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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 Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Moisturizing Lotion earned a perfect score during our testing, coasting above the other body lotions on this list. It feels velvety and hydrating on the skin, and glides over dry patches and body hair with no clinging or pooling.
When first applied, the cream felt cool on my legs, a welcome soothing feel after my warm shower. The formula absorbs into the skin within minutes, leaving behind an ever-so-slightly tacky texture that reminds you that you applied a moisturizer without feeling slick or sticky under clothing.
Those with sensitive skin—or noses—will be glad to know that it’s fragrance-free. But even without a masking scent, its natural aroma is pleasant, with no hint of chemicals. Not only is this the best body lotion we tested, it’s the most affordable per ounce—no need for financial reservations about slathering it on.
The only downside is that the pump on the 24-ounce size I tested isn’t lockable. It’s possible to accidentally dispense it when storing, and you’ll need to buy a smaller bottle for travel. The large pump bottle makes more sense sitting on a sink basin or vanity for easy access whenever your skin feels parched.
The Hempz Moisturizing Skin Body Lotion offers a moisturizing feel in a variety of amazing fragrances.
For some, applying body lotion is a fragrant ritual as much as it’s for smoothing skin. For those who enjoy a “scent-sory” experience, look to Hempz Moisturizing Skin Lotion. We tested its most popular fragrance, Pineapple & Honey Melon, which we adored for its sweet, tangy fruitiness. If that scent doesn’t appeal to you, they offer over a dozen others like vanilla and ginger, jasmine and rose, or citrus and starfruit.
Beyond its impressive fragrance lineup, it has a silky texture that’s both spreadable and quick-drying. A few minutes after application, it felt tacky but not oily, and my skin felt super-soft in 30 minutes.
The only drawback was the lack of a lockable pump on the 17-ounce size we tested. However, Hempz does offer a smaller, more travel-friendly size, as well.
The Eucerin Advanced Repair body lotion offered great, fragrance-free moisturizing, but narrowly lost out to Lubriderm on longevity.
Similar to our top pick, the Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion works well for anyone in need of a basic, effective body moisturizer. Its fragrance-free, gel-like formula glides onto the skin like a dream. It’s on the thicker side for a body lotion but settles into the skin after minimal rubbing.
The finish is tacky after a few minutes, but not uncomfortable or greasy. As a bonus, the slim bottle features a lockable pump to help avoid leakage if you pack it for travel or store it in a drawer.
Though it offers similar results, the Lubriderm edged this out by having a longer-lasting formula that I could still feel on my skin six hours post-application—a feat no other body lotion could compete with.
None that we could find
With a fresh scent and fast absorption, this firming body lotion doesn't leave that uncomfortable film behind.
The Jergens Skin Firming Body Lotion has an amazing, fresh scent. The name may conjure memories of the sunless tanning lotion scent, but this is different—it has a clean, light aroma that you’d expect from a body wash or hair product.
Furthering my positive experience, the body lotion’s semi-thick formula blended well onto my skin and absorbed ultra-fast. My skin felt soft and moisturized, but not tacky in the slightest—the moisturizer immediately felt like it had been there for hours.
Unfortunately, the scent lingers for several hours, and some may find it overpowering. In case it matters to you like it did for me, this pump does not lock in place.
This thick body lotion has a nice, matte feel as soon as you rub it in.
The unscented Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion has a thick consistency and a non-oily texture that reminds me of some sunscreens I’ve tried. While other moisturizers on this list leave a slight sheen to the skin while drying, this is matte from the get-go. It spread with ease and left my skin silky. If you want an undetectable body lotion that adds moisture to your skin cells yet never feels greasy or wet, give this a try.
The 32-ounce bottle I tested is a round cylinder about the size of an eggplant and it doesn’t have a lockable pump, so it’s not the most convenient body lotion to store. However, the unique formula may be worth overlooking those drawbacks. Though this is a great option, our top pick has a silkier texture and more convenient packaging for a lower price.
The thin formula in this body lotion hydrates immediately and works well for the face and body alike.
I’ve used the Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion for months at a time as my daily face moisturizer, so I’m familiar with its ultra-thin, runny formula. This feels like rubbing water into your skin in the best way—it’s hydrating and sheers out into a translucent sheen with minimal effort.
The drawback of the thinner consistency is that it left my skin feeling drier than others we tested. I don’t mind layering this on for seasons when I need an extra boost of hydration, but I’d run through the bottle a lot faster that way. If you are looking for a good combo face and body moisturizer in one, this is your best bet. Otherwise, you may find it lacking, particularly if your body’s skin skews drier.
If you don’t like the distinctive aroma of coconuts, skip this one. Though the scent isn’t a surprise given the name, the aroma of Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula is quite powerful. I love the sweet scent, but it may not be for everyone.
Another thing worth noting: The formula occasionally seemed separated, with a strip of body lotion and a pool of oil dispensing from the pump. This didn’t cause a mess during application or impede the body lotion’s ability to blend well into the skin, but it could be why it leaves a shiny finish. Still, after several minutes, this didn’t look or feel greasy and it left my skin plenty moisturized. The lockable pump was a plus.
The name of the OGX Extra Creamy + Coconut Miracle Oil Ultra Moisture Body Lotion doesn’t lie—it’s super emollient. A little of its gel-like formula goes a long way, coating the skin in a soft layer. My qualm is with how this body lotion absorbs, or rather, how it doesn’t.
Even after several minutes, it still felt slick on my skin, in contrast with most moisturizers I tried. Curiously, I woke up the next day with zero trace of the body lotion on my skin. My skin didn’t feel dry in the body lotion’s absence, but it was confusing after how it felt immediately post-application.
I found the coconut scent overpowering at first, dissipating somewhat after several minutes of wear. If the other scents available are similar, you may want to steer clear of them if you have a sensitive nose.
This is the only body lotion I tried that has a closeable flip-cap instead of a pump. It makes the application process a little trickier, as you need to flip the bottle upside down with slippery, lotion-coated hands.
The Love Beauty & Planet Body Lotion seems creamy and spreadable at first, but I had to work it into my skin as it started drying because I could see white streaks. The formula absorbed into my skin after a few minutes, leaving a comfortably tacky finish behind.
My biggest complaint: The popular lavender and argan oil scent smelled nauseating, and it lingered into the next day. While the brand offers other fragrances, this is their most popular option (and I typically love lavender). For that reason, I’d be wary.
The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion’s formula felt drier than emollient. It was still easy to blend and gave a matte-looking finish.
My qualm was that, despite looking and feeling dry, this left a film on my hands any time I touched my skin. This even continued into the next day after I applied it at night. Otherwise, the body lotion has no discernible scent and a pump that locks.
Leaves a noticeable film on the skin
The Vaseline Intensive Care Body Lotion was the runniest of all the body lotions, with a liquidy consistency that was awkward to apply without a mess. Once on, though, it wasn’t oily like the texture made me think it may be. It feels silky and tacky like many of the formulas on this list.
I liked the sweet cocoa butter scent, but the sensitive-nosed may find it too pronounced. The lockable pump is especially useful considering its runniness.
The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion looked bright white on my skin and made me nervous for application. After some fast rubbing, it absorbed into my skin fine. The thinner body lotion felt plenty moisturizing but slightly slick after drying. This body lotion isn’t bad, but it’s pricier per ounce than others on this list without offering anything better.
The La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Intense Repair Body Cream performed a bait-and-switch on me. The formula felt thick yet blended evenly into the skin, but then felt very damp and oily for an hour after application. This is the only body lotion I had to test twice because I thought I must have applied too much the first time. My skin felt so slick that I dabbed it with a paper towel to attempt to sop up some of the oil.
Purposefully using less for a second test, I still found this too greasy, though it was at least more comfortable. If you have ultra-dry skin and need an intense moisturizing treatment, this may be it, but stay far away if you plan on getting dressed soon after application.
The Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion has a thicker formula that’s harder to spread than others on this list, but the stark white formula absorbs well and becomes invisible after some rubbing. Some minutes later, my skin still felt wet, albeit very smooth. After a half-hour, the formula dried down more but was too slick for my liking (read: I would dread putting long pants on).
In addition to the greasy feel, the scent was an obvious reminder that I applied body lotion. It smells medicinal—almost like I’d gone to the doctor’s office and come home smelling of an exam room. It’s not an objectively bad scent, I suppose, but it’s far from our top picks.
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.
Before you grab a body lotion, consider when you plan to apply it. While “lotion” connotes a thin formula, some options here have a thicker consistency. It may take more work to apply, and more time to absorb.
If you’re applying it after a morning shower, you may want a thinner body lotion. It won’t last as long, but it’ll dry quicker, getting you dressed and out of the door. If you need extra moisture, consider a thicker cream. It may take more effort to rub in, but will last longer.
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.)
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.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
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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