Lotion

Hydrating Body Lotion

While this one didn't moisturize quite as well as other options (40%), it was a favorite among our testers for its vibrant citrus scent. One tester shared that it was "energizing in the a.m." One thing they didn't necessarily love was the consistency, which was a little liquidy.

Puracy Organic Hand & Body Lotion

Body Lotion Review: When you wash your hands, the warm water and soap can strip them of their moisture and dry them out quickly. This drying problem can be solved with the Puracy body lotion, which locks moisture into your skin and keeps it there even after you wash your hands or take a shower.

Hempz Pure Herbal Extract Body Lotion

Enriched with natural h**p seed oil, along with shea butter and vitamins A, C, and E, this paraben-free vegan lotion has a 4.3-star review on Amazon because it actually works to calm and nourish the skin, and will also reduce any sort of redness or inflammation.

EltaMD Moisture Rich Body Creme (2 oz.)

Sometimes intensely dry skin can cause inflammation, which, for obvious reasons, can be very uncomfortable. To soothe any irritation, three dermatologists recommend this EltaMD cream. “It has dimethicone, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, but it also has squalane oil and mango-seed butter as well as niacinamide — all of which focus on inflammation,” explains Dr. Melissa K. Levin, the founder of Entière Dermatology. While it’s a bit pricey, she says it’s completely worth it.

Versed Firm Ground Retinol Body Lotion

Infused with squalane, cocoa butter, vitamin E and—as the name implies—retinol, this formula offers relief from dryness and then some. The retinol helps firm and smooth skin thanks to its ability to kick-start collagen production and speed cellular turnover, while squalane and cocoa butter bolster the skin barrier to better seal in hydration. Bonus? The tube is made of 75% PCR plastic for sustainability points.

Byredo Gypsy Water Body Lotion

Cherished for its scrumptious scents, Byredo's Gypsy Water will leave you not only moisturized but also smells heavenly. After splurging on this luxury body lotion, we'd understand if you wanted to show off the minimalist-chic bottle on your vanity.

Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion

For babes on a budget, we recommend Vaseline Intensive Care, an affordable fav of Byrdie associate editor Eden Stuart. Containing the brand's signature petrolatum (aka petroleum jelly), plus a generous dose of cocoa butter, you can count on this body lotion to mend damaged skin and seal in moisture.

Sarna Original Steroid-Free Anti-Itch Lotion

Even if you don’t have eczema, you can experience itchy skin for a number of reasons. “Dehydration, dryness, irritants, and insect bites can cause skin to be extremely itchy,” says Aguilar. For those times, she recommends Sarna lotion. “It calms and relieves uncomfortably itchy skin,” she says. The menthol in the lotion provides a soothing effect, and Amazon reviewers recommend keeping it in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation.

Cetaphil

A top performer in Lab tests, this body lotion with vitamin E and B5 boosted skin's moisture by 54%. Testers loved that it spread easily onto skin and absorbed quickly without feeling greasy, but wished it made skin look as moisturized as it felt. Testers agreed that the fragrance-free formula is truly odorless, and it also comes in a rich cream for extra dry skin.

Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray

For ease of application, Dr. Shah recommends this spray-on lotion from Aquaphor, which will help you moisturize hard-to-reach areas like the middle of your back. “It’s a pretty unique method of delivery and pretty nice to apply to the skin as well,” he says. Hypoallergenic and free of any irritating fragrances, the spray is intensive and designed to especially help dry and rough skin. For those who find themselves in need of even more relief, Dr. Shah recommends using this spray as part of a multistep moisturizing routine: “You could use a cream-based lotion like CeraVe and follow it with an ointment spray like this for double the effect.”

Skin Authority Olive Fig Shea Butter Body Cream

This body lotion is infused with vitamin D to brighten the skin.
It also contains water and essence of jasmine, sage, and citrus to soothe and hydrate dry skin without leaving a greasy residue.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

To combat even the most extreme cases of dry skin, like eczema, experts tell us you should seek out formulations rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Melanie Palm — the medical director at Art of Skin MD — explains that ceramides (or, cholesterol-derived fat) help seal the skin barrier to keep in moisture, while hyaluronic acid is known to carry 1,000 times its weight in water, so your skin stays extra hydrated. Seven of our experts pointed us to this CeraVe lotion, which contains both. It’s fragrance-free so it’s well-suited for sensitive skin types, and it doesn’t feel sticky or heavy on skin. As cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green sums it up: “CeraVe is the best overall body lotion. It is safe for all skin types and packed with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and humectants to keep the most sensitive skin hydrated.”