Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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This body lotion offers a creamy, hydrating feel that's neither slick nor sticky at an affordable cost-per-ounce. Read More
This lotion is offered in a variety of amazing scents and it boasts a silky, quick-drying formula. Read More
This body lotion boasts a fragrance-free, creamy formula that glides onto the skin like a dream with a semi-tacky finish. Read More
This lotion spreads well and absorbs very quickly in the skin, leaving behind soft skin but zero film. Read More
The lotion has a creamy texture that appears matte once blended onto the skin, but its packaging is clunky. Read More
One of the best ways to keep your skin hydrated and smooth is to create a ritual of applying body lotion from head to toe as soon as you step out of the shower. Whether you've exfoliated dead skin with a body scrub, shaved with your razor, or just cleansed with a new body wash, your skin craves a protective layer of body lotion after its natural oils are washed away.
We tested 14 of the best body lotions from the most popular brands in body care. Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Moisturizing Lotion (available at Amazon) won our Best Overall for its creamy and quick-absorbing formula that left behind a smooth, silky finish.
We also awarded the Hempz Moisturizing Skin Lotion (available at Amazon) with a Best Scent title for its wide variety of refreshing fragrance options and moisturizing feel.
The Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Moisturizing Body Lotion moisturizes with a silky-smooth texture.
The Hempz Moisturizing Skin Body Lotion offers a moisturizing feel in a variety of amazing fragrances.
The Eucerin Advanced Repair body lotion offered great, fragrance-free moisturizing, but narrowly lost out to Lubriderm on longevity.
With a fresh scent and fast absorption, this firming body lotion doesn't leave that uncomfortable film behind.
This thick body lotion has a nice, matte feel as soon as you rub it into your skin.
The thin formula in this body lotion hydrates immediately and works well for the face and body alike.
Lockable pump
Creamy formula
Spreads easily
Overpowering scent
Formula separates
Very creamy
Variety of scents
Lockable cap
Not long-lasting
Packaging makes application harder
Spreads easily
Leaves a matte finish
Leaves a noticeable film on the skin
Lockable pump
Pleasant scent
Very thin, runny consistency
We tested over a dozen body lotions to find the best one.
Jessica Kasparian, former beauty editor at Reviewed, has tested all things skin-, makeup-, and hair-related for our beauty section. Kasparian says that after years of testing beauty products, she has learned that moisturizing is key for healthy skin and that your skincare routine should extend beyond your face. That said, Kasparian put that advice to the test when rating the best body lotions for Reviewed.
I tested two moisturizers a day—one on each side of my body, from shoulders to feet. I recorded results on a scientifically-calibrated rubric that noted the body lotions’ most important attributes, including how it felt on the skin, how long it moisturized, and how it smelled. We also considered bottle design—because things like a pump that locks helps avoid spills.
Consider how much moisture your skin needs and whether you prefer a fragranced formula in a body lotion.
After testing over a dozen moisturizers, I found that many could work well for any one person. They all contain moisturizing ingredients designed to soothe and hydrate the skin. Some examples of key ingredients include glycerin, pantothenic acid, hyaluronic acid, fatty acids like ceramides, shea butter, and fruit and plant oils. Also consider fragrance: A great-smelling body lotion can help you remember to stick with your moisturizing routine. However, those with sensitive skin may want a fragrance-free formula. (Also consider fragrance-free if you don’t want it competing with your perfume, or if you think you’ll simply tire of the smell after a while.)
Incorporating a body lotion into your daily skincare routine can do wonders for your skin’s overall health, including keeping it soft, smooth, and adequately hydrated, says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University. She adds that some body lotions can also brighten and exfoliate the skin.
Browsing the ingredients in body lotion is a must to ensure that it’s serving your needs. If your concerns pertain to hydrating your skin, Garshick says to look for humectants—specifically hyaluronic acid and glycerin—because they will attract moisture to the skin. She also says occlusives such as petrolatum can also help hydrate the skin by retaining moisture, in addition to protecting the skin from outside aggressors. Ceramides are another hydrating ingredient to watch out for, given that they help to seal moisture into the skin as well.
If you’re in search of a body lotion that exfoliates the skin, Garshick recommends looking for a formula that uses alpha hydroxy acids (i.e., glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid) or beta hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid. She calls out the DRMTLGY Exfoliating Body Lotion as an example of an exfoliating formula. This lotion claims to relieve dry and bumpy skin. It calls on lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, to turn over dead skin cells. The Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion, which won our title as the best thick formula for dry skin, is another example of a body lotion we’ve tested that uses lactic acid as well.
When applying your body lotion of choice, Dr. Garshick says to use an amount that can be rubbed all over the skin. Working it into the skin "using gentle circular motions [will ensure] proper absorption and this may also help to boost circulation," she explains.
Before you grab a body lotion, consider when you plan to apply it. Garshick recommends using a body lotion right after taking a shower when your skin is damp in order "to help boost moisture and minimize transepidermal water loss." She notes that some people may benefit from putting on body lotion twice a day to ensure that their skin is throughly hydrated all day long and into the night.
While "lotion" connotes a thin formula, it’s important to note that some options here have a thicker consistency. It may take more work to apply, and more time to absorb. On the other hand, you may want to consider using a thinner body lotion. It won’t last as long, but it’ll dry quicker, getting you dressed and out of the door. For extra moisture, opting for a thicker cream may be the better bet. It may take more effort to rub in, but it generally will last longer.
Whether or not body lotion can be used on your face depends on the product. Some of the best body lotions are suitable for both like the Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion. It's important to read the ingredients and application instructions in a body lotion before deciding if you should also use it on your face. The skin on the face is usually more delicate than the skin on the rest of your body, so your body lotion may not be best for both.
It's also very important to consider your skin type. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you may not want to put body lotion on your face as it may cause irritation, and this is especially true for scented body lotions.
While body lotions can be long-lasting, they do eventually expire. Unopened bottles of body lotion tend to last two to three years if stored properly—they must be kept in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Once a bottle of body lotion is opened, it'll expire in six months to a year. Many body lotions have a label to indicate how long they'll last once opened.
If you're unsure of whether your body lotion is still okay to use, there are signs to look for that'll determine if you should dispose of it. If you've noticed the color, consistency, or smell of the body lotion has changed then it has probably expired. If your body lotion is darker in color or appears cloudy, and if the consistency of the body lotion is now thicker or clumpy, then it's no good. If you also see that the oil and water of the body lotion have separated, then you should no longer use it.
Jessica writes and edits beauty content as a member of Reviewed's commerce team and manages a beauty TikTok called Beautorial. She's spent four years testing makeup, skincare, hair care, and body care products, and she acts as Reviewed's beauty expert.
Jessica represented Reviewed's beauty section at CES in-person and virtually for four years, and she was nominated for and graduated from the Gannett Emerging Leaders 2021-2022 program.
Jessica holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism from Emerson College, and she's written for Scary Mommy, 7News, Boston.com, Citizine, and Boston Common Magazine.
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