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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Funmi Fetto

Scented body oils: 10 of the best

Young woman wrapped in towel rubbing cream on neck, rear viewGettyImages-595665-001
Silky touch: good oils are non-greasy and leave you with a lasting scent. Photograph: Jerome Tisne/Getty Images

I’ve always loved oils: the glide, the texture, the way they immediately absorb into your skin and give you that sublime glossy finish that catches the light in all the right places and just makes everything look more alive. There is also something quite luxe and indulgent about the tangibility of an oil – much more exciting than, say, a body lotion, which can feel a bit noncommittal and pedestrian. The lush factor of an oil is taken up a notch when you add the element of fragrance to it. I love a product that is effective, makes the daily chore of beauty a delight and, crucially, has a dual purpose – which a scented body oil absolutely does. It will deeply moisturise your skin so it doesn’t fall to pieces, but it will also make you smell really nice – particularly with these oils here, many of which have been developed with world-class perfumers. Still, there are lots of people who automatically swerve body oils, for making skin too sticky and clammy – particularly in the summer – and leaving stains on clothing. But these are light, deeply hydrating and a joy to use. So try one, I promise you won’t feel as if you’re being slathered in vegetable oil.

1. Susanne Kaufmann Marigold Body Oil £28, susannekaufmann.com
2. Augustinus Bader Geranium Rose Body Oil £85, augustinusbader.com
3. Elemis Frangipani Body Oil £46, elemis.com
4. Ilapothecary Speak Your Truth Body Oil £51, cult beauty.co.uk
5. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Scented Body Oil £95, selfridges.com
6. Diptyque Satin Oil £48, diptyqueparis.com
7. Buly Perfumed Body Oil £50, buly1803.com
8. Gabar Touch Body Oil £55, gabarworld.com
9. Aesop Breathless Oil £30, aesop.com
10. Nuxe Multipurpose Dry Oil £22, lookfantastic.com

Follow Funmi on X @FunmiFetto

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