You don’t need to spend a lot of money to keep your skin hydrated
Breaking news: If you’re not yet using a body lotion on the regular, you definitely should be. While it may seem like a skippable step in your routine (particularly on busy days), it’s imperative for keeping the skin below your chin healthy and hydrated. And yes, of course, lotion’s main purpose is to moisturize, but many of today’s iterations go above and beyond the call of duty, offering many other skincare benefits. Here’s the best part—you don’t have to shell out big bucks for an amazing body lotion because there’s a litany of ah-mazing options found at the drugstore. “Both drugstore and luxury moisturizers use humectants and emollients to moisturize and hydrate the skin. Luxury brands may have a higher price point due to their packaging expenses and marketing, but you can find similar science and ingredients in drugstore body moisturizers,” explains dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf.
We conducted hours of research to find the best drugstore body lotions on the market, evaluating all options based on their active ingredients and ability to hydrate skin. After considering dozens of options, we landed on these top-rated picks.
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream
Shea butter and glycerin are only two of the heavy-hitting hydrators in this formula, one of our daily go-to’s. It works by replenishing essential lipids (aka fats) in the skin, yet despite how moisturizing it is, this lotion is shockingly lightweight and absorbs into the skin without any tacky or greasy residue. It smells naturally clean and fresh, but it’s technically fragrance-free, so it’s a good pick for those with sensitive skin. It’s a favorite of Dr. Rebecca Marcus, a board-certified dermatologist in Dallas, Texas, partially for that reason. “It contains prebiotics to help foster a healthy skin microbiome, which supports the integrity of the skin barrier and decreases inflammation. In addition to shea butter and glycerin, it also contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide (vitamin B3), making it great for those who are eczema-prone,” she says. “It’s safe for sensitive skin and even kids—I have young children, and it’s my go-to for them after bath.”
Best Multi-Tasker: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Byrdie editorial director Hallie Gould loves this do-it-all drugstore standout. It touts three different ceramides, essential ingredients for maintaining a strong and healthy skin barrier (the secret to keeping natural moisture locked in and irritants out), and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Another great pick for sensitive skin, it’s oil- and fragrance-free, and it is also non-comedogenic, which is part of the reason why it is great for the body and face. It also works great as a hand cream.
Best Brightening: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Illuminating Body Lotion
Reach for this lotion whenever skin is starting to look a little blah (e.g., in the dead of winter). No, it’s not packed with shimmer; instead, it relies on a mushroom extract to even out skin tone with continued use. Plus, the moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil base will instantly make skin appear more radiant.
Best Firming: Jergens Natural Glow Firming Moisturizer
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the hard truth of the matter is no magic cream will eliminate cellulite. That being said, topical lotions can help by creating the look of firmer, smoother skin. Enter this formula, which boasts collagen, elastin, and ginseng to do just that—not to mention it’s also a gradual self-tanner. Available in two shades, it delivers a subtle hint of color that gradually builds up with daily use. (And FYI, self-tanner is another one of the best ways to camo the look of cellulite.)
Best Lightweight: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Lotion Gel Cream
It can admittedly be easier to want to moisturize during the dead of winter—much less so in the middle of summer when you constantly feel sweaty and sticky. That’s where this pick comes up huge. Because it’s a water-based gel, it absorbs lightning-fast and feels innately cooling going on, even more so if you follow our lead and stash it in the fridge. However, because it’s packed with hyaluronic acid, it still imparts plenty of much-needed hydration even though it disappears on contact.
Best Lightweight, Runner-Up: Nivea Fresh Fusion Body Lotion
Hate having to wait to get dressed after you put on lotion because your skin feels, well, lotion-y? This formula touts a unique technology that uses microgels in place of the emulsifiers traditionally found in most lotions. That means that it not only absorbs super fast, it feels entirely undetectable on the skin as soon as you apply it and throughout the day. So much so that you could even slather it on and then put on leggings right after, truly. But because it contains deeply moisturizing ingredients, such as shea butter and vitamin E, it still imparts plenty of hydration.1
Best Ointment: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
When it’s not just run-of-the-mill dryness you’re dealing with but serious cracked, chapped skin—think on your elbows or heels—a regular ol’ lotion won’t cut it. You need to bust out the big guns in the form of a thick balm or ointment, like this classic. The petrolatum-based formula creates a protective seal on the skin, ideal for helping heal the driest of dry spots.
Best Fragrance-Free: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
No matter whether you have sensitive skin and/or are sensitive to fragrance, this is a great option to choose and a choice pick for Marcus. “It contains glycerin, an excellent hydrator, and petrolatum, which is an effective emollient. It does a great job of hydrating, keeping moisture locked in, and repairing and supporting the skin barrier,” she says. Plus, since it’s non-comedogenic you don’t have to worry about it clogging pores, meaning you can even use it on the face if you need a hefty dose of hydration, she says.2
Best Scen: tbliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter
On the flip side, if you’re not sensitive to fragrance and want a body lotion that’s going to smell delightful, this is the way to go. “I have been using this product pretty much forever and it’s one of my all-time favorites,” says Marcus. “It features super emollients, shea butter, and coconut oil, as well as the excellent humectant sodium hyaluronate, small hyaluronic acid molecules that pull moisture deep into the skin. It smells great, is effective, and a total pleasure to use,” she adds.
Best for Eczema: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Nighttime Itch Relief Balm
For those dealing with pesky (and uncomfortable) eczema flares, this option is a solid choice. Graf is a fan, noting that it’s a great, non-prescription alternative for those with eczema. “It’s made with colloidal oatmeal and ceramides to help soothe, comfort, and moisturize skin when eczema symptoms flare up, leaving it feeling soft and smooth for six hours,” she says. The formula is so legit that it even boasts the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance.
Best for Extra Dry Skin: Dove Body Love Intense Care Body Lotion
Even the driest of patches don’t stand a chance against this mega-moisturizer. It’s truly the richest lotion we’ve tried without getting into cream/body butter territory; credit the addition of ingredients such as sunflower oil and petrolatum.3 Still, it never gets greasy, sticky, or heavy, and the fresh, clean scent is the icing on the cake.
Runner-Up, Best for Extra Dry Skin: Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion
Another great pick for those with dry skin is this Advanced Repair lotion from Eucerin, which is able to keep skin hydrated for up to 48 hours. It contains natural moisturizing factors (NMF) and ceramides, boosting the skin’s barrier and adding long-lasting moisture that doesn’t feel heavy. Because of its nourishing formula, it’s also a great choice for those who have itchy, irritated skin or deal with eczema.
Best In-Shower: Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer
One easy way to make moisturizing a daily habit? Opt for this guy, which you can use while you’re still in the shower. How it works: Post-washing, apply this lotion all over, then rinse off and towel-dry as normal. Yes, rinse off. The water-activated formula is meant to be used on wet skin and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth without a trace of residue. Even after you towel off, the ceramide-infused formula helps to moisturize and bolster your skin barrier, helping to ward off future dryness.4
Best for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream for Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin types might have a reaction to dyes or fragrances in some popular lotions, but this cream is specifically formulated without any possible irritants to cater to sensitive skin. It has a thicker formula to hydrate dry patches, but it’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores. We love that it has a pump for easy application, and that it spreads easily and absorbs quickly.
Final Verdict
The drugstore is home to a treasure trove of body lotions that are just as great as their pricier counterparts. The La-Roche Posay Lipikar Daily Repair Moisturizing Body Lotion easily nabs the top spot in our book (and is a dermatologist favorite, too). It’s packed with moisturizing, anti-inflammatory ingredients, a great pick for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin or eczema. If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, consider the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Lotion Gel Cream or Nivea Breathable Fresh Fusion Body Lotion, both of which absorb lightning fast with no greasy or sticky residue while still being super hydrating. And the Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer is the way to go if you hate and/or always forget to apply lotion since it’s a water-activated formula that you can apply right in the shower, then towel dry as usual.
What to Look For in a Body Lotion
Nourishing ingredients
If the ingredient list on your body lotion boasts elements like butters, ceramides, peptides, or hydrating oils, trust that it will put in the work to give your skin some serious moisture. Some great nourishing ingredients to look out for include jojoba oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin.56
Humectants
According to dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD, humectants are a key component of any body lotion. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid (found in the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream) and glycerin (in the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream and La Roche-Posay Lipikar Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream) help to draw moisture from the air into your skin, sealing it in without a heavy, weighty texture.7
Gentle exfoliants
Rodney notes that gentle chemical exfoliants, like alpha-hydroxy acids and urea, are another great addition to a body lotion, particularly for those with very dry skin.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a body lotion and a body cream?
According to Rodney, creams—like the are a thicker consistency and have a higher concentration of hydrating ingredients. Lotions, on the other hand, have higher amounts of water and lighter consistency. Body butters, like creams, also have a thicker consistency.
How often should I use body lotion?
You can feel free to use your body lotion as often as every day, ideally when you’re just out of the shower to help your skin retain moisture.8 Simply use a towel to dab off excess water, and while your skin is still slightly damp, spread a layer of body lotion over the top.
Should my body lotion contain SPF?
Using a lotion with SPF offers the one-two punch of hydrating your skin and protecting it from harmful UVA/UVB rays. Dermatologist Dr. Marie Hayag told us it’s important to find a broad-spectrum lotion with as high an SPF as you can find and to apply it liberally: “a shot glass amount is ideal for your body, and it should be applied every two hours, especially if you’re outdoors.”
