Most good quality pampering oils are derived from pure plant ingredients and therefore don't contain any chemical nasties but that means they don't come cheap. But if you decide to splash out on one you'll be as happy as an oil tycoon as they can rapidly enhance a complexion, calm unruly hair and smooth the most bump ridden body. Here's our pick of the best smooth operators...
Let's face it
You only need a few drops of facial oil so don't go overboard otherwise your complexion will resemble an oil slick. Apply either nightly or before your daily moisturiser in upward, outward strokes to give yourself a real beauty boost then sit back and marvel at how quickly the oil seeps into your skin and works its magic.
L'Occitane Immortelle Elixir (£35, www.loccitane.co.uk) boldly claims to reduce wrinkles by 'up to 38% in four weeks'. Facialist to the stars Nichola Joss uses it regularly on the likes of Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Winslet and Charlize Theron and if these radiant beauties are pleased with the results then it seems churlish not to try it. If you suffer from dry skin then facial oil is a godsend as it drenches the lower layers of the epidermis with moisture. Try Aveda Balancing Infusion for Dry Skin (£17.50) to rehydrate and revitalise your complexion. Aromatherapy Associates Balance Facial Oil (£29, www.spacenk.co.uk) is perfect for combination complexions while Amanda Lacey Oils of Provence (£38.50) is just the ticket for more sensitive skin types. If you're looking for an oil that will suit most complexions then treat yourself to Decléor Aromaessence Neroli Oil (£25). This orange blossom based oil promotes radiant, nourished and silky smooth skin and evens out patchy blemishes.
Body beautiful
Body oils have long been a beauty queen must have. Cult cosmetic fave Johnson's Baby Oil (£2.35) works wonders when applied on to damp skin or even on frazzled bits of hair while Neutrogena Body Oil (£6.99) is another brilliant budget beauty buy that leaves the skin smooth and gently scented.
The following range of body oils not only soften and smooth, they can also be used for massage, too. Origins Nourishing Oil for Body and Massage (£28.50) contains 100% organic ingredients which include extracts of sweet orange and jojoba to give you the softest skin and most satisfying massage. The intoxicating herbal aroma is heavenly too. Trilogy Aromatic Body Treatment Oil (£15.95, www.trilogyproducts.com) is another good one to try and what's more, it's dispensed via a practical handy pump thus reducing the likelihood of the bottle slipping through your greasy fingers mid-application and smashing on the floor. L'Occitane Grape Bodycare Shower Oil (£14) turns into a foam once it makes contact with water. Made from organic and naturally detoxifying grapeseed oil it is the perfect way to refresh and revive your skin.
Afterwards you could always spritz on some Liz Earle Vital Oils Body Spray in Bliss (£12.50) if you want to feel instantly uplifted and supple. Darphin HydroForm Toning Oil (£35) boasts extracts of lemon, rose and orange oils to energise the skin and vitamins C & E which help to tone and leave you feeling super smooth.
Multi taskers
Sometimes you want a miracle beauty product that will transform every bit of you from stressed to sexy and thankfully there are a few multi-usage oils out there which perform that task. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (£19.50, www.nuxe.com) not only looks great it smells fabulous and can be used on the face, hair and just about all over you. Elemis Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt (£29) is a luxurious treat that can be trickled into the bath and also slathered on skin to luxuriously moisturise it. Its totally tropical fragrance will also beautifully scent your skin.
Finally, by slicking on some Monoi Body Glow II by Nars (£43) memories of sun drenched holidays will suddenly come flooding back thanks to this divine product's heady aromatic blend of coconut and Tahitian Tiare flower extracts. Slick onto your face, hair and body if you want to glimmer gorgeously all over.
