20 of the Best Body Lotions for Your Poor, Parched Skin

editor@purewow.com (PureWow)
·11 min read

Between the dry, punishing air outside, the moisture-sucking showers we're taking to keep warm and the always-running heater, our skin is practically begging for a reprieve come this time of year. And considering that it's our biggest organ and protector from environmental aggressors, we should probably be giving it a little more love than a quick smattering of moisturizer when we happen to remember. The best body lotion will include the most hydrating ingredients available and little else, be it scents, dyes or potential irritants—especially for those who have not only dry but also sensitive skin. It should also feel silky—not oily or greasy—and help you to prevent sunburn when needed. Read more about what to look for in a body lotion below.

What Causes Dry Skin?

According to the American Skin Association, dry skin can be caused by anything from harsh soap and itchy clothing to those aforementioned long, hot showers. “The condition often worsens in the winter, when several factors contribute to skin dryness: low temperature and low humidity associated to very hot and drying heating, cause a decreased amounts of water in the stratum corneum," the site explains, noting that constant exposure to air conditioning in the summer can have a similar effect.

Other factors, such as age, medication, certain medical conditions and smoking can also leave your epidermis feeling like the Sahara on a hot day. In fact, according to the American Association of Dermatology, "By 60 years of age, nearly everyone has dry skin." Yikes! If you're starting to cringe, take a deep breath: There is a bit of good news. In addition to drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated from the inside out, body lotion can do wonders to restore your moisture levels and repair damaged lipid barriers.

What Ingredients Hydrate Skin Most?

If you have severely dry skin, it probably isn’t good enough to apply just any old moisturizer. Experts agree that the one you reach for should be void of stripping alcohols and contain one of the below hydrating ingredients (or ideally, a combination of them), to help increase your skin’s water content while also repairing its barrier to ward off side effects such as itchiness, redness and flakes. Here are the main players.

  • Emollients: An ingredient that's used to make skin smoother and softer by filling in the gaps and cracks in your skin, emollients prevent moisture loss and can be found in everything from oils to butters to fatty acids.

  • Humectants: These actually attract water to the skin, increasing its overall moisture content. Look for them in forms of hyaluronic acid, glycerin and alpha hydroxy acids.

  • Ceramides: These fats or lipids are found in our cells and help to restore the skin’s natural barrier, which is responsible for protecting us from things like pollution, bacteria and signs of aging. Lipids deplete as we age, but can be synthetically manufactured for use in skincare products to help to reinforce our natural production of them, so skin feels smoother, plumper and more hydrated.

  • Occlusives: Once you restore all that hydration, you’re going to want something to prevent the viscous cycle from starting all over again. Occlusives are waxy or oily ingredients, like beeswax or cocoa butter, that sit on top of the skin, creating a barrier to prevent further moisture loss.

What Is the Best Body Lotion for Dry Skin?

If you've been #blessed with lizard-like skin, there's a good chance you'll be applying lotion more often than normal. While you'd normally want to look for something lightweight that won't feel sticky or heavy, those with especially dry skin that tends to crack or flake might want to look toward thicker formulas, such as balms or creams, instead of lotions, to combat the extra dryness they're experiencing. Regardless of which route you go, however, your lotion should be able to be applied and rubbed in easily without feeling greasy or leaving a film behind (because, well, ew). The idea is for it to serve as a barrier for your skin, keeping it soft and smooth and protecting it against the elements, like sun or cold weather.

Naturally, it should also include the star ingredients noted above: humectants, like glycerin, that help attract water, emollients, like squalene, that help improve its texture and appearance and occlusives, like oil or wax, that can seal moisture in so it can do its job. For those who live in sunny climates, a good body lotion might also include sunscreen.

What Is the Best Body Lotion for Aging Skin?

As we age, we not only spend more time indoors, where heat and air conditioning can wreak havoc on our epidermis, we lose oil glands and lipids over time, making us feel much dryer than normal. If this is a concern, it's a good idea to seek out a body lotion that can add some of that hydration back in synthetically with manufactured ceramides and lipids (such lotions might include wording on the labels like "advanced repair"). Other ingredients to look for include humectants, which will attract more moisture to your skin, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

Body lotions that use essential fatty acids or natural oils (think butter, avocado oil or sesame seed oil) can also be good for anti-aging thanks to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

What Is the Best Body Lotion for Sensitive Skin?

Those with sensitive skin should avoid body lotions that have too many added ingredients, including fragrance, as these can irritate the skin, leading to the development of itchiness and rashes. The lotion should also be labeled as gentle, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, which means it is specially formulated not to clog pores.

If you've got a specific skin condition, like eczema, it's best to look for a body lotion that is labeled to treat this specifically. Ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, which has anti-inflammatory properties, may help to provide some relief from its burning sting. Some might also include ingredients like menthol, which will have a soothing and cooling effect on irritated areas. And while steroid-based creams as prescribed by your doctor can help with temporary relief, they are not recommended for long-term, daily use.

Ready to get to the good stuff? We've done our research on the best body lotion on the market based on our own experiences and in-depth research.

The Best Body Lotion at a Glance

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5. Nécessaire The Body Lotion

Best Vitamin C Body Lotion

Why We Love It:

  • Certified vegan

  • Cruelty-free

  • Effortlessly sinks into skin

We tried—and loved—this lotion, which is certified vegan and uses only cruelty-free ingredients, including niacinamide (a form of vitamin B), vitamins A, C and E to nourish skin and omegas 6 and 9 to support it, with other naturally-derived elements to boot, like sustainable palm and olive. We appreciate how it immediately sinks in without leaving a greasy or sticky feeling behind.

Buy It ($25)

6. Augustinus Bader The Body Cream

Best Luxury Body Lotion

Why We Love It:

  • Reportedly lessens cellulite, sun damage and stretch marks

  • Cruelty-free

Get luscious, smooth skin with this lotion that is formulated with a proprietary combination of amino acids called Trigger Factory Complex (TCF8) that the company claims can visibly firm skin, reduce cellulite and stretch marks and even lessen sun damage. (Is that all?!) Cruelty- and fragrance-free, it's safe for all types of skin, and also contains vitamins A and E, plus shea butter for softness. While it's much more expensive than the others on this list, if it helps put some bounce back into our epidermal layer, we're all for it.

Buy It ($180)

8. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream

Best Scented Body Lotion

Why We Love It:

  • Tightens as it hydrates

  • Smells incredible

If your skin is dry but not necessarily sensitive, you may be able to opt for a scented cream; and if so, this lotion is delectable. With notes of vanilla, salted caramel and pistachio, it will not only have you feeling great but also calm, relaxed and smelling delightful. The key ingredient is Cupuaçu butter, an antioxidant-rich emollient that aims to provide moisture, stimulate circulation and restore elasticity to your skin, in theory lessening any sagging (hence why it's marketed for your rear). Meanwhile, its antioxidant-heavy acai oil is included to help relieve painful cracking as its coconut oil furthers softens, conditions and hydrates. Psst: Be sure to use our exclusive coupon code PUREWOW to save an extra $11!

Buy It ($45; $34)

9. Kiehl's Creme de Corps

Best Body Lotion for Flaky Skin

Why We Love It:

  • Tried-and-true staple

  • Sustainable, refillable package option

The fact that this company has been around since the early 1970s says it all. Once hailed as an "ash killer," this Kiehl's staple can be relied upon to get rid of your flaking dry skin in a hurry thanks to its cocoa butter-rich formula that's said to soften and sufficiently hydrate. No wonder Chloë Sevigny adores it! If you're a heavy user, you can also opt for the larger refillable version, cutting down on bottle refuse.

Buy It (From $14)

11. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion

Best Cocoa Butter Body Lotion

  • Smells like cocoa

  • Rich formula

Cocoa butter is an ingredient with a strong legion of fans, and nobody does it better than Palmer's. The company's lotion pairs this skincare superstar with vitamin E that will not only help moisturize dry skin, but also act as an antioxidant, potentially improving the appearance of scars and other blemishes. Did we mention it also smells a little bit like (yum?) cocoa?

$7 at Amazon

12. Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

Best Body Lotion for Eczema

Why We Love It:

  • Clinically proven formula

  • Soothing oatmeal

Aveeno lotion is one of the most popular and widely available brands for eczema. It's non-greasy, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, but the real differentiator is the inclusion of soothing colloidal oatmeal and ceramides, the combination of which has not only caught the attention of the National Eczema Association, it's been clinically proven to reduce dryness and scaling that those with eczema present. In short? This stuff works.

$18 at Amazon

15. CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy Skin

Best Body Lotion for Keratosis Pilaris

Why We Love It:

  • Gently exfoliates

  • Hypoallergenic

It can be frustrating if you have both dry skin and keratosis pilaris—a common skin condition caused by dead skin cells that get trapped into hair follicles, resulting in tiny bumps—and they often go hand-in-hand. Lotions like this one from CeraVe are made with salicylic and lactic acid to gently exfoliate as it hydrates, helping to slough off those cells that would otherwise continue to plug up your pores. Its fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, too.

Buy It ($18)

20. Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Lotion

Best Non-Greasy Body Lotion

Why We Love It:

  • Lightweight-yet-effective

  • Absorbs quickly

Want stronger skin without that slippery, greasy feel? Then look no further than this dermatologist-developed lotion, which will be your new best friend. Its lightweight consistency, along with its vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5 and lipids, is said to absorb in seconds, yet last for hours, even when up against ultra-dry skin.

$16 at Amazon

RELATED: The Best Fragrance-Free Lotion for Every Need, From Your Face to Your Feet

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