Body oils are a great way to level up your skin care routine from top-to-toe, especially during the warmer months. Summertime is all about looking glowy, and incorporating body oil is a surefire way to take care of your skin all while looking effortlessly luminous. I like to think of body oil as the final step of getting ready, and no summer look is truly complete without it.

If you’re building your summer body care product lineup, ideally it would include some iteration of the following: body lotion or cream, sunscreen and body oil.

Dr. Renée Snyder, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, Texas says, “Body oils can penetrate our skin deeper, improve our skin barrier and enhance the absorption of other active ingredients.” She explains the difference between body oils, creams and lotions by specifying that “creams or lotions hydrate the skin but they generally stay on the surface and may need to be reapplied more frequently to maintain moisture level.”

Dr. Elizabeth Hale, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist, emphasizes that “people with dry skin may prefer a body oil over a lotion, as oils provide moisturization and create a protective barrier to help minimize transepidermal water loss. From an aesthetic perspective, oils often leave more sheen on the skin compared to lotions and creams, which many people prefer.”

Like most skin care and body care, it all depends on your own personal needs and goals. Snyder mentions that ingredients like jojoba oil “mimic our skin’s natural sebum and hydrates our skin. Grapeseed oil is a lighter oil that is rich in antioxidants.” Many body oils are also scented, so look for ones that will complement the kind of fragrances you usually wear. Hale advises to “look for an oil that includes antioxidant-rich ingredients such as vitamin E for added skin-protective benefits. If you have acne-prone skin, look for an oil that is non-comedogenic.”

For body oils in particular, there are a few key times to incorporate the step into your routine. Snyder points out that “optimal absorption occurs when the body oil is applied to damp skin to lock in moisture. After showering is the ideal time.” The dermatologist also says applying oils before bed and after exfoliating are good times.

As for application tips, Snyder recommends cleaning the skin, exfoliating (“Removing the dead skin allows better penetration of the oil.”) and warming it up between the palms of your hands. Then, “Massage into the skin, and give it a few minutes to soak in to maximize benefits and not ruin your outfit!”