If you suffer from itchy or dry skin, there are few things as enticing as lathering on a soothing body lotion to alleviate discomfort. Plus, a consistent moisturizing routine can help keep your skin healthy and make every day feel like a spa day.
The benefits of a good lotion extend beyond its ability to soften your skin: It’s important to help lock in moisture and support the skin barrier, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. “An impaired barrier will leave the skin more vulnerable to damage, dryness, irritation, inflammation and infection,” she says.
We spoke to dermatologists about why moisturizing is important and what to look for in a quality body lotion. We also highlighted expert-recommended options to consider, as well as options our editors have tried.
SKIP AHEAD The best body lotions of 2024 | How to shop for body lotion
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When shopping for a body lotion, our experts recommend considering the following factors:
- Ingredients: Look for humectants like hyaluronic acid that attract water from the environment to hydrate the skin. Emollients like ceramides help improve the skin’s texture, while occlusives like petrolatum hold onto moisture and prevent the skin from drying out, according to our experts.
- Skin type: Consider a body lotion that fits your specific skin type. If you have very dry skin, look for richer creams because they’re formulated with more hydrating oils, experts told us. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid fragrances and other potential irritants like dyes, while those with oily and acne-prone skin should consider lightweight, noncomedogenic moisturizers.
- Price: While there are nice lotions that are on the pricier side, many of the ones below are available for less than $20.
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selectYour body wash could be drying out your skin
With this expert guidance in mind, we rounded up a handful of dermatologist-recommended lotions and creams, plus ones NBC Select staff have tried, to help your dry skin heal.
Best overall: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
What we like
- Suitable for all skin types
- Seal of Acceptance from NEA
- For face, body and hands
Something to note
- Tub packaging
Dr. Shoshana Marmon, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at New York Medical College, recommends this NBC Select Wellness Award winner, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to heal dry skin. NBC Select managing editor Leah Ginsberg also swears by it: “The two things I love most are its soft texture and I notice more of a moisturizing effect on my skin that lasts longer compared to other creams I’ve used and definitely more than when I use lotions,” she says. Ginsberg also appreciates that it doesn’t have a strong scent or a hefty price tag.
Type: Cream | Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and ceramides | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best for skin barrier repair: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer for Dry Skin
What we like
- Safe for babies 2 weeks and up
- Provides 48 hours of hydration
- Seal of Acceptance from NEA
Something to note
- Thick consistency
I’ve been using La Roche-Posay products for years and love their gentle scent and the fact that they’re lightweight, providing deep moisture without leaving behind a greasy residue, says former NBC Select editor Christina Colizza. Marmon also recommends this moisturizer from the French beauty company, which is formulated with ceramides, shea butter, glycerin and niacinamide.
Type: Cream | Skin type: Dry, sensitive | Key ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter, glycerin and niacinamide | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best non-greasy: Summer Fridays Summer Silk Nourishing Body Lotion
What we like
- Targets dullness and texture
- Coconut and vanilla scent
Something to note
- Strong scent
- Higher price point
This Summer Fridays body lotion, an NBC Select Wellness award winner, is formulated with humectants, emollients and occlusives like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin and natural oils to hydrate and soften the skin, according to the brand. The lotion, which has a coconut, vanilla and almond scent, is in constant rotation for NBC page Mikhaila Archer because it has a great texture that doesn’t feel too thin or thick on her skin.
Type: Cream | Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter, hyalauronic acid and glycerin | Fragrance-free: No
Best for very dry skin: Eucerin Advanced Repair Body Lotion
What we like
- Prevents recurring dryness
- Absorbs quickly
- Provides 48 hours of hydration
Something to note
- Not for cracked skin
This highly rated body lotion helps keep skin moisturized for up to 48 hours, according to the brand. The formula relies on ceramides, an emollient our experts recommend, to hydrate the skin and prevent dryness. Eucerin’s Advanced Repair Body Lotion is fragrance-free and has a 4.8-star average rating from over 26,000 reviews on Amazon.
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Very dry | Key ingredients: Lactic acid, ceramides | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best for eczema: Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion
What we like
- For face, body and hands
- Noncomedogenic
- Seal of Acceptance from NEA
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Vanicream is by no means a new, splashy brand, but it’s a stalwart in the world of skin and hair care and comes recommended by Marmon. “Out of all my body lotions, this is a standout because it gives me more moisture than any of the other ones I’ve tried and doesn’t cause any eczema flareups,” says NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. “In fact, it actually helps treat my eczema and soothes any itchy, dry, red patches.” If you prefer a thicker consistency, consider the cream version that Alvarez recommends.
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Sensitive | Key ingredients: Water, petrolatum | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best budget-friendly: Dove Body Love Sensitive Care Body Lotion
What we like
- Softens and smooths skin
- Strengthens skin's moisture barrier
Something to note
- Subtle scent
King recommends this Dove body lotion because of its rich moisturizing formula with ceramides, which helps support the skin barrier. “[It’s] the ideal combination of humectants, emollients and occlusives,” she says, adding that it’s “a great choice for sensitive skin because it hydrates, supports the skin barrier and locks in moisture, and it doesn’t contain any ingredients that are likely to be irritating or drying.”
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Sensitive | Key ingredients: Ceramides | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best exfoliating: Amlactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin
What we like
- Gently exfoliates dead skin cells
- Suitable for flaky, scaly or rough skin
Something to note
- No added fragrance, but has naturally occurring scent
Marmon also recommends Amlactin’s moisturizer for dry skin. It’s formulated without parabens or fragrances and relies on humectants like glycerin to hydrate the skin. Also, the lotion contains 12% lactic acid, which the brand says is both a powerful humectant and gentle exfoliant that can relieve skin issues like keratosis pilaris.
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Sensitive | Key ingredients: Lactic acid, glycerin | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best for sensitive skin: Vaseline Intensive Care Sensitive Skin Relief Lotion
What we like
- Soothes dry, irritated skin
- Thin consistency that spreads easily
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
King also recommends this option from Vaseline, which “contains humectants like glycerin to hydrate the skin, emollients like shea butter and sunflower seed oil to support the skin barrier, and occlusives like petrolatum to lock in moisture,” but no irritating ingredients, she says. King also notes that it’s formulated with colloidal oatmeal, which helps to soothe and protect the skin.
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Sensitive, dry | Key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, glycerin and shea butter | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best scented: Eos Shea Better 24H Moisture Body Lotion
What we like
- Provides 24 hours of hydration
- Absorbs quickly into skin
Something to note
- Strong scent
Though you should proceed with caution when it comes to heavily-fragranced moisturizers, King uses this Eos lotion and says she’s very happy with its performance. Plus, it’s packed with humectants, emollients and occlusives like shea butter, glycerin, triglycerides, cocoa seed butter, petrolatum, mineral oil and sunflower seed oil, she says.
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Sensitive | Key ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter and shea oil | Fragrance-free: No
Best fragrance-free: Gold Bond Healing Sensitive Daily Body & Face Lotion
What we like
- For face, body and hands
- Thin consistency
- Fast absorbing
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
When it comes to treating her itchy, dry, and sensitive skin, NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin reaches for this lotion. “I apply this hydrating cream whenever I start to feel uncomfortable, and it soothes my skin,” she says. “The skin on my legs tends to get dry and cracked in the winter, and if I use this before I go to bed, it’s significantly more moisturized in the morning.”
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Dry, sensitive | Key ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin C and vitamin E | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best for firming: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
What we like
- Fast absorbing
- Safe for sensitive skin
Something to note
- Best for nighttime use
With its 4.6-star average rating from over 240 reviews on Amazon, this body lotion uses an encapsulated retinol complex to improve skin texture, tone and firmness. The silky, fast-absorbing formula also reduces irritation and redness while providing overall moisture and hydration, according to the brand. The lotion is available in a larger version with pump packaging and is also sold in a bundle with Naturium’s Bio-Lipid Restoring Moisturizing Body Lotion.
Type: Lotion | Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Retinol, glycerin and shea butter | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best lightweight: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion
What we like
- Reduces skin tightness
- Decreases dead skin cells
Something to note
- Thin consistency
NBC Page Hannah Fuechtman reaches for Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Lotion to moisturize her dry skin during the winter. “I have incredibly dry skin, especially when the cold weather hits, and this is one of the only lotions that protects my skin,” she says. “I love how this lightweight, fragrance-free formula goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave my skin feeling sticky.” Illiyoon offers products specifically for sensitive skin, so it’s a great pick if you fall into that skin type, too, says Fuechtman.
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Normal, dry | Key ingredients: Glycerin, perilla seed, ceramides and ginseng root extract | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best for acne-prone skin: Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
What we like
- Non-greasy formula
- Suitable for acne-prone skin
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz is a fan of Cetaphil’s lotion as both a body and face moisturizer. “It’s totally unscented, it comes in a large, affordable bottle, and I’ve seen it recommended by many dermatologists,” he says. Cetaphil is formulated with hydrating glycerin and is noncomedogenic, meaning it shouldn’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Normal, sensitive | Key ingredients: Avocado oil, vitamin E and niacinamide | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best for dry, cracked skin: Curél Ultra Healing Lotion
What we like
- Great for very dry, tight skin
- Non-greasy formula
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
This Curél body lotion is fragrance-free and specifically targets extra dry, tight skin, according to the brand. It has hydrating ingredients like ceramides, shea butter and oatmeal that lock in moisture for up to 24 hours, according to the brand. The lotion has a 4.8-star average rating from over 21,600 reviews on Amazon.
Type: Lotion | Skin type: Very dry | Key ingredients: Ceramides, shea butter and oatmeal extract | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best cream: Vaseline Radiant X Deep Nourishment Body Cream
What we like
- Safe for all skin types
- Fast absorbing
Something to note
- Subtle scent
Although this NBC Select Wellness award winner has a thicker consistency than your typical lotion, it leaves skin soft and hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy, in our experience. “The hydration I got from the lotion lasted all day, and I didn’t feel like I needed to reapply it all the time,” says NBC Page Alexa Casanueva. Suitable for all skin types, this noncomedogenic moisturizer also has a subtle coconut scent.
Type: Cream | Skin type: Very dry, dull | Key ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, peptides and vitamin C | Fragrance-free: No
Best splurge: Tronque Firming Body Butter
What we like
- Absorbs quickly
- Non-greasy
Something to note
- Higher price point
This is a body butter you don’t have to stop using in the summer because it’s nourishing without being heavy or greasy, says NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown. The moisturizer focuses on improving dry and damaged skin and increasing firmness and tightness, according to the brand. “A little goes a long way, which is always nice when you don’t want to sacrifice a huge chunk of money for quality products,” says Brown.
Type: Cream | Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best ointment: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
What we like
- For irritated, cracked skin
- For face, lips and wounds
- Great for healing scars
Something to note
- Very thick consistency
Not quite a lotion, not quite a cream, but deserving of an honorable mention from Marmon is Aquaphor’s healing ointment. The balm won’t spread across your skin like the other recommendations on this list, but it’s great for spot treating rough patches on your skin and other itchy spots. It also ranks in NBC Select’s guides on how to heal dry, chapped lips and the best creams to heal dry skin.
Type:Ointment |Skin type: Dry, cracked |Key ingredients:Petroleum |Fragrance-free:Yes
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“Moisturizer is a catch-all term for something that hydrates the skin,” says Marmon. Whether a product is sold as a lotion, cream, body butter or a similar product (more on what distinguishes each below), they should contain humectants to hydrate the skin, emollients to support the skin barrier and occlusives to lock in moisture, says King. Some lotions can also have additional ingredients for specific concerns, like lactic acid to gently exfoliate rough or bumpy skin, or retinol for anti-aging, she says.
- Humectants: “Humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and urea attract water from the environment to increase moisture in the skin,” says Marmon. “They need to be used along with the other components in order to retain the water content,” says King.
- Emollients: Emollients “help in skin barrier function, membrane fluidity and cell signaling leading to overall improvement in skin texture and appearance,” says King. They soothe the skin, filling in any gaps and cracks. Some examples of emollients in moisturizers include squalene, shea butter, fatty acids and ceramides.
- Occlusives: “Occlusives are oils and waxes which form an inert layer on the skin and physically block transepidermal water loss,” says King, meaning they enable the skin to hold onto moisture. Examples include petrolatum (the main ingredient in Vaseline, or Aquaphor, for example), beeswax, mineral oil, silicones, lanolin and zinc oxide. “Balms and ointments are commonly occlusive,” says Marmon.
Frequently asked questions
Lotions, creams, and body butters are all moisturizing products, but they have different consistencies and properties, says Marmon:
Lotions are typically water-based, lightweight and “have a thinner consistency that makes them easy to apply and quick to absorb,” says Marmon. They provide lighter hydration and are ideal for normal to oily skin.
Creams, on the other hand, are richer and are typically formulated with higher oil content, says Marmon. They are “ideal for normal to dry skin and great for aging skin,” notes Marmon, especially during menopause, when lowered estrogen levels can cause the skin to become dryer and thinner.
Body butters or other balms are often thicker and more concentrated. They typically contain the highest proportion of oil and natural fats and are great for “very dry or rough skin, and areas like the elbows, knees and heels,” says Marmon.
If you struggle with skin conditions like rosacea or eczema, King recommends avoiding potentially irritating ingredients like hydroxy acids or retinol. “Stick with good moisturizers that contain humectants, emollients and occlusives,” she says.
Both King and Marmon recommend applying lotions or moisturizers after showering to lock moisture in, but “people with eczema, psoriasis, severely dry skin or other skin barrier issues may need more frequent moisturization,” says Marmon.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Dr. Shoshana Marmon is a board-certified dermatologist in Brooklyn, New York and Assistant Professor at New York Medical College.
Christina Colizza is a former editor at NBC Select and has been a product reviewer since 2018. She covers a range of self care and skin care topics like shampoos, eyebrow serums and more.
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter covering skin care, hair care and gift guides, including recent stories on body washes for sensitive skin and eye creams. For this story, she interviewed interviewed a dermatologist and researched highly rated body lotions that met expert guidance.
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