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8 Best Body Lotions

Fun fact: body lotions are NOT the same as a face or hand lotion! They're thicker, with heavier ingredients intended to increase hydration and sebum (skin oil) production.

Why is that?

Your face and hands produce a lot of skin oil, but there are fewer sebaceous glands around the skin of your arms, back, shoulders, chest, and legs. This means that skin is prone to drying out, irritation from friction, and aging. But with a good body lotion, you can protect your whole body, not just your face and hands.

A good body lotion can reduce irritation from your clothes, prevent dry and chapped skin, and even help to speed up healing from sunburns, rashes, acne, and dryness. Though the rest of your body may not need as much daily moisturizing as your face and hands, it's still important to apply lotion a few times a week to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

Tell me more…

We've done the research to find the best body lotion options for you. Whatever type of lotion you need—restorative, protectant, intensive, exfoliating, or even medical-grade—we've got you covered!

Best Natural Body Lotion

Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer

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0 User Score

3.81 Editor Score

95 Bought

Why People Love it

Enrich, protect, and repair your skin
Made with shea butter, hemp seed oil, Vitamins A and C, and ginseng
Great for conditioning and softening rough, patchy, and scaly skin

0 User Score

3.81 Editor Score

95 Bought

ProsCons

Made with wide variety of natural ingredients, highly effective, affordable, great for your face and body, pleasant scent, good for sensitive skin, good value for the price, and won't leave a greasy film on your skin.

Scent can be overpowering to some people.

Details

Ingredients: This lotion is made with a variety of natural ingredients: Vitamins A and C to provide antioxidants, Vitamin E and shea butter for protection and hydration, cucumber for added moisture, Aloe vera for soothing irritated skin, and ginseng to stimulate blood flow. It's not a 100% natural lotion—it does contain some chemical/artificial ingredients—but the natural ingredients it does contain are very effective.

Scent: Some users have complained that the smell of this lotion is TOO strong, but most agree that the scent is pleasant (similar to banana or passion fruit) without being too sweet.

Effects/Use: This is a basic body lotion that you can use for your back, legs, hands, and feet. It won't leave a greasy film on your skin, but it will do an excellent job of hydrating, protecting, and repairing damaged skin. It's paraben-free, gluten-free, and a vegan-friendly product.

Price: At just over $9 for a 17-ounce bottle, this is a very well-priced product. You get 4-6 weeks of daily moisturizing from this bottle, and it's a cream you'll want to use over and over.

Learn more:Hempz Original Herbal Body Moisturizer »

Best Lotion for Dry Skin

Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Calming Body Moisturizer

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0 User Score

3.96 Editor Score

68 Bought

Why People Love it

Good for healing dry or sensitive skin; gentle formula
Not too thick or greasy, but packs a ton of moisture
Highly hydrating and restorative; speeds up dry skin repair

0 User Score

3.96 Editor Score

68 Bought

ProsCons

Very soothing, speeds up healing, loaded with antioxidants and ceramides, gentle, restores skin moisture barrier, clinically proven, reduces itching and dryness, and approved by the National Eczema Association.

May sting cracked skin or open wounds.

Details

Ingredients: This cream is made with shea butter and sunflower seed oil, both amazing sources of antioxidants, Vitamin E, nutrients, and fatty acids that can repair and restore dry, cracked, and damaged skin. It also contains allantoin, a medication used to treat eczema and dry, rough, chapped, itchy, and scaly skin. It's clinically proven to be highly effective at restoring dry skin thanks to these ingredients.

Scent: This is a non-scented cream, so it can be used with any body spray, deodorant, or cologne.

Effects/Use: This cream is used by those with eczema as well as dry or damaged skin. The ingredients speed up healing and skin repair, restoring the moisture barrier and protecting the skin from further damage. It's thick enough to be effective but doesn’t leave a greasy film. For those looking for a medicated option to treat their eczema but don't want to go the route of heavy medications, this is a good choice.

Price: At $37 per 20-ounce bottle, this is slightly on the pricier side. However, it's highly effective at repairing dry and damaged skin, and it can help you to manage your eczema or skin irritations.

Learn more:Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Calming Body Moisturizer »

Best Reparative Lotion

Eucerin Intensive Repair Very Dry Skin Lotion

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0 User Score

4.11 Editor Score

62 Bought

Why People Love it

Repair damaged, dry, cracked, and itchy skin
Exfoliate, moisturize, and smooth your skin
Dermatologist-recommended; highly effective

0 User Score

4.11 Editor Score

62 Bought

ProsCons

Hydrates and repairs damaged, dry, and cracked skin; ideal for VERY dry skin, exfoliating, contains AHA, non-comedogenic, non-irritating, fragrance-free, great price, and can be used on your face and body.

Greasy texture when applied.

Details

Ingredients: This skin lotion contains glycerin, a highly effective moisturizing ingredient that creates a water barrier to keep water in and toxins out. It's also rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, which exfoliate your skin. It also contains caprylic and capric triglyercides, which are derived from coconut oil. Together, they help to condition and smooth out your skin.

Scent: The lotion is made without fragrances that could irritate your skin, so it has the standard "no fragrance" smell—rich, creamy, and mild.

Effects/Use: This is a cream designed to restore moisture to and repair very dry, cracked, chapped, and itchy skin. It can be used for treating rashes and irritation, reducing friction, and exfoliating your skin (thanks to the AHAs).

Be warned: it will leave a greasy film on your skin. Though it's non-comedogenic (it won't cause acne), it still feels thick and sticky.

Price: At under $9 for a 16.9-ounce bottle, this is a very well-priced product. You'll have to use a lot to moisturize your body, but it's effective at dealing with very dry and rough skin.

Learn more:Eucerin Intensive Repair Very Dry Skin Lotion »

Best Skin Protectant

Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant

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0 User Score

4.16 Editor Score

43 Bought

Why People Love it

Protect cracked, sensitive, dry, and damaged skin with this water-resistant lotion
Highly effective at moisturizing, nourishing, and smoothing your skin
Dermatologist-recommended; can be used for the whole body

0 User Score

4.16 Editor Score

43 Bought

ProsCons

Protects from cracks and dryness, restores healthy skin, 41% petroleum jelly, highly effective, can be used as chapstick on your lips, good for your feet and heels, and smooths out your skin.

Petroleum-derived product, and the scent is less than pleasant.

Details

Ingredients: This product is made with 41% petroleum jelly, making it a highly effective barrier to keep moisture trapped inside your skin and reduce friction, burns, and rashes. It also contains panthenol (Vitamin B5) and glycerin to fight skin diseases.

Scent: The product has the typical petroleum-derived smell. Think KY jelly or Vaseline, but with a hint of creaminess added. Not the best smell!

Effects/Use: If you want to protect dry, cracked, chapped, or damaged skin, you won't find better than this. It's dermatologist-recommended for dry hands, dry cuticles, cracked heels and feet, irritated skin, chapped lips, minor cuts and burns, friction, and rashes. It's even suitable to treat infant diaper rash. Applying this lotion covers your skin with a protective layer that traps moisture in and keeps irritants out.

Price: At $10 per 7-ounce tube, this is slightly on the pricier side, but definitely worth the cost if you want to protect your skin from friction, dryness, damage, and irritation.

Learn more:Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant »

Best Intensive Body Lotion

Dove Cream Oil Shea Butter Body Lotion

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0 User Score

4.47 Editor Score

64 Bought

Why People Love it

Softens, smooths, and moisturizes even the driest skin
Rich formula and luxurious feeling, but not too greasy
Fast-acting cream, perfect for your entire body

0 User Score

4.47 Editor Score

64 Bought

ProsCons

Highly effective for very dry skin, rich, creamy, hydrating, beautiful scent, calming, natural ingredients, smooths skin, fast-absorbing formula, and great price.

The scent of this lotion is VERY strong and it leaves your skin sticky.

Details

Ingredients: This cream is made with shea butter and shea oil, both of which are rich in Vitamin E. The combination of these ingredients leaves your skin smooth, soft, and hydrated. It's one of the best lotions to use for intensive repair and moisturizing, especially for very dry skin.

Scent: This lotion has the beautiful, creamy, slightly sweet smell of shea butter/oil, giving it a pleasant scent. However, some users have complained that the smell can be strong and overpowering.

Effects/Use: The cream is designed for application on all but the most sensitive skin, and its fast-acting, quick-absorbing formula makes it ideal even for those with greasy skin. It won't leave you feeling greasy, but there is a sticky residue on your hands that can be annoying.

Price: At less than $6 for 13.5 ounces of lotion, this is one of the best-priced creams on our list. It's beautifully effective at repairing and restoring dry, cracked, and aging skin!

Learn more:Dove Cream Oil Shea Butter Body Lotion »

Best Medical Grade Body Lotion

Amlactin 12% Moisturizing Lotion

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0 User Score

4.62 Editor Score

63 Bought

Why People Love it

Contains alpha hydroxyl acids for maximum exfoliation and hydration
Can eliminate patches of rough, dry, and scaly skin
Medical-grade ingredients; highly effective

0 User Score

4.62 Editor Score

63 Bought

ProsCons

Contains alpha-hydroxy acids, repairs damaged skin, promotes skin cell renewal, effective for skin repair, moisturizing, smooths out rough skin, and effective at treating keratosis pilaris.

Faint ammonia smell and leaves greasy film on skin.

Details

Ingredients: This lotion is made with 12% lactic acid, the exfoliating alpha-hydroxy acid derived from cow's milk. Lactic acid speeds up cellular turnover, bringing fresh skin cells to the surface to speed up your body's healing process.

Scent: While this cream is made without fragrances, many users complain that it has a faint smell of ammonia.

Effects/Use: For those who want a medical-grade cream to treat eczema, keratosis pilaris, and other skin conditions, this is a good option. It's not fully medicated, but contains medical-grade ingredients that can treat damaged, dry, and irritated skin. It's effective at smoothing and refreshing your skin, eliminating scaly, rough, and dry patches.

The lotion may leave a greasy film on your skin, but it's highly effective at restoring the moisture barrier and hydrating your skin. The effects will last for 24 hours, and it's particularly useful for your back, legs, elbows, and other body parts prone to dryness.

Price: At $27 for a 20-ounce bottle, this product delivers great value at a reasonable price. Definitely an option to consider for a quality exfoliating, moisturizing, and repairing skin lotion!

Learn more:Amlactin 12% Moisturizing Lotion »

Best Exfoliating Body Lotion

Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion

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0 User Score

4.72 Editor Score

84 Bought

Why People Love it

Gets rid of dirt and dead skin cells, leaving your skin fresh and clean
Useful for treating skin conditions (eczema, keratosis pilaris, etc.)
Reduces aging signs and restores healthy, smooth skin

0 User Score

4.72 Editor Score

84 Bought

ProsCons

Smoothing, effective, balances skin's pH, not too pricey, restores moisture, non-abrasive, no harsh ingredients, reduces age spots and wrinkles, and provides full-body care.

Leaves a sticky, greasy residue on skin.

Details

Ingredients: This cream is made with 12% glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from sugar cane. It's highly effective at removing dead skin cells and dirt from your skin, bringing fresh new cells to the surface. It's one of the best natural exfoliators, but isn't harsh or abrasive. It may even be able to lighten discolorations and smooth out your skin.

This lotion is also free of both artificial fragrances and parabens, as well as chemicals and abrasive substances. It's suitable for all but the most sensitive skin types.

Scent: There is no noticeable scent to this cream, making it the perfect option for those who want to use a body spray, cologne, or perfume.

Effects/Use: This is meant as an exfoliating cream to get rid of dead skin cells and dirt, speeding up cellular turnover to improve skin health. It can reduce acne, prevent irritation, and repair dry, cracked, and scaly skin. It can also smooth out wrinkles and tighten up sagging skin. It can be a bit on the greasy side, though, so you may want to wait a while between applying it and getting dressed.

Price: At $19 for a 12-ounce bottle, this is a well-priced cream. It delivers reliable exfoliation for dry, sensitive, and oily skin, repairing damage and restoring moisture to dry skin. All in all, a great product at a decent price.

Learn more:Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion »

Best Body Lotion Overall

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion

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0 User Score

4.93 Editor Score

160 Bought

Why People Love it

Good value, highly reliable moisturizing lotion
Long-lasting hydration promotes effective skin repair and replenishment
Contains hyaluronic acid to help your skin repair itself

0 User Score

4.93 Editor Score

160 Bought

ProsCons

Fragrance-free, dermatologist-recommended, highly effective moisturizing lotion, not too pricey, 24-hour hydration, improves skin moisture, non-irritating and non-allergenic, good for most skin types, and replenishes ceramides.

Not suitable for sensitive skin, and the pump design is a bit iffy.

Details

Ingredients: The main ingredient in this cream is hyaluronic acid, which is used in cosmetic treatments to increase moisture retention in the skin. It also contains ceramides, waxy lipids that retain skin moisture. Low levels of ceramides have been linked to skin dryness, making this cream an effective preventative measure as well as treatment.

Scent: This cream has no fragrance, making it ideal to use with your favorite perfumes, body sprays, and colognes. The absence of fragrance also reduces the risk of skin irritations or reactions.

Effects/Use: This lotion provides 24 hour protection for your skin, improving moisture retention and hydration. It has a non-greasy feel, and it's suitable for all but the most sensitive skin. It can keep normal skin healthy and speed up recovery of very dry, chapped, or cracked skin. For those with "thirsty" skin that needs a lot of moisture, this thick cream is a definite winner.

Be warned: those with sensitive skin may suffer from a break-out thanks to the potent ingredients.

Price: At just over $15 for a 6-ounce tub, it's not the cheapest lotion on our list. However, it's an excellent option that provides maximum hydration with minimal usage. In terms of value, you'll find few creams to beat it!

Learn more:CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion »

By: Andrew Peloquin

Fitness has come hard for Andy; he's had to work for it. But, his trials have led him to becoming a martial artist, a NFPT-certified fitness trainer, and a man passionate about exercise and healthy living. That’s why he’s our resident fitness expert.

His favorite food is lettuce-leaf steak tacos – though he’ll admit to a love of hot wings if you leverage the right pressure.

We know him as the guy who understands British humor and wishes everyone was as passionate about life as he is. His previous forays into the worlds of international business and education have left him wildly optimistic. And, if that wasn’t enough, he's also a best-selling, award-winning author of fantasy novels! Can you say renaissance?

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