We put Neutrogena Body Oil to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.
“Try body oil” has been on my to-do list for a while now. While I have dabbled in it, I’ve never fully committed to it—so when I got the opportunity to try the Neutrogena Body Oil, I was interested to see if it would provide more head-to-toe moisture than my lotion. I also wanted to know if it would leave behind an oily residue, which has been my main gripe with body oil in the past.
Here’s how it worked for me.
About My Skin: Not overly dry, except in the winter
Thanks to insufferable East Coast humidity, there’s not a lot that will dry out my skin in the summer months. Wintertime is a different story, though: My skin tends to get incredibly dry, itchy, and flaky, and it feels like no amount of hydrating body wash or moisturizer can remedy it.
This summer, I’ve been working hard to find a product that will work for me so I don’t have to suffer through overly dry skin once winter rolls around again. That’s why I was so excited to try the Neutrogena Body Oil, which promises an intense hydration experience.
The Feel: Not as heavy as I expected
Considering that the Neutrogena Body Oil is made with sesame oil, I expected it to be thick and heavy (anyone who has ever cooked with sesame oil knows what I’m talking about). It was a little bit heavy, but compared to other body oils I’ve tried, it was surprisingly light.
That being said—and this is the gripe I have with all body oils, not just this one—it does linger on my skin after I apply it. Since I shower at night, I tend to get into bed shortly after I moisturize, and every time I’ve used the Neutrogena Body Oil, at least a little bit has ended up on my sheets. A word to the wise: A little bit of body oil goes a long way.
The Scent: Strong and flowery
Does the Neutrogena Body Oil have a scent? Yes, it does—and it’s strong. That being said, it’s a scent I love and have maybe only ever smelled before on a middle school trip to Hawaii. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is. The only clue I have is in the ingredients list, and it’s the word “fragrance,” which doesn’t get me very far.
All this to say: It’s an excellent floral smell. But if you’re sensitive to scents, this is on the stronger side, in which case you might want to steer clear.
The Packaging: Bulky
I can appreciate a big bottle because I hate when I run out of a product it feels like I just bought. But this is a big bottle. At 16 ounces, you’ll need to have ample counter space for this bottle—or space on the side of your tub, if you’re using it as a bath oil—and I wouldn’t say it’s travel-friendly.
Byrdie / Leigh Weingus
Ingredients: Contains parabens
I love a short ingredient list, but my one issue with this one is that the second to last ingredient ispropylparaben. I try not to use parabens, so it was a bummer to see this on the ingredients list of a product I otherwise had such a great experience with.
The Results: Super-hydrated skin
I did have a few issues with the Neutrogena Body Oil, namely the fact that it uses parabens and that it leaves a bit of a residue behind after use. But my overall experience with it was a positive one.
It isn’t as thick as other body oils I’ve used, it’s affordable, it smells great, and above all, it leaves my skin super-hydrated.
Compared to lotion, I do find my skin is softer and smoother when using this oil. While my body lotion is working just fine right now, I might make the switch to the Neutrogena Body Oil come fall when the weather cools down, because it seems like it might do a better job at keeping my skin hydrated than traditional body lotion does.
Also, I’m not much of a bath person, but I did take one bath with a few drops of this body oil in it, and I have to say it was incredibly luxurious. I highly recommend it!
The Value: Very affordable
This 16-ounce bottle of oil is just $15, which is a lot more affordable than other oils on the market. Plus, like I said, a little goes a long way—so one bottle will last you a while.
Byrdie / Leigh Weingus
Similar Products: Hard to find
Everyday Oil ($22): Another body oil I’ve tried is the Everyday Oil by Madewell, which is a mix of different oils like coconut oil, castor oil, argan oil, and the list goes on. While this oil smells amazing and works well, it leaves behind more of a residue than the Neutrogena Body Oil does, and at $22 for just 2 ounces, it costs significantly more, too.
