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There is no shortage of body lotions on the market and the endless number of options means there is one guaranteed to fit your individual needs.
Below we are featuring a few of the best body lotions that will keep your skin hydrated and glowing all year round. We have included some drugstore mainstays and a few lesser-known options that will help ensure you find your new favorite.
Choose from an SPF-filled lotion that will have your legs and arms gleaming and a couple of shea butter options to nourish, calm, and heal even the most sensitive skin types. And, for extra dry, problem skin we have included a thick and rich lotion that, when used every day, will leave your skin looking smooth and feeling amazing.
Comparing the Top Body Lotions
Tree to Tub Shea Butter For Body — Best Overall
This lavender-scented lotion uses pH-balancing wild Soapberry to keep skin balanced naturally. Other organic ingredients include cocoa butter, colloidal oatmeal, and chamomile to nourish, hydrate, and prevent any irritation. This lotion is ideal for drier skin types including eczema and is free from toxins and sulfates, is hypoallergenic, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Pros
- This lotion is ideal for sensitive and dry skin types
Cons
- If you prefer a lotion that doesn’t contain soy, another option might be better
Marlowe Moisturizing Cream — Runner Up
Relieve extra dry skin with this moisturizing cream that is infused with aloe to help reveal smoother, more nourished skin. This is an intense moisturizer that also contains eight amino acids to deliver hydration and help skin retain moisture while maintaining a light, non-oily formulation. Additionally, the cream features the “Marlowe. M Blend” which is a proprietary mixture of passionflower fruit to restore, green tea to repair, and willow bark extracts to reduce inflammation.
Pros
- This lotion is sutable for all skin types
Cons
- This product contains alcohol
AROMATICA Body Lotion — Honorable Mention
The AROMATICA Body Lotion helps provide a spa experience within the convenience of your own home. With a naturally-derived aromatic fragrance, this soothing and moisturizing body lotion offers a combination of essential oils that relaxes the mind and soothes dry and irritated skin. Plus, its 100% recycled plastic bottle is environmentally conscious, and the nutrient-rich formula makes it highly economical as well as effective.
Pros
- Lathers well and smells amazing
Cons
- The price is on the higher side
Lubriderm Daily Body Lotion — Contender
This hydrating body lotion helps replenish and moisturize dry skin and is clinically shown to moisturize for 24 hours. Enriched with vitamin B5 and skin essential moisturizers naturally found in healthy skin, this lotion also works to improve the skin’s moisture barrier over time and is great for smoothing over hands as well. Ideal for normal to dry skin types, this lotion will give you healthy-looking, hydrated skin all day long.
Pros
- This lotion is non-greasy for a clean, pleasant feel
Cons
- If you suffer from severely dry skin you may want to choose a different option
Gold Bond Men’s Lotion — Editor's Pick
For extra dry and problem skin, this intensive therapy lotion is thick, rich, and extra-nourishing to help soften men’s rough, dry skin. Moisturizers, vitamins, and skin-strengthening proteins leave skin looking smooth and can help restore skin on the body and hands. This lotion is also fast-acting with a fresh, light scent, is non-greasy, aluminum, and dye-free.
Pros
- This lotion can be applied as often as needed
Cons
- If you suffer from severely dry, flaky skin, you may want to try another option
Shea Moisture Body Lotion — Also Consider
This intoxicating body lotion is a hydrating body care treatment made from natural ingredients in a non-greasy formula. The lightweight formula absorbs easily into the skin, brightens and evens tone while providing deep moisturization. Finally, all-natural ingredients such Songyi mushroom work to improve skin tone while coconut oil and sweet hibiscus flower restore moisture and improve firmness.
Pros
- This lotion can also be used as a massage cream
Cons
- This lotion is lightly scented
Coppertone Glow Lotion — Another Option
Another great option is this glowy lotion with illuminating shimmer particles that provides a beautiful dewy glow. With SPF 30, this lotion is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes and makes a great everyday sunscreen that will also leave your skin hydrated. The shimmer comes from a blend of illuminating minerals that are good for the skin and this gentle formula has no harmful substances such as parabens, PABA, and oxybenzone.
Pros
- This is a lightweight, fast-drying lotion
Cons
- There is a slight fragrance
Buying Guide: Body Lotions
Dermatologists recommend we moisturize daily. Depending on your skin type you may need to moisturize more than once a day. Choosing the wrong moisturizing body lotion could result in clogged pores, spots, or a nasty allergic reaction.
A moisturizing body lotion comes in different thickness levels, with various fragrances, and more importantly very different ingredients. With so many products to choose from, all of which are claiming to be the best, it might be difficult to choose one. The truth is, the top body lotions in 2024 are those that work best for your skin type.
To help you choose the best product, we will discuss the things we recommend considering before you make a purchase. Continue reading to see what we suggest.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Moisturizing Body Lotion
All-natural ingredients
You may want to look for a moisturizing lotion containing all-natural ingredients. Natural ingredients soothe the skin and provide plenty of nourishing ingredients. Using natural ingredients in your skincare regime means you are less likely to have an allergic reaction or some skin irritation.
Scent
Consider whether you want a moisturizing body lotion with a strong or weak scent. You may prefer a weaker scent to prevent it from overpowering your perfumes. You can also purchase fragrance-free body lotion.
Alternatively, you may want to begin your search by looking for a body lotion with a complimentary fragrance to your shower gels and perfumes.
Body lotion sets
Some body lotions come in a set including body wash, or bubble bath. You may also find a set including lotion and perfume.
Lightweight
Using a lightweight body lotion will make it absorb more easily into your skin, and will reduce the likelihood of getting blocked pores.
Fast-drying
Look for a fast-drying moisturizing body lotion. This will give you more time to get ready in the morning, or easier to apply when you are in a rush.
SPF
Consider purchasing a moisturizing lotion with built-in SPF. Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with at least SPF 15. Using a moisturizing lotion with built-in SPF means you only need to apply the lotion and save time applying sunscreen.
Skin type
If you have sensitive skin you are best avoiding body lotion with any fragrance. Look for a moisturizing body lotion that is advertised as being for sensitive skin, to reduce the likelihood of irritation or allergic reactions.
Those with dry skin should look for a thick moisturizing body lotion, and those with normal to oily skin should choose a lightweight body lotion. If you have combination skin, you can purchase different types of moisturizing body lotion and use them accordingly.
Reduces inflammation
You may want to look for a body lotion that has inflammatory reducing ingredients. These include ingredients like camomile, green tea, and licorice.
Non-greasy formula
Look for a moisturizing body lotion that does not leave your skin feeling too greasy. This may cause spots, or simply make you look a little unkempt.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants include any ingredients containing vitamin C. Antioxidants help repair the outer layer of skin and allow it to better hold in moisture. They also encourage the production of collagen, reduce the appearance of dark spots, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
B vitamins
Vitamin B also helps repair your outer layer of skin and will leave you with a glowing look. They help balance your skin's natural oil production so are perfect for those who suffer from acne or dry skin.
Shimmer effect
If you want to add a little sparkle to your nourished skin, consider purchasing a moisturizing body lotion containing non-harmful minerals. A shimmer effect will reflect light and make scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks a little less visible.
Customer reviews
Once you’ve found a product that matches the previous criteria, read the customer reviews. This will give you a good idea about the quality of the product, the fragrance, and if skin aggravation is a common occurrence.
Top Tips for Glowing Skin
Using a moisturizing body lotion is an important step in gaining glowing flawless skin. Check out the rundown of our top body care routine below.
Thoroughly cleanse
Ensure you are clean all over. We recommend cleansing with a PH balanced body wash and plenty of warm (but not hot) water.
Scrub a dub dub
Exfoliating your body is the best way to get rid of dead skin cells. It also increases circulation and has been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Dead skin cells can clog up your pores or simply make your skin look lackluster. Some people can exfoliate every day, others find this too drying. Try exfoliating once a week and increase if necessary.
Master the shave
Removing hair by shaving is easy, but doing it in a damage-limiting way is a little trickier. First of all, use shaving cream and stop using your shower gel. Yes, we’ve all been guilty of it, but we guarantee you will see a big difference in the quality of your skin if you follow this simple rule.
Second of all, stop using disposable razors more than twice. They are disposable for a reason. Finally, shave with the grain, side to side, and against the grain, in that order.
Smother yourself in body lotion
Now you’ve found your perfect moisturizing body lotion, you should use it daily. Moisturizing your body will keep it more supple, reduce wrinkles, and help maintain the protective layer of your skin. Apply before you go to bed too.
