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Think of dry body oil mists as the 2.0 version of regular body oils—maintaining the same nourishing benefits, while drying down at lightening speed to a weightless finish that leaves skin feeling silky smooth. That’s right, you don’t have to worry about ruining your clothes while getting dressed. “Dry body oil mists are a better option if you don’t like the feel of oily residue,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman tells Vogue, “[whereas] body oils tend to be thicker in consistency and take longer to absorb onto the skin.” Think of it this way: Dry oils achieve radiance sans grease.
Vogue’s Favorite Dry Body Oil Mists
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In This Story
- What’s the difference between body oil and dry body oil?
- Can body oil sprays replace body lotions?
- What’s the best way to apply a dry body oil spray?
- Meet the Experts
So then, can’t you dabble in DIY by pouring your favorite body oil into a spray bottle? Not quite! “The distinction between body oils and dry body oil sprays comes down to texture, absorption rate, and finish," board-certified nurse practitioner Vanessa Coppola tells. “Traditional body oils tend to be richer (think coconut oil) for a longer-lasting occlusive barrier. Dry body oils, by contrast, are formulated with lighter, fast-absorbing esters, like caprylic/capric triglyceride or isopropyl myristate, that deliver hydration without weight, and almost no transfer.” Another perk? There’s no slathering required when applying these formulas—just spritz and go to leave skin hydrated. With all that in mind, peruse our nine favorite dry body oil mists, for a convenient hydration and glow (so convenient, in fact you can even spray it on-the-go).
Best French Pharmacy: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse
- Why We Love It: This French-pharmacy classic is formulated with botanical oils rich in vitamin E—leaving a light vanilla-orange-blossom scent in its wake. “This is a heritage product for a reason,” says Coppola. “It bridges skincare and fragrance. The blend of camellia, hazelnut, and sweet almond oils gives it a plush finish, while its scent—orange blossom, magnolia, and vanilla—is unmistakably French and timeless.” Care to double down on a glistening finish? Vogue’s senior archive editor Laird Borrelli-Persson opts for the shimmer version of this dry oil. “Seriously, I feel like I’m carrying a bar of gold when I pack this in my gingham makeup bag,” she previously mused.
- Key Ingredients: Tsubaki oil, argan oil, macadamia oil, borage oil, camellia oil, hazelnut oil, sweet almond oil
- Size: 1.6 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| An affordable French-pharmacy pick | Glass bottle can get slippery during application |
| Multi-purpose product, that works on hair and body | Cap is prone to leaking |
Best Affordable: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Dry Body Oil Mist
- Why We Love It: Made with 98% natural ingredients, Aveeno’s dry oil leaves skin feeling baby smooth. Triple board-certified dermatopathologist Dr. Gretchen Frieling considers it “great for those with sensitive or eczema-prone skin” thanks to its soothing, fragrance-free formula. Plus, the brand’s signature ingredient, colloidal oatmeal, is “a superstar for soothing redness and reinforcing the skin barrier,” as board-certified dermatologist Alexandra Bowles previously shared.
- Key ingredients: Oat and jojoba oils
- Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Made with 98% natural ingredients | Some users report that the spray nozzle clogs easily |
| Affordable price point |
Best with Fragrance: Moroccanoil Dry Body Oil
- Why We Love It: Moroccanoil’s sweetly scented offering mixes ambroxan and sweet florals scents to mesh the perks of a moisturizing oil with a fragrant mist. “With argan, olive, and avocado oils, this formula is a nutrient powerhouse that leaves a soft, luminous sheen,” says Coppola. “This is the kind of body oil that doubles as perfume and mood lift.”
- Key ingredients: Argan oil, olive oil, avocado oil
- Size: 3.4 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Doubles as fragrance mist | Strong fragrance isn’t suitable for sensitive skin |
Best Clean Beauty: Rahua Body Oil Mist
- Why We Love It: “For a botanical-forward option, Rahua’s mist is infused with omega-rich Amazonian oils—it’s nutrient-dense but never heavy,” Coppola says. “It absorbs beautifully and is great for sensitive or compromised skin due to its non-stripping plant profile.” Plus, you can’t beat a product boasting a 100% clean composition. “Formulated with natural, eco-friendly ingredients, [this is] ideal for those looking for a clean, luxury body-care option,” adds Coppola.
- Key ingredients: Rahua (ungurahua) oil, sacha inchi oil, morete fruit oil, vitamin E, palo santo oil
- Size: 2 fl oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Derived from 100% natural oils and eco-friendly ingredients | A pricier pick for some |
| Sensitive-skin safe | |
| Vegan, paraben-free, and cruelty-free |
Best Lightweight: Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil
- Why We Love It: Kiehl’s airy mist expertly fuses skin-loving squalane with antioxidant-rich grape seed oil to deliver a lightweight veil of lasting hydration. As an added bonus, this body oil feature light gourmand notes of vanilla and almost to add to the sensorial experience—making it a perfect accompaniment to the Crème de Corps body lotion we know you already keep stashed in your vanity.
- Key Ingredients: Grape seed oil, squalane, sesame seed oil, avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, rosemary extract
- Size: 5.9 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Rich in antioxidants and fatty acids | Some find texture of this mist a bit oily until it dries down |
| Light fragrance isn’t overwhelming |
Best Mosquito Repellent: Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil
- Why We Love It: As much as we all love summer, there’s a sneaky downside to the season other than sweltering heat—insect bites. “An oldie but a goodie—originally developed for skin treatment and re-conditioning, Avon Skin So Soft’s unique ability to repel mosquitos is attributed to its oil-based delivery system and inclusion of citronella and other fragrance esters that naturally deter insects," Coppola says. "It’s been field-tested in backyards and beach trips for decades and it still holds up.” Vogue’s beauty shopping writer Conçetta Ciarlo also swears by it. “I’ll never forget a trip to Paris where everyone in our Airbnb was eaten alive by mosquitoes except for me—as someone super-allergic to bug bites, this is my ultimate summer beauty essential,” says Ciarlo.
- Key Ingredients: Citronella oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E
- Size: 150 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Works double duty as moisturizer and bug repellent | Takes a bit of extra rubbing to fully absorb |
| Formula contains citronella oil, a chemical-free insect repellent |
Best with SPF: Kopari Golden Sunglaze Body Mist Sunscreen
- Why We Love It: Another true multitasker, this SPF 50 body spray delivers high UV protection with a skin-first approach. Lightweight and non-aerosol, it sprays on effortlessly as a fine mist, imparting a radiant, golden sheen thanks to ethically sourced mica. Hyaluronic acid imparts deep, lasting hydration, while antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E work to brighten and defend against environmental stressors. The result is soft, luminous skin that’s also shielded from damaging sun rays.
- Key Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, homosalate 0.5%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 10%, tocopherol, castor seed oil, hydrogenated castor oil
- Size: 5 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Non-aerosol is more environmentally friendly packaging | Some consider this more of a by-the beach body oil than everyday, as it doesn’t absorb as fast |
| Offers hydration and sun protection |
Best for Hair and Body: Caudalie Fig Body Oil Elixir
- Why We Love It: “Using argan, prickly pear, and grapeseed oils, this delivers antioxidant protection and barrier support,” esthetician Kristyn Smith previously told Vogue. She adds that grapeseed oil—Caudalie’s signature ingredient—is particularly beneficial for tackling dryness without clogging the pores. Plus, while castor oil is lauded for its hair and skin softening benefits, don’t forget about the antioxidant super ingredient prickly pear oil—deeply hydrating, non-comedogenic, and known to stimulate cell turnover to boost elasticity. Spray this dry oil on your strands or limbs—either way, the result is glistening hydration.
- Key Ingredients: Grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, sesame seed oil, sweet almond oil, rosemary leaf extract
- Size: 3.4 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Benefits hair and body | Some may dislike the earthy scent |
| Antioxidant and amino-acid rich formulation |
Best with Neroli: Glossier Body Hero Dry-Touch Oil Mist
- Why We Love It: “This features three antioxidant rich oils, sunflower seed, grapeseed, and oat, which work together to smooth and hydrate the skin," says Dr. Spearman. “This formula absorbs fast, and leaves a nice glow without any stickiness or residue.” Plus, Coppola adds that while the formula isn’t overly scented, the neroli fragrance makes a great base for fragrance layering.
- Key Ingredients: Grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, sea fennel extract, orange blossom neroli blend
- Size: 3.3 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Packed with anti-oxidant rich ingredients | Some find the glass bottle hard to grip and slippery when applying |
| Vegan and cruelty-free |
Everything You Need to Know
What’s the difference between body oil and dry body oil?
TL;DR, it all comes down to how quickly the formula absorbs into the skin, and the resulting finish. But how do these misting oils absorb faster? “Dry body oils, on the other hand, are formulated to absorb quickly by often utilizing lighter weight oils or silicones in the formula,” says Dr. Frieling.
Can body oil sprays replace body lotions?
Depending on your skin type, you can skip a body lotion and stick to a dry body oil as your main source of skin nourishment. “A well-formulated dry body oil spray can absolutely serve as your primary body hydrator, particularly if you apply it directly after bathing when the skin’s barrier is still damp and more permeable,” says Coppola, speaking to normal to slightly dry complexions.
Not so fast for mature or very dry skin types, though. Dr. Frieling notes that in this case, “more from traditional moisturizers that contain both humectants and occlusives,” are necessary to lock in hydration. In that case, spritz on a nourishing body oil mist, followed by a body butter or cream to lock in essential oils for deeper level moisturization.
What s the best way to apply a dry body oil spray?
Timing is everything when it comes to proper application of a dry body oil spray. “The ideal time is to apply is post-shower, on slightly damp skin. A few spritzes across arms, legs, and décolletage, followed by a light, upward sweeping motion with your hands will help to distribute the oil evenly while activating microcirculation,”Coppola explains. “Remember to avoid over-saturating; the goal is a whisper-light veil, not a coat.” Though pros offer one word of caution: Be careful while applying, as product residue can easily accumulate on the floor and create a potential slipping hazard.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Alexandra Bowles, DO, a board-certified dermatologist at Mona Dermatology.
- Vanessa Coppola, APN-C, FNP-BC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner, aesthetic expert, and founder of Bare Aesthetics Medspa Wellness in New Jersey.
- Dr. Gretchen Frieling, MD is a Harvard-trained, triple board-certified dermatopathologist with practices in Boston and Cape Cod, with over 18 years of experience in medicine, dermatopathology, and aesthetics.
- Kristyn Smith is an esthetician and the founder of Practise NYC.
- Dr. Dara Spearman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, specializing in melanoma and skin-cancer care.
