By Jennifer Hussein and Deanna Pai
You're probably fully stocked on all of the latest face creams, but what about one of the best body lotion products for your rougher areas? Aside from sun protection, moisturizer is arguably the most important element of any skin-care routine. "Moisturizer doesn't just add water back into your skin, it also traps in the water you already have to plump it up and protect it," Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Yale University, previously told Allure. But try as we might, the skin-softening process often ends at our necks. Pet Plastic Manufacturers
That is, until now. It's time to heed expert advice and find the body moisturizer that's going to make every inch of your skin happy. "Your skin absolutely needs moisturizer," says Dr. Gohara. "Your skin is the biggest organ in your body. It's not bloody or gutsy, but it's still an organ, and organs need water."
The easiest way to incorporate body care into your routine? Slather on a lotion that's formulated with nourishing ingredients that enhance your skin type to look and feel its best. Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, says some of the best ingredients to look for in your body moisturizers include emollients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, and moisturizing additives like glycerin, ceramides, and oils derived from coconut, almond, avocado, or jojoba. She also says to look for formulas that include free radical-fighting antioxidants like vitamins C and E.
According to James Y. Wang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, mildly exfoliating body lotions are ideal for all skin types, especially those who have concerns over body acne. "This is especially important in acne-prone skin because the skin barrier is disrupted and there is underlying inflammation," he says. "Lotions that contain mild glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid can be helpful as long as they are not overused, which can lead to sensitive skin." Dr. Greenfield also adds that acne-prone skin types should avoid ingredients that are considered occlusive, including heavy, petroleum-jelly-based creams or oils because they can trap bacteria under the skin.
Whether you prefer a frill-free body lotion, a luxurious cream, a lightweight oil, or a rich balm, the best body lotions are guaranteed to wrap your skin below the chin in some serious TLC.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Why It's Worth It: As much as we love a well-scented lotion, sometimes all we want is a simple, unscented formula that's guaranteed not to irritate sensitive skin. Enter: Nécessaire's The Body Lotion, a custardy body cream that soothes dry, itchy skin instantly, thanks to a mixture of firming peptides, tone-evening niacinamide, and hydrating glycerin to transform even very dry skin into a velvety-smooth feel to the touch. Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein says it's her nightly moisturizer of choice for its ability to instantly soften her skin without leaving a slippery mess behind. "It has a creamy, dense texture that sits right at the intersection of lotion and body butter," she says.
Editor Tip: If you're ready for a commitment, it comes in a jumbo-size, 13.5 fl oz. bottle.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, cacay oil | Who It's For: Everyone
Why It's Worth It: Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream is a featherlight formula loved by New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. It swipes on easily and absorbs quickly, quenching dry skin from head to toe without a slippery feel for even a second. With no trace of a greasy or oily finish, it's apparent why we honored this hyaluronic acid-infused lotion with a 2019 Best of Beauty Award. Our editors especially love this formulation's gel-like texture and fragrance-free formulation, making it an especially great (and affordable) pick for sensitive skin.
Editor Tip: Reach for this in the summer, since it feels refreshing amid hot, humid weather.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin | Who It's For: Everyone, especially those who want a lightweight, quick-drying formula
Why It's Worth It: Coco Mademoiselle is a crowd-pleaser of a fragrance, a warm but surprisingly fresh blend of orange, May rose, and patchouli notes. It's even better in the form of this lightweight body lotion, which lightly moisturizes while scenting skin from head to toe. Even if you slather it on, the scent remains subtle, and it sinks in quickly sans residue or greasiness. That said, if you have very dry skin, this may not be nourishing enough for it.
Editor Tip: We consider the fragrance to be among the best winter perfumes, too.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, vitamin C, vitamin E | Who It's For: Those who enjoy a luxurious feel
Why It's Worth It: On top of its affordability, Dr. Greenfield is especially impressed by Nivea's Essentially Enriched Body Lotion for its ultra-moisturizing feel on the skin. Its highly conditioning, best-selling formula is all thanks to its star ingredient, almond oil, which is an ingredient that Dr. Greenfield says is great for moisture retention. Worth noting: This lotion has a thicker feel than others on the market due to its heavyweight moisturizing ingredients, so while it's a soothing savior for dry skin types, those with oily skin may want to opt for a lighter option.
Editor Tip: Gen Z has caught on to the magic of this formula, too, with #nivealotion getting almost 40 millions views on TikTok.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, glycerin | Who It's For: Anyone with dryness
Why It's Worth It: Dark spots are a common concern above the neck, but discoloration can happen anywhere — as is often the case for people with darker skin, who tend to be especially prone to hyperpigmentation. This affordable body lotion (and 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner)! pairs niacinamide and vitamin C, which work through two different mechanisms to regulate pigment production, with the usual moisturizing suspects like coconut oil. Despite that, the formula is surprisingly lightweight and quick to absorb, and it leaves even ashy skin radiant and glowing.
Editor Tip: It has a slight coconut scent that smells good, but not overly beachy.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, vitamin C, niacinamide | Who It's For: People prone to dullness and discoloration
Why It's Worth It: If your goal is to have skin that feels as soft as a baby's bum, Summer Fridays' Skin Nourishing Body Lotion has you covered — quite literally. Slather skin in the indulgent formula packed with moisture-sealing emollients and occlusives, including cocoa and shea butter, barrier-strengthening ceramides, and enough oils (including grapeseed, argan, and rosehip) to keep your glow visible from outer space — figuratively, of course.
Editor Tip: It was an Allure Best of Beauty winner back in 2019.
Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, shea butter, ceramides | Who It's For: Those seeking a natural glow
Why It's Worth It: La Roche-Posay's Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizing Cream is formulated specifically for super dry skin, including those prone to eczema. This balm-like body cream has a rich feel that's perfect for dry and sensitive skin in need of soothing properties. The formula itself contains a trifecta of shea butter, prebiotic-rich thermal water, and glycerin that work together to soften and condition while antioxidant niacinamide brightens, moisturizes, and evens tone all at once — say goodbye to post-body acne dark spots.
Editor Tip: Prebiotics serve as fuel for bacteria, so they support the skin's microbiome to keep skin comfortable and calm.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide | Who It's For: Those with eczema-prone or very sensitive skin
Why It's Worth It: Just like Charlotte Tilbury's beloved moisturizer, the Magic Body Cream has a delectably buttery texture that leaves skin feeling smooth and supple to the touch. There are a few ingredients in this skin-firming formula that you may already be familiar with, including circulation-boosting caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and moisturizing rose oil, but one of the stand-out additives is a proprietary ingredient called Algaktiv, which is, in its most basic definition, microalgae extract; this additive is rich in antioxidants that address a slew of skin-care concerns like dryness, inflammation, and crepiness.
Editor Tip: The 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner is a favorite among editors for its intense hydration. "The Magic Body Cream is my go-to body moisturizer," says senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor. "It's rich in emollients that moisturize my thirsty skin without leaving it greasy or sticky."
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, camellia seed oil, sunflower seed oil | Who It's For: People with lax or crepey skin
Why It's Worth It: CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream claims to provide a day's worth of moisture, thanks to a potent blend of conditioning ceramides and hydration-replenishing hyaluronic acid. The no-frills formula doesn't contain known irritants like fragrances, dyes, or oils and it's gentle enough to use on sensitive skin — it even has a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association, so it's guaranteed to soothe rather than irritate.
Editor Tip: It's a dermatologist-approved Best of Beauty Award winner and Readers' Choice Award winner, proof of its wide appeal.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: People with sensitive, sensitized, or reactive skin
Why It's Worth It: Skin looking red, raw, or otherwise inflamed? If that's the case, Naturium's Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion can help, since it's made with lipids that are identical to those found in the skin barrier. (It should come as no surprise that the brand was recently sold to E.L.F. for an eye-popping $355 million last year.) Fragrance-free, paraben-free, and dermatologist-tested, it won't set off reactive skin types and sinks in quickly despite its nourishing lineup of ingredients.
Editor Tip: Consider pairing it with the brand's Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash, which is a veritable TikTok hit.
Key Ingredients: Moringa seed oil, shea butter, sodium PCA | Who It's For: People with sensitive or compromised skin
Why It's Worth It: Like a vacation in a jar, Ouai St. Barts Body Crème packs tropical ingredients like cupuaçu butter and coconut oil into a surprisingly non-greasy, whipped confection. The vegan formula is also brimming with plant-derived squalane, which both supports the moisture barrier for lasting skin hydration and doubles as an antioxidant.
Editor Tip: With notes of dragon fruit and orange blossom, the scent doubles as a fragrance.
Key Ingredients: Capuaçu butter, coconut oil, squalane | Who It's For: People who like scented skin care
Why It's Worth It: According to Dr. Wang, Glytone's Exfoliating Body Lotion is a fragrance-free exfoliating option with a formulation that's perfect for acne-prone skin or those trying to minimize the look of keratosis pilaris (or KP for short). This lotion tackles rough, bumpy skin with its signature ingredient, glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates dead skin, targets fine lines, and evens tone for a softer feel and clearer look. It also contains caffeine, an ingredient known for its brightening and anti-inflammatory properties.
Editor Tip: Since it contains an acid, skip it after shaving to avoid any stinging or irritation.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, caffeine, allantoin | Who It's For: People with body bumps and breakouts
Why It's Worth It: Jodie LoGerfo, DNP, a board-certified doctor of nursing practice in New York City, says that Jack Black's Turbo Body Lotion is a must for those who want an ultra-light yet effective formula, thanks to the addition of moisturizing aloe vera extract. "It's a hydrating gel-to-lotion moisturizer that is skin-nurturing and moisturizing without being too heavy," she says. Fatty acid-rich prickly pear seed oil is another star ingredient in this formulation to boost its conditioning properties, but we especially love its ultra-light texture and delightfully invigorating scent profile, which features herbal rosemary extract and zesty eucalyptus.
Editor Tip: It's especially nice applied after a workout since the arnica can soothe sore muscles.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, eucalyptus, arnica extract | Who It's For: Those seeking a lightweight, refreshing feel
Why It's Worth It: You might be familiar with Bio-Oil's ever-popular namesake product, but allow us to introduce you to its skin-enhancing Body Lotion. This lightweight lotion may have a barely-there feel, but its intensive formulation contains a mix of jojoba, rosehip, and shea oils for improving moisture retention while hydrating hyaluronic acid pulls water in from your surrounding environment to make skin soft and supple. Antioxidants vitamin E and vitamin A (also known as retinol) also make appearances in this formula to up the ante on its moisturizing properties while boosting elasticity and imparting glowing skin.
Editor Tip: Shake it well before applying to help the oil emulsify into the formula.
Key Ingredients: Shea oil, rosehip oil, jojoba seed oil | Who It's For: People seeking firmer, tighter skin
Why It's Worth It: The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion is a drugstore classic that's withstood the test of time among both Allure editors and board-certified dermatologists alike. Hadley King, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, previously told Allure that it's one of her top recommendations, especially for those with sensitive skin and psoriasis. "Packed with both hydrating humectants and emollients to lock in moisture, this is a great cream for both face and body," she said. Along with skin-conditioning glycerin, this intensive daily moisturizing lotion is spiked with sweet almond oil and vitamin E, two ingredients known for their moisture-replenishing properties.
Editor Tip: The world is your oyster: It's available in not one, not two, but four sizes.
Longway Plastic Bottle Key Ingredients: Glycerin, sweet almond oil, vitamin E | Who It's For: Everyone