The 5 Best Body Lotions

A skincare routine is essential for looking and feeling healthy, and no quality regimen is complete without an effective body lotion. A moisturizing body lotion will not only bring out your natural beauty, it will also help keep your skin stay hydrated and nourished. Some people just want to augment their organic glow while others need serious dryness relief. Fortunately, there’s a variety of different body lotions for a variety of different needs. With so many options to choose from, we’ve whittled down the list to our top five favorites, from the fragrance-free to the eco-friendly.

Thena Natural Wellness Manuka Honey

Naturally the Best

For those looking for a high-end treatment of the skin, Manuka Honey Moisturizer contains a plethora of restorative natural ingredients for a premium price.

Best Overall

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Although the price is quite high, with the Manuka Honey Moisturizer from Thena Natural Wellness, a little goes a long way. With a total of 29 all-natural ingredients, you can rest assured that you’re giving your skin the premium treatment, all holds barred. Everything your skin could desire is packed into this one lotion: calendula, manuka honey, oat oil, shea butter, aloe vera, peppermint, and rosemary–the list goes on. The best part? The ingredients are all naturally-derived, so you can not only pronounce them, but you can also feel secure that you’re dealing with the best that Mother Nature has to offer. Chock-full of antioxidants known to restore dry damaged skin, this hydrating formula will leave you feeling smooth and rejuvenated.

Pros:

Made in the USA
Cruelty-free
Non-greasy

Cons:

Subpar scent

Eucerin Original Healing Lotion

An Oasis for the Skin

Eucerin Original Healing lotion has stood the test of time as the gold standard for extra-dry skin.

Best for Extra Dry Skin

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Our bodies all have different needs, and some people require a little extra hydration for their extra-dry skin. Even sufferers of eczema will find relief in the Eucerin Original Healing Lotion, which provides instant, soothing hydration. It’s not the cheapest body lotion out there, but it is the most effective for locking in moisture, and it’s worth the investment for those prone to flaking, shedding, and peeling. It’s also non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t block up your pores, so you can feel secure in using it on your face as well. Plus, it lasts all day, so you can moisturize in the morning and put aside your skin troubles for the rest of the day. Non-greasy and alcohol-free, this rich lotion is the fragrance-free answer to the prayers of those with extremely dry skin.

Pros:

Trusted brand
Emollient-enriched
Non-irritating

Cons:

Doesn’t spread easily

Love Beauty And Planet – Argan Oil and Lavender

Lavender, Nature’s Gift

With calming lavender and soothing argan oil, this body lotion from Love Beauty and Planet is good for your skin and good for the earth.

Best Eco-Friendly

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For those concerned about the environmental impact of their skincare products, Love Beauty and Planet offers a body lotion that is both eco-friendly and highly moisturizing. Not only is it free of dyes, silicones, and parabens, it’s also guilt-free. The bottle is made out of 100% recycled materials and the ingredients are all ethically-sourced and plant-based. As another step towards peace of mind, the lavender scent is naturally calming and smells of the Drôme Provençale Region of France from which it’s derived. Of course, we wouldn’t recommend a body lotion based on its small carbon footprint alone. This body lotion is an effective moisturizer that naturally hydrates the skin and leaves it feeling smooth all day long. Plus, the main moisturizing ingredient is argan oil which is said to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Pros:

Low cost
Non-greasy
Vegan

Cons:

Scent is strong

St. Ives Softening Body Lotion – Coconut and Orchid

Happy Skin, Happy Bank Account

This pleasantly-scented body lotion from St. Ives will hydrate and nourish your skin without costing an arm and a leg, so you can use it as much as you want.

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If you’re looking for a body lotion that’s inexpensive and effective, St. Ives offers an option with the most bang-for-your-buck. Costing less than five dollars, this coconut- and orchid-scented lotion is 21 ounces of moisturizing goodness, making it the top choice for people that go through a lot of lotion. While such a low price would normally be a red flag, it’s actually a very effective moisturizer that leaves your skin feeling silky and smooth. The scent is mild and pleasant, and the ingredients are of surprisingly high quality, consisting of plant-based moisturizers and real coconut milk. Suited best for those with moderately dry skin, the St. Ives Softening Body Lotion is an ambrosial reminder that you don’t need to break the bank for smooth, healthy skin.

Pros:

No palm oil
Suitable for sensitive skin
Easy application

Cons:

Ineffective on severely dry skin

Bath Body Works Butterfly Flower Body Lotion

Flower Power

This body lotion from Bath Body Works will leave you feeling as smooth and fragrant as a flower petal.

Best Scented

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If you want a moisturizer that smells great and feels great on your skin, Bath Body Works has a lotion for you. The formula is fortified with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, and Jojoba Oil, so you can replenish and protect your skin, while the scent is like a delightful walk through a garden in full bloom. The fragrance profile is specifically of French mimosas, Asian syringa flowers, tangerine trees, and Tenuifolia orchids, which may attract both people and butterflies. The scent isn’t overpowering, but it’s so enjoyable that you’ll look forward to applying this daily moisturizer at any chance you get. It’s certainly not the least expensive option on our list, but the premium price might be worth it for that delicious fragrance.

Pros:

Absorbs quickly
Paraben-free
Non-greasy

Cons:

Quite costly

Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to moisturizing, what else can I do to treat dry skin?

We often forget that the skin is an organ. In fact, it’s the biggest organ we have, so it can sometimes seem impossible to keep it healthy and hydrated. However, with the right moisturizer and a few lifestyle changes, you can rest assured that you’re treating your skin with love and respect.

One of the first steps towards healthier skin starts in the bathroom. Hot showers may feel good on dry, itchy skin, but they actually damage the epidermal layer and can dry you out further. This can lead to skin damage and eczema. Though it might not be as inviting as a steaming hot sauna, your best bet is taking a lukewarm shower and following up with a full body moisturizer. It’s also important to remember that body lotion is not a replacement for drinking water. Hydration starts inside the body and those eight-glasses-of-water-per-day go a long way for keeping your skin moisturized. And of course, lifestyle factors like eating healthy foods, sleeping enough, and avoiding drugs go a long way.

What are parabens and silicones, and are they bad for you?

Parabens are found in a range of cosmetic products and are used as a preservative. They are considered safe for use and can even be found in foods and toothpaste. Since the early 2000s, several studies have suggested that parabens can have weak estrogenic properties, meaning it can imitate estrogen. Concerns among consumers rose in response to these studies, and paraben-free alternatives began emerging. Then, in 2013, the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety stated that parabens are safe for consumers at even the maximum authorized concentrations. The safety of parabens continues to be debated, however, and there are no conclusive studies to suggest that they pose a significant risk to health.

Silicones are also commonly found in cosmetic products and are used to give topical skincare products a smooth, spreadable texture. It is difficult to pinpoint when and why silicones became considered an unhealthy ingredient in skincare products. Perhaps the name suggests an unnaturalness (they are indeed synthetically produced), but there are no studies that conclude that silicones are bad for your skin. Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic silicones have been used safely in skincare products for decades. Their environmental impact is also a point of contention, as they take longer to break down in the ocean like plastic but are non-toxic and safer for sea life.