If you have itchy or dry skin, a soothing body lotion may alleviate discomfort. Plus, a consistent moisturizing routine can help keep your skin healthy.
The benefits of a good lotion extend beyond its ability to soften your skin: It’s important to help lock in moisture and support the skin barrier, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. “An impaired barrier will leave the skin more vulnerable to damage, dryness, irritation, inflammation and infection,” she says.
I spoke to dermatologists about the importance of moisturizing, what to look for in a quality body lotion (including ingredients) and which lotions you should use based on your skin type. I also gathered some expert-recommended lotions to consider, as well as options NBC Select staffers have tried and loved.
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Best for skin barrier repair
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizer Cream
$22.99
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How I picked the best body lotions for dry skin
When shopping for a body lotion, our experts recommend considering the following factors:
- Ingredients: Look for humectants like hyaluronic acid that attract water from the environment to hydrate the skin. Emollients like ceramides help improve the skin’s texture, while occlusives like petrolatum hold onto moisture and prevent the skin from drying out, according to our experts.
- Skin type: Consider a body lotion that fits your specific skin type. If you have very dry skin, look for rich creams because they’re formulated with more hydrating oils, experts told us. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid fragrances and other potential irritants like dyes, while those with oily and acne-prone skin should consider lightweight, noncomedogenic moisturizers.
- Price: While there are nice lotions that are on the pricier side, many of the ones below are available for less than $20.
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The best body lotions for dry skin in 2025
With this expert guidance in mind, I rounded up a handful of dermatologist-recommended lotions and creams, plus ones NBC Select staff have tried, to help your dry skin heal.
Best overall
This NBC Select Wellness Award winner, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to heal dry skin, comes recommended by Dr. Shoshana Marmon, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at New York Medical College. Former NBC Select managing editor Leah Ginsberg also swears by it: “The two things I love most are its soft texture and I notice more of a moisturizing effect on my skin that lasts longer compared to other creams I’ve used and definitely more than when I use lotions,” she says. Ginsberg also appreciates that it doesn’t have a strong scent or a hefty price tag.
Best for skin barrier repair
“I’ve been using La Roche-Posay products for years and love their gentle scent and the fact that they’re lightweight, providing deep moisture without leaving behind a greasy residue,” says former NBC Select editor Christina Colizza. The moisturizer is also a favorite of Marmon’s because it is formulated with ceramides, shea butter, glycerin and niacinamide.
Best for very dry skin
This highly rated body lotion helps keep skin moisturized for up to 48 hours, according to the brand. The formula relies on ceramides, an emollient our experts recommend, to hydrate the skin and prevent dryness. Eucerin’s Advanced Repair Body Lotion is also fragrance-free.
Best cream
Although this NBC Select Wellness Award winner has a thicker consistency than your typical lotion, it leaves skin soft and hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy, in our experience. “The hydration I got from the lotion lasted all day, and I didn’t feel like I needed to reapply it all the time,” says former NBC Page Alexa Casanueva. Suitable for all skin types, this noncomedogenic moisturizer also has a subtle coconut scent.
Best long-lasting
“This lotion makes my skin really soft after using it. With most body creams, I end up having to wash my hands after applying because of the greasy, sticky feeling it leaves on my skin, but this is not the case with Hempz,” says NBC Select editorial operations associate Jem Alabi. “The scent is really nice and natural, and it lasts for a long time.” It has hemp seed oil and shea butter to provide up to 48 hours of hydration, according to the brand.
Best for eczema
Vanicream is by no means a new, splashy brand, but it’s a stalwart in the world of skin and hair care and comes recommended by Marmon. Out of all my body lotions, this is a standout because it gives me more moisture than any of the other ones I’ve tried and doesn’t cause any eczema flare-ups. In fact, it actually helps treat my eczema and soothes any itchy, dry, red patches. If you prefer a thicker consistency, consider the cream version, which I also use daily, if not weekly.
Best exfoliating
Marmon also recommends Amlactin’s moisturizer for dry skin. It’s formulated without parabens or fragrances and relies on humectants like glycerin to hydrate the skin. Also, the lotion contains 12% lactic acid, which the brand says is both a powerful humectant and gentle exfoliant that can relieve skin issues like keratosis pilaris.
Best for sensitive skin
King also recommends this option from Vaseline, which contains humectants (like glycerin) to hydrate the skin, emollients( like shea butter and sunflower seed oil) to support the skin barrier and occlusives (like petrolatum) to lock in moisture. It’s formula also includes colloidal oatmeal, which helps to soothe and protect the skin, she says.
Best multitasking lotion
This body lotion combines key hydrating ingredients like shea butter to help improve tone and texture and protect and moisturize the skin, according to the brand. It’s the perfect all-in-one cream, in my opinion. I see and feel a difference in how my skin looks, but I also love how fast-absorbing it is, and despite its lightweight feel, I feel like my skin is hydrated from morning to night.
Best fragrance-free
When it comes to treating her itchy, dry, and sensitive skin, NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin reaches for this lotion. “I apply this hydrating cream whenever I start to feel uncomfortable, and it soothes my skin,” she says. “The skin on my legs tends to get dry and cracked in the winter, and if I use this before I go to bed, it’s significantly more moisturized in the morning.”
Editor’s pick
2024 was one of the worst years for my eczema, and since then, this cream has kept my skin moisturized and soothed. Made for dry or sensitive skin or those who live in colder areas and need intense moisture, this cream uses ingredients like squalane and ceramides to repair and strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate and lock in moisture, according to the brand. My skin feels more comfortable and less tight, appears way less dry, and any cracks I have are reduced overnight. I cannot recommend this body moisturizer enough.
Best splurge
This is a body butter you don’t have to stop using in the summer because it’s nourishing without being heavy or greasy, says NBC Select senior editor Nikki Brown. The moisturizer focuses on improving dry and damaged skin and increasing firmness and tightness, according to the brand. “A little goes a long way, which is always nice when you don’t want to sacrifice a huge chunk of money for quality products,” says Brown.
Best for acne-prone skin
NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz is a fan of Cetaphil’s lotion as both a body and face moisturizer. “It’s totally unscented, it comes in a large, affordable bottle, and I’ve seen it recommended by many dermatologists,” he says. Cetaphil is formulated with hydrating glycerin and is noncomedogenic, meaning it shouldn’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
Best packaging
It took me forever to find a moisturizer that worked for everyone in my family until I tried this one. My younger brothers (both under the age of 10) swear lotions make them itchy and their skin uncomfortable, but this is the first one they haven’t complained about and don’t mind applying. It’s not too thick or thin, has a subtle scent that doesn’t cause any irritation on all our skin types and is super fast absorbing.
Best firming
This moisturizing, eucalyptus-scented body lotion has five peptides in its formula to help regulate cellular activity for improved skin health. These peptides also focus on firming and strengthening the skin, according to the brand.
“This body cream’s eucalyptus scent is present but not overpowering, and it reminds me of the cream a spa would use for an aromatherapy massage,” says Malin, who is cautious about fragrances in her lotion because she has sensitive skin. “I apply it post-shower to lock moisture into my skin, and while it takes a little blending to fully absorb, it’s lightweight and doesn’t leave behind a greasy residue.” This lotion is available in three additional fragrances (Santal, Olibanum and Hinoki) and a fragrance-free option, which has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance.
Best for dry, cracked skin
This Curél body lotion is fragrance-free and specifically targets extra dry, tight skin, according to the brand. It has hydrating ingredients like ceramides, shea butter and oatmeal that lock in moisture for up to 24 hours, according to the brand.
Best non-greasy lotion
This Summer Fridays body lotion, another NBC Select Wellness Award winner, combines humectants, emollients and occlusives like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin and natural oils to hydrate and soften the skin, according to the brand. The lotion, which has a coconut, vanilla and almond scent, is in constant rotation for former NBC page Mikhaila Archer because it has a great texture that doesn’t feel too thin or thick on her skin, she says.
Most lightweight
Former NBC Page Hannah Fuechtman reaches for Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Lotion to moisturize her dry skin during the winter. “I have incredibly dry skin, especially when the cold weather hits, and this is one of the only lotions that protects my skin,” she says. “I love how this lightweight, fragrance-free formula goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave my skin feeling sticky.” Illiyoon has products specifically for sensitive skin, so it’s a great pick if you fall into that skin type, too, says Fuechtman.
Best retinol lotion
This body lotion uses an encapsulated retinol complex to improve skin texture, tone and firmness, according to the brand. The silky, fast-absorbing formula also reduces irritation and redness while providing overall moisture and hydration, according to Naturium. The lotion is available in a larger version with pump packaging and is also sold in a bundle.
Best ointment
Not quite a lotion, not quite a cream, but deserving of an honorable mention from Marmon is Aquaphor’s healing ointment. The balm won’t spread across your skin like the other recommendations on this list, but it’s great for spot treating rough patches on your skin and other itchy spots. It also ranks in NBC Select’s guides on how to heal dry, chapped lips and the best hand creams to heal dry skin.
Best scented
Though you should proceed with caution when it comes to heavily-fragranced moisturizers, King uses this Eos lotion and says she’s very happy with it. Plus, it’s packed with humectants, emollients and occlusives like shea butter, glycerin, cocoa seed butter and petrolatum, she says.
Best in-shower lotion
This in-shower body moisturizer is another favorite of Brown, who tested it for our NBC Select Wellness Awards and has repurchased multiple times since. “The application process takes some getting used to because you don’t rub it off — you just let it sit there and allow the shower water to run over,” says Brown. “I love using this after swimming laps when I’m tired and want to just get everything done in the shower. And I’ve gotten many compliments on how soft my skin feels.”
Best for face and body
“I finished a bottle of this moisturizer and quickly bought another because of how pleased I was with it,” says Alabi. “I have very dry skin and wanted to actively treat the scarring and keratosis pilaris on my legs. This lotion made my skin very soft during the winter and definitely brightened up my legs and arms. I even felt comfortable using this on my face, which simplified my skin care routine greatly. The scent is light and pleasant and genuinely feels nice going on the skin compared to other retinol body products I’ve tried. If you are consistent with use, you’ll notice a fabulous difference in your skin health.”
How to shop for body lotion for dry skin
“Moisturizer is a catch-all term for something that hydrates the skin,” says Marmon. Whether a product is sold as a lotion, cream, body butter or a similar product (more on what distinguishes each below), they should contain humectants to hydrate the skin, emollients to support the skin barrier and occlusives to lock in moisture, says King. Some lotions also have additional ingredients for specific concerns, like lactic acid to gently exfoliate rough or bumpy skin, or retinol to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, she says.
- Humectants: “Humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and urea attract water from the environment to increase moisture in the skin,” says Marmon. “They need to be used along with the other components in order to retain the water content,” says King.
- Emollients: Emollients “help in skin barrier function, membrane fluidity and cell signaling leading to overall improvement in skin texture and appearance,” says King. They soothe the skin, filling in any gaps and cracks. Some examples of emollients in moisturizers include squalene, shea butter, fatty acids and ceramides.
- Occlusives: “Occlusives are oils and waxes which form an inert layer on the skin and physically block transepidermal water loss,” says King, meaning they enable the skin to hold onto moisture. Examples include petrolatum (the main ingredient in Vaseline, or Aquaphor, for example), beeswax, mineral oil, silicones, lanolin and zinc oxide. “Balms and ointments are commonly occlusive,” says Marmon.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a lotion and a cream?
Lotions, creams, and body butters are all moisturizing products, but they have different consistencies and properties, says Marmon:
- Lotions are typically water-based, lightweight and “have a thinner consistency that makes them easy to apply and quick to absorb,” says Marmon. They provide lighter hydration and are ideal for normal to oily skin.
- Creams, on the other hand, are richer and are typically formulated with higher oil content, says Marmon. They are “ideal for normal to dry skin and great for aging skin,” notes Marmon, especially during menopause, when lowered estrogen levels can cause the skin to become dryer and thinner.
- Body butters or other balms are often thicker and more concentrated. They typically contain the highest proportion of oil and natural fats and are great for “very dry or rough skin, and areas like the elbows, knees and heels,” says Marmon.
What should you do if you have rosacea or eczema?
If you struggle with skin conditions like rosacea or eczema, King recommends avoiding potentially irritating ingredients like hydroxy acids or retinol. “Stick with good moisturizers that contain humectants, emollients and occlusives,” she says.
Both King and Marmon recommend applying lotions or moisturizers after showering to lock moisture in, but “people with eczema, psoriasis, severely dry skin or other skin barrier issues may need more frequent moisturization,” says Marmon.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Dr. Shoshana Marmon is a board-certified dermatologist in Brooklyn, New York and Assistant Professor at New York Medical College.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter at NBC Select. For this story, she interviewed dermatologists and gathered their recommendations. She also compiled a list of NBC Select staff favorites and researched highly rated body lotions that met expert guidance.
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