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The Best Body Lotion

Last updated on January 21, 2024

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All skin types can benefit from some type of moisturizer. Long, dry winters can challenge even for the oiliest skin. But whatever the condition of your skin, a daily dose of body lotion can make a big difference. Not only will it help stave off the signs of aging, but it will also make you feel better. In fact, just the act of moisturizing your skin can leave you feeling like you’ve spent a little time at a spa.

If you’ve spent time in the lotion aisle, though, you probably know there are more than a few types of body lotions. In recent years, as consumers have grown more conscientious about the chemicals in the products they use, the industry has seen a dramatic shift. Today’s lotions strive for organic ingredients free of parabens and gluten.

But when you’re shopping for body lotion, it’s more about what is in the bottle than what isn’t. Pay close attention to the active ingredients, which can vary dramatically from one product to another. Some lotions are packed with vitamins geared toward keeping your skin healthy, while others use emollients like shea butter and mineral oil.

You should also consider scent. An increasing number of lotions strive to remove all fragrances, but it’s impossible to completely eliminate scent from a product. That means some unscented lotions will have a chemical smell that’s even worse than the floral or fruity scent you would find in a scented lotion. If you have perfume sensitivities, though, an unscented option will likely be best.

All other features considered, though, the most important thing is how your skin feels, not just in the hours after applying lotion, but also a few days into daily treatment. Overall, you should be left feeling as though your skin is healthy and soft, and you should have no skin irritation or blotches as a result of using your new lotion.

Our Picks For The Top Body Lotions

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Runner Up

Jergens Soft Skin Repairing Body Lotion

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Jergens

Soft Skin Repairing Body Lotion

Leave your skin feeling silky smooth for hours with this body lotion. With each purchase, you'll receive three 21-ounce bottles that are formulated to not only moisturize, but also soften your skin. The handy pump top is another attractive feature, as it makes using the lotion less messy.

Overall Take

Best for Normal to DryThis body lotion has a cherry almond fragrance that is both light and pleasant.

 Top Pick

Cetaphil Avocado Oil Essential Vitamins Body Lotion

Cetaphil

Avocado Oil Essential Vitamins Body Lotion

If your skin tends to be dry and sensitive, this body lotion is an excellent option. It's hypoallergenic and free from parabens and fragrances that tend to irritate skin. Instead, you'll find healing and soothing ingredients, like glycerin, vitamin B3 and avocado oil.

Overall Take

Most AffordableYou'll pay the lowest cost per ounce when you opt for this body lotion. Keeping your skin healthy doesn't have to be expensive.

Hempz Natural Herbal Dry Skin Body Lotion

Hempz

Natural Herbal Dry Skin Body Lotion

Overall Take

  The Best Value

NIVEA Essentially Enriched Almond Oil Body Lotion

NIVEA

Essentially Enriched Almond Oil Body Lotion

Enriched with almond oil, this body lotion locks in moisture and leaves skin feeling soft for days. In fact, it takes just one application of the lotion for your skin to remain hydrated for as long as 48 hours. That makes it the perfect choice for busy individuals who don't have time to keep reapplying lotion every few hours.

Overall Take

Great for Dry SkinIt takes just one application of this body lotion for skin to become soft and free of rough dry patches.

What to Look For

  • Each body lotion is formulated differently, so you should be able to narrow your choices by looking at what each product offers. Some natural brands are rich in hemp and shea butter, as well as vitamins A, C and E. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion uses colloidal oatmeal to help restore your skin’s pH. Other lotions are packed full of the very type of ceramide needed to retain moisture in your skin. There’s also the option to get a formula that blends almond oil with a deep moisture serum.
  • Look for a lotion that is safe to use on your face as well as your body. This can help keep things simple.
  • If you’re sensitive to certain ingredients, that label will become especially important. Some brands are both paraben and gluten-free, as well as 100 percent vegan. Those with alcohol sensitivities will want to stay away from lotions that have both cetearyl and cetyl alcohol. Look for a lotion that is petrolatum-, paraben- and gluten-free, and also hypoallergenic.
  • Those with sensitive skin may prefer Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion, which is recommended by dermatologists even for those who have sensitivities.
  • What it all boils down to is how your body lotion leaves your skin. Some brands leave your skin soft and smooth, and they also provides a protective layer that serves as a barrier against the elements. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion locks in your body’s natural moisture to keep your skin hydrated. Other lotions exfoliate to restore the natural protective barrier built into the skin.
  • Some lotions leave a residue on the skin, but not the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion, which soaks into the skin without leaving a greasy film.
  • Consider a lotion that is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores. This is essential in any product you use on your face, but it’s useful for the body as well.
  • Many beauty products strive to be as fragrance-free as possible to help those who have scent sensitivities. But you’ll need to watch out for chemical smells in those products. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion is fragrance-free.
  • Waiting for lotion to dry can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to moisturize before getting dressed in the morning. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion soaks into the skin immediately.
  • Once applied, you’ll want to make sure your lotion lasts a while. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion keeps you soft and protected for 24 hours, while other brands moisturize throughout the entire day.

More to Explore

Although some believe moisturizers can serve as the “fountain of youth,” their primary benefit is to reduce the appearance of aging. When you rub a moisturizing product into your skin, it temporarily plumps things up, which makes those wrinkles a little shallower. Some moisturizers have ingredients that can boost your skin tone and texture. But over-the-counter moisturizers are limited in what they can do since they have smaller doses of those wrinkle-reducing active ingredients. Prescription moisturizers may be more effective at that, but they can’t make 60-year-old skin look like 20-year-old skin. Keeping your skin soft and hydrated has many other benefits, though, which is why consumers continue to fill their shopping carts with lotions and moisturizers.

More to explore