Winter Special: The LBB Crew Recommends Tried & Tested Body Oils

While I don't quite use oils on a regular basis, something I indulge in is the Forest Essentials Mashobra Honey Vanilla after bath oil. It's meant for all skin types, and I do have an issue with pores clogging (blame it on sweaty workouts!), so this was soluble enough in water (hence after bath) to not really leave a layer of oil on the skin. It's gentle, non-sticky (thankfully!) and the vanilla is quite a soothing fragrance. I recommend using it instead of your daily moisturiser as it's quite long-lasting, laden with apricot, sunflower and almond oils. Best used in drier climates, and not during the rains. Of course, it doesn't have SPF so may not be the ideal of you're looking for a skin-hydrater with sun protection. 

Price: INR 1595

Aakanksha's Rating: 3.5/5 (mostly because it's fairly expensive!)

I’m someone who is not a big fan of oils—hair or body, despite being blessed with super dry skin. However, I did get my hands on the Khaadi Hair+Body olive oil to obviously kill one bird with two stones. When used as a body oil, this one has to be applied before your bath, a small amount goes a long way, plus it is non greasy. What I loved most about it, is that afterwards, it left the skin super moisturised and soft plus giving you a sheen. It does however have a peculiar smell to it, which takes getting used to. But being 100% ayurvedic and natural, this one definitely gets a thumbs up. 

Price: INR 349

Diana’s Rating: 4/5 

Luxury ayurvedic brand Nyveda recently launched exclusively on Nykaa, so of course I had to check it out to see what it's all about. I got my hands on the head-to-toe oil that is essentially a multi-purpose and nourishing oil that claims to be made using an authentic ayurvedic recipe. I've been using it for close to a month now, applying it literally from head to toe every Sunday. It's super lightweight, the oil setlles into the skin immediately and doesn't weigh down on the hair at all! The fragrance is herby but not at all heady, which I love. Plus this gets brownie points for being mineral oil, sulphate, paraben, and cruelty free, while also being 100 per cent recyclable and vegan. 

Price: INR 899

Bhavika's Rating: 5/5

As someone with hyper-dry skin that needs to be treated with a lotion multiple times a day, the body oil by Plum was a sweet surprise. In the beginning, I would apply it once every day to find that my skin wasn’t drying out by the end of it, and eventually had to apply it only once every other day (except for my knees and elbows, which still needed application everyday). The act of applying oil to my skin threw me off in the beginning, because like any desi household, mine is also obsessed with sarso ka tel and it gave me the same feel texture-wise (it is an oil, after all). But the sweet scent of vanilla had me feeling like a walking scented candle all day long, in the best way. I think this body oil actually treated my skin with continuous use, making it need lesser product than it did when I started using it, which is something that I love as a very lazy (and a very frugal) person.

Price: INR 299

Manya’s Rating: 5/5

The Biotique body oil claims to keep your skin moisturised and free from dry lines. After using it for a good month, I can vouch for that. It’s a super blend and an all organic one at that. The 120ml (can last for over a month) bottle retails for INR 135 but you’ll always find some discount online and usually will be able to get it for INR 115. While I can’t really comment on the anti-ageing bit (I am Gen-Z so ageing mentally not physically yet!), we’re sure that giving your skin that extra layer of moisture does help in the long run. There is one con to it however; the absorption isn't as quick as I’d like it to be. I often reached out for the bottle when I was at home or didn't have immediate plans to go out because the oil takes about 30 minutes before it settled its shine. Overall, it’s a good oil, does what it’s supposed to and is a great bargain for the price. 

Price: INR 135

Muskan’s Rating: 4/5

I use Parachute Coconut Oil because my Malayali skin just loves it. My skin stays moisturised for the whole day tbh. Plus, I also use like vaseline at times to mask that extra coconut smell. So it's a layer of vaseline and then coconut oil or just coconut oil if I'm at home the whole day.

Price: INR 115

Sreepathy's Rating: 10/5

This brand has been started by an influencer - Malvika Sitlani, and is non-greasy, lasts a long time and smells really good. Ideal for all seasons too. I have really dry skin but I believe it works for all skin types too cause of its non-greasy texture, it stays on for long and if you're feeling extra, you can put some body highlighter on top of it and literally glow, girl. The 200 ml bottle lasts for about six weeks, since I end up using it quite a lot.

Price: INR 799

Ira's Rating: 3/5