In case your physique care routine consists of lathering up within the bathe and throwing on some deodorant earlier than slipping into your garments, you’re lacking an important step. Getting within the behavior of moisturizing throughout (not simply in your face) is a straightforward manner to ensure your pores and skin stays wholesome and hydrated; it additionally protects your pores and skin barrier, a layer of cells that blocks probably damaging irritants.
One of the best physique lotion or cream is the one you’ll really sit up for making use of—as a result of for those who hate slathering your self in it, you in all probability gained’t. “I like to think about it self-care. You need to decide a product you want that makes your pores and skin really feel hydrated and soothed,” Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD, the founding father of Houshmand Dermatology in Dallas, tells SELF.
To discover a moisturizer you’ll like, the very first thing you wish to take into consideration is its consistency. Lotions are sometimes higher for dry or delicate pores and skin varieties, since they comprise extra oil and have a thicker texture that basically seals in moisture. However for those who don’t want the additional moisture increase, you may desire a lotion as a result of they comprise much less oil and often really feel lighter.
Sure physique lotions and lotions are additionally formulated to handle particular pores and skin considerations. Some function calming components to alleviate itching, whereas others are extra exfoliating to easy texture. It doesn’t matter what your purpose is, we discovered a bunch of choices that may assist. All of our picks are dermatologist-approved, and a few have even gained our Wholesome Magnificence Awards—so we’re assured they’re the perfect of the perfect.
Our high picks
- Finest Total: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Every day Restore Moisturizing Lotion
- Finest Price range: EOS 24H Moisture Perfume Free Physique Lotion
- Finest Splurge: Nécessaire The Physique Lotion
- Finest for Dry Pores and skin: Curél Extremely Extremely Therapeutic Lotion
- Finest for Itchy Pores and skin: Sarna Calm + Cool Anti-Itch Lotion
- Finest for Anti-aging: Versed Press Restart Retinol Physique Lotion
- Finest for Darkish Spots: Vaseline Radiant X Even Tone Nourishing Physique Lotion
- Finest for Smoothing: Sol de Janiero Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
- Finest for Eczema: Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Soothing Moisturizer
- Finest for Bumpy Pores and skin: AmLactin Intensive Therapeutic Physique Lotion
- Finest for Delicate Pores and skin: Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion
- Finest Light-weight: Uncommon Magnificence Discover Consolation Hydrating Physique
FAQs
What must you search for in a physique moisturizer?
Skincare can get sophisticated, so we requested dermatologists which components it is best to think about as you store for a physique lotion or cream—right here’s the breakdown.
Components
All moisturizers are made with some mixture of hydrating, nourishing components. Beneath are a couple of key gamers to be careful for, plus the advantages they provide.
- Humectants entice water into your pores and skin to keep up hydration, Isha Tiernan, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Tufts Medical Heart in Boston, tells SELF. Some widespread examples embody glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which might maintain as much as 1,000 instances its weight in H2O.
- Emollients, like ceramides, urea, or squalane, soften your pores and skin and shield your pores and skin barrier.
- Occlusives act like a seal over your pores and skin to maintain moisture in and block irritants out. Some value searching for are petrolatum, lanolin, shea butter, jojoba oil, and almond oil.
- To maintain your pores and skin easy and shiny, test for exfoliants, like salicylic, glycolic, or lactic acids.
Texture
A significant distinction between physique lotions and physique lotions is the feel, or how the product feels and absorbs into your pores and skin. Lotions typically have extra water in them than oil, which provides them a lighter, silkier consistency. “They soak up shortly and supply hydration with out feeling heavy,” Dr. Garshick says. Lotions comprise extra oil and have a thicker texture that basically locks in moisture. They’re higher for individuals with dry or delicate pores and skin varieties, whose moisture barrier tends to be compromised typically.
How must you apply physique moisturizer?
Intention to moisturize your pores and skin not less than as soon as a day—the perfect time to use is after a bathe. “I typically suggest patting the physique [with a towel] after which making use of the cream or lotion straight onto damp pores and skin. It’s simpler to use this fashion and locks within the moisture higher,” Dr. Tiernan says. When you have eczema or very dry pores and skin, you may wish to apply moisturizer twice a day—morning and night time—to maintain your pores and skin hydrated.
However right here’s the factor: We all know that physique lotion offers some individuals the ick (together with SELF’s personal commerce director). Somewhat than skip this step fully, we suggest you begin by including it to your everything-shower routine and dealing as much as that derm-recommended a few times per day.
Can you employ physique lotion or cream in your face?
It relies upon. The pores and skin in your face is thinner and extra delicate than the pores and skin in your physique, Dr. Houshmand says. Many physique moisturizers typically comprise heavier components, like occlusives, that may trigger irritation, clog your pores, and trigger pimples in your face. That mentioned, a lighter, thinner physique lotion that’s fragrance-free may very well be superb to make use of in your face, Dr. Houshmand provides—simply make sure to do a patch take a look at first.
Finest Total: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Every day Restore Moisturizing Lotion
Professionals
- Light-weight texture
- Tremendous creamy, fragrance-free
- Amazon reviewers say it takes a very long time to soak up
Cons
- Amazon reviewers say it takes a very long time to soak up
SELF editors and dermatologists we spoke to all praised this drugstore lotion: “My fancy lotions and oils are nice however too costly for every day use, and my moisturizers with added perfume generally irritate delicate areas of my pores and skin (like my boobs, higher chest, and neck). Shopping for this was a delicate reminder that generally drugstore skincare merchandise are the perfect skincare merchandise,” one editor says. Plus, “it has an incredible, creamy really feel that hydrates and leaves pores and skin easy and mushy,” Dr. Gohara says. “Melanin-rich pores and skin has much less ceramides, leaving our pores and skin extra prone to turn out to be dry, and Lipikar is loaded with ceramides, shea butter, and niacinamide—an ideal mix of barrier supporting components.”
Dimension: 13.5 fl oz | Different notable components: Prebiotic thermal spring water, glycerin, mineral oil, grape seed oil, dimethicone
Finest Price range: EOS 24H Moisture Perfume Free Physique Lotion
Professionals
- Leaves pores and skin feeling mushy
- Absorbs shortly
- Perfume-free
- Amazon reviewers say the pump doesn’t work
Cons
- Amazon reviewers say the pump doesn’t work
This 2024 Wholesome Magnificence Award winner left one tester asking, “the place have you ever been all my life?” Its light-weight method soaks into the pores and skin tremendous quick, for a silky easy feeling that lasts all day. “This product is the GOAT. I’m delicate to every little thing and allergic to perfume however with this, I can’t recover from how mushy my pores and skin feels.” our tester went on to say. Its secret? Moisturizing components like glycerin, shea butter, and shea and mineral oils.
Dimension: 16 fl oz | Different notable components: Dimethicone, isopropyl palmitate (an emollient), petrolatum (an occlusive)
Finest Splurge: Nécessaire The Physique Lotion
Professionals
- Accessible in fragrance-free and scented variations
- Incorporates peptides to guard and plump pores and skin
- Some Amazon reviewers suppose it’s too light-weight
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers suppose it’s too light-weight
Gabriella Vasile, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and proprietor of Réforme Dermatology and Aesthetics in Charleston, South Carolina, tells SELF that she’s been loving this Nécessaire lotion currently. “It has niacinamide, so it’s soothing and anti inflammatory, and ceramides and hyaluronic acid, [which are] good for hydration,” she says.
Its pump bottle is handy (learn: your lotioned-up palms gained’t must fumble with a screw-cap), and we love that it is available in earthy scents in addition to a fragrance-free model for delicate pores and skin. “My pores and skin is so mushy now, I really feel like a distinct individual,” one pleased Amazon reviewer wrote.
Dimension: 15.2 fl oz | Different notable components: Peptides, jojoba seed oil, shea butter
Finest for Dry Pores and skin: Curél Extremely Therapeutic Lotion
Professionals
- Soothing for additional dry pores and skin
- Perfume-free
- Some Amazon reviewers say it’s too greasy
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers say it’s too greasy
“[This lotion] is fabulous for dry pores and skin,” Blair Murphy Rose, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and the founding father of Skincare Junkie, tells SELF. “It looks as if it repairs pores and skin like no different moisturizer. I’ve really useful this to many, many sufferers and I typically give out samples of it as a result of it’s simply that good.”
It’s a petrolatum-based moisturizer that makes use of glycerin, ceramides, and ldl cholesterol to hydrate and reinforce the pores and skin barrier, together with oats to appease irritation. “It helps help the pores and skin barrier and locks in moisture very successfully,” Dr. Murphy Rose says.
Dimension: 2.5, 6, 13, and 20 fl oz | Different notable components: Moisturizing dimethicone
Finest for Itchy Pores and skin: Sarna Calm + Cool Anti-Itch Lotion
Professionals
- Feels cool on the pores and skin
- Calms itchiness
- Perfume-free
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers have points with the pump
This lotion’s itch-relieving powers are because of a topical anesthetic known as pramoxine hydrochloride, which is equally efficient for eczema and bug bites. Whereas that will get to work, the menthol on this method supplies an prompt cooling impact that’ll really feel good after a scorching bathe.
“It’s very calming for the pores and skin and an important non-greasy possibility,” Dr. Houshmand says, including that it’s accepted by the Nationwide Eczema Affiliation. It’s additionally a 2024 Wholesome Magnificence Awards favourite: “Not like different anti-itch lotions I’ve used, this one doesn’t go away an unpleasantly sticky movie in your physique,” one tester mentioned. “I typically use this one earlier than going to mattress, and I get up feeling refreshed.”
Dimension: 7.5 fl oz | Different notable components: Soothing aloe, anti-inflammatory witch hazel
Finest Antiaging: Versed Press Restart Retinol Physique Lotion
Professionals
- Prevents superb traces and wrinkles
- Perfume-free
- Vegan method
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers say it’s arduous to rub in
This workhorse from Versed makes use of retinol to forestall superb traces and wrinkles from forming by boosting collagen and elastin, Dr. Murphy Rose says. It’s good at treating and stopping “the laxity that comes over time with age and solar publicity,” she provides. As a bonus, retinol can even stop physique pimples by exfoliating the pores and skin to maintain pores unclogged.
Professional tip: Begin off through the use of it a few times every week and, in case your pores and skin tolerates it properly, growing to every day use from there. The pores and skin in your physique is thicker and extra resilient, however “similar to with any new product, it’s at all times good to start out gradual and possibly strive it on a take a look at spot at first to be sure to’re not having some important irritation,” Dr. Murphy Rose says.
Dimension: 6 fl oz | Different notable components: Moisturizing cocoa butter and squalene
Finest for Darkish Spots: Vaseline Radiant X Even Tone Nourishing Physique Lotion
Professionals
- Brightens pores and skin
- Smooths texture
- Delicate scent
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers say it feels sticky
If many exfoliants are somewhat too harsh on your pores and skin, you’ll be able to nonetheless get a brightening impact with this 2024 Wholesome Magnificence Award–successful lotion, because of its star ingredient: niacinamide. A type of vitamin B3, niacinamide can handle considerations like uneven pores and skin tone (together with hyperpigmentation spots), superb traces and wrinkles, and lack of elasticity.