Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
1
Best For Firming
SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
1
Best For Firming
SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Pros
Beautiful scent
Cons
Pricey
Transport yourself on a tropical vacation with this beautifully-scented, deeply hydrating body cream. Not only will it help your skin feel firmer and more youthful, but the texture is divine, and you’ll be left feeling hydrated but never sticky.
2
Best For Daily Use
Mario Badescu Super Rich Olive Body Lotion for Dry Skin
2
Best For Daily Use
Mario Badescu Super Rich Olive Body Lotion for Dry Skin
Now 30% Off
Pros
- Softens dry skin
Cons
- Thin consistency
Sometimes all you need is a no-fuss moisturizer that leaves your skin in better shape than before. This lotion from Mario Badescu is built around olive oil, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that nourishes and soothes the skin, and locks in moisture to keep dryness at bay.
3
Best Lightweight Lotion
Soft Services Speed Soak
3
Best Lightweight Lotion
Soft Services Speed Soak
Now 50% Off
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- None
For people who can’t stand feeling sticky or greasy, here’s a lotion that was made for lotion-haters. It sinks in super quickly–hence the name–but deeply hydrates the skin nonetheless.
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4
Best For Traveling
Nopalera Moisturizing Botanical Bar
4
Best For Traveling
Nopalera Moisturizing Botanical Bar
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Can melt in the heat
Hydration on the go doesn’t need to look like decanting lotions into tiny bottles. This bar comes in a chic and travel-friendly tin, and will deeply hydrate your body. Simply rub it directly onto your skin and marvel at how soft and glowy you become.
5
Best For Bumpy Skin
AmLactin Ultra Soothing Intensely Hydrating Cream
5
Best For Bumpy Skin
AmLactin Ultra Soothing Intensely Hydrating Cream
Pros
- Exfoliating
Cons
- Pricey
Ingrown hairs, irritation, and razor burn can all leave your skin feeling bumpy and irritated. This lotion uses AHAs to gently exfoliate the skin, revealing softer texture with no irritation or dryness.
6
Best For Giving Back
Alaffia Everyday Shea Body Lotion
6
Best For Giving Back
Alaffia Everyday Shea Body Lotion
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Some may dislike the scent
Searching for a lotion created by people who care about the world? This shea butter-based lotion is deeply hydrating, without feeling greasy. All the ingredients are ethically harvested in West Africa, with proceeds going to various wonderful causes.
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7
Best For Minimalists
Nécessaire The Body Lotion
7
Best For Minimalists
Nécessaire The Body Lotion
Pros
- Gentle
Cons
- May not be suited for extremely dry skin
Whether your skin is sensitive or you just have a no-nonsense approach to body care, this lotion is just right for you. It has no fragrance, beautiful clean packaging, and plenty of hydration for moderate to dry skin. It’s a beauty editor must-have, and we’re a picky bunch.
8
Best Pharmacy Lotion
Granado Brazil Nut Body Butter
8
Best Pharmacy Lotion
Granado Brazil Nut Body Butter
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- May not be suited for extremely dry skin
Created by the oldest pharmacy in Brazil, this body cream was created using locally sourced ingredients. The texture is super rich and creamy, but it will sink into your body post-shower, leaving your skin feeling cool and soothed.
9
Best Viral Body Butter
Truly Unicorn Fruit Whipped Body Butter
9
Best Viral Body Butter
Truly Unicorn Fruit Whipped Body Butter
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Can feel greasy
My TikTok mostly looks like cats and gorgeous people applying this body butter. If you have very dry skin and a whimsical outlook on life, this intensely hydrating lotion is a must. The whipped texture is just too good to pass up.
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10
Best For A Budget
Saltair Santal Bloom Body Lotion
10
Best For A Budget
Saltair Santal Bloom Body Lotion
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Some
This body lotion is severely underrated, and it’s time we put a stop to that. It’s $14 for 14 ounces, in 100% aluminum packaging–that’s a steal, in case you were wondering. The lotion itself smells wonderful, and will leave your skin looking brighter and feeling smoother and more hydrated.
11
Best For Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
11
Best For Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Now 29% Off
Pros
- Gentle
Cons
- May not be suited for extremely dry skin
A lightweight lotion with no fragrance, plenty of ceramides, and hydrating hyaluronic acid is perfectly formulated for sensitive skin. It will deeply moisturize without causing any inflammation.
12
Best For Ingrown Hairs
Fur Stubble Cream
12
Best For Ingrown Hairs
Fur Stubble Cream
Pros
- Reduces ingrown hairs
Cons
- Pricey
Post-shaving or other hair removal process, you need to properly treat your skin to avoid ingrown hairs and irritation. This lotion uses vitamin E and natural extracts to soften new hairs while also preventing any irritation between waxing appointments, shaving days, or even laser appointments.
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13
Best For Dry Skin
Hanahana Beauty Bamboo Coconut Body Butter
13
Best For Dry Skin
Hanahana Beauty Bamboo Coconut Body Butter
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Can feel greasy
Extremely dry skin can feel scaly and irritable, but this super-charged body butter can tackle any woes you have. This shea butter-based lotion melts into the skin like an oil, and the hydration you get will last all day long.
14
Best For Inflamed Skin
Krave Beauty Great Body Relief
14
Best For Inflamed Skin
Krave Beauty Great Body Relief
Pros
- Calming
Cons
- May not be suited for extremely dry skin
Krave Beauty’s Great Barrier Relief serum is a bestseller for a reason. While the serum helps repair your face’s skin barrier, the lotion does the same for your body. Whether you’ve experienced a bad reaction to wax or you scraped a little too hard with a scrub, this lotion will help strengthen and repair your body.
15
Best Everyday Lotion
Athena Club Dewy Body Lotion
15
Best Everyday Lotion
Athena Club Dewy Body Lotion
Now 68% Off
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- May not be suited for extremely dry skin
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, easy everyday lotion that’s easy on your wallet and perfect for regular-t0-dry skin, look no further. This cream hydrates after showers without leaving your skin feeling sticky or greasy all night long.
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16
Best For Dull Skin
Drunk Elephant Sili™ Body Lotion
16
Best For Dull Skin
Drunk Elephant Sili™ Body Lotion
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some dislike the scent
Bodies need T.L.C. just as much as our faces do. This lotion from Drunk Elephant packs in antioxidants along with hydrating ingredients like marula butter, ceramides, and shea butter to moisturize and brighten dull skin, all in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula.
17
Best For Eczema-Prone Skin
Eucerin Intensive Repair Body Lotion
17
Best For Eczema-Prone Skin
Eucerin Intensive Repair Body Lotion
Pros
- Gentle
Cons
- Can leave a film on skin
For extremely dry and sensitive skin, Eucerin is a classic and a must-have. It can be used on everything from cracked cuticles to eczema flare-ups, thanks to being formulated with no fragrance and no dyes.
18
Best For Pregnancy
Mutha Body Butter
18
Best For Pregnancy
Mutha Body Butter
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Pricey
Created by Hope Smith to nourish her skin and reduce stretch marks during her pregnancy, the resulting body butter is a rich, ultra-hydrating lotion that’s perfect for anyone who’s expecting. Plus, a portion of all sales go to International Medical Corps, which helps deliver babies safely.
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Meet the Expert
Dr. Karan Lal, Dermatologist
What’s the different between a body cream, a lotion, body butter, etc?
“This is a must know!” says Dr. Lal. “Creams are a blend of oil and water, with equal parts of oil and water. After ointments they are the best form of moisturizers. Lotions are also a blend of water and oil but with disproportionately more water than oil. Body butters are made from raw fats such as shea butter, cocoa butter. They are not full of water and thus are great for people with dry, flaky skin that is void of oils. Any of the above can be moisturizers. Moisturizer is a broad term and just applies to a skincare product that provides hydration.”
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst’s Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She’s a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
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