Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

Is It Dangerous To Wear Body Oil In The Sun? I Asked A Derm

Hannah Frye
Author:
July 22, 2023
Hannah Frye
Beauty & Health Editor
By Hannah Frye
Beauty & Health Editor
Hannah Frye is the Beauty & Health Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including beauty, women’s health, mental health, sustainability, social media trends, and more. She previously worked for Almost 30, a top-rated health and wellness podcast. In her current role, Hannah reports on the latest beauty trends and innovations, women’s health research, brain health news, and plenty more.
Woman Applying Sunscreen at the Beach
Image by Orban Alija / Getty Images
July 22, 2023
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

It’s been a minute since baby oil has been an actual go-to method for tanning, as more and more people become aware of the dangers of sunbathing habits. However, many people (self very much included) love to slather on a classic, nourishing body oil for a dewy glow during the day. Are those safe to wear in the sun? To come, what a dermatologist recommends. 

Is it dangerous to tan with body oil on?

First thing's first: “It is dangerous to tan, with or without body oil,” board-certified dermatologist Rebecca Marcus, M.D., FAAD, tells mindbodygreen. 

Tanning increases your risk of skin cancer and signs of premature aging, she says, like hyperpigmentation and fine lines. Still—does body oil raise this risk?

Unfortunately, yes. “Using body oil, even those with high-quality ingredients, can interfere with the absorption of sunscreen and can even attract and intensify the sun's rays, increasing the risk of sunburn,” Marcus explains. 

So while you may want your skin to look extra glowy at the beach or walking around on a sunny day, it might be better to stick with a water-based lotion and leave body oil for later.

You can use body oil with sunscreen, however; just make sure you apply sunscreen first, then wait 15 minutes before applying body oil, Marcus says. 

When to use body oil

This being said, using body oil after spending a day in the sun will benefit your skin even more. You can use body oil alone or pair it with a nourishing body lotion to encourage your skin to drink up all the moisture it can. 

Look for antioxidant-rich formulas with ingredients like sunflower seed oil, squalane, fruit extracts, vitamin C, and so on. Your skin will be extra sensitive to products after extended sun exposure, so skip the extra fragrances and chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs

Additionally, keep an eye out for body oils rich in omega-3s and other fatty acids. "These fatty acids are part of the seal that sits in cracks between cells in the outer skin layer," board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., previously told mbg. In simpler terms, he explains to think of these as similar to the grout that sits between your bathroom tiles. 

See here for our favorite deeply-nourishing, fragrance-free oils that will soak into the skin within seconds.

The takeaway

Sunbathing with or without body oil is dangerous, but an oil's reflective effect can raise your risk of sun damage if you’re not wearing SPF. You can layer body oil over sunscreen, just make sure you wait 15 minutes before doing so to allow proper absorption. Here, a full guide to sun care, should you feel inspired to tweak your routine. 

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Lifestyle
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.