30 Best Body Lotions To Soothe Your Dry Skin
Body lotion is the Kevin McCallister of the skincare routine, and we are the busy mother, Kate, with apparently far too much on our plate to remember such an important step before leaving the house. Our head and face only make up about 10% of our body's total surface area. So, why do we consistently neglect 90% of ourselves until the skin becomes dry, itchy, and painful? As explained by The University of Tennessee Medical Center, moisturizing your body every day is the key to healthy skin, along with a healthy diet, and drinking plenty of water. The best moisturizers are packed with vitamins, free of most allergens, irritants, and are non-comedogenic.
Applying a quality body lotion daily won't just give you smooth, shiny, and immediate results. It is an investment in your future skin. Body lotion formulated with SPF is especially good at combating wrinkles, fine lines, and can even help prevent skin cancer from sun exposure. Before you continue reading, consider your top skin concerns. Are you struggling with hydrating mature skin, itchy skin, bumps, flakes, or treating eczema? We've already thought of all of this and have compiled a list of the best lotions that can help with each of these skin conditions and more.
How we selected these products
How can we possibly choose from the vast variety of body lotions available to use today? In addition to the long-standing brands like Gold Bond and Vaseline that have been coating our skin with their hydrating formulas for decades, there are so many products released every year from new and old labels alike. Each of them has its own statements to consider. We took a look at all of the data to determine which lotions were really the best.
In this collection of hydrating lotions for dry skin, we gathered and sorted social media trends, reviews from buyers on different websites, recommendations from industry professionals and dermatologists, and all the promises that were and were not delivered from each product. Once we were certain we found 30 of the top lotions for each category related to dry skin, we gathered them here so you can find the perfect one to soothe, revive, rehydrate, and heal your skin from neck to toe.
Best overall body lotion
Though the Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream is specifically marketed for treating eczema, anyone with dry skin can benefit from using it. The colloidal oatmeal formula promises to treat itchiness and irritable skin caused by eczema, while improving hydration (via Aveeno). In addition to clearing eczema flare-ups, it also helps with extremely dry skin, rash-like burns, and an array of other skin conditions.
Get the Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream at Amazon for approximately $20.
Best affordable body lotion
The Vaseline brand is so well-known for its ultra-hydrating and healing products, that generic petroleum jelly has become synonymous with the brand's name. Another great item that has taken the skincare world by storm is its line of intensive care lotions. For dry skin, Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion Advanced Repair is highly recommended. At an extremely affordable price point, this lotion is a holy grail for many with its petroleum jelly formulation.
Buy Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion Advanced Repair Fragrance Free on Amazon starting at $6.
Best luxury body lotion
Though there are many great and affordable body lotions out there that don't cost nearly $200, Tata Harper's Redefining Body Balm is said to be worth the steep price. This luxury balm helps to firm and smooth the skin, while reducing the look of stretch marks. It is formulated for dry and mature skin and includes 27 high-quality and high-performance ingredients that leave your skin feeling deeply hydrated.
Purchase Tata Harper Redefining Body Balm at Amazon for $185.
Best body lotion with sunscreen
Not to be confused with Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop skincare line, Supergoop! is known for its clean and fragrance-free products formulated with sunscreen. The brand's Play Everyday Lotion with SPF 50 is one of its most-loved body lotions. A Supergoop! buyer raved, "I use this gem every day with some added sweet almond oil in it ... I buy the larger size on subscription because I go through so much! But it's worth it, and now I never burn. Doing this for future me."
Get Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 at Ulta for $22.
Best body lotion formulated with probiotics
Choosing a body lotion that uses prebiotics, probiotics, or both can dramatically change the texture and appearance of your skin. The Ahava Pre + Probiotic Body Lotion is one option that has great reviews. According to Ahava, its Pre + Probiotic body lotion is formulated with aloe vera leaf juice, witch hazel, and citric acid, as well as Osmoter, which is its own signature blend of minerals and probiotics.
Buy Ahava Pre + Probiotic Body Lotion at Walmart for approximately $36.
Best body lotion formulated with hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is an extremely popular ingredient today. It is known for its ability to hydrate the skin and reduce the look of fine lines. Olay's Nourishing & Hydrating Body Lotion, formulated with hyaluronic acid, is highly recommended in this category. As one Target reviewer puts it, this is an "amazing lotion. You can feel it hydrating and nourishing your skin right when you put it on. It isn't too thick and creamy. Very smooth and light."
Get Olay Nourishing & Hydrating Body Lotion with Hyaluronic Acid at Target for approximately $10.
Best body lotion for eczema-prone skin
Over 31 million Americans are living with a variation of eczema, per National Eczema Association. There are many treatments out there that address the issue, but one really great product is Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Body Moisturizer. An Amazon reviewer said, "I've been dealing with an itchy upper back and shoulders for years because of eczema. This product soothes my skin immediately after showering and right before falling asleep at night. It has cut down my need to scratch by 90%."
Purchase Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Body Moisturizer at Target approximately $18.
Best body lotion that also exfoliates
Body lotion for dry skin doesn't always just quench your skin's thirst. Some great lotions, such as Drunk Elephant's T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion, also use an AHA blend of exfoliating acids that smooth rough skin. This product contains marula and shea butter to moisturize the skin. This formula is worn by Wayne Goss on both his face and his body — he explains how you can use it all over too on YouTube.
Buy Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion at Sephora for $25.
Best body lotion with a light scent
The Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream is yet another viral favorite of the brand. Nathalie Blue on TikTok tells us that she loves the product's iridescent glow almost as much as she loves its scent. In the video, we can see how thick this cream is, which some people love. However, if you want a thinner consistency, Blue suggests mixing it with a more watery and unscented body lotion.
Purchase Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream at Glossier for $22.
Best body lotion with a floral scent
Nivea's Oil Infused Body Lotion with cherry blossom and jojoba oil may not be an incredibly healing lotion for extremely dry skin, but its non-greasy feel and incredible floral scent keep customers coming back to it for regular use. One Target customer raved, "My favorite lotion! This smells amazing and moisturizes so well." Infused with jojoba oil, the blossom-scented lotion soothes inflammation and helps to quench dry skin for more than 24 hours.
Purchase Nivea Oil Infused Body Lotion With Cherry Blossom And Jojoba Oil at Target for approximately $7.
Best body lotion without fragrance
Though a scented lotion can transport you to new places with its smell, it can also cause acne and rashes. Thankfully, it isn't difficult to find an unscented body lotion that keeps your skin smooth without a trace of fragrance. The Curél Fragrance-Free Comforting Body Lotion is a fan-favorite. One reviewer on Amazon raved, "I started using this brand of lotion ... 10 years ago and never stopped using it since. It's made from water and glycerin so your skin literally drinks it."
Get Curél Fragrance Free Comforting Body Lotion at Amazon for approximately $8.
Best body lotion for dry skin with shimmer
No matter what type of skin you're trying to hydrate, shimmery body lotions can either make or break your all-over skincare routine. Beekman 1802's Pot Of Gold Whipped Shimmer Body Cream has great reviews for its natural ingredients and goat milk-based formula. This luxuriously smooth lotion contains real gold mica that gives your skin a healthy glow without a residue.
Purchase Beekman 1802 Pot Of Gold Whipped Shimmer Body Cream at Amazon for approximately $24.
Best body lotion for sensitive skin
Dry and sensitive skin is an unfortunate, yet common combination. Those with sensitive skin have a much smaller pool of product options compared to others. So, when they're looking for something to soothe their irritated and dry skin, it can be difficult to find the right lotion. One solution is the Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream. As noted in several Target reviews, this lotion is frequently recommended by dermatologists, and its light, but moisturizing formula allows a little to go a long way.
Buy Vanicream Moisturizing Cream at Target for approximately $14.
Best body lotion you can use on wet skin
After showering, sometimes you can't be bothered to slather your body in lotion after drying off. We've been there! If you need an easier solution, Olay's Rinse-Off Body Conditioner might be for you. It goes on like body wash. Simply rinse off and go! Formulated with shea butter and Vitamin B3, this will make your morning bathing routine so much easier.
Purchase Olay Rinse-Off Body Conditioner With Shea Butter at Target for approximately $6.
Best lightweight body lotion
For dry skin, there are many creams, balms, and thick lotions out there that heal and hydrate. However, the user is almost always left with a residue that lasts for some time. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion stands apart from these with its barely-there texture that sinks into the skin quickly while deeply moisturizing. Skin Hydration on TikTok uses a lotion tester before and after trying the CeraVe formula and finds that the product increased their skin moisture content by a whopping 23%.
Get CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion at Ulta for approximately $16.
Best body lotion spray for dry skin
Those with mature, sensitive, or broken skin often struggle with thick creams and lotions that need to be rubbed in to work properly. Instead, a spray application can be much easier to reduce pulling on the skin and to apply lotion on hard-to-reach areas. Based on user reviews, we recommend the Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray. As told by one Amazon reviewer, "This spray is so convenient to use and literally keeps your skin feeling so nice all day long."
Purchase Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray on Amazon for approximately $10.
Best body lotion for keratosis pilaris
Dr. Ryan Karmouta on TikTok helps his viewers by using the most common symptoms of skin conditions to help identify and treat issues. According to Karmouta, a bumpy texture on the outer part of your upper arms can indicate keratosis pilaris. KPAWAY keratosis pilaris treatment is one of his top picks for over-the-counter products. This lotion, which has stellar reviews, is said to reduce bumps and itchiness without harsh acids.
Get KPAWAY Daily Moisture Ultra Hydration at Amazon for approximately $39.
Best body lotion with clean ingredients
If you've made it this far, you've already seen several clean body lotions that contain cruelty-free, vegan, and plant-based ingredients. Despite this, one truly clean moisturizing product rises to the top. Buttah's Whipped Body Butter by Dorion Renaud is made from virgin raw African shea butter. With just one ingredient, this thick cream is full of vitamins A, B, and E which can help you achieve smooth, bright, and hydrated skin.
Buy Buttah Skin by Dorion Renaud Whipped Body Butter on Amazon for $29.
Best body lotion for very dry legs
Dry and scaly legs can be painful, embarrassing, and itchy. As explained by DermDoctor on TikTok, this is most often caused by a skin condition that is associated with eczema called ichthyosis vulgaris. The doctor suggests trying AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion, as well as a few others like the First Aid Beauty KP Smoothing Body Lotion, and the CeraVe SA Lotion to hydrate and treat the scaly texture.
The AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion For Dry Skin is available on Amazon for approximately $23.
Best body lotion for very dry arms
The CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin is yet another highly recommended product for skin conditions like keratosis pilaris, ichthyosis vulgaris, eczema, and rosacea. CeraVe cites board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Tiffany Clay, who said, "I recommend products formulated with salicylic acid to my patients who experience concerns like keratosis pilaris because it is a gentle, chemical exfoliant that smooths rough and flaky skin." No matter what your concern is, this body lotion routinely provides users with healthier skin.
Purchase CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin at Ulta for approximately $20.
Best vegan body lotion for dry skin
These days, there are plenty of vegan skincare products available to buy that target all kinds of issues at several price points. However, Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer has had an immense and loyal following for more than two decades. Every one of its products is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and paraben-free. What makes them stand out from other vegan brands is that all of its products also contain pure hemp seed oil for maximum hydration and protection.
Buy Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer at Hempz for approximately $20.
Best thick body butter for dry skin
The consistency of your lotion is up to personal preference. Some of us prefer a light and watery texture that absorbs without a trace. Others opt for a thick and creamy body butter that coats the skin with a layer of silky product. If you like the latter, Sol de Janeiro's Bom Dia Bright Body Cream with Vitamin C is for you. According to Sephora reviewers, the scent is heavy with notes of vanilla, spice, and flowers.
Get Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Body Cream with Vitamin C at Sephora for $48.
Best body lotion with retinol
Retinol is an important ingredient that should be used in everyone's beauty routine. It helps to keep pores clear and boosts collagen in the skin (via Cleveland Clinic). Among the best lotions made with retinol is the Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion. One reviewer on Amazon said, "I noticed a difference in my skin elasticity within a few days of use."
Purchase Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion at Versed Skin for approximately $18.
Best body lotion for acne-prone skin
Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment is a great solution for dry, acne-prone body skin that needs some extra help. Formulated with 2% salicylic acid, which is a type of BHA, it goes to work on rough skin. AWM on YouTube explained, "BHA ... is a common substance used in your skincare products for softening fine lines ... It also functions as an antibacterial agent so products that have BHAs in it are also geared towards people who have acne."
Buy Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment on Amazon for $29.
Best body lotion for flaky skin
Flaky skin can be caused by things such as sunburn, dry weather, or spending too much time in the water. The Ceramedx Natural Ceramide Therapy Ultra Moisturizing Cream is made for dehydrated skin no matter what the cause. An Amazon buyer raved, "I have dehydrated skin, and this cream works wonders for me. A little goes a long way. With the price point and quantity, you will always go right."
Buy Ceramedx Natural Ceramide Therapy Ultra Moisturizing Cream at Amazon for approximately $18.
Best lotion for itchy skin
Though many lotions and creams can help to relieve itchy skin, not many are said to work as well as Curél's Dry Skin Therapy Itch Defense Body Lotion. A target customer said it is "the only thing I've found that will stop me from itching my skin raw." Made with oatmeal extract, vitamin E, and Curél's advanced ceramide complex, this lotion relieves itchiness caused by dry skin by keeping it hydrated for as long as possible.
Buy Curél Dry Skin Therapy Itch Defense Body Lotion at Target for approximately $11.
Best non-greasy body lotion
The Gold Bond brand has a reputation for being a tried and true skin-healing brand that is recognized for its quality products that have come from a long history of innovation since the early 1900s. The Gold Bond Healing Skin Therapy Lotion is one of its most-loved body moisturizers that is formulated with skin enhancing vitamin A, vitamin C rich in antioxidants, and E for hydration.
Get Gold Bond Healing Skin Therapy Lotion at CVS for approximately $7.
Best body lotion for daily use
The Lubriderm Daily Moisture Hydrating Body Lotion is consistently given top reviews. This Walmart customer said, "I love this Lubriderm daily moisturizing lotion because it leaves your skin feeling soft but not greasy. Great for everyday usage and for those that have allergic reactions to fragrances." It is a popular choice for keeping near your bedside and on your sink for quick applications when your skin starts feeling dry.
Purchase Lubriderm's Daily Moisture Hydrating Body Lotion at Walmart for approximately $10.
Best body lotion for psoriasis
Among the most common symptoms of psoriasis is scaly, red rashes that can appear almost anywhere on the body. As told by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common treatments are light therapy, drugs such as methotrexate, or over-the-counter lotions like CeraVe's Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream. Though psoriasis has no cure, this moisturizing cream promises to clear scales and dead skin cells while providing hydration.
Get CeraVe Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream at CVS for approximately $26.
Best body lotion for all ages
La Roche-Posay's Lipikar Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream is often bought by people looking for a one-stop solution to dry skin affecting the whole family. An Amazon customer confirmed, "We use this for our kids with extra dry, sensitive skin and it is a lifesaver!" This lotion was previously known as La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Intense Repair and reviews say that a little goes a long way.
Buy La Roche-Posay Lipikar Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream at Amazon for approximately $20.