Body
Felicity Ingram
Once regarded as a chore, a body skincare routine is now considered an enjoyable – and effective – wellbeing ritual. The best body lotions house all manner of active skincare ingredients and, despite being a bit of a faff to apply (there’s a lot more surface area to cover than with the face), they work hard to ensure we are as lustrous of limb as we should hope to be, year-round.
Shop Vogue’s pick of the best body lotions at a glance:
Since it’s winter and the freezing weather can leave skin feeling stripped, it’s time to get acquainted with the best body moisturisers to address dryness, dullness and uneven skin tone, while delivering that glowy radiance we all yearn for at this time of year.
In this article:
How often should you moisturise your body?
Depending on your skin and its needs, most experts recommend moisturising the body once daily – preferably after a bath or shower to lock hydration in. Of course, that might differ based on how dry your skin is, so pay close attention to how it looks and feels and adjust accordingly. Those with eczema-prone skin should take advice from the doctor to ensure they are using the correct creams at the right frequency. Lazy? See it as a mindful self-care ritual to begin or end the day.
Should you moisturise your whole body?
Yes. Some areas will be drier than others, so pay more attention to them. Think the knees, elbows, heels, feet and hands – especially as we’re now using hand sanitiser more often. While many of us inevitably spend a lot of time on our facial skincare, we rarely take it beneath the neck, so ensure all those areas below it are covered for healthy-looking skin all over.
What is the best body lotion?
There is a wealth to choose from. While some help resurface the skin thanks to AHAs in the formula, or help with keratosis pilaris as per Ameloriate’s Transforming Body Lotion, others are intensely nourishing and deliver long-lasting hydration to the skin – you will love La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Moisturising Body Balm for that. The cult Kiehl’s Crème de Corps is still as brilliant as ever, not to mention Fenty Skin’s body cream, a quick route to legs as luminous as Rihanna’s. Whatever effect you want, look no further than British Vogue’s tried-and-tested edit of the best body moisturisers to buy now.
Best body lotion for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Moisturising Body Balm AP+M
La Roche-Posay
Lipikar Moisturising Body Balm AP+M
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Ultra gentle and perfect for those who suffer from irritated, itchy, sensitive or eczema-prone skin, this formula contains niacinamide, shea butter and glycerin and locks in hydration for 48 hours.
Best body lotion with retinol: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
Naturium
Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Retinol can leave skin dry and flaky, which is why it works best when paired with soothing ingredients. This fragrance-free cream offers just that with a blend of allantoin, shea butter, and sodium PCA, which work together to calm redness and bolster the moisture barrier. Better yet, it’s even been carefully formulated to be at a slightly acidic pH that doesn’t disturb the skin.
- Key ingredients: Allantoin, shea butter, sodium PCA
- Retinol concentration: Not listed
Best body lotion for lifting: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Body Cream
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte’s Magic Body Cream
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Charlotte Tilbury’s special Algaktiv Uplift technology is one of the secrets behind her cult-classic Magic Cream, a celebrity-approved moisturiser that smells like roses and makes the skin look just as dewy and fresh. The skin-lifting technology is infused in the brand’s body lotion, which also contains firming caffeine and hyaluronic acid. The multitasking product, which slides on with a rich, silky feel, can also be used as a hand cream or cellulite treatment. What’s more, it’s dermatologist-approved. Marissa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, previously told Vogue: “This helps brighten the skin and leave it glowing.”
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, caffeine, Algaktiv Uplift
- Editor’s experience: “I had to eke out the last few drops to test this for this story. It’s just one of those incredible products that’s not only a sensorial treat; it actually works. It leaves my skin feeling soft, looking smooth, and defying winter dullness with a subtle luminosity. You can see why I go through tube after tube.” — Jenny Berg, contributor
- Best for: Lifting, firming, brightening
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Luxurious texture
- Radiant finish
Cons
- May be too thick for oily skin
Best lightweight body lotion: Kiehl’s Creme De Corps
Kiehl’s
Creme De Corps
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: There’s a reason this formula is a cult classic. With cocoa butter, beta-carotene and squalane, it moisturises skin without being too heavy, plus it sinks in quickly.
Best body lotion for luminous limbs: Glossier Body Hero Perfecting Cream
Glossier
Body Hero Daily Perfecting Lotion
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: You shop at Glossier for dewy skin, and that’s exactly what their Body Hero cream provides. Glazing skin with a blend of plant extracts and light-reflecting particles, this rich cream leaves your body glistening and deeply hydrated. Perfect on the collarbones before a special occasion, it has a fresh neroli scent that keeps your body smelling as good as it looks.
Best body lotion for keratosis pilaris: Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion
Ameliorate
Transforming Body Lotion
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Commit to using this body moisturiser daily, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of AHA lactic acid, which helps loosen follicle-clogging dead skin cells while hydrating. In clinical trials, 80 per cent of keratosis pilaris sufferers saw a marked improvement in four weeks.
Best unscented body lotion: Nécessaire The Body Lotion Fragrance Free
Necessaire
The Body Lotion Fragrance Free
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you’re looking for a lotion that helps nourish skin without greasiness, this Nécessaire multi-vitamin moisturiser is the one to go for. The vitamin C and E-enriched formula, also containing skin-strengthening niacinamide, brings the best of skincare into a light-yet-effective body lotion. Vegan, cruelty-free and packaged in 85 per cent post-consumer recycled paperboard – an all-round winner.
Best body lotion with ceramides: Dove DermaSeries Replenishing Body Lotion
Dove
Pro-Ceramide + Hydration Body Serum
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Made with very dry skin in mind, the DermaSeries range by Dove works with your skin to help build your skin's natural barrier from within. This is no one-size-fits-all formula. Their unique Ceramide Activation System helps your skin create hundreds of ceramides unique to your skin needs that go below the surface to reduce water-loss, keep skin plump and hydrated for longer.
Best soothing body lotion: Fresh Milk Body Lotion
Fresh
Milk Body Lotion
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: A hydrating moisturiser made to be applied at any time of the day. The lightweight and pyjama-proof formula keeps skin silky-smooth, without clinging to clothing. This velvety plant-based lotion is made with soothing centella milk, cocooning rice milk and fortifying linseed milk – a drink for parched skin.
Best body lotion for smoothing: CeraVe Smoothing Cream
CeraVe
Smoothing Cream
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Consider this body moisturiser your quick ticket to removing all the dulling skin cells that are languishing on your limbs right now. It contains salicylic and lactic acids to gently exfoliate, while ceramides keep the all-important skin barrier intact.
Best body lotion for ageing skin: Augustinus Bader The Body Cream
Augustinus Bader
The Body Cream
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Within this big blue tube is a very clever formula which harnesses the powers of Augustinus Bader’s famous TFC8 complex, which is also found in its cult facial moisturiser. What it does is tell skin cells to get into rejuvenation mode, making this a great formula for those wanting to address laxity, tone or texture.
Best body lotion for glowing skin: Fenty Skin Butta Drop Shimmering Whipped Oil Body Cream
Fenty Beauty
Butta Drop Shimmering Whipped Oil Body Cream
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: True to its name, this new body formula is wonderfully whipped and cocoons the body in its nourishing ingredients, from glycerin to a number of oils and vitamin C-packed cherry extract.
Best luxury body moisturiser: Sisley Black Rose Beautifying Emulsion
Sisley
Black Rose Beautifying Emulsion
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: As much a joy to apply as the brand’s Black Rose face mask and moisturiser, the body offering is packed full of the good stuff – from the aforementioned black rose to camelina oil and white ginger. Expect your body to radiate good health after use.
Best body moisturiser for extremely dry skin: Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Spray
Eucerin
Aquaphor Soothing Skin Spray
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: It may not be the best-looking moisturiser out there, but this Eucerin number really does the trick. Not only does the spray applicator make it really easy to apply, but the glycerin- and panthenol-rich, fragrance-free formula also helps hydrate and protect the skin.
Best-smelling body lotions
Best firming body lotion: Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Sol de Janeiro
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Inspired by Brazil’s appreciation for pert behinds, this formula blends Guaraná extract with Brazil nut and a selection of oils, antioxidants and fatty acids to leave skin firm and tight. What’s more, its buttery formula scents the skin with delicious nutty notes – we’ve used it in the morning and had compliments and questions follow all day long.
Best body moisturiser for long-lasting hydration: The Body Shop Body Butter
The Body Shop
Body Butter
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Promising 96 hours of hydration, the relaunched body butters from The Body Shop still smell as good as they always did. Plus, 97 per cent of the ingredients are natural.
Best for a natural fragrance: Dior Jasmin Des Anges Body Cream
Dior
Jasmin Des Anges Body Cream
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Light yet nourishing, the emollient meadowfoam in this formula works to lock in moisture, whilst the fatty acid-rich jojoba oil softens. A tribute to late summer, the fruity-floral fragrance in Dior’s Jasmin Des Anges makes applying this delicately perfumed body cream an experience in itself.
Best scented body lotion: Byredo Bal D’Afrique
BYREDO
Bal D’Afrique
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: There’s nothing like a veil of scent over one’s body – and the best way to do that is with one of Byredo’s beautifully silky lotions. Expect to smell wonderful.
Best body lotion for hot weather: Summer Fridays Summer Silk Nourishing Body Lotion
Summer Fridays
Summer Silk Nourishing Body Lotion
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: When temperatures are hot, an ultra-light and non-greasy moisturiser is required. This is a brilliant new one: it smells like holidays, is packed full of ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier, and hydrates without being too heavy.
Best body lotion with sun protection: Coola SPF30 Tropical Coconut Lotion
Coola
SPF30 Tropical Coconut Lotion
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: Jetting off for some winter sun? Coola’s lotion is a must-add to your packing list, not least because it provides broad-spectrum sun protection that’s coral-safe. The aloe vera-based formula blends like a dream with zero greasiness or white cast, and to top it off, it’s been enriched with antioxidants for healthy, protected skin. Laced with the scent of the tropics (think: coconuts, marine notes and refreshing fruity facets) it’s a great SPF for a slice of summer all year round. We love it as a layer of defence over our retinol body lotions: it doesn’t pill and provides lasting protection thanks to its time-released oleosome technology.
Best fuss-free body lotion: Rituals The Ritual of Mehr Body Mousse to Oil
Rituals
The Ritual of Mehr Body Mousse to Oil
- Why it’s Vogue-approved: If you tend to get ready in a rush and don’t want to skip out on moisturised limbs, you’ll love this option from Rituals. The aerated lotion quickly transforms lacklustre skin, absorbing without effort or excessive lathering and locking in hydration under a layer of fragrant oil. Infused with glycerin (a humectant that attracts and retains moisture), citrus and cedarwood essential oils, it leaves skin soft and delightfully scented all day long.