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Looking for the best body lotions for dry skin? We have a couple of suggestions for you…
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- Dry skin looks dull and feels rough on touch. It easily loses water and its lipid barrier is damaged or insufficient to protect it against the elements;
- You can help your skin by using only gentle body washes and applying a moisturizing body lotion after every shower;
- Best quality body lotions for dry skin contain a balanced combination of occlusives, humectants, plant oils and butters, soothing agents, as well as exfoliating acids.
Whether your skin just feels a bit dry and rough or you are dealing with inflamed, flaky, extremely dry skin, there are two things in your body care routine that can really make a difference. One, limit your time in the shower and use only lukewarm-to-warm water and a mild body wash. And two, make a body lotion a part of your regular routine all year round.
I don’t know many people who don’t love body lotions. They are usually beautifully scented, soothing and restoring, giving your skin a luxurious silky feel.
But for people with dry skin, body lotions are more than just fun skincare products that smell really nice – they are a necessity. Lotions replenish dry skin, make it smooth and supple, soften dry patches, improve skin’s elasticity and soothe inflammations. They also reinforce the skin’s natural lipid barrier and prevent future drying out.
How to Find the Best Body Lotions for Dry Skin
But, how to choose the best lotion for dry, sensitive skin? Well, the first thing you can do is check the ingredient list. Look for natural oils and butters, as well as ceramides, dimethicone and urea, to thoroughly moisturize your skin and make it silky smooth.
Humectants (such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin) are also always a welcome addition, as they attract water and make the skin plump and hydrated. And to soothe the redness, itchiness and other sensitivities, try out lotions that contain colloidal oatmeal or oat extract, vitamin B5 or vitamin E.
Also, because of the layer of dry, flaky skin that can be very noticeable in people with dry skin type, a nice quality body lotion for dry skin might also contain mild exfoliants, such as alpha-hydroxy acids. AHAs gently dissolve dead skin cells and smooth out the skin’s texture.
Your lotion should also contain occlusives, whose role is to sit atop the skin and create a barrier that will keep all the goodies in the skin and protect the skin against the elements. Some of the popular occlusives include beeswax, petroleum, carnauba wax, cocoa butter, castor oil, etc.
Next, make sure that you love the scent and texture of the product. The more you like it, the more motivated you’ll be to lotion up regularly. (But also, if your skin is on the sensitive side, you may want to go easy on the fragrance.)
And the last thing to consider is how much you are willing to spend on a bottle of body lotion. As you’ll see from our recommendations down below, the lotion prices can vary a lot.
If you can afford to splurge, that’s cool. But if you can’t, there are many affordable options that can do the job more than well.
How you use your body lotion also matters…
The way you use your moisturizer can make a huge difference. The best time to apply a body lotion is right after the shower, while your skin is still slightly damp.
This is because the moisture starts to evaporate from your skin as soon as you step out of the steamy shower. By applying a lotion in the first few minutes, you can trap that moisture in your skin and prevent drying out.
Also, damp skin absorbs better than dry skin. Plus, it will be easier to spread the lotion evenly all over your skin if the skin is slightly damp.
23 Best Body Lotions for Dry Skin
So, now that you know what to look for in a body lotion for dry skin and how to apply it for optimal results, we did a bit of research for you, to help you narrow down your search. Here are some of the best body lotions on the market right now, sure to thoroughly replenish dry skin and make it as soft and smooth as it gets…
*All prices mentioned are from January 2023.
1. Cetaphil Advanced Relief Lotion
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Price: $14.77/16 fl. Oz.
Clinically proven to lock in moisture for 48 hours, Cetaphil certainly knows one or two things about dry skin nourishment. This lotion promises to replenish, rebalance and restore the skin with each use, plus to fully restore the skin barrier in only one week!
Perfect for dry and sensitive skin, Advanced Relief Lotion is hypoallergenic and it doesn’t contain fragrance and parabens. What it does contain are shea butter, macadamia oil, glycerin, vitamins E and B5 and citric acid.
2. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin
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Price: $13.72/12 fl. Oz.
A classic and certainly one of the best body lotions for dry skin, this lightweight, non-greasy formula thoroughly hydrates the skin and restores the skin’s barrier. Many dermatologists recommend it, as it is a good option even for sensitive skin.
CeraVe’s lotion contains ceramides, which reinforce the protective barrier and prevent moisture loss. It also contains hyaluronic acid, one of the most popular humectants that hydrate the skin and makes it plump and supple.
3. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Moisturizer For Dry Skin
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Price: $19.99/13.5 fl. Oz.
Formulated for dry to very dry skin, this body lotion really is something different. It replenishes the skin’s essential lipids and provides long-lasting hydration, and it is suitable even for very sensitive skin, including baby’s.
Prebiotic thermal water in this lotion helps rebalance the skin’s microbiome. Shea butter, glycerin and niacinamide are also welcome additions and provide superior moisturizing, hydrating and skin-smoothing experience.
4. St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Lotion
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Price: $14.50/21 fl. Oz.
If you want a thick, nourishing moisturizer that knows how to soothe sensitive skin and comes at a great price, this one might be your best choice. It provides lots of moisture and leaves the skin velvety smooth.
This lotion contains several skin-replenishing ingredients, such as glycerin, coconut oil and shea butter. Another great ingredient – oatmeal extract – is incredibly soothing and anti-inflammatory.
5. Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter
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Price: $34.00/8.4 fl. Oz.
Fragrance and paraben-free, Creme de Corps has a rich, creamy formula sure to replenish and soothe the skin without making it feel greasy. Plus, it offers refillable pouches, to reduce the environmental impact!
Shea butter, cocoa butter and squalane are only some of the moisturizing ingredients dry skin would love. This lotion also contains sunflower, sesame, sweet almond, apricot kernel and avocado oil, as well as glycerin, dimethicone, citric acid, allantoin, vitamin E, aloe juice powder, etc.
6. Nécessaire The Body Lotion
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Price: $28.00/6.8 fl. Oz.
Another great option if you are looking for a product that absorbs well and leaves the skin smooth but not greasy. You will love it if you have normal to dry skin, although it is suitable for all skin types.
The Body Lotion is packed with ingredients rich in vitamins C and E, as well as Omega-6 and 9 fatty acids. It contains glycerin, shea butter glycerides, jojoba oil, niacinamide, marula oil, cacay oil, etc.
7. Vaseline Intensive Care Almond Smooth Lotion
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Price: $24.63 /20.3 fl. Oz.
There is a reason why Vaseline is one of the most popular brands when it comes to healing the dry, cracked skin. And their Intensive Care Almond Smooth Lotion is one of the most beloved body lotions they have in their arsenal.
Whether you have dry skin all year round or you need some extra nourishment only during the winter, this lotion provides intense hydration and skin-softening abilities. Cocoa butter, shea butter and sweet almond oil moisturize the skin, vitamin E helps with repair and Vaseline Jelly locks the moisture in the skin.
8. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion for Dry Skin
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Price: $9.64/18 fl. Oz.
Many loyal customers confirm that Aveeno lotion really is one of the best body lotions for dry skin out there. It thoroughly nourishes the skin without leaving a greasy feel afterward.
The star ingredient of this lotion is colloidal oatmeal, which has been proven to soothe dry, sensitive skin. Aveeno lotion is very gentle and it is suitable for everyday use.
9. AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
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Price: $23.40/14.1 fl. Oz.
If your skin feels rough or flaky, you are going to love this product! It is formulated with 12% lactic acid, which gently exfoliates dead, dry skin cells and promotes the skin’s natural renewal process.
Once all the dry, flaky skin is removed, the skin-replenishing ingredients can do their magic and deep-hydrate the skin. The result – super soft, healthy skin that both looks and feels amazing.
10. Jergens Oil-Infused Enriching Shea Butter
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Price: $13.49/16.8 fl. Oz.
This lotion is great for dry, dull-looking skin. It conditions the skin, makes it soft and smooth and adds tons of glow.
Glycerin and shea butter work so well together, one to supply the skin with moisture and the other one to help the skin retain that moisture. This lotion has a silky texture and a warm, subtle scent.
11. Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer with Enriching Shea Oil
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Price: $6.99/10 fl. Oz.
We already mention that the best time to apply a body lotion would be in the first few minutes after the shower. This lotion takes that to the next level – it is formulated to be used right after the shower, while your skin is still completely wet.
Used like this, this wet skin moisturizer instantly locks in moisture and gets absorbed quickly. It keeps the skin soft smooth and glowing, thanks to the shea oil derived from pure African shea butter.
12. Curél Dry Skin Therapy Hydra Silk Moisturizer
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Price: $10.99/12 fl. Oz.
This fragrance-free lotion is formulated for dry and extra dry skin. It is non-greasy, fast absorbing and maintains the skin well hydrated for 24h.
Hydra Silk Moisturizer relies on ceramides to reinforce the skin’s natural protective barrier. That way, it improves the skin’s moisture retention abilities and maintains it healthy and soft.
13. Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Lotion
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Price: $10.88/32 fl. Oz.
If your skin is very dry and prone to sensitivities, soothe it with this lotion. It contains vitamins E and B5, plus skin essential lipids that bring moisture to the skin, repair and relieve the dry, itchy, tight feeling.
This lotion is clinically shown to moisturize skin for 24 hours. It absorbs well into the skin and doesn’t leave the greasy feeling.
14. L’Occitane Shea Butter Rich Body Lotion
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Price: $35.00/8.4 fl. Oz.
Another shea butter based lotion that replenishes dry, dull skin, deep-nourishes it and makes it look and feel good. Don’t let the lightweight texture fool you – this lotion is incredibly moisturizing and soothing.
Other than shea butter, it also contains calendula flower extract, which is said to be very soothing and healing. Some other ingredients great for dry skin that this lotion contains are glycerin, sunflower seed oil, flaxseed oil, honey extract, etc.
15. Augustinus Bader The Body Cream
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Price: $185.00/6.7 fl. Oz.
Definitely on the pricier side, The Body Cream offers a luxurious experience and a firm, even, well-nourished skin. It leaves the skin plump, supple and well-hydrated, and it also helps reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.
This product is created with sustainability in mind and it is 100% free of fragrance, parabens, SLS, SLES, DEA, heavy metals, talc and petrolatum/paraffin/mineral oil. Another nice touch – they give you the option to donate 5% of your order value to a charity of your choice.
16. SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Body Lotion
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Price: $9.99/13 fl. Oz.
Made with certified organic ingredients, this lotion is moisturizing, nourishing, soothing, and it leaves a pleasant feel. It repairs damages, replenishes dry patches and makes the skin smooth, youthful and healthy.
Other than shea butter, this lotion is formulated with frankincense and myrrh extracts which are anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating. It also contains cocoa and mango butter, as well as sunflower, coconut, castor, jojoba, argan oil, aloe juice, allantoin, etc.
17. Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream
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Price: $22.00/8.4 fl. Oz.
This lotion is formulated to resemble your facial skincare products and as such it does more than simply moisturize. Body Hero moisturizer brightens the skin, provides it with rejuvenating antioxidants, and the skin absorbs it well, no greasy finish.
Another interesting formula for a quick boost of hydration, scented with orange blossom neroli blend. This body cream contains cactus flower, prickly pear and yucca extract, dimethicone, glycerin, castor oil, shea butter, citric acid, etc.
18. Dove DermaSpa Goodness3 Body Lotion
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Price: $17.75/6.8 fl. Oz.
Dove is another brand that is definitely worth mentioning when it comes to dry skin nourishment. They have several body lotions for dry skin you can choose from, but our favorite would be DermaSpa Goodness Body Lotion.
This rich, nourishing lotion leaves the skin velvety smooth, soft and radiant. It provides an at-home spa-like experience, thanks to the highly pampering ingredients and the subtle scent of creamy vanilla, musk and coconut.
19. Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion
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Price: $11.77/16.9 fl. Oz.
To treat extremely dry and sensitive skin, you need a fragrance-free lotion that can provide the skin with tons of moisture and then help it to retain that moisture. Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion promises 48 hour hydration, as well as to repair the skin barrier and improve its function.
This lotion provides ceramides that can trap moisture into the skin and prevent drying out. It also contains glycerin, urea, shea butter, lactic acid, etc.
20. Laura Mercier Ambre Vanillé Soufflé Body Crème
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Price: $72.00/12 fl. Oz.
If you need a moisturizer that feels amazing and smells even better to stimulate you to apply it every single day, look no further. The beautiful pink packaging, the luxurious silky texture and the beautiful subtle fragrance of vanilla, tangerine and brown sugar – why wouldn’t you want it in your life?
But, this lotion has much more to offer, as it is rich and nourishing but lightweight, perfect for dry or normal-to-dry skin. Some of the ingredients that will make your skin very happy include grapeseed oil, shea butter, rice bran oil, panthenol, aloe vera, honey, etc.
21. Burt’s Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion
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Price: $10.00/6 fl. Oz.
Who hasn’t heard of milk and honey baths as one of the most pampering natural solutions for dry, rough, dull skin? Both of these ingredients are super nourishing and rejuvenating. They hydrate the skin, soothe it and restore its natural youthful glow.
Burt’s Bees Milk and Honey Lotion is 98.9% natural and it is clinically proven to moisturize skin for up to 24 hours. Other than milk and honey, it contains shea butter, coconut and grape seed oil, beeswax, aloe juice, AHAs…
22. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream
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Price: $48.00/8.1 fl. Oz.
A lighter, summer-friendly version that not only thoroughly moisturizes but also tightens the skin. It has the seductive scent of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla, and a lightweight texture that gets absorbed quickly.
This cream is full of antioxidants. Its star ingredient, Guaraná extract, is rich in caffeine and it visibly tightens and smooths the appearance of the skin. It also contains coconut oil, açaí oil, cupuaçu butter, Brazil nut oil, carrot seed oil, vitamin E, squalane, etc.
23. La Mer The Renewal Body Oil Balm
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Price: $210.00/6.7 oz.
In the end, we cannot talk about best body lotions for dry skin without mentioning La Mer because… we just can’t. Not so much a lotion, but a balm that melts into oil on contact, it thoroughly hydrates the skin and adds a youthful, healthy sheen.
This moisturizer delivers nourishing oils and antioxidants and helps heal, soothe, soften and renew the skin. It takes a minute to absorb, but it leaves a beautiful non-greasy finish.
READ NEXT: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BODY LOTION AND BODY BUTTER
Hello Jovana, Thanks for sharing amazing products explanation for winter skin. Your article is useful to choose the best lotion for sensitive and dry skin. Everyone can help your skin by using and applying a moisturizing body lotion after every shower.