The best body lotion you can buy today is the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. It’s the only lotion in our guide that is approved by the National Eczema Association — which is also why we’ve selected it as our “Best Quality” pick. And the addition of moisturizing ceramides and hyaluronic acid help to infuse moisture into severely dry skin for up to 24 hours. You need to get the best moisturizing body lotion from our list, and add it to your list of bathroom essentials.
To determine the best body lotion we focused on the following: type, ingredients, scent, absorbance, and longevity. We know that many people may need a thicker or lighter lotion depending on the condition of their skin or the issues that need to be addressed. We also focused on moisturizing ingredients and prioritized scent-free options. And finally, we focused on lotions that absorb quickly and products that were long-lasting. Keep reading to learn more about the rest of our top picks.
Top 7 Best Body Lotions
#1 CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: CeraVe is the only brand in our guide to feature the seal of approval from the National Eczema Association, meaning it’s ideal for even the most sensitive or severely dry skin.
Read Full Review: CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Hyaluronic Fragrance
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- Approved by the National Eczema Association
- Best quality
- Contains ceramides for 24-hour hydration
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- May be too heavy for some
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We’ve picked CeraVe’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion as our Top Pick because it’s the only brand in our guide that is designed with severely dry or sensitive skin in mind and is approved by the National Eczema Association. This means that if you have dry skin or suffer from eczema or other skin conditions, the ingredients in this lotion are going to infuse essential moisture and improve your skin’s texture and moisture levels.
While it is a lightweight lotion, if you don’t have severely dry skin, you may find that the ceramides and hyaluronic acid may make this too heavy for daily use. But we like that those core ingredients are slowly delivered through CeraVe’s proprietary MultiVesicular Emulsion (MVE) technology to ensure 24 hours of complete hydration. Specifically, the hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain its natural moisture. We also like that this is an oil- and fragrance-free lotion that’s hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and non-comedogenic. With all of those positives, this is why CeraVe’s lotion deserves to be our Top Pick and Best Quality recommendation. This will be a good addition to your best eye cream during your daily moisturizing routine.
#2 Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A gentle lotion packed with skin-friendly natural ingredients, that’s accessible in a range of stores, in addition to Amazon, makes this the best drugstore body lotion.
Read Full Review: Aveeno Moisturizing Soothing Emollients Fragrance Free
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- Dermatologist recommended
- Natural ingredients ideal for sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
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- If you don’t have dry skin this may be too heavy
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Aveeno is another great brand that’s known for creating effective skincare products that deliver on their promises. We like their Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion because we think it’s the best drugstore body lotion. But even more importantly, we love the inclusion of essential natural ingredients like colloidal oatmeal which helps restore your skin to its normal pH. Plus that oatmeal helps your skin maintain your moisture balance and soothe irritated dry skin.
Again, while Aveeno has a wide product offering for all skin types, this is another product that’s best for those with severely dry or sensitive skin. This lotion has been clinically proven to infuse skin with 24 hours of moisture while also working to soften it. The brand promises to improve your skin’s health after just one application. We also like that this is another fragrance-free, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic option that is meant for daily use. You’ll also appreciate that this formula absorbs quickly. For other grooming needs, like elimiating gray hair for a thicker and fuller look, take a look at our best beard dye guide.
#3 Jergens Ultra Healing Dry Skin Moisturizer
Award: BEST REPAIRING
WHY WE LIKE IT: A lotion packed with hydrating ingredients helps to improve the tone and texture of severely dry skin, which is why we think it’s the best body lotion to improve skin tone.
Read Full Review: Jergens Ultra Healing Moisturizer Ounces
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- Penetrates 5 layers deep
- Ideal for extra dry skin
- Vitamins B5, C, & E for improved hydration
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- Scented formula may not be for everyone
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Jergens is another great heritage brand that’s easy to find in supermarkets, drugstores, and big-box stores across the country. And their Ultra Healing Dry Skin Moisturizer is another great option for people with dry skin. This lotion is formulated to do more than just moisturize though since it also helps to improve the natural tone and texture of your skin. This means it’s especially great for common problem areas such as your heels, elbows, or knees.
Jergens’ Ultra Healing Dry Skin Moisturizer promises to penetrate five layers of skin to instantly stop dryness. And thanks to the unique hydralucence blend and added Vitamins B5, C, and E, your skin will also have a beautiful luminous glow. This is why we think it’s the best body lotion to improve skin tone. However, with our research, we did note that this lotion is scented. So, that’s something to keep in mind if you’re scent sensitive. To keep your hair moisturized, check out some of the best hair clay.
#4 Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid
Award: BEST FOR FACIAL CARE
WHY WE LIKE IT: A gentle oil-free face lotion that can pull double duty as a daily prep step to improve the application and look of your makeup.
Read Full Review: Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion Hyaluronic
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- Won’t clog pores or cause breakouts
- Fragrance-free formula
- Oil-free lightweight formula
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- Not for use on other parts of the body
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While the majority of our picks in this guide center around body lotion, this pick is a great daily facial moisturizer to incorporate into your overall beauty routine. Cetaphil’s Daily Hydrating Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid is a lightweight and oil-free option that serves as the perfect solution for the moisturizing step within your facial skincare program.
We like that this is a quick-absorbing option that features hyaluronic acid and humectants as primary ingredients. This means that you’ll see improved moisture retention. Because of this, we think that Cetaphil’s lotion is ideal as a pre-makeup step. Beauty experts agree that moisturizing your skin before applying a primer is essential to banish flakes — a key problem that can ruin any makeup application. You’ll also like that this is a fragrance-free formula that is also dermatologist recommended, safe for sensitive skin, and non-comedogenic. This lotion will fit nicely in your bathroom next to your other bathroom essentials.
#5 Nivea Original Daily Moisture Body Lotion
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: A long-lasting formula that relies on the power of vitamin E to infuse critical moisture into the skin means this is a great option for dry skin and the best body lotion for aging skin.
Read Full Review: NIVEA Original Daily Moisture Lotion
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- Long-lasting creamy formula
- Excellent for normal to dry skin
- Contains vitamin E
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- Not ideal for severely dry skin
- Contains mineral oil & parabens
- Not fragrance-free
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As you age, your skin can lose vital moisture. So, to maintain the health of your skin, or improve its tone or texture, you need a quality body lotion that’s designed to keep your skin moisturized and supple. We nominated the Nivea Original Daily Moisture Body Lotion as our Best on a Budget pick because it’s the most affordable option in our guide. But we also think that it’s the best body lotion for aging skin because it promises to lock in moisture for up to 48 hours.
However, because of the effective formula and a lowkey scent, we also believe that this is the best body lotion for men. The creamy lotion promises to soften and smooth skin in just one use and is made with a deep moisture serum and Vitamin E. However, this lotion is rated best for normal to dry skin, which means that people with severe moisture deficiencies might not find this lotion as useful. For the rest of your morning routine, take a look at the best hair gel for men.
#6 Lubriderm Daily Moisture Hydrating Unscented Body Lotion
Award: BEST FOR TATTOO AFTERCARE
WHY WE LIKE IT: A large-size (24 oz) lightweight lotion that absorbs quickly and lasts for 24 hours makes this the best body lotion for summer.
Read Full Review: Lubriderm Moisture Lotion Fragrance Free Normal
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- Fast-absorbing formula
- Large 24 oz container
- Includes ingredients designed to replenish essential moisture
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- Not ideal for severely dry skin
- Contains parabens
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This might seem like an awkward award, but if you have tattoos, you know that what you do during the aftercare stage will make the difference between a tattoo that stays vibrant for longer and one that needs to be touched up frequently. The Lubriderm Daily Moisture Hydrating Unscented Body Lotion is the only option in our guide that is recommended by numerous tattoo artists as a must-have for tattoo aftercare.
But even if you don’t have any tattoos, we think this is also the best body lotion for summer if you have normal to dry skin. We like that it’s a fragrance-free formula that promises to keep your skin moisturized for 24 hours. Essential moisturizers like Vitamin B5 help to improve your skin’s moisture barrier. And you’ll also like that it absorbs quickly and is non-greasy. While you’re getting bathroom supplies pick up some of the best toothpaste too.
#7 Alba Botanica Very Emollient Coconut Rescue Body Lotion
Award: BEST CLEAN INGREDIENTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A clean beauty lotion that’s free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances makes this perfect for conscious shoppers and those seeking vegan-friendly options.
Read Full Review: Alba Botanica Emollient Coconut Rescue
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- Free of parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances
- Ideal brand for vegetarians and vegans
- Cruelty-free Leaping Bunny certified
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- Scented lotion formula
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Clean beauty continues to be a rising trend as people learn more about ingredients and begin to demand that brands find a way to create products without harsh or harmful additives. Alba Botanica is a great option if you’ve decided to commit to stocking your vanity with clean beauty products. We like that their Very Emollient Coconut Rescue Body Lotion is made without the use of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Plus they’re the only brand in our guide that prominently displays the Leaping Bunny logo which means that they’re certified cruelty-free.
Aside from their ethical focus, we also like that this lotion features a host of naturally good for you ingredients like shea butter, sunflower seed oil, aloe leaf juice, coffee seed extract, and apricot extract. And you’ll like that the main ingredients are virgin unrefined coconut oil and coconut milk. Because the products are entirely naturally derived, that means this is a great option for vegans and vegetarians. However, keep in mind that this is a scented lotion. On another note, if you like using eco-green products at home, you will love the best composting toilet that has absolutely no odor, and no maintenance. This new design beats the older composting toilet designs.
How We Decided
Body lotion is an essential item that everyone should be using. To create our guide, we focused on the following features — type, ingredients, scent, absorbance, and longevity. First, let’s note that while the majority of our lotions are billed as body lotions, our #4 pick is the only one designed exclusively for the face.
Also, while all of our recommendations are traditional lotions, note that our Top Pick, Honorable Mention, and our #3 pick are thicker formulas that are designed specifically to address the needs of people with very dry skin. Our Best on a Budget, #6, and #7 picks are great for normal to dry skin, or a great alternative for someone with very dry skin who lives in a warmer climate.
Common ingredients that we found through our research that are ideal for dryer skin include hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, as well as Vitamins E and B5. You’ll note that hyaluronic acid is in our Top Pick and #4 recommendations. Our Honorable Mention features colloidal oatmeal and Vitamins E and B5 are featured on almost every product in our guide. For people focused on all-natural ingredients, then our #7 pick is your best bet.
A lotion’s scent can be a contentious issue for a range of reasons. If you prefer unscented lotions, we recommend our Top Pick, Honorable Mention, #4, and #6 choices. If you’re concerned about synthetic fragrance, then our #7 pick is the best option since it’s naturally scented with coconut oil and milk. Our #3 and Best on a Budget are both synthetically scented options.
All of the lotions in our guide promise to absorb quickly into the skin, making them ideal for incorporating in your daily routine as you get ready for the day. But for longevity, you’ll find that most promise to work between 24 and 48 hours to keep your skin healthy and moisturized. For the longest moisture, choose our Best on a Budget pick which lasts for 48 hours. Our Top Pick, Honorable Mention, #3, and #6 picks will last for up to 24 hours.
Best Body Lotion Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Type
While many people think that all body lotions are the same, they come in a range of textures. Technically, a lotion is not the same as a butter or a cream, but they’re often sold or categorized together. While lotions have a thick consistency, if you’re concerned about dry skin, then butter and creams are better options. A moisturizing butter will have the heaviest consistency and is best for people with severely dry skin or if you live in a region where the air is extremely dry or the temperatures are very cold. Creams are great if you prefer something thicker than lotion, but not as heavy as butter. - Ingredients
Besides texture, you’ll also want to think about the ingredients. If you’re concerned about dry skin, options like shea and cocoa butter can help to keep your skin moisturized. But other options like aloe or cucumber extract are ideal for soothing irritated sensitive skin. You can even find lotions infused with hyaluronic acid which helps your skin to retain moisture. And if you’re concerned about clean beauty, then look for products that list what percentage of their ingredients are naturally derived. - Scent
Some people prefer fragrance-free lotions because they wear perfume or body oils. But if you do like scented lotions, you’ll need to decide whether you prefer a naturally scented lotion or one that relies on perfumes. - Absorbency
There’s nothing worse than feeling like it takes forever for your lotion to fully absorb into your skin. And especially if you apply lotion before getting dressed, lotion that takes forever means that you could end up staining your clothing. If this is a major concern for you, look for lotions that mention quick absorption. - Longevity
And just like with absorbance, no one wants a lotion that doesn’t keep their skin moisturized for more than a couple of hours. Look for lotions that are slightly thicker in texture and feature key ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, or even hyaluronic acid as top ingredients. - Targeting
Some lotions do more than moisturize your skin. They can also work to firm skin, reduce the appearance of dark marks, stretch marks or blemishes, or brighten your skin. If this is important to you, look for key ingredients like collagen that help to target those key skin tone concerns.
