Body Oil vs. Body Balm: Which Do You Need?

Body oil is light and spreads fast, so it's best for all-over use straight after a shower. Body balm is thicker, made with butters and waxes, so it's best for the driest spots (elbows, knees, shins, hands) and for cold, dry months. Most people need one. If your skin is very dry in winter, use both: oil everywhere, balm where you need more.

The real difference: texture

Oil and balm can share the same oils. What changes is what they're held in.

• A body oil is liquid. It spreads thinly over large areas and sinks in within a few minutes on damp skin.
• A body balm is solid in the jar. Butters and waxes make it richer, so it sits on the skin longer and you use more of it on less skin.

Our two are a good example. Tahitian Oil and Tahitian Balm share the same four oils (monoï, kukui, macadamia and passion fruit) and the same scent. The Balm adds cocoa butter, shea butter, sunflower seed wax and squalane, which is why it's so much thicker.

Choose body oil if…

• You want something you can apply all over in a minute.
• You get dressed soon after your shower.
• You live somewhere warm, or it's summer.
• You like a glow more than a rich, cushioned feel.

Choose body balm if…

• A few places are always dry: elbows, knees, shins, heels, hands.
• It's winter, or the air is dry and heated.
• You like taking your time and warming something between your palms.
• Oils feel too light on your skin.

When to use both

On very dry days, use the oil everywhere on damp skin, then the balm on the spots that need more. Or layer the balm over the oil where your skin really needs it.

In winter I won't swim in the afternoon, but I may take a warm bath if it's really cold out. That's when I reach for Tahitian Balm, which is much thicker. When my skin really needs it, I layer the two.
— Evelyn Ginossi, founder

How to apply each

• Oil: mist onto warm, damp skin after showering. Massage in with upward strokes over legs, arms and décolletage.
• Balm: warm a small amount between your palms and massage onto slightly damp skin. Start with the driest areas, then smooth what's left over arms and legs.

Which is better value?

It depends on how you use it. Tahitian Oil is $62 for 1.69 fl oz (50ml) and covers your whole body quickly. Tahitian Balm is $55 for 5.2 oz (150g), and you'll use more per application but often on less skin. If you only need help in a few spots, the Balm is the more economical choice.

When neither is right

Both are fragranced. If you prefer unscented body care, or fragrance doesn't agree with your skin, neither is the right choice. Patch test on the inside of your arm first if you're unsure. And if you only ever moisturize on dry skin hours after showering, a lotion may suit you better; see body oil vs. body lotion.

Questions about body oil and body balm

Is body balm better than body oil for dry skin?

For the driest spots, a balm's richer texture usually feels more comforting. For all-over use after a shower, oil is quicker and lighter. Many people with dry skin use both.

Can I use body oil and body balm together?

Yes. Oil all over on damp skin, then balm on the driest areas, or layered over the oil where you need it.

Is body balm greasy?

It's richer than an oil, so use a small amount and warm it in your palms first. It melts on contact and spreads further than you'd expect.

Should I use balm in summer?

Most people switch to oil in summer and keep the balm for heels, elbows and hands.

Do Tahitian Oil and Tahitian Balm smell the same?

They share the same signature scent, so they layer without competing.

More: when to apply body oil and how to use body oil without feeling greasy.