Best Body Lotions and Body Butters For Winter | 2021
30 of the Best Body Lotions For Glowing Winter Skin
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If there's one beauty product that most people we speak with are too lazy to use, it's body lotion. But here's the thing: you need to be moisturizing your entire body, especially during the cold winter months when many of us experience dry skin. Just like the face, our body gets dry, flaky, and — in extreme cases — cracked when it's not properly hydrated. But with so many body lotions, butters, creams, and oils on the market, it's hard to know where to start and which ones are actually good. That's why we're here to help.
Firstly, you'll want to consider what's on the ingredient list. There are several ingredients to look out for specifically when shopping for a new body lotion or body butter. Shea butter, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and urea are classic hydrators that not only help the skin retain moisture — and in some cases help absorb moisture in the air, which is why you should always apply your lotion right after the shower when the bathroom is still steamy — but also help soothe dry, flaking skin. In addition to the classic hydrating ingredients, body moisturizers can also sometimes contain light exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic acid that help dissolve rough or dead skin cells on the epidermis, which in turn help the skin better absorb said hydrating ingredients.
Keeping your body in tip-top hydrated condition isn't just good for keeping tight, dry, scaly arms and legs at bay; it can also have other positive effects. Not only will it make your skin glow naturally, but if you're a fake-tan wearer, using body lotion consistently ensures that your faux glow looks better and lasts longer. If you shave, using a good lotion helps soothe irritation. And if you choose a moisturizer with fragrance, you'll smell great, too. But if you're turned off body lotion due to the feeling of a thick cream on your body, fear not, because there are so many different types of moisturizers that'll keep your skin hydrated without feeling sticky.
Read on to see which body moisturizers, lotions, and butters will be slathered on our editors all winter and beyond.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
1 Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter
Kiehl's original Creme de Corps is an iconic beauty product beloved for nearly two decades. The Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter ($40) is lighter than the classic Creme de Corps, yet still incredibly moisturizing, and leaves no slimy legs inside your tights or jeans. Oh, and it smells delicious.
2 Pixi Glycolic Body Lotion
Pixi Glycolic Body Lotion ($24) will bring your body moisturizing routine to the next level, thanks to the addition of glycolic acid — the same ingredient in its iconic Glow Tonic — which will help to improve the appearance and feel of bumpy, textured skin. Don't worry, though, it's still supremely hydrating due to the aloe, ginseng, and grape seed oil.
3 Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion
The Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion ($12) is a great option if you have very dry and sensitive skin. It's highly regarded as helping eczema and other skin conditions. It contains shea butter and colloidal oatmeal to soothe and is fragrance-free if you are sensitive to perfumed creams.
4 Eau Thermale Avène Cold Cream Body Lotion
Again, the Eau Thermale Avène Cold Cream Body Lotion ($20) is another great option for people with dry and sensitive skin thanks to the thermal spring water and natural oils in the formula. The lotion is surprisingly nonsticky and fast-absorbing, and while it has a very faint scent, it's both noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic.
5 Eucerin Extra Dry Skin Intensive 10% Urea Treatment Lotion
Eucerin Extra Dry Skin Intensive 10% Urea Treatment Lotion ($23) is great for those who need intense hydration to treat dry, flaky skin caused by either dehydration or certain skin conditions, thanks to the addition of urea in the formula.
6 Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
When we asked POPSUGAR editors what their favorite moisturizers were, Editorial Assistant Kara Kia blurted out Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream ($45)! Aside from the moisturizing benefits, "It smells incredible. Once I open that tub, it totally transports me to a tropical island."
7 BeautyBio Science Sculptor Body Cream
Unlike many of the other lotions on our list, the BeautyBio Science Sculptor Body Cream ($60) is thick. It doesn't absorb particularly fast, but once it does, it provides a decent layer of moisture that lasts. I notice a big difference specifically on my legs after shaving, which, for me, makes it worth the extra absorption time. It also isn't heavily scented, more of a subtle, clean scent, and doesn't irritate my skin. Despite the product name, I don't use it in hopes that it sculpts or firms, I simply use it as an intense hydration for my body.
8 The Body Shop Shea Nourishing Body Butter
Is there a more nostalgic body product? It was hard to choose a favorite, but we finally settled on The Body Shop Shea Nourishing Body Butter ($6) since it's a classic, and there's a reason it has a solid five-star rating. It's incredibly hydrating and super thick, and it doesn't have an overpowering scent. Best of all, you can be sure that the ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced.
9 Dr Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream
The first thing you'll notice about the Dr Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream ($95) is the price. It's definitely at the luxury end of the scale, but it's good — like, changes-your-moisturizing-game good. Silky and lightweight with a velvety-smooth texture, this lotion absorbs quickly but keeps your skin feeling hydrated all day long. But I have to say, because it's so expensive, I don't feel like I can slather this on my body as much as I would with other lotions.
10 Vaseline Spray Aloe Soothe
If you just really can't be bothered to put any lotion on, ever . . . fair enough, we get it. But don't give up on the idea altogether until you've tried Vaseline Spray Moisturizer Aloe Soothe ($7). Simply spray a very light layer on your entire body after showering, and it'll absorb at lightning speed, it won't feel greasy, and your skin will be super smooth.
11 Weleda Skin Food Body Butter
Weleda's Skin Food has long been lauded as a cure-all moisturizer that can be used not just on your face but also your cuticles, hands, elbows, and any other rough spots you might have. Makeup artists often break it out backstage at the end of Fashion Week when the models' skin really need some TLC. But the Skin Food tube is tiny, which is why the brand decided to create a Weleda Skin Food Body Butter ($19) version that comes in a large jar. It's thick because it's meant for dry and very dry skin, but it doesn't take too long to absorb and leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable all day long.
12 Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream
Want a cream with zero greasy residue, a supersoft result, and a slightly glowing finish? Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream ($22) will be your jam.
13 St. Ives Nourish and Soothe Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Lotion
The St. Ives Nourish and Soothe Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Lotion ($5) immediately sinks into skin, meaning greasy residue is a thing of the past. We recommend lathering up in this right after the shower when your skin is still wet so it can lock in moisture. At such an affordable price, this drugstore lotion is a steal.
14 Kopari Beauty 100% Organic Coconut Melt
If you've ever wanted to douse yourself in coconut oil, meet your new favorite product. This Kopari Beauty 100% Organic Coconut Melt ($28) is made with 100 percent pure, organic, and unrefined coconut oil, which hydrates skin all while leaving behind a sweet coconut aroma. Put this on after you shave, and you'll feel silky smooth.
15 Curél Hydra Therapy In-Shower Lotion
This lightweight Curél Hydra Therapy In-Shower Lotion ($10) is activated by water, and sinks into wet skin to deeply hydrate and restore every inch of your body. With a nonirritating formula, this in-shower lotion is suitable for sensitive skin.
16 Dove Whipped Lavender and Coconut Milk Body Cream
This Dove Whipped Lavender and Coconut Milk Body Cream ($10) has sweet floral notes that will make you swoon every time you put it on. With a light, creamy formula, you'll instantly notice that your skin feels moisturized and soft to the touch.
17 First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
If you have itchy skin, this First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration ($34) will be your new go-to product. The rich formula is made to relieve itching and also helps soothe skin that suffers from eczema or rashes. Since it's made with shea butter, you can rest easy knowing that your skin barrier is being protected, thanks to the vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that are found in the ingredient.
18 Nivea Intense Healing Body Lotion
Another drugstore favorite, this Nivea Intense Healing Body Lotion ($5) will give you a bang for your buck. The star ingredient, provitamin B5, intensively moisturizes and soothes dry and rough skin after just one use. Since there's enough to go around, be sure to put it on every night.
19 La Mer The Body Crème Jar
If you're looking to treat your skin to a luxury lotion, look no further than the La Mer The Body Crème Jar ($285). While it comes with a high price tag, it provides long-lasting hydration to skin, making it worth every penny.
20 Cetaphil Restoring Lotion With Antioxidants For Aging Skin
Many beauty buffs love Cetaphil for its safe-for-sensitive-skin products, and this Cetaphil Restoring Lotion With Antioxidants For Aging Skin ($20) is one of the brand's best. It's fragrance- and paraben-free, and is made with a nongreasy formula that can be applied all over the body, even on delicate areas like the chest and neck.
21 Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance-Free Hydrating Body Gel Cream
This hyaluronic acid-infused Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance-Free Hydrating Body Gel Cream ($7) replenishes skin by improving hydration and smoothness. This is one of those lotions that you can apply right before you get dressed without worrying about any of the formula getting on your clothes.
22 Jergens Rose Body Butter
Made with shea, cocoa, and mango butters, this Jergens Rose Body Butter ($6) is all about deep hydration. The rich formula hydrates skin, all while leaving you smelling of freshly cut roses.
23 AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
This AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion ($9) is made with lactic acid, which very gently exfoliates skin to get rid of dead cells. You'll notice healthier-looking skin just days after using it.
24 Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream
It's impossible to miss the ginger aroma of this Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream ($38). But there are also skin-softening oils packed inside — like nourishing olive, grape seed, and apricot kernel — to take even winter-weary skin and make it cheery again.
25 La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M
Formulated for very dry skin (and safe for those with eczema!), La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M ($20) contains hard-working hydrating ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide, which help to soften your skin and soothe the itch. The rich balm also contains prebiotics to keep your skin's microbiome balanced and happy, which when it's not can make dryness even worse.
26 Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair
Because it's fragrance free, the Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion ($3) is ideal for people with very dry skin, sensitive skin, or eczema (it's been given the National Eczema Seal of Acceptance, in fact). The non-greasy formula contains hydrating glycerin and micro-droplets of Vaseline jelly, which helps to simultaneously lock the moisturizing ingredients in place and create a protective barrier on the skin.
27 Sephora Collection All Day Body Hydrator
This Sephora Collection All Day Body Hydrator ($17) won't be greasy or sticky as its shea and mango butters are soaked right up by dry skin, leaving your body soft and nourished even under many layers of clothing. 93 percent of the ingredients are from natural origin, meaning it's a clean beauty product that your skin will thank you for.
28 Love Beauty + Planet Muru Muru Butter & Rose Delicious Glow
There are many reasons to love the Love Beauty + Planet Muru Muru Butter & Rose Delicious Glow ($9) that has nothing to do with the lotion itself — most importantly the brand's 100% recycled bottles. Add that to the fact the formula is incredibly hydrating (that would be the muru muru butter, glycerin, and sunflower seed oil), smells beautiful, and costs under ten bucks, and we don't need convincing to add this to our winter beauty arsenal.
29 Nécessaire The Body Lotion
If your skin is dry and sensitive, bestselling Nécessaire The Body Lotion ($25) deeply hydrates with a pH-balanced, fragrance-free blend of skin-nourishing oils. It absorbs fast and contains vitamins A, C, and E which help to nourish skin.
30 L'Occitane Almond Delightful Body Balm
This top-rated L'Occitane Almond Delightful Body Balm ($39) is an almond-oil-infused balm that features a creamy and nongreasy texture that locks in moisture. Put it on right after you shower so it can really sink into skin.
31 Skinfix Eczema+ Extra Strength Body Cream
This rich Skinfix Eczema+ Extra Strength Body Cream ($34) offers soothing relief for skin that's itchy or irritated from eczema and dermatitis, thanks to colloidal oatmeal and sweet almond oil inside. Those ingredients can also help general dryness year-round, or when it pops up with a vengeance in colder months.
32 L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream
The L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream ($44) is not only sustainable but also so rich in shea butter that it can keep skin hydrated for up to 72 hours, even after showering. (But it still melts into the skin and doesn't leave any visible residue or sticky feel.)
33 Farmacy Honey Body Butter Ultra-Hydrating Body Cream
This Farmacy Honey Body Butter Ultra-Hydrating Body Cream ($35) was the brand's first body cream, and it's perfect for extra hydration when those chilly temperatures hit. Its star ingredient is antioxidant-rich buckwheat honey to soothe, coupled with a triple butter blend (cupuaçu, cacao, and mango) for long-lasting deep moisture with no greasy feeling later.
34 Skinfix Resurface+ AHA Renewing Cream
This bestselling body cream does more than just provide moisture. The Skinfix Resurface+ AHA Renewing Cream ($45) has a natural alpha-hydroxy acid blend to exfoliate dead skin cells — which softens rough skin and works to smooth bumpy or crepey patches, too.
35 CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Fragrance free and made with a blend of skin-coddling ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it's no wonder that dermatologists on both sides of the Atlantic rate CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($16) for treating dry and severely dry skin (yes, including eczema and psoriasis). Plus, we love the fact it comes in such a big jar, allowing us to slather it on our limbs, hands, and even faces with abandon.
