We updated this article in April 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.
Sure, you moisturize your face daily—but do you treat the rest of your skin the same way? Body lotion is one of the best ways to combat the dry, itchy skin that comes with certain skin conditions, genetics, chlorine in pools, getting older, and, of course, wintry weather. Thankfully, the best lotions for dry skin can transform uncomfortable, flaking skin in no time.
“Cold weather can disrupt the lipid bilayer, which protects our skin from the environment, thereby causing skin dryness, sensitivity, and flaring skin conditions like eczema,” says Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. Plus, both the cold air outside and the dry heat indoors contain little humidity, further parching your skin.
And, most of us don’t really think about our body’s skin—except when it’s lizard-like. “I’ve also noticed that many of my patients don’t care for their body skin as much as they do with their face or hands,” Dr. Bae explains. “The rest of our body is covered [by clothing], so it’s easier to ignore.”
But before we delve into the best lotions for dry skin, remember that your body wash can actually make parched skin worse, says Diane Madfes, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Madfes Aesthetic Medical Center in New York City. Be sure to choose a mild body wash to soothe dry skin and skip exfoliating cleansers, which can exacerbate dryness when the air is cold and dry.
How we chose
We consulted Dr. Bae, Dr. Madfes, Shari Sperling, D.O., board-certified dermatologist of Sperling Dermatology, Shari Marchbein, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Downtown Dermatology in New York City, Mona Gohara, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and member of Prevention’s Medical Review Board, and countless customer reviews to find the best lotions for dry skin.
Now, here are the top dermatologist-approved body lotions, creams, and moisturizers to keep all skin types feeling silky smooth year-round.
Our top lotions for dry skin
Best Overall
Moisturizing Cream
- Ingredient List
- Rave Reviews
- Great for Sensitive Skin
“Cerave Moisturizing Cream is one of my all-time favorite body moisturizers, and contains ceramides (a lipid naturally found in skin), glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to pack a powerful punch of deep moisturizing and hydration,” says Dr. Marchbein. “Together with cholesterol and fatty acids, ceramides are responsible for creating a healthy, intact skin barrier and retaining moisture in the skin.” With thousands of rave reviews, this all-over cream is a clear tester favorite, too.
Best Value
Advanced Repair Lotion
- Fragrance-Free
- Great for Most Skin Types
- Some Users Report Greasy Feeling After Application
- May Make Skin Sensitive to the Sun
If you simply want a no-fuss body lotion that gets the job done, try this much-loved moisturizer. It packs ceramides, shea butter, and glycerin for intense hydration, but also contains lactic acid, an ultra-gentle alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates for a smoother appearance. Reviewers rave about its skin-quenching abilities, lasting power, mild scent, and non-greasy application. Just note that AHAs can make you sun-sensitive, so slather on the sunscreen afterward.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Lipikar Balm AP+
- Great for Sensitive Skin
- Good for Those With Eczema
- Users Note Issues With Getting Product Out of the Bottle
Suitable to use on your face and body, La Roche-Posay’s heavy-duty cream utilizes shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide (a B vitamin that reduces redness) for a soothing moisturizer that leaves dry skin feeling replenished and soft. Noncomedogenic and fragrance-free, this one is also accepted by the National Eczema Association, so it’s ideal for sensitive skin that tends to get red and itchy. Thick enough to heal dry patches, it still sinks right in for a barely-there finish, earning Dr. Marchbein’s stamp of approval.
Best Drugstore
Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Moisturizing Lotion
- Ingredient List
- Fragrance-Free
- Users Note Issues With the Pump
“Formulated with a triple oat complex and natural shea butter, this body lotion works great for those with dry skin. Its creamy formula spreads evenly and nicely on the skin,” explains Dr. Sperling. And with five stars and over 12k ratings on Amazon, customers love the lotion, too.
Best for Ultra Dry Skin
Ultra Repair Cream
- Intensely Hydrating
- Can Be Used on Both Face and Body
- Safe for Use on Eczema
- Some Users Dislike the Scent
This one isn’t just for your face—it can be used all over to truly repair angry skin. Dr. Gohara loves that it has ceramides, shea butter, and colloidal oatmeal, which work to soothe irritation, relieve itch, and leave skin feeling healthy. “I got this for my husband, who has very dry skin and eczema. After a while of using it his hands have healed up great!” one reviewer raves. “If you have tried many many different lotions or creams but none have worked, then give this a try.”
Best for Eczema
Xeracalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm
- Suitable for Atopic Dermatitis
- Fragrance-Free
- Good for Sensitive Skin
- Some Users Report Difficulty With Packaging
For especially sensitive skin types, this lotion from Avène boasts a National Eczema Association seal of acceptance, as it’s suitable for eczema or atopic dermatitis-prone skin. That’s thanks to strong moisturizers (glycerin and mineral oil) and what it leaves out; it has no ingredients that can cause irritation, such as preservatives, parabens, or fragrances. This one pulls double duty, as you can use it on your face and body.
Best for Daily Use
Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
- Fragrance-Free
- Quick Absorbing
- Non-Greasy
- Some Users Note Sticky Feeling After Application
Recommended by Dr. Madfes, this fragrance-free lotion contains colloidal oatmeal, which has a soothing effect and reinforces skin’s barrier. Moisturizers like dimethicone, glycerin, and petrolatum smooth skin. What’s more, the noncomedogenic formula absorbs quickly, so you’re not left with that greasy feeling. “After three days of using this twice per day on legs and hands, I noticed a huge difference,” a reviewer explains. “My skin is no longer flaking or cracking.”
Best for Feet
Salve for Cracked Skin
- Quick Absorbing
- Great for Cracked Heels
- Some Users Dislike the Scent
This ointment moisturizes parched skin while soothing inflammation, making it perfect for dry, cracked heels. Created with lanolin, Vaseline, vitamin B5, and lavender, it’s ideal for healing even the most stressed-out skin. And would you look at that super-cool tube? “Gehwol is excellent for cracked skin (heels, split skin on hands from dry winter weather, and anything else that has been abused by indoor heat),” one reviewer explains. “I apply the cracked skin salve on my feet, then cover with socks to absorb any excess. It does wonders!”
Best for Whole Body
Moisturizing Lotion
- Long-Lasting
- Great for Sensitive Skin
- Ingredient List
Leave it to Cetaphil, the brand behind one of the best face washes on the market, to make such an impressive lotion, too. Formulated with glycerin, vitamin B5, and niacinamide, this quick-absorbing, non-greasy, fragrance-free lotion works just as well on your body as it does on your face. “The intense, moisture-rich formula binds water to the skin and protects from dryness for 24 hours,” Dr. Bae says.
- Natural Ingredients
- Versatile
- Some Users Dislike the Scent
Weleda’s Skin Food is a cult-favorite, thanks to its natural ingredients, thick formula, and serious versatility. Slather this on any dry patch—whether it be on your face, elbows, hands, feet, or knees—and its base of oils and beeswax will get to work to repair and hydrate damaged skin. Plus, it boasts a botanical fragrance that smells exactly like spring. “It is amazing, thick, creamy goodness that feels like heaven when applied to your body,” one reviewer says.
Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream
- Ultra-Light Texture
- Super Hydrating
- Fragrance-Free
- Some Users Report Sticky Feeling After Application
This body cream may feel ultra-light, but it has heavy hydrating power. Infused with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone, and petrolatum, it has all the key players needed to deliver moisture and lock it into the skin. Bonus: The formula is fragrance- and paraben-free and fast-absorbing so you’re never left with a sticky, smelly mess. One reviewer even says “I wish I could bathe in a vat of this wonderful body gel cream!”
Itch Defense Calming Body Lotion
- Great for All Skin Types
- Ingredient List
- Fragrance-Free
- Some Users Report Greasy Feeling After Use
Ceramides, pro-vitamin B5, and shea butter team up to provide instant relief for dry, itchy skin. The fragrance-free formula works on all skin types, even for those who struggle with eczema. In fact, it’s so gentle that you can use it on babies six months and up. “After about a week of applying this after my showers, I had no itching, no stinging on application, and my skin felt a whole lot more comfortable,” one reviewer raves.
- Soothing
- Great for Those With Eczema
- Ideal for Children and Adults
Whether or not you have eczema, this body lotion is packed with good-for-you ingredients. “This delivers 24-hour hydration, and is formulated with colloidal oatmeal, which is a key ingredient that soothes dry skin,” Dr. Sperling says.
- Great for Extra-Dry Skin
- Available in Large Bottle
- Scented Products May Affect Sensitive Skin
This silky-smooth, non-greasy lotion hydrates the skin all day long, protects from chafing and cracking, and leaves skin feeling soft instead of sticky. Glycerin gives the formula extra slip, while vitamins E and B5 nourish and strengthen—earning it a spot in our 2019 Beauty Awards. “It has been the most effective and soothing lotion I have ever used,” an Amazon reviewer explains. “My skin is already really dry, so it’s a miracle if I can get it healed and smooth. This lotion is that miracle.”
- Users Love the Smell
- Ingredients
- Adds a Healthy Glow
- Pricey
- Scented Products May Affect Sensitive Skin
This pick is approved by Dr. Gohara. First, it smells absolutely divine (something like almond extract), but the ingredients it packs are just as impressive. Marula butter, a ceramide blend, squalane, and shea butter join forces to protect the skin, rejuvenate dullness, and give a healthy glow.
Crème de Corps Hydrating Body Lotion with Squalane
- Available in Mini
- Absorbs Quickly
- Ingredient List
- Scented Products May Affect Sensitive Skin
- Pricey
If you prefer a richer, thicker lotion, this one from Kiehl’s is sure to please. The brand often adds squalane, an ingredient that acts as an emollient without a greasy feel, to its products. This one also includes cocoa and shea butters, glycerin, several plant oils (like avocado and almond), and aloe vera to soothe and moisturize the driest, flakiest skin. Dr. Madfes also recommends the body oil version of Creme de Corps, since it’s enriched with grapeseed oil and absorbs into skin quickly to boost suppleness.
Best Luxe Option
Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm
- Lightly Scented
- Soothing
- Balm Consistency
- Pricey
- Scented Products May Affect Sensitive Skin
Formulated with botanicals like tangerine rind, coconut oil, and sandalwood, this soothing, delicately scented balm is a salve for dry, cracked skin in need of some serious moisture. Better yet, the vegan formula is cruelty-free and produced by a certified B Corporation. “The texture is light, absorbs into the skin easily, and at the same time provides lovely hydration to the body,” one reviewer explains. “I am also in love with the scent, which is fresh, uplifting and relaxing.”
- Non-Greasy Formula
- Ultra Hydrating
- Some Users Dislike the Smell
- Pricey
Dermatologists love EltaMD for a reason—it’s effective. This body lotion is chock-full of hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin B3 for a soothing, moisturized complexion. Made with a ceramide-enhanced formula featuring skin-smoothing enzymes, this body lotion promotes a healthy skin barrier. “Really helps moisturize psoriasis on my arms. Nice, rich cream. Very happy with this,” one satisfied Amazon customer notes.
How to choose the best body lotion for dry skin
Find your hero product. If you don’t like the feel or smell of a lotion, you’re just not going to use it, Dr. Bae warns, meaning you’ll be stuck with extremely dry skin. There’s a big difference among products, so if you don’t like one, try another until you find one that you’ll stick with. You can buy a fancy lotion, but you don’t have to; drugstore brands can get the job done just as well.
Read the ingredient list. Glycerin, shea butter, cocoa butter, and ceramides are a few of the must-have moisturizing ingredients in a good lotion, Dr. Madfes notes. Hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, colloidal oatmeal, petrolatum, and urea are also helpful ingredients that add and lock in moisture. Although the right scent can be energizing or relaxing, added fragrances can spur irritation, so choose a fragrance-free formula if you have sensitive skin.
Test, if necessary. If you know you have especially sensitive skin that’s reacted to body lotion in the past, consider patch-testing before applying to your whole body. Dr. Madfes recommends trying it on a small area on your chest for a couple days. No reaction? You’re good to go.
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