty

Golden Shimmer Body Oil, £90

Whind

Marrakech Shimmer Luminous Gel Body Oil, £50

FAQs: The Best Body Oil For Summer

What is the best-smelling body oil for summer?

The best summer body oils combine lightweight hydration with fragrances that evoke sunshine and holidays, such as coconut, vanilla, tropical flowers, citrus and warm amber. Saltair Salt Water Vanilla Body Oil is a standout for its unique blend of salty skin and creamy vanilla, while Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil offers an iconic tropical floral scent that instantly transports you to the beach.

Which body oils leave your skin glowing?

Look for body oils containing light-reflecting minerals or subtle shimmer pigments. Products such as Victoria Beckham Beauty Golden Shimmer Body Oil, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Dry Oil and Space NK Caribbean Shores Shimmer Body Oil leave skin looking radiant with a soft, sun-kissed finish without feeling greasy.

Are body oils better than body lotion in summer?

Many people prefer body oils during warmer months because they absorb quickly, enhance the skin's natural glow and leave less residue than richer creams. High-quality oils formulated with nourishing botanical ingredients also help lock in moisture while giving legs, shoulders and arms a healthy-looking sheen.

What ingredients should I look for in a body oil?

The best body oils contain plant-based oils such as sweet almond, jojoba, coconut, argan or sunflower oil, alongside antioxidant-rich vitamin E and nourishing botanical extracts. These ingredients help support the skin barrier while keeping skin soft, smooth and hydrated.

Can body oil make your perfume last longer?

Yes. Applying a body oil before fragrance can help lock moisture into the skin, allowing perfume to cling for longer. Choosing a scented body oil with complementary notes, such as vanilla, coconut or white florals, can also create a longer-lasting fragrance layer.

Can you use body oil on your hair?

Many nourishing body oils can double as a hair treatment. Oils rich in botanical ingredients can be smoothed through dry ends to tame frizz, add shine or used as an overnight pre-shampoo treatment. Always check the product instructions first, as not every body oil is formulated for hair.

What is the best shimmer body oil for holidays?

For holidays, choose lightweight oils that combine hydration with a subtle golden shimmer. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Dry Oil, Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Copacabana Bronze Glow Oil and Victoria Beckham Beauty Golden Shimmer Body Oil are all excellent choices for enhancing tanned skin.

Should you apply body oil before or after sunbathing?

Body oil should be applied after showering or after sun exposure to replenish lost moisture. Unless specifically formulated with SPF, body oils do not provide adequate sun protection and should never replace sunscreen.

Which body oils are best for dry skin?

Dry skin benefits most from body oils rich in nourishing plant lipids such as almond, coconut and jojoba oil. L'Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil, Kora Organics Noni Glow Body Oil and Mirror Water Smooth Body Oil all provide lasting hydration while helping improve skin softness and elasticity.

What is the best luxury body oil for glowing summer skin?

Luxury body oils combine sophisticated fragrance with skincare benefits and elegant textures. Victoria Beckham Beauty Golden Shimmer Body Oil offers a luminous finish, Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Bath & Body Oil delivers an indulgent gourmand scent, while Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil remains a cult favourite for silky skin and an unmistakable holiday fragrance.