The bath oil guide
A capful of oil.
A much better bath.
Plain-English guides to bath oils: how to use them, what they actually do for your skin, and which luxury bottles are worth the money.
What bath oil does
Water dries skin.
Oil puts it back.
A long hot bath strips the oils your skin makes for itself. That's why you can step out feeling tight and itchy. Bath oil leaves a thin film on the skin as you get out, slowing water loss in the same way a moisturiser does.
The second job is scent. Warm water carries fragrance and essential oils into the air, which is most of what makes a bath feel luxurious rather than merely clean.
You need far less than you'd think: one to two tablespoons for a full tub.
How to use bath oil properlyLuxury bath oils
Aromatherapy Associates, Jo Malone, L'Occitane, Neom and the other bottles people actually rebuy.
See the list For skinBath oil for dry skin
What dermatologists recommend, which oils help, and why fragrance-free matters more than price.
Dry skin guide The cult classicAvon Skin So Soft
The famous bath oil, its many off-label uses, and what the studies say about mosquitoes.
Skin So Soft guideThe four types
Not every bath oil behaves the same.
Floating oils are plain oils (almond, jojoba, mineral oil) plus scent. They sit on the surface and coat your skin as you stand up. Most moisturising; also the most slippery.
Dispersing oils contain an emulsifier, so the water turns milky and the oil spreads evenly. Less greasy, kinder to the tub, still softening.
Foaming bath oils are closer to bubble bath with some oil added. They cleanse and bubble, but leave less behind on the skin.
Shower oils are cleansers that turn to milk with water. Many double as bath oils, though they're designed to be rinsed off.
Floating or dispersing?
The ingredient list tells you which you're buying. Look for "polysorbate", "PEG" or "laureth" near the top. Those are emulsifiers, so it disperses.
Start here
Every guide.
- How much to use, when to add it, how to stay uprightHow to use
- The luxury bath oils worth the moneyBest oils
- Bath oil for dry, itchy or eczema-prone skinDry skin
- Adding essential oils to a bath without burning your skinSafety
- Bath oil, bath salts or Epsom salt?Compare
- Avon Skin So Soft: uses, myths and mosquitoesClassic
- Make your own bath oil in five minutesRecipe
- Bath oil beads: what they are and how to use themBeads
- Bath oil gifts and setsGifts
Frequently
asked questions
How to use bath oil
What does bath oil do?
Bath oil leaves a thin layer of oil on your skin as you get out of the bath, which slows water loss and leaves skin feeling soft. Scented oils also fragrance the bathroom as the warm water releases their aroma.
How much bath oil should I use?
One to two tablespoons (one or two capfuls) for a full bath is enough for most oils. Concentrated luxury aromatherapy oils often need only a teaspoon. Check the label.
Is bath oil better than bath salts?
They do different jobs. Oil moisturises and softens; salts change the feel of the water and are what people reach for after exercise. Many people use both. See our bath oil vs bath salts guide.
Does bath oil make the tub slippery?
Yes, especially floating oils. Add oil to running water, sit down before you lie back, and stand up slowly holding the side of the tub. A non-slip mat helps. Rinse the tub afterwards.
Can you use body oil as bath oil?
Usually, yes. A plain body oil such as sweet almond or sesame works as a floating bath oil. Body oils with high amounts of essential oils or fragrance can be strong in a bath, so start with a small amount.