20 Game-Changing Body Lotions, Including My Favorite Drugstore Pick
Keeping your skin adequately moisturized—in particular as we head deeper into fall and, eventually, the winter cold—can be challenging, to say the least. Because dry skin is triggered by a lack of humidity, a drop in temperatures, and high winds, the change in season presents its obvious skincare-related challenges.
In fact, your skin loses more than 25% of its ability to retain moisture as temperatures drop, writes Jessica Wu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. In other words, dry skin can quickly give way to painful, cracked patches and even eczema-related symptoms if left untreated.
True to form, dermatologists have a few general tips. First and foremost, keep scalding-hot showers to a minimum, don’t over-wash your hands, and avoid harsh skincare ingredients like sulfates, certain alcohols, and benzoyl peroxide.
Most importantly, invest in a tried-and-true body lotion and apply it liberally after your daily shower or bath. Pick your potion below—from my $9 drugstore favorite all the way up to the luxury picks.
Drugstore Heroes: $5 to $19
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion ($9)
This lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer from Aveeno is a drugstore favorite, and is my ride-or-die lotion pick. I’ve been using it for years to soothe my skin, and it always comes through. Formulated with colloidal oatmeal and rich emollients, this budget buy helps relieve my dry, itchy skin within 24 hours. This $9 body lotion has amassed a casual 18,000+ four- and five-star reviews across Google.
Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion ($9)
If your dry skin has surpassed uncomfortable and is rapidly approaching painful, consider Eucerin’s Advanced Repair Lotion for very dry skin. Formulated with shea butter, glycerin, and ceramide-3, this rich lotion locks in essential moisture for 48 hours.
Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion for Dry, Sensitive Skin ($11)
Cetaphil is another tried-and-true drugstore brand that’s earned dermatologists’ coveted seal of approval. Its Daily Advance Lotion in particular is formulated with enriching shea butter to soothe particularly dry, sensitive skin for a full 24 hours.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($12)
This $12 drugstore buy contains both ceramides and humectants—two soothing dermatologist-approved ingredients that help restore the skin’s protective barrier. This gentle, fragrance-free formulation offers lightweight, oil-free, and long-lasting hydration for all skin types.
Vaseline Extremely Dr
y Skin Rescue Lotion ($17)
Vaseline has been a friend to dry, sensitive skin since its 1870 inception. The brand’s prescription-grade Rescue line is formulated with glycerin, a powerful humectant that essentially attracts moisture to itself. If you’re struggling with painful, cracked dry patches, this product is for you.
& Other Stories Humlegården Body Lotion ($17)
Ok, while not technically a drugstore pick, & Other Stories’ beauty line delivers what look and feel like luxury products at an affordable price. The brand’s new vegan collection includes this divinely-scented body lotion that’s somewhere between a lotion and a cream, with a rich consistency that leaves your skin feeling fully hydrated.
Cult Favorites: $20 to $49
Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream ($22)
Nothing says “cult favorite” like a Glossier buy. Formulated with antioxidant-rich cactus flower, prickly pear, and yucca extracts plus tiny, light-reflecting particles to lend a subtle glow to the skin, the brand’s Body Hero moisturizer bills itself as a “skincare-grade body lotion.”
Nécessaire The Body Lotion ($25)
This budget-friendly body lotion is beloved by beauty editors, dermatologists, and online reviewers alike. Formulated with vitamins A, B, C, and E, omega-6, omega-9, and three luxurious oils, Nécessaire’s body lotion will soothe dry patches while improving the overall look and feel of your skin.
Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream ($34)
Formulated with thermal spring water, ceramides, and omega-6, Avène’s XeraCalm A.D. body and face lotion is formulated specifically for dry, eczema-prone skin. This dermatologist-approved, paraben- and fragrance-free buy is gentle enough for infants and children.
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Fluide ($35)
Behold the body lotion counterpart of the cult-favorite French pharmacy essential, Embryolisse’s Lait-Crème Concentré. Beloved by models, makeup artists, and beauty editors alike, Embryolisse products are incredibly gentle yet moisturizing. Lait-Crème Fluide in particular is formulated with hydrating aloe vera and shea butter.
Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion ($42)
Philosophy’s Amazing Grace firming body lotion is an award-winning moisturizer for dry, aging skin, explains the brand’s website. Enriched with shea butter and natural oils like olive and macadamia, this body lotion has amassed an impressive collection of five-star reviews across Ulta, Sephora, Amazon, and more (7500+ and counting).
Elevated Essentials: $50 to $149
Charlotte Tilbury Multi-Miracle Glow Cleansing Balm ($60)
Bursting with antioxidant-rich oils like sea buckthorn, rose hip, and camellia, Charlotte Tilbury’s three-in-one balm functions as a cleanser, mask, and body balm. In addition to moisturizing the skin, the multi-miracle glow balm stimulates circulation, regenerates skin cells, and fights signs of aging.
Byredo Mojave Ghost Body Lotion ($65)
If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious, Byredo’s body lotions fit the bill. Infused with the brand’s signature scents like Mojave Ghost, Gypsy Water, and Sundazed, its body creams are basically an extension of your favorite perfumes. Enriched with vitamin E, this paraben- and sulfate-free elixir will keep your skin smooth and hydrated.
Aesop Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm ($97)
Aesop is a standby for effective, aesthetically pleasing products that toe the line between luxurious and practical. Infused with hydrating macadamia nut and sandalwood oils, this sumptuous balm was formulated specifically for dry, parched skin.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream ($105)
Known for her world-class molecular spa treatments and powerful, results-driven products, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s eponymous skincare line packs a powerful punch. Her anti-aging body cream in particular is enriched with skin-tightening Indian almond leaf, hydrating shea butter, and rejuvenating purslane extract.
Eve Lom The Moisture Cream ($115)
This luxurious cream is enriched with antioxidant-rich peach flower and white horehound extracts, plus the brand’s PrimalHyal Ultrafiller and 3D Hydration Booster. The resulting formulation protects the skin against oxidative and environmental damage—skin is left dewy, healthy, and plumped.
Little Luxuries: $150 and Up
Augustinus Bader The Body Cream ($165)
Beloved by celebrities like Kate Bosworth, Alexa Chung, and Kim Kardashian West, Augustinus Bader’s body lotion release was a newsworthy eve
nt in and of itself. Formulated with the brand’s proprietary Complex Factor Trigger plus soothing ingredients like Brazilian candeia oil, Professor Bader’s body cream is worth every penny. Read our full review for the details.
May Lindstrom Skin The Blue Cocoon ($180)
May Lindstrom’s Blue Cocoon is a favorite among the beauty editor set. Infused with intoxicating blue tansy, shea butter, and cocoa butter, this balm concentrate melts into a nourishing oil when warmed and can soothe “even the most delicate and troubled skin conditions,” reads its website.
La Mer The Body Crème ($275)
One of the most decadent body treatments on the market, La Mer’s sea-inspired body crème visibly softens, smoothes, and renews the skin. Infused with the brand’s signature Miracle Broth (which includes hand-harvested sea kelp and a formulation of sea-derived minerals), this indulgent lotion creates lasting firmness and tone.
La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Souffle Body Cream ($400)
The name of this luxurious body cream from La Prairie says it all. Inspired by the idea that “every inch of your skin deserves the same indulgence as your face,” Skin Caviar diminishes age spots, promotes elasticity, and delivers a powerful dose of hydration.
Next up, these are the best face washes for dry skin.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
This article originally appeared on Who What Wear
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