Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, argan oil, meadowfoam seed oil, squalane, Centella asiatica, shea butter, rose flower extract, coconut oil, French marine algae
Frequently Asked Questions
What to look for in a belly oil
For basic hydration purposes, look for nourishing ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. For those with concerns that go beyond moisturizing, almond oil is one of the more promising ingredients, says Elaine Kung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. In studies, the combination of massage and almond oil, which contains vitamins D and E, improved the look of stretch marks, whereas popular ingredients including both cocoa butter and olive oil did not, says Dr. Kung. However, at the end of the day, studies can’t replicate your personal experience — so choose what works for your skin.
How often belly oil should be applied
Once you find a product you like, aim for twice daily application — once in the morning and once at night — but know that it’s perfectly safe to apply whenever you might need something to soothe tight or itchy skin associated with dryness. And for maximum absorption, Dr. Kung and Dr. Segal recommend applying it to damp skin after bathing.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best belly oils, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.