Winter Dryness Is Coming—Stock Up on These 16 Hydrating Body Lotions ASAP (2024)

Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, marula oil, fatty acids | Fragrance: None | Size: 2.4, 6.8, 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our editors have been loyal fans of this body lotion for years, so it’s no surprise that it scored highest during testing. Formulated with a blend of five peptides (which are great for firming), fatty acids, shea butter, and a combination of nourishing oils like marula oil and meadowfoam oil, it works to quench dry skin, leaving it soft and moisturized. It also contains a dose of niacinamide to do a number on dark spots while contributing to a healthy skin barrier.

This powerful combination of moisturizing ingredients left our skin feeling comfortable and hydrated—sans a greasy residue. The texture feels like a nice hybrid between a liquidy lotion and a rich cream, making it suitable for daily use year-round. It absorbed into our skin quickly, allowing us to easily slip into our clothes just a minute after application. We also love that it’s fragrance-free—so it won’t compete with perfume or irritate reactive skin. We’re giving bonus points to the brand for offering it in multiple sizes and making the packaging simple, elevated, and functional.

Key Ingredients: Coconut, shea butter, squalane | Fragrance: Natural coconut | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We loved this option from Herbivore nearly as much as our best overall pick. The cream features a super soft, whipped texture that feels fluffy yet rich—a dichotomy that somehow exists, making it a pleasure to use. It spreads easily and a little bit goes a long way. The formula contains coconut oil and coconut water, which not only give it a delicious tropical fragrance but also provide moisturizing benefits. It also includes shea butter, glycerin, and squalane; hydration heroes that rid the skin of scaly dry patches and leave it looking and feeling significantly smoother. The only minor con was that some testers and online reviews noted it felt slightly sticky as it absorbed, though this was far from a deal-breaker for us.

Key Ingredients: Omega fatty acids, shea butter, sodium PCA | Fragrance: None | Size: 14 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated with omega fatty acids, shea butter, and sodium PCA (a humectant that draws water into the skin), this body lotion from Naturium replenishes the skin’s moisture without leaving a greasy or sticky residue behind. The texture is creamy and easy to spread, and we found that it absorbed into the skin quickly. It’s basic in the best way—it’s fragrance-free, so it layers nicely with scented products, has a medium thickness, and offers sufficient hydration.

We didn’t find the results to be as long-lasting as some other more rich formulas, but it did a decent job of keeping our skin hydrated for the day. We also appreciated that it comes with 14 ounces of product (a ton, considering the price), and the packaging has a convenient pump.

Key Ingredients: Bisabolol, shea butter, TFC8 complex | Fragrance: None | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s no doubt about it—you can get a great body lotion at the drugstore. But if you’re someone who likes to splurge on body care products, we recommend this luxurious body cream from Augustinus Bader. It has a rich, almost solid texture in the jar, but once you scoop it out and warm it with your skin, it spreads beautifully. It contains bisabolol, an ingredient derived from chamomile that can have soothing effects on the skin, as well as the brand’s TFC8 complex which is made of amino acids, peptides, and vitamins to nourish and protect the skin from environmental aggressors.

It made our skin feel moisturized without being greasy, and we love that it’s fragrance-free and easy to layer with perfume. It doesn’t provide the most long-lasting moisture out of the options we tested, but it kept our skin comfortable for about 10 hours and it’s suitable for all skin types.

Key Ingredients: Squalane, cacay oil | Fragrance: Fruity floral | Size: 2.5, 8.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sol de Janeiro has tons of gems in its line of delicious-smelling (and effective) body care products, and this one has quickly become a favorite of ours. First of all, it smells delicious. It features the brand’s Cheirosa ’68 scent, which combines notes of pink dragon fruit, Brazilian jasmine, sheer vanilla, and more to create a vibrant, fruity-floral fragrance. It’s worth noting that it’s pretty potent, which we could see being overpowering for some people, but we think those who love the scent will appreciate it.

In addition to the beautiful fragrance, the texture and performance of the cream really impressed us. It’s thick and luxurious without being greasy and provides deep moisture that lasts more than 12 hours. It takes a bit of effort to fully work into the skin, but once it absorbs, it creates a subtle sheen and the scent lingers throughout the day.

Key Ingredients: Marula butter, ceramides, shea butter | Fragrance: None | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While some body lotions offer rich and creamy textures, others, like this one, have more liquidy, lotion-like consistencies. The lightweight, liquidy texture of this body lotion from Drunk Elephant makes it a breeze to apply. It absorbs completely in under a minute, is incredibly easy to spread, and layers nicely with other body care products. While one tester noted that it felt slightly sticky as it dried down, that went away quickly after it was absorbed into the skin. Once it dried, it felt soothing and nongreasy, and we were able to get dressed without any stickiness.

A combination of marula butter, ceramides, and shea butter ensures it delivers a healthy dose of moisture—we found that it kept our skin hydrated all day long—and helps aid in elasticity and a healthy skin barrier. You might think that the richer the texture the longer the moisturizing benefits you’ll get from a lotion, but that isn’t always the case—this was one of the most lightweight options we tried, and it was also one of the most long-lasting.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, tropical oil blend | Fragrance: Fruity-fresh, Cinnamon | Size: 2.5, 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Rich, creamy body creams are pretty polarizing; some people love the luxe texture, while others can’t stand the feeling of a thick product on their skin. If you’re someone who enjoys a thick consistency, this product from Fenty Skin is for you. It calls on shea butter, glycerin, and a blend of tropical oils—like Kalahari melon, sunflower, and jojoba oils—to deliver moisture to the skin.

Because of the dense texture, it takes a few minutes to absorb, but once it does, it keeps the skin feeling quenched all day. In addition to the rich texture and lasting hydration, we appreciate that it’s offered in a light, fruity-fresh scent as well as a cinnamon scent, and we’re also giving it bonus points for being refillable. While some testers didn’t find it to be greasy, it’s worth noting that others did. Keep this in mind if you’re sensitive to products that leave a bit of a residue on the skin.

Key Ingredients: Squalane, prebiotics, jojoba seed oil | Fragrance: None | Size: 8.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Thanks to the lightweight, creamy, gel-like texture, this silky lotion from Oui the People is great for the warmer months when your skin isn’t super parched. It’s formulated with olive-derived squalane and jojoba seed oil to provide moisture, as well as prebiotics which can help balance the skin’s microbiome. Balancing your skin’s microbiome can lead to a reduction in redness and inflammation.

The liquidy texture absorbs quickly, feels light and subtly cooling on the skin, and delivers sufficient hydration. It might not be moisturizing enough if you have very dry skin, but it’s great for providing a daily dose of hydration when your skin needs a little boost. We enjoyed how easy it was to spread across the body, and appreciated that it’s fragrance-free so it didn’t compete with perfume or other scented products we had on.

Key Ingredients: Almond oil | Fragrance: Almond and vanilla | Size: 7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Calling all nighttime showerers—if you’re looking for a soothing and luxurious body lotion to apply after a hot shower and before jumping into bed, this one from L’Occitane is for you. It’s also great for using post-shower no matter what time of day that is, but because it has a subtle almond scent that is calming and comforting, we love using it at bedtime. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly into damp skin, so you won’t have to worry about it transferring onto your sheets or clothing.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, glycerin | Fragrance: No | Size: 8, 12, 16 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Anyone with dry skin who’s looking for a simple, rich cream will appreciate this option from CeraVe. Packed with barrier-supporting ceramides (three different types to be exact), as well as moisturizing glycerin, this rich moisturizer that you can find in most drugstores is light enough for your face but also substantial enough for the body. It’s fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types, even sensitive and eczema-prone skin. It’s even accepted by the National Eczema Association.

Despite having a really thick texture, it absorbs well and isn’t sticky or greasy on the skin. It did a great job smoothing dry patches, soothing cracks, and leaving our skin significantly softer, more comfortable, and deeply moisturized.

Key Ingredients: Lipids, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal | Fragrance: None | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Made with nourishing lipids and ceramides, as well as soothing colloidal oatmeal, this soft and creamy body cream works wonders on dry skin. Lipids support a healthy skin barrier, while ceramides help with moisture retention; this combination is fantastic for giving dry skin the hydration support it needs. It also contains sweet almond, grapeseed, and jojoba oils for added moisturizing benefits.

The texture is creamy and super-soft on the skin, and we loved that it spread easily, absorbed quickly, and didn’t feel sticky or greasy. Throughout testing, we were impressed by how soft and moisturized it made our skin feel. While we love that the tub comes with a lot of product in it, and a little bit goes a long way, we wish it came in other sizes more suitable for travel.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin | Fragrance: None |Size: 1, 3, 8.8, 16, 20 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Those with sensitive skin might want to avoid products with synthetic fragrances and high concentrations of active ingredients since these can be sensitizing. We love this pick from Cetaphil because it has a pretty simple formula that focuses solely on hydrating and protecting the skin. It contains niacinamide, glycerin, sweet almond oil, and panthenol, also known as pro-vitamin B5 which is great for soothing and hydration benefits.

It has a very thick texture which could be too much for some people, but we love it because although it’s really dense, spreads nicely, and doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy. We noticed a significant improvement in the look and feel of our skin after using this formula throughout the test. It softened and deeply moisturized our skin, and one tester who struggles with keratosis pilaris mentioned that it helped to calm the itchiness she experiences with it.

Key Ingredients: Amino acids, hyaluronic acid, squalane, botanical blend | Fragrance: None | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This high-end body lotion is packed with soothing, hydrating, and firming ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, squalane, amino acids, and more.It’s also a nice option for those with dark spots since it contains niacinamide which can help with brightening. Over time, it promises to reduce the appearance of fine lines, increase elasticity, and brighten and nourish the skin. While we didn’t use it for long enough to notice a reduction in fine lines, we did see an improvement in the moisture and radiance of our skin.

The texture feels creamy and incredibly soft as you rub it in, and while it’s easy to spread, it does take a few minutes to fully absorb. Once absorbed though, it’s not sticky or greasy, and it delivers lasting hydration.

Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylenealoe, leaf juice, blend of natural oils | Fragrance: None | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We know by now that protecting our skin from the damaging effects of the sun should be a daily practice, not one just reserved for beach days. But a lot of sunscreens feel heavy and greasy, and have strong fragrances, making them less than ideal for daily use. This one is fantastic because it’s lightweight, creamy, and easy to spread, and doesn’t contain synthetic fragrance. What’s more, it’s not sticky, greasy, or chalky, and it absorbs easily into the skin.

We loved that, in addition to providing sun protection, we got noticeable moisturizing benefits from it—it left our skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Although it has a natural sunscreen smell, it’s much more subtle than most options we’ve tested.

Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil | Fragrance: Earthy | Size: 1, 3.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We all want to keep our skin hydrated while on the go or traveling, but a lot of body lotions aren’t conducive to that—think spills, leaks, and cracked jars. This solid body lotion from Kate McLeod is amazing because it looks like a bar of soap, but the top layer melts when you gently press it against your skin. It’s also convenient and sustainable since it comes in a wooden jar and you can just repurchase the stone itself.

Once it melts down, it does feel a bit greasy, which might not be ideal for everyone. But after a few minutes, that greasiness lessens and it leaves the skin feeling incredibly soft and moisturized, thanks to a blend of cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and apricot kernel oil in the formula. We were so pleased with how well it soothed dry skin.

Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, shea butter, squalane | Fragrance: None | Size: 2.5, 4.2, 8.4, 16.9, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

When you find a product you love, it’s a serious bonus to have the option to buy a refill, since it’s often more sustainable and cost-effective. This iconic body lotion from Kiehl’s has been a fan favorite for decades, and we love it, too. It comes in five different sizes as well as a jumbo refill pouch so you won’t have to worry about running low on stock.

Throughout testing, we were impressed by how well it worked to smooth flakiness and dry patches and keep the skin feeling soft and moisturized. It contains cocoa butter, shea butter, and squalane, which are all hydration heroes, so it’s no surprise that it kept our skin moisturized all day long. The texture is rich and creamy, and while it can feel slightly oily while you rub it in, it doesn’t look or feel greasy once it fully absorbs.

FAQ

• How often should you apply body lotion?

  Dr. Thosani and Dr. Song agree that body lotion should be applied daily to retain moisture, protect your skin barrier, and prevent irritation.

• What’s the best way to apply body lotion?

  Dr. Thosani recommends applying body lotion on damp skin post-shower when possible. Dr. Song agrees, saying this is because body lotion contains humectants and occlusives that will attract and seal in the moisture. She also says that damp skin facilitates better absorption and improved spreadability.

• Can you use your body lotion on your face?

  You might be tempted to cut down on time in your routine and use your body lotion (or body oil) on your face, but it’s not always recommended unless a product is specifically formulated for both areas. “Due to inherent differences in skin properties, body lotion is not recommended for the face,” explains Dr. Song. “Facial skin, being more sensitive and having more oil glands, requires lighter formulations. Body lotions are often heavier and may be comedogenic for the facial skin.”