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There’s no wrong time to test-drive the best body lotion and creams to tackle dryness and environmental stressors—after all, whether or not you lather up in lotion daily, a body moisturizer is part of any thoughtful beauty regimen.
“Moisturizers hydrate, support the skin barrier and lock in moisture,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. “These qualities are important for keeping the skin healthy and plump and for making sure that the skin barrier is functioning optimally. An impaired skin barrier will leave the skin more vulnerable to damage, dryness, irritation, inflammation, and infection.”
Our Top Picks
- Best Exfoliating: SkinCeuticals Body Retexturing Treatment, $70
- Best Overall: Nécessaire The Body Lotion, $30
- Best for Cracked Skin: Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Moisturizing Body Lotion, $15
- Best Drugstore Pick: Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion, $12
- Best for Dry Patches: Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream, $13
- Best for Firming: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Body Cream, $65
- Best Body Butter: Osea Undaria Algae Body Butter, $56
- Best for Keratosis Pilaris: AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion, $14
- Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair, $20
- Best For Bumpy Skin: CeraVe SA Body Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin, $20
Unlike facial moisturizers, body lotions and creams tend to be heavier and often contain more comedogenic ingredients like dimethicone, shea butter, oil, petrolatum, and mineral oil, explains board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD. However, that doesn’t mean you can never interchange the two. “For people who don’t have issues with acne or clogged pores occurrence, they can use body lotions and creams on the face. However, if you’re acne prone, using body creams that are heavier and comedogenic can result in clogging pores, and eventually acne breakouts,” she explains.
Generally, dermatologists emphasize the importance of moisturizing daily. “Apply body lotion in the morning, ideally right after getting out of the shower while the skin is still a bit damp. You can retain some of the moisture from the shower by doing so,” explains board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD. “Allow the body lotion to fully absorb and dry before getting dressed. You should always apply a lotion after shaving—since shaving will take off the top layer of skin. It’s a great time to get newly exposed skin hydrated.” Additionally, for those suffering from bouts of really dry skin, he recommends “[applying] your body ointment of choice overnight, [then covering] with long sleeves [and clothing] to intensify the effect of the ointment on the skin and repair the barrier while you sleep.”
It s important to keep in mind that all topical creams have an expiration date, similar to your other beauty products. Begin by checking the expiration date and be attentive to any unusual or off-putting smells. Dr. Kobets notes, “Expired products can also exhibit changes in color and consistency.” Ahead, Vogue’s edit of the best body lotions, creams, and butters to consider—from trusted classics to dermatologist and editor favorites. Wave dry skin goodbye.
In This Story
- What’s the difference between a lotion, cream, and oil?
- What to Look for in a Body Moisturizer
- How to Apply Body Lotion
- Should you apply body lotion or body oil first?
- Can you use body lotion on your face?
- What is the best body lotion for aging skin?
- Meet the Experts
Best Overall: Nécessaire The Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: When it comes to the coveted Nécessaire body lotion, Idriss believes it’s “a very beautiful and elegantly formulated body lotion with niacinamide that gets absorbed without any residue and leaves your skin feeling soft for hours.”
- Key Ingredients: 2.5% niacinamide, peptides, vitamin C, vitamin E, Omega 6 9
- Best For: Dry skin
- Available Size(s): 2.4 oz, 6.8 oz, 13.5 oz
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Exfoliating: SkinCeuticals Body Retexturing Treatment
- Why We Love It: Think of this retexturing treatment as a fresh start for your skin. Formulated to resurface dull, rough patches, daily use will result in baby-soft texture. The formula, designed with sensitive skin in mind (unscented!), includes hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to ensure your skin stays moisturized while being exfoliated. It s particularly beneficial for those with KP, helping to reduce redness and combat bumps.
- Key Ingredients: Hydroxyethyl urea, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Best For: Dry, dehydrated, rough skin
- Available Size(s): 6.7 fl oz
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Cracked Skin: Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Moisturizing Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: Think of this Naturium lotion as the ultimate daily moisturizer. As the name suggests, this aims to replenish the body’s lipid levels for enhanced hydration and elasticity—revealing soft, smooth skin.
- Key Ingredients: linoleic-rich oils, B vitamins (B2, B3, B5), sodium PCA
- Best For: Dry skin
- Available Size(s): 7 fl oz, 14 fl oz
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Overnight Body Lotion: Gold Bond Overnight Deep Moisturizing Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: For an overnight moisture treatment, King is a fan of the Gold Bond Ultimate Overnight Deep Moisturizing Lotion. Along with master hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, this non-greasy formula “also contains aloe and ginger root, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary extracts to soothe the skin; urea to exfoliate to smooth and soften the skin gently; and niacinamide to improve tone and texture.”
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, gluconolactone
- Best For: Dry to very dry skin
- Available Size(s): 8 oz
- Fragrance: Scented
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Itchy Skin: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Nighttime Itch Relief Balm
- Why We Love It: “I discovered this through using the Aveeno Eczema Relief Balm on my babies, and their skin became smooth,” shares Idriss, explaining that “it absorbs easily without leaving any residue.”
- Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, ceramide
- Best For: Eczema, sensitive skin, itchiness, dryness
- Available Size(s): 11 oz
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore Body Lotion: Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: A top pick of the Vogue team is the Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion for its incredibly thick formula infused with the brand’s deep moisture serum and almond oil. The tried-and-true formula even leaves skin with a healthy sheen.
- Key Ingredients: Almond oil
- Best For: Dry to very dry skin
- Available Size(s): 16.9 fl oz
- Fragrance: Scented
- Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Powered by the brand’s thermal spring water, La Roche-Posay’s body formula boasts soothing and hydrating properties. Sensitive skin-friendly, this promises to restore the skin barrier and promote 48-hour moisture.
- Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, shea butter, niacinamide, glycerin
- Best For: Dry skin, rough texture, sensitive skin
- Available Size(s): 6.76 fl oz, 13.52 fl oz
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Lightweight Lotion: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream
- Why We Love It: Netrogena’s gel-cream is a summertime vanity staple for its non-greasy, weightless texture. Hyaluronic acid leads the formula for hydration boost to dry skin that will only get softer and smoother with consistent use.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
- Best For: Dry skin
- Available Size(s): 16 oz
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Body Milk: By Rosie Jane Wake The F*ck Up Everyday Body Milk
- Why We Love It: Want hydration with a weightless feel? Give By Rosie Jane’s recently-launched body milk a try. Cucumber hydrosol, sunflower oil, turmeric root, and aloe vera come together to tone, hydrate, and soothe dry skin instantly. Not to mention, its fresh, citrus-forward aroma is irresistible (though there are five other scents to choose from).
- Key Ingredients: Cucumber hydrosol, botanical oils (sunflower, jojoba seed, grapefruit peel, lemon verbena, turmeric root, and aloe vera
- Best For: Dry skin, sensitive skin
- Available Size(s): 5 oz
- Fragrance: Lemon verbena, grapefruit, eucalyptus
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Gel-Cream: Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Body Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Belif’s body moisturizer, like its beloved face creams, is like a drink of water for thirsty skin. Quick absorbing and lightweight, expect the Aqua Bomb gel-cream to deliver comfortable hydration.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, lady’s mantle
- Best For: Dry skin
- Available Size(s): 10.13 oz
- Fragrance: No synthetic fragrances
- Cruelty-Free: No
Best For Bumpy Skin: CeraVe SA Body Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin
- Why We Love It: The CeraVe SA lotion is one of the most frequently recommended formulas by dermatologists to transform bumpy skin texture. Through an intelligent blend of exfoliating acids and conditioning agents, this sloughs away flaky skin to reveal a soft, radiant glow.
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides
- Best For: Rough texture, keratosis pilaris, uneven tone
- Available Size(s): 8 fl oz.
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Keratosis Pilaris: AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: Idriss recommends those with keratosis pilaris to try the AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion “as it is formulated with lactic acid to help remove dead skin cells.” With exfoliating and moisturizing properties, this promotes baby soft, smooth skin.
- Key Ingredients: 12% lactic acid, glycerin
- Best For: keratosis pilaris, eczema, rough texture
- Available Size(s): 7.9 oz, 14.1 oz
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge: Augustinus Bader The Body Cream
- Why We Love It: Created with TFC8, a blend of amino acids, vitamins, and synthesized molecules, along with bisabolol and shea butter, the Augustinus Bader body cream is an intensely moisturizing formula designed to combat cellulite, stretch marks, and pigmentation.
- Key Ingredients: Bisabolol, shea butter, a polysaccharide moisture complex
- Best For: Cellulite, uneven skin tone, rough texture, dry skin
- Available Size(s): 3.4 oz
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dry Patches: Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream
- Why We Love It: Dry skin is no match for Weleda’s Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream—an acclaimed body lotion known to quench thirsty skin through a blend of fatty acids and vitamin E since its debut in 1926. The rich, reparative formula is suitable for the face and body, with special attention to rough patches on the feet and elbows.
- Key Ingredients: Calendula flower extract, vitamin E, pansy extract, beeswax
- Best For: Dry to very dry skin
- Available Size(s): 1 fl oz, 2 fl oz, 2.5 fl oz
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Scent: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
- Why We Love It: Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is surely one of the most notable lotions out there thanks to its distinguishable scent of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla (dubbed its Cheirosa ’62 fragrance). This not only smells great but works to firm, smooth, and protect the skin through its fast-absorbing blend.
- Key Ingredients: Guaraná extract, upuaçu butter, açaí and brazil nut oil
- Best For: Dry skin, rough texture, great scent
- Available Size(s): 2.5 oz, 8.1 oz, 16.9 oz
- Fragrance: Cheirosa ’62 fragrance
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Glowing Skin: Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream
- Why We Love It: Replenishing butters, oils, and extracts—which make up 25% of its formula— are the stars of this Fenty Beauty cream. Enhanced with a fruity floral scent, this gets your skin island-ready: hydrated, luminous, and super-soft.
- Key Ingredients: Seven oils (kalahari melon, sorrel, baobab, sunflower, rice bran, coconut, jojoba), shea butter, mango butter, glycerin
- Best For: Dry to very dry skin, dullness
- Available Size(s): 2.5 oz, 6.7 oz
- Fragrance: Clean, fresh fragrance
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best For Firming: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Body Cream
- Why We Love It: Charlotte Tilbury’s body cream is called “magic” for a reason. This formula promotes long-lasting hydration, softness, and radiance. In my 22-step bedtime routine, I often reach for this supercharged elixir to transform my skin by morning.
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, soybean, rose extract, damask rose water, magnolia oil, sunflower oil, Iconic Magic 8 Matrix (hyaluronic acid, vitamins C E, aloe vera, camellia oil, rosehip oil, shea butter)
- Best For: Firming, uneven tone, dry skin, dullness
- Available Size(s): 1.7 oz, 6.7 oz
- Fragrance: Scented with rose extract and magnolia oil
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Stretch Marks: Mutha Body Butter
- Why We Love It: When a traditional lotion doesn’t cut it, reach for a body butter to deliver intense hydration. Actor Marisa Tomei’s butter of choice is by Mutha—whipped into a rich souffle from 100% natural origin ingredients rich in fatty acids and vitamins to help minimize the look of stretch marks. The result? Lasting nourishment, firmer, even-toned skin.
- Key Ingredients: organic shea, mango, and cocoa seed butters
- Best For: Dry skin, firming
- Available Size(s): 1.7 oz, 5.5 oz
- Fragrance: Scented
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Texture: Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter
- Why We Love It: Users rave about Josie Maran’s body butter for its silky, lightweight texture—it’s so good that some even call it a “miracle” find. Through Maran’s signature argan oil, plus ten botanical oils and extracts, this conditions skin to feel firmer, smoother, and softer.
- Key Ingredients: Argan oil, shea butter, avocado oil
- Best For: Dry skin, firming, dullness
- Available Size(s): 8 oz
- Fragrance: Warm and spicy scent
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Body Butter: Osea Undaria Algae Body Butter
- Why We Love It: Osea’s body butter harnesses the power of seaweed to transform dry, crepey skin instantly. It manages to be buttery, yet weightless meaning you can hydrate, soften, and replenish skin properly without feeling greasy or sticky.
- Key Ingredients: Undaria seaweed, shea butter, dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline (a plant-derived amino acid), ceramides (derived from oat kernel extract)
- Best For: Dry, crepey skin, uneven texture
- Available Size(s): 1.7 oz, 6.7 oz
- Fragrance: Grapefruit, lime, and cypress with mango and mandarin notes
- Cruelty-Free: Yes
What’s the difference between a lotion, cream, and oil?
When considering lotions, creams, and oils, it’s all about the consistency—how light or heavy it is—and its likelihood to clog pores. Dr. Kobets breaks it down for us: Lotions tend to be waterier and lighter due to their higher water content compared to oils and other ingredients. Creams, on the other hand, contain more oils, emollients, hydrators, and occlusives (such as niacinamide, dimethicone, shea butter, squalane, ceramides, glycerin, and others). Oils take it a step further, as made with higher oil-based ingredients and occlusives.
“It should be noted that a higher oil content doesn’t necessarily mean the product is more hydrating,” says Dr. Kobets. Oil primarily functions as an occlusive, while other ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and other hydrators need to be sealed in with occlusion for effective hydration.
What to Look for in a Body Moisturizer
- Ingredients: Experts recommend looking for formulas that feature hyaluronic acid, essential fatty acids like shea butter and avocado oil, humectants like glycerin, or emollients like lanolin. Experts say body lotions with fragrance are generally safe to use, unless you have sensitive skin or known allergens, which may cause further irritation.
- Texture: If you have dry skin, experts often recommend something richer with a thicker, creamier texture to lock in moisture. If you have normal skin, a general lotion will do the trick. If you have acne-prone skin or just you don’t want to feel sticky (it is summer, after all!), consider something more lightweight like a body serum, gel-cream, or milk; this is also great if you’ll be spending time in the sun and are following up with the best sunscreens.
- Fragrance: According to New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss, “if you have completely normal skin, never had an allergy a day in your life, and are not prone to sensitive skin, then you can enjoy the experience of a scented body lotion.”
How to Apply Body Lotion
No matter how lazy you might feel post-shower, applying body lotion is crucial. “It not only hydrates the top layer of the skin from the outside in but also traps moisture from within,” says New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist Allyson Brockman-Bitterman. She recommends applying it twice a day, but most importantly after a shower.
Should you apply body lotion or body oil first?
Similar to layering thinner ingredients before thicker creams and moisturizers in skincare, body care follows the same principle. According to Dr. Brockman-Bitterman, if using a body oil, it should be applied to damp or dry skin after showering and before a body lotion. Although, it’s important to note that for most people, either body lotion or body oil alone will suffice. “Body lotions are formulated with humectants, emollients, and occlusives that all work together to draw water, improve the skin barrier, and lock in moisture,” says Dr. Ibrahim.
Can you use body lotion on your face?
“Most body moisturizers are too heavy or may contain ingredients not suitable for facial skin,” cautions Dr. Brockman-Bitterman. However, it depends on the body lotion in question as well as the individual’s face. “Some lotions for the body, particularly ones created for sensitive skin, may be suitable for the face as well as it’s less likely to irritate the skin,” says Dr. Ibrahim. Some people may find body lotion to be pore-clogging, which can lead to breakouts. However, there are some excellent products formulated for all-over use, so it’s important to read the labels and patch test.
What is the best body lotion for aging skin?
When addressing aging skin, it’s ideal to seek products containing hydrating ingredients and those that promote skin firmness and elasticity. Tried-and-true ingredients to look for include plant-based oils and butters as they contain a slew of nourishing fatty acids to moisturize the skin, as well as antioxidants to protect it. “Body lotions with ingredients like retinol, bakuchiol, Vitamin C, sea buckthorn berry, and peptides are all beneficial for aging skin as well,” adds Dr. Ibrahim.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Corey L. Hartman, MD, is a Birmingham, Alabama-based and board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology.
- Dr. Shereene Idriss, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in facial aesthetics and rejuvenation, as well as minimally invasive body tightening.
- Dr. Kseniya Kobets, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic dermatology of at Montefiore-Einstein, specializing in rejuvenation, acne, rosacea, acne scarring and hair restoration.
- Dr. Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
- Dr. Allyson Brockman-Bitterman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Millburn, New Jersey.
- Dr. Omer Ibrahim, MD, is a Chicago-based board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology and hair loss.
