Six bath and body oils, from slow rituals to clever post-shower moves

The one-bottle all-rounder

NUXE's Huile Prodigieuse opens the selection with a simple promise: one 100 ml bottle for face, body and hair. It's the one to keep within reach if you'd rather not line up three products on the bathroom shelf, from arms to ends. Its dry-touch texture, built on a blend of seven precious 100% plant oils, leaves a satin finish with a delicate scent rather than a greasy film, making it easier to wear in the morning before getting dressed than very rich oils. That's what sets it apart from the other five: while monoï is intensely nourishing and Weleda's bath is for the tub, this one is the everyday all-rounder.

The right move takes seconds: warm two or three pumps in your palms, then smooth over skin that's still damp after a shower, when water helps the oil spread. On hair, keep it to the mid-lengths and ends so roots don't feel weighed down. Store the bottle away from heat and direct sunlight, which goes for every oil in this edit.

An evening bath with lavender

There are evenings when you need to switch off, and for those Weleda's Lavender Relaxing Bath Milk offers more than a simple clean. This bath oil, in a 200 ml glass bottle, is poured straight under the running tap, scenting the steam with lavender. It's designed for bathwater rather than for skin after a shower, which changes the whole rhythm of the ritual. Once you're out, skin feels supple without needing to follow straight away with a cream.

It's better to pour the oil while the bath is filling rather than into still water: it disperses more evenly. As with any bath oil, be careful with the quantity, because water that's too oily makes the bottom of the bath slippery. The bottle closes securely after use and should be stored upright, away from light.

A floral veil after your shower

For anyone who likes to step out of the bath still smelling of something, La Sultane de Saba's Fleur d'Oranger beauty oil delivers. It's a body and hair oil scented with orange blossom, described as non-greasy, leaving a delicately scented veil and a satin, luminous finish. Its real point of difference in this selection is the scent: where Weleda's bath plays on steam and relaxation and monoï brings a sunny scent, this one lays down a soft floral note that extends the bath without any extra step. It's therefore best suited to those who want a product that makes itself noticed, on normal to dry skin.

The ideal moment is while skin is still warm and slightly damp, straight after a shower: massage from ankles to shoulders in circular movements, not forgetting elbows and knees. For hair, a few drops on the ends are enough, avoiding the scalp. A bottle kept out of sunlight keeps its notes for longer.

The sunny scent that nourishes

Next stop, the Pacific: Tiki's Monoï de Tahiti, in a 100 ml glass bottle with a tiare flower floating inside, sold by La Boutique du Monoï. This one carries the Monoï de Tahiti appellation and is intended for body and hair after a shower. In this selection, it's the richest: it's aimed at very dry skin, legs that feel tight by the end of the day or damaged ends, where a light oil like Prodigieuse wouldn't be enough. Conversely, combination skin or high-summer use will probably find it too enveloping.

One practical point before you open it: in cool weather, monoï solidifies in its bottle and turns into a white paste. Just hold the bottle under warm water for a few minutes, or warm the oil between your palms, and it becomes fluid again. It's also best to work it between your hands before applying to skin, to avoid uneven patches.

The big bottle for dry skin

Not every skin gets on with fragranced formulas, and that's where Mitosyl Bébé & Enfant Bath Oil comes in. This 500 ml bottle, designed for dry skin, is sold by DocMorris, an online pharmacy: it's the largest format in the selection, and the only one described as suitable for babies and children. Its purpose is different from massage oils: it's poured into bathwater to limit dryness during the bath itself, which makes it useful when skin already feels tight when you wash, including for an adult with fragile skin.

Pour it into the water as the bath fills, using just a thin stream, then keep an eye on the bottom of the bath, as with all bath oils. The 500 ml size is good for a family or regular use, but it takes up space in a small bathroom. Store it upright, tightly closed, and keep it out of the bath area used by small children.

The affordable organic sweet almond oil

Last entry, and the plainest: Raille d'Jouvence's organic virgin sweet almond oil, in a 50 ml bottle, first cold-pressed, around £10. It's the simplest, most affordable option in the selection, a single plant oil, with no added fragrance or blend of actives, for daily massage or as a budget bath oil for normal to dry skin. It doesn't do the scented-care thing, unlike Tiki's monoï or La Sultane de Saba's orange blossom: its appeal lies in its short ingredient list and low price.

A few drops in hot water turn an ordinary bath into a nourishing one, and the oil also works very well for massaging legs and arms after a shower. Mind the size, though: 50 ml goes quickly if you use it all over every day. It's better reserved for targeted areas, the bath or a travel bag, and stored away from light to keep it fresh.

What it costs

On price, the selection starts with the most affordable: Raille d'Jouvence's organic virgin sweet almond oil, around £10 for 50 ml, which is consistent with its status as a single plant oil with no added fragrance. It's the entry point of the group, and also the smallest format. For the other five, expect a broad range of roughly £15 to £40 depending on the bottle and brand. The price depends mainly on two things: the format, from 100 ml at NUXE and Tiki to 200 ml at Weleda and up to 500 ml at Mitosyl, and the composition, whether that's an appellation-controlled monoï, a blend of seven plant oils or a formula designed for fragile skin. The range therefore tightens around large everyday care formats and widens noticeably for branded 100 to 200 ml oils, though price doesn't necessarily reflect greater efficacy: it also reflects brand recognition, scent and glass packaging.

Where to find them: direct from the brands for NUXE's Huile Prodigieuse and Weleda's relaxing bath, from La Sultane de Saba for the orange blossom oil, from La Boutique du Monoï for Tiki's bottle, from DocMorris, an online pharmacy, for Mitosyl bath oil, and from Raille d'Jouvence's own shop for the sweet almond oil. Availability and delivery can differ by country, so check before ordering.

Buying these second-hand doesn't really make sense for cosmetic oils, when you don't know when they were opened or how they've been stored: buy new. Prices quoted are indicative, taken on 13 October 2026, and can change from one retailer to another. Some links on the site may be affiliate links: this doesn't change our choice of products or the content of this selection.