13 Best Body Lotions For Soft, Hydrated 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 moisturize your entire body, all year, but especially during the cold winter months when many of us are more prone to 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 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 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. 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 faux-tan lover, 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 and Renee Rodriquez

Best Overall Body Lotion
amazon.com

Best Overall Body Lotion

AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion ($20)

The AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion 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. Read our full review here.

Best Scented Body Lotion
sephora.com

Best Scented Body Lotion

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream ($48)

This body lotion is known for its warm and spicy scent, but it also hydrates even the most parched skin. It's vegan, fast absorbing, and made with coconut oil to leave your skin soft and smooth all day long.

Best Body Lotion For Keratosis Pilaris
target.com

Best Body Lotion For Keratosis Pilaris

Pixi Glycolic Body Lotion ($24)

This lotion 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.

Best Body Lotion For Eczema
target.com

Best Body Lotion For Eczema

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion ($12)

The Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion 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.

Best Body Lotion For Sensitive Skin
amazon.com

Best Body Lotion For Sensitive Skin

Eucerin Extra Dry Skin Intensive 10% Urea Treatment Lotion ($16)

This body lotion 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.

Best Non-Greasy Body Lotion
glossier.com

Best Non-Greasy Body Lotion

Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream ($22)

Want a cream with zero greasy residue, a supersoft result, and a slightly glowing finish? The Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream will be your jam. It's perfect for your entire body, but will really help your legs glow.

Best Anti-Aging Body Cream
shop.nordstrom.com

Best Anti-Aging Body Cream

Dr Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream ($125)

The first thing you'll notice about the Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream 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.

Best Body Cream
sephora.com

Best Body Cream

L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream ($49)

The L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream 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.)

Best Exfoliating Body Lotion
sephora.com

Best Exfoliating Body Lotion

Skinfix Resurface+ AHA Renewing Cream ($45)

This bestselling body cream does more than just provide moisture. The Skinfix Resurface+ AHA Renewing Cream 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.

Best Whipped Body Lotion
sephora.com

Best Whipped Body Lotion

Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream ($38)

It's impossible to miss the ginger aroma of this Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream. 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.

Best Splurge Body Lotion
sephora.com

Best Splurge Body Lotion

La Mer The Body Crème Jar ($285)

If you're looking to treat your skin to a luxury lotion, look no further than the La Mer The Body Crème Jar. While it comes with a high price tag, it provides long-lasting hydration to skin, making it worth every penny. Made with La Mer's Blue Algae Lift Ferment, it helps target skin's loss of firmness.

Best Gel Body Lotion
amazon.com

Best Gel Body Lotion

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance-Free Hydrating Body Gel Cream ($7)

This lotion is hyaluronic-infused, so it 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.

Best Fragrance-Free Body Lotion
sephora.com

Best Fragrance-Free Body Lotion

Nécessaire The Body Lotion ($28)

If your skin is dry and sensitive, bestselling Nécessaire The Body Lotion 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.