Raise your hand if you moisturize your face daily but you’re not as diligent about moisturizing your body (guilty!). We get it—it can feel like an extra, unnecessary step. But according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Teresa Song, it’s best to apply body lotion every day. “Moisturized skin maintains a healthy skin barrier, preventing irritation and premature aging,” she says. And, if you have eczema-prone skin, Song actually recommends moisturizing multiple times a day.
We tested more than 80 moisturizers in our daily lives over four weeks to find the best options for a variety of skin types, skin concerns, and preferences. We evaluated each one based on its texture, ingredients, consistency, absorption, effectiveness, and overall results. We also consulted with Dr. Teresa Song and double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Maya Thosani to learn more about what you should look for in a primo body lotion for your specific needs. These are our top picks that performed well above the rest.
Balanced texture
Non-greasy
Suitable for all skin types
Available in multiple sizes
Fragrance-free
Easy to dispense
Nothing
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.
Non-greasy
Creamy consistency
Fast-absorbing
Fragrance-free
You get a lot of product for the price
Not the most long-lasting option
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 nice 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.
Fluffy, whipped texture
Tropical coconut scent derived from natural ingredients
Provides long-lasting hydration
Spreads easily
Some people have noted a minor stickiness
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 dealbreaker for us.
Rich texture
Non-greasy
Fragrance-free
Comes in a luxe glass jar
Could provide more long-lasting hydration
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 we think it’s suitable fr all skin types.
Rich, thick texture
Deeply hydrating
Scent lingers throughout the day
Gives the skin a subtle glow
Scent could be too potent for some people
Takes a bit of effort to rub in completely
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 dragonfruit, 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.
Lightweight texture
Non-greasy
Fluid consistency is easy to spread and fast-absorbing
Delivers long-lasting hydration
Fragrance-free
Can feel slightly sticky as it dries down
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 non-greasy, and we were able to get dressed without any sticking.
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.
Rich, creamy consistency
Leaves skin looking glowy
Refillable; sustainable
Offered in two scents
Delivers lasting hydration
Can feel greasy
Takes a few minutes to absorb
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.
Smooth, soft texture
Non-greasy
Absorbs quickly
Feels a bit cooling on the skin
Fragrance-free
Not the most long-lasting
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 or 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 microbiome on the skin. 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.
Very smooth, soft texture
Comforting scent
Fast-absorbing
Lightweight
Need a lot of product to cover your body
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.
It left our skin feeling moisturized but not greasy. The consistency feels incredibly smooth and soft, making it a pleasure to apply as part of a body care ritual. We did find that we needed more product to cover our bodies than other options on this list, but because of how well it performs and what a luxe experience it is to use, this isn’t a dealbreaker for us.
Packed with nourishing ceramides
Creamy texture
Suitable for all skin types
Can be used on face and body
Available in multiple sizes
Could be too thick for some people
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 skin; it’s 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.
Creamy texture
Spreads and absorbs nicely
Leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized
Non-greasy
Contains a wide range of barrier-supporting ingredients
Only comes in one large jar
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.
Rich, creamy consistency
Non-greasy
Provides deep moisture
Available in five sizes
Fragrance-free
Texture could be too thick for some
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.
Luxe, creamy texture
Non-greasy
Leaves skin soft and silky-feeling
Fragrance-free
Not the most fast-absorbing
Key Ingredients: Amino acids, hyaluronic acid, squalane, botanical blend | Fragrance: None | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This high-end boy 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.
Lightweight, creamy texture
Fragrance-free
Not sticky or greasy
Feels moisturizing on the skin
Has a slight sunscreen smell
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. 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.
Convenient format makes spills impossible
Available in other scent families, like floral, woody, fresh, etc.
Deeply moisturizing
Sustainable option
Can feel slightly greasy on the skin
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.
Comes in four sizes plus a large refillable pouch
Rich and creamy texture
Smooths dry patches
Delivers long-lasting moisture
Can feel a bit oily until it fully absorbs
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 four 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.
What to Look for in a Body Lotion
Ingredients
“Body lotion should contain hydrating and barrier-building ingredients to nourish and protect the skin,” says Dr. Song. Dr. Thosani agrees, saying it’s wise to look for moisturizers with ceramides, glycerin, petrolatum, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. There are also different categories of ingredients you can seek out:
- Humectants, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract and retain moisture
- Occlusives, like petrolatum, mineral oil form a barrier to prevent water loss
- Ceramides are naturally occuring skin lipids that strengthen the skin barrier
Texture
Body moisturizers come in a variety of textures, from liquidy lotions to rich creams. Ultimately, the best one for you comes down to a matter of preference, but those with dry skin might want to seek out richer textures that deliver long-lasting moisture.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing body lotions for many years, and she’s tried several options on this list for herself. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
Alyssa also consulted with experts to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for body lotion. Those experts included:
- Dr. Maya Thosani, a double board-certified dermatologist and owner of Modern Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ
- Dr. Teresa Song, a board certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical