The best body lotions and moisturisers for parched skin
Indulge in top-to-toe TLC with hydrating body lotions to combat dry skin
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
In recent years, as schedules filled with Zoom calls and we were all forced to spend more time than ever staring at our own reflections, the popularity of skincare has boomed. Once limited to a cleanser and moisturiser, skincare has evolved into a multistep ritual with a myriad of products and ingredients all promising refreshed and rejuvenated complexions. But are you directing the same effort into your body? We thought not. The skin on your body deserves just as much TLC as your face, if not more, so trust us when we say it is crucial to invest in a quality body lotion.
No one likes scaly legs or dry arms. And while most of us usually stick to a quick rub of lotion on a cracked heel or ashy knee, consistent moisturisation on your whole body can completely change the game. Not to mention, signs of ageing on the body sneak in faster than the face, and body lotions can help your skin retain elasticity and look younger for longer.
When should I apply body lotion?
Ideally, you should apply body lotion once a day and the best time to do this is right after a shower. This is because the warmth and steam of a shower opens pores leaving damp skin blotted dry with a towel primed to absorb moisture and lock it in for the day. If your shower routine includes shaving or exfoliating, it is even more essential to soothe the top layer of the skin with some additional hydration.
What makes a good body lotion?
A good body lotion should be hydrating. But, while that may sound simple, looking for moisturisers with a few key ingredients can help your moisturiser go the extra mile. Body lotions containing AHAs, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and even retinol can help replenish the skin and boost collagen for youthful and glowing skin.
Whether you’re looking for lasting moisturisation, added sheen, or hoping to soothe a dermatological problem like eczema, here’s our edit of the best body lotions and moisturisers to buy now.
La Mer Body Crème
If it’s intensive moisturisation you’re after, look to La Mer’s body crème. Made using a rare blue algae treated with the brand’s signature bio-fermentation process, the formula restores even the smallest cracks that may develop on dry and dehydrated skin. Apply consistently for firm and hydrated limbs.
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps
Lightweight and highly effective, there’s a reason the popularity of Kiehl’s Creme de Corps has persisted since it was first introduced in the 1980s. It is packed with nourishing ingredients like cocoa butter, olive-derived squalene, and beta-carotene that blend together in a lightweight and highly effective formula. This non-greasy body lotion is sure to be a favourite from the first use.
Aesop rejuvenate intensive body balm
True to its name, Aesop’s rejuvenate intensive body balm is deeply hydrating. Characterised by its unique woody vanilla aroma, this moisturising balm is crafted with macadamia nut and sandalwood oils to quench parched skin. You’ll want to cloak yourself in this hydrating formula all winter.
Dior Sakura hydrating lotion
Dior’s Sakura hand and body lotion is a treat for your skin and nose. With subtle floral notes of Japanese cherry blossom, this scented formula is crafted with 93 per cent natural ingredients that promise to be gentle on the skin. Combine the lightweight lotion with Dior’s Sakura hand and body soap to add a spring-time olfactory experience to your everyday wellness ritual.
Byredo De Los Santos body lotion
Another intriguing scented addition to the list, Byredo’s De Los Santos body lotion boasts a deep musky scent with notes of clary sage, incense and amber. The rich cream is grounded in shea butter and is a vegan formula, making it healthy for you and the planet.
La-Roche Posay Lipikar Balm
A fail-safe formula from cult-favourite French pharmacy brand La-Roche Posay, this creamy moisturiser is perfect for heavy-duty moisturisation. The thick lotion is packed with hero ingredients like glycerin and shea butter for hydration and niacinamide to help restore and replenish the skin barrier. Its sensitive-skin-friendly composition means it’s great for those with eczema-prone skin. Use throughout the colder months for supple, healthy skin.
Fenty Beauty Butta Drop whipped oil body cream
Cop Rihanna’s luminescent skin with Fenty Beauty’s Butta Drop body lotion. Cruelty-free and vegan, it contains a blend of seven essential oils and antioxidant-rich Barbados Cherry Glycerin to help renew and replenish the skin. The non-stick formula is also infused with a lush floral scent and comes in refillable packaging.
Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning body lotion
Cocoon yourself in the distinctly delicate scent of Maison Margiela’s Replica Lazy Sunday Morning scent with this nourishing body lotion. A blend of hydration agents, shea butter, colza oil, and glycerin, this quick-absorb formula is sure to leave your skin silky smooth.
Augustinus Bader body cream
Turning sci-fi beauty dreams into reality, Augustinus Bader’s miracle formula activates the body’s own stem cells to renew and regenerate. Infused with the brand’s patented Trigger Factor Complex technology, the lotion also includes shea butter and Brazilian candeia oil. Apart from offering lasting hydration and supporting cell renewal, the lotion also helps reduce the appearance of pigmentation and cellulite. This superstar formula is definitely a must-have.
Dr. Barbara Sturm anti-ageing body cream
As any skincare fanatic will tell you, you can’t go wrong with chemist-turned-beauty guru Dr. Barbara Sturm’s formulas, and this velvety-smooth anti-ageing body cream is no different. Infused with pure glacier water, white almond and elderberry blossom extracts, and purslane, the lotion moisturises the skin while also reducing visible signs of ageing.
Sisley Paris Phytobuste + Décolleté
Signs of ageing in the body often start with the décolletage. Sisley Paris’ Phytobuste + Décolleté lotion targets the skin around the chest area to combat visible signs of ageing. Crafted with the brand’s signature Phyto-Complex which enhances the skin’s elasticity, the formula also includes oat seed extract, shea butter, sunflower oil and plant-based glycerin. Use this non-greasy lotion daily for smooth, sculpted and supple skin.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum cream
Beloved by Gen Z, Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum cream is all about ensuring a supple and pert behind. Enriched with guaraná extract, cupuaçu butter, acai, and coconut oil, this formula leaves skin firm and smooth. Reach for this bright yellow tub to look your best on the beach all summer.
Read more: The best vegan beauty brands
