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The 15 best body lotions for dry skin to lock in moisture

Discover outstanding lotions for dry skin care

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm
Best fan-favorite body balm
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Kiehl's Crème de Corps Hydrating Body Lotion with Squalane
Kiehl's Crème de Corps Hydrating Body Lotion with Squalane
Best luxury lotion
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Nécessaire Body Lotion 
Nécessaire The Body Lotion
Best pH balanced lotion
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Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Butter
Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Butter
Best spa-worthy lotion
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CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Best value
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Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion
Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion
Best for very dry and flaky skin
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Curel Hydra Therapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Lotion
Curel Hydra Therapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Lotion
Best for itchy skin
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Jack Black Turbo Body Lotion
Jack Black Turbo Body Lotion
Best fast-absorbing lotion
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La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream
Best for eczema
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CannaCell Body Lotion - Harmony
Andalou Naturals CannaCell Body Lotion - Harmony
Best hemp-based lotion
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Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hand & Body Lotion
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hand and Body Lotion
Best plant-based lotion
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AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
Best for daily use
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Cocokind Sake Body Lotion
Cocokind Sake Body Lotion
Best fragrance-free lotion
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Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion
Best for sensitive skin
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Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream
Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream
Best for dry hands
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In order to mature at a graceful pace and to look our best later in life, there are certain things we need to do on a consistent basis. These should be considered absolute necessities for our overall health and well-being. Sometimes we overlook certain important steps, such as our use of body lotion. We often forget to give the largest organ on our bodies, that's our skin for those in the dark, the proper attention and care that our skin needs and deserves.

While it's well advised to use body lotion during the cold winter season, the best moisturizers for dry skin can be true lifesavers year-round, especially whenever you notice your skin feeling rough and cracked. You'll absolutely want to make sure you have an effective body lotion for dry skin on hand to combat dehydrated, rough, and scaly skin.

Factors like cold weather, dry heat, underlying skin conditions, and the use of overly drying soaps (with harsh chemicals that dry the skin) are some of the most common reasons for dry skin. When these and other harsh elements hit your skin, you'll want to grab some moisturizing lotion to ease the discomfort. If you're confused about which body lotion you should try or what ingredients to look for, don't worry; we've rounded up a list of the best lotions for dry skin that you should add to your grooming routine.

Aesop geranium body balm.
Aesop

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm

Best fan-favorite body balm

Aesop has been a brand favorite of the stars of Hollywood and has a cult-like following that swears on its products. We can attest to its high-quality products, and its geranium leaf body balm is no different. Featuring a rich blend of various oils, this balm has a crisp citrus scent, leaving you feeling moisturized and smelling even better.

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm
Best fan-favorite body balm
A close-up of a bottle of Kiehl's Crème de Corps Hydrating Body Lotion with Squalane.
Kiehl's

Kiehl's Crème de Corps Hydrating Body Lotion with Squalane

Best luxury lotion

Kiehl's Crème de Corps has attracted quite the cult following for a variety of reasons. This non-greasy formula contains cocoa butter for its skin-soothing properties, as well as fast-absorbing sesame oil for a dose of deep hydration, and squalane for extra soft-feeling skin.

Not only does this lotion smell great (thanks to the cocoa butter), but it also looks fantastic in your bathroom. Even better: This lotion is from Kiehl's, so you can feel confident that this stuff really works.

Kiehl's Crème de Corps Hydrating Body Lotion with Squalane
Kiehl's Crème de Corps Hydrating Body Lotion with Squalane
Best luxury lotion
A tube of Nécessaire The Body Lotion.
Nécessaire

Nécessaire The Body Lotion

Best pH balanced lotion

This creamy lotion has your daily dose of skin nutrients, including active vitamins, peptides, and niacinamide. These ingredients work together to strengthen, tone, and treat dry skin. Formulated at a gentle pH of 4.75 to 5.75, this fragrance-free formula from Nécessaire is fast absorbing, and it boasts immediate and long-term skin benefits.

Nécessaire Body Lotion 
Nécessaire The Body Lotion
Best pH balanced lotion
A tube of Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Butter.
Bliss

Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Butter

Best spa-worthy lotion

If you seek a quick-absorbing moisturizer that smells divine and works like a charm, check out Bliss' perpetually best-selling body butter. This moisturizer is formulated to leave even the most parched skin smooth, supple, and supremely soft, and it manages to do so without ever making your skin feel greasy.

Bliss has used this body butter in its spas for over two decades, and you can rest assured that this B Corp Certified lotion provides the best in eco-friendly and socially responsible skin care.

Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Butter
Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Butter
Best spa-worthy lotion
A close-up of a bottle of CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion.
CeraVe

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Best value

This lightweight daily moisturizer from CeraVe is a fast-absorbing lotion, and it will leave your skin feeling smooth and hydrated without the grease. Dermatologists developed this lotion for dry skin, so you can rest assured that it's safe for sensitive skin, and that it's actually free of potentially irritating fragrances. In addition to applying this to your body, this multipurpose moisturizer can work on a dry face.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Best value
A close-up of a bottle of Eucerin Intensive Repair Body Lotion.
Eucerin

Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion

Best for very dry and flaky skin

This Intensive Repair Lotion from Eucerin boasts a triple-acting formula to moisturize, exfoliate, and condition very dry and rough skin. This lotion is clinically formulated and tested by dermatologists, and it's enriched with alpha hydroxy to provide immediate relief to restore your skin’s radiance.

Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion
Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion
Best for very dry and flaky skin
A close-up of a bottle of Curel Hydra Therapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Lotion.
Curel

Curel Hydra Therapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Lotion

Best for itchy skin

Unlike your traditional lotions for dry skin, this moisturizer is activated by water, and it's designed to be applied in the shower in order to penetrate deeper into the skin’s surface. This Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer helps the skin retain its moisture to help combat inflamed itchy skin.

Curel Hydra Therapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Lotion
Curel Hydra Therapy Itch Defense Wet Skin Lotion
Best for itchy skin
Jack Black turbo body lotion.
Jack Black

Jack Black Turbo Body Lotion

Best fast-absorbing lotion

Jack Black makes some of the cleanest and simplest ingredient products when it comes to men's grooming. Its turbo body lotion energizing gel moisturizer features aloe and eucalyptus. This lotion dries fast and leaves your skin feeling soothed and calm.

Jack Black Turbo Body Lotion
Jack Black Turbo Body Lotion
Best fast-absorbing lotion
Someone holds a bottle of La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream.
La Roche-Posay

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream

Best for eczema

The La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream helps soothe the skin that can become especially irritated and itchy due to eczema. You can use this hydrating cream on your face, hands, and body to replenish your skin’s essential lipids with the help of shea butter and glycerin.

This formula is free of steroids, antibiotics, parabens, and fragrances, which makes this lotion a great pick for sensitive skin. This cream is also dermatologist tested and accepted by the National Eczema Association.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Eczema Soothing Relief Cream
Best for eczema
A bottle of CannaCell Body Lotion - Harmony.
Andalou Naturals

Andalou Naturals CannaCell Body Lotion - Harmony

Best hemp-based lotion

If you're a fan of hemp-based skin care, you will really appreciate this offering from Andalou Naturals. This lotion has CannaCell hemp stem cells, organic hemp seed oil, pure plant essential oils, patchouli, and basil mint — all these ingredients work in harmony to "soothe, balance, and uplift your body, mind, and spirit." Vegans can also rejoice, as Andalou's lotion is 100% vegan while also being specially designed to work for all skin types.

CannaCell Body Lotion - Harmony
Andalou Naturals CannaCell Body Lotion - Harmony
Best hemp-based lotion
A bottle of Alba Botanica Cocoa Butter Hawaiian Hand & Body Lotion.
Alba Botanica

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hand and Body Lotion

Best plant-based lotion

If you want a plant-based and cruelty-free lotion that looks, smells, and feels great on your skin, try this lotion from Alba Botanica. Alba blended cocoa butter with shea butter, vitamin E, and emollient oils of jojoba, macadamia, flax, and sunflower for the ultimate dermatological tropical getaway that "will send dry skin on a permanent vacation." This lotion might provide love at first scent thanks to the cocoa butter, but you'll really understand its appeal once you feel it on your skin.

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hand & Body Lotion
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hand and Body Lotion
Best plant-based lotion
A woman uses AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion on her skin.
AmLactin

AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

Best for daily use

AmLactin is the top dermatologist-recommended moisturizer brand with alpha-hydroxy therapy. This formula combines lactic acid with added moisturizers to help boost the skin’s natural renewal process through gentle exfoliation, resulting in deeply hydrated and younger-looking skin.

Although formulated with a powerful blend of emollients, humectants, and AHAs, this lotion is gentle enough for daily use and will relieve your body of dry, flaky, rough, and bumpy skin. It's great to have on hand whenever your skin feels dry or rough.

AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
Best for daily use
Cocokind Sake Body Lotion
Cocokind

Cocokind Sake Body Lotion

Best fragrance-free lotion

Made with sake, a Japanese fermented rice wine rich in smoothing enzymes and microbiome-friendly prebiotic sugars, Cocokind's fragrance-free body lotion delivers gentle exfoliation and supports the skin's moisture barrier. It's been heralded for its prowess in gently exfoliating skin, treating dryness, and restoring your skin's natural barrier. Even better, Cocokind's bottle is made of upcycled plastic and is fully recyclable.

Cocokind Sake Body Lotion
Cocokind Sake Body Lotion
Best fragrance-free lotion
A close-up of a bottle of Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion.
Aveeno

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion

Best for sensitive skin

If your skin is particularly sensitive and feeling quite dry, Aveeno's Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion can help. This lotion is specifically formulated to hydrate and soothe sensitive, dry skin: Its Triple Oat Complex with oat flour, oat oil, and oat extract works to soothe irritated skin, and natural shea butter and dimethicone skin protectant work to help restore skin's essential moisture. This unscented lotion starts working immediately to moisturize sensitive, itchy, and/or extra dry skin.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion
Best for sensitive skin
A tube of Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Hand Cream.
Gold Bond

Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream

Best for dry hands

Have you been told you have extremely dry or rough hands? Fear not, as this hand cream from Gold Bond is formulated with soothing aloe and seven intensive moisturizers to give your hands the moisture they need and deserve.

This hand cream lasts through hand washes, and best of all, it won’t leave your hands feeling greasy. If you suffer from sweaty palms, this cream offers that perfect balance of healing moisture and a smooth feel.

Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream
Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Hand Cream
Best for dry hands

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between body lotion and body butter?

Both body lotion and body butter are moisturizers used to hydrate the skin, but they differ in texture, ingredients, and suitability for different skin types.

Body lotion is lighter and thinner, making it easier to spread and absorb quickly. Body butter is thicker and richer than lotion, offering a more intense moisturizing experience. In regards to body lotion ingredients, you’ll find that it usually contains a higher water content (often the first ingredient listed) along with lighter oils and emollients for hydration. It’s also formulated to be lightweight and nongreasy. On the other hand, body butter contains a higher concentration of natural fats and oils, like shea butter, cocoa butter, or mango butter. It may also contain essential oils for fragrance. Body butter offers a more occlusive layer, meaning it traps moisture in the skin.

Body lotion is deal for normal, oily, or combination skin types, and it’s great for daily use and year-round application. Body butter is the perfect answer for dry, cracked, or sensitive skin that needs extra nourishment. It's particularly beneficial in colder weather or for dry climates.

Regardless of which one you decide to go with, this list has something for everyone and every skin condition. If you can use some more guidance on how to up your skincare game, check out our list of best body washes, our favorite face masks for cleaner and clearer skin, and our favorite Black-owned beauty and grooming brands. Here's to healthier skin and aging gracefully.

Editors' Recommendations

Beau Hayhoe
Beau Hayhoe is a freelance men's style writer, consultant and PR pro based in Brooklyn. Beau's menswear and gear writing has…
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