29 best body moisturisers and body lotions to hydrate and nourish your skin all year round
Trust us: investing in quality body moisturisers (or body lotions) is definitely worthwhile in the long-term, regardless of the weather outside. In fact, if it isn't already, giving your body the same level of TLC as your face should be a non-negotiable step in your skincare routine. ‘Cos let’s face it, we're all guilty of putting the needs of our faces first. Yet we'd all rather have deliciously soft, silky skin instead of scaly legs and elbows, right?
Most of us are likely to layer up several serums on our face, before we'd think about using a body moisturiser or a body lotion. But, anatomically speaking, your body probably needs your attention even more. The skin on your body has very different requirements to the skin on your face. Not to mention problem areas that might require their very own regime (spotty botty, anyone?). It's worth bearing in mind that the skin on your body has fewer sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands) than on your face, which is why it's not uncommon to have an oily complexion, but dry skin on your legs.
Also, the skin on your body is under wraps for much of the year, meaning many of us have months of neglect to attend to come summer. Sound familiar?
Best body moisturisers at a glance – our top picks:
- Best hydrating body moisturisers: Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion, WAS £24 NOW £19.10, Sephora
- Best tightening body moisturiser: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, £48, LookFantastic
- Best body moisturiser for acne-prone skin: REN AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum, £37, Sephora
- Best affordable body moisturiser: NIVEA Body Lotion for Dry Skin, Rich Nourishing, WAS £6.99 NOW £3.49, Boots
Ideally, we should be topping up our moisture levels whatever the weather, especially if you're fond of hot showers, which are very bad news for hydrated skin. The hotter the temperature, the more water you'll loose to evaporation. And with autumn firmly on the horizon, it's going to be getting ever so tempting to whack up the water temperature, even if we know our skin won't thank us.
While it's tempting to skip straight to wrapping yourself in your dressing gown, the best way to replace lost hydration is to apply your body moisturisers straight away post-shower, while the skin is still slightly damp. Your legs, arms and anywhere else will slurp it up a lot faster. And, with new and improved formulas seeing traditional sticky creams upgraded to lightweight serums, refreshing bath & body gels, in-shower moisturisers and even leave-on exfoliators, you might start to even enjoy the experience.
To help you pick one that will suit you best, we've put together an edit of the very best body moisturisers out there to fit every budget and preference…
Looking to revolutionise your body care and skincare routine? Be sure to check out our guides on the best hand creams, best shower gels and body washes, best anti-ageing creams, best hyaluronic acid serum, best vitamin C serums, best fake tans and the best body scrubs and exfoliators. Plus, take a look at some sun care guides as well, including the best face SPFs and the best sun creams and sunscreens.
For more shoppable makeup, skincare, hair care and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Say buh-bye to dehydrated winter skin.
Discover our edit of the best body moisturisers to slather on for soft, supple skin all over...
Best hydrating body moisturiser
Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion, WAS £24 NOW £19.10, Sephora
Why we love it: For those with dry skin, this is a miracle-worker. It will nourish, hydrate and restore your skin's natural glow. Formulated to gently exfoliate and deeply condition the skin, this body moisturiser is enriched with high-grade ingredients, including lactic acid, almond oil and a unique blend of hydrating components. It also will feel incredibly lightweight upon applying and will absorb super fast too.
Looking for big savings? Check out these Sephora discount codes when shopping for the best body moisturisers.
Best body moisturiser with hyaluronic acid
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream, £5.99, Boots
Why we love it: Humectants such as hyaluronic acid have long been our number one solutions for plumping and hydrating our sorry complexions. And now the amazing ingredient can be found in Neutrogena's humble body moisturiser, so your legs, arms and everything in between can benefit too. Better yet, you'll get 400ml of the product for a price of less than £10. Bargain alert!
Best body moisturiser for tightening
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, £48, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Other than the fact it's fun to say, this bum bum cream has won beauty addicts over with its super hydrating and rich texture that somehow manages to leave no residue. Plus, this body balm contains caffeine to stimulate blood flow and reduce the appearance of cellulite (according to reviews) and a nutty scent that's totally addictive.
Save big when shopping for the best body moisturisers when applying these LookFantastic discount codes at checkout.
Best body moisturiser for acne-prone skin
REN AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum, £37, Sephora
Why we love it: We love AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) for our skincare - but why should it stop with the skin on our face? The re-texturising ingredient is highly effective on the whole body and helps lift away dead skin cells to promote fresh, glowy skin. And, REN have even added some probiotics to boost the skin barrier and leave skin feeling soft and nourished. Perfect for treating skin conditions such as keratosis pilaris (also known as strawberry skin).
Save big when shopping for the best body moisturisers using these Sephora discount codes.
Best body moisturiser for dry skin
Kiehl's Crème de Corps, WAS £54 NOW £43.20, Kiehl's
Why we love it: This cult favourite is enriched with beta-carotene, sesame oil and squalane for an all-over intensive moisturiser that will leave skin soft and smooth and gently scented, thanks to the softening cocoa butter. You’ll see results after just one or two uses.
Best smelling body moisturiser
Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Body Crème, £24, LookFantastic
Why we love it: The ultimate luxury, Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir body cream is soft and velvety, instantly absorbing into skin, leaving a rich scent that will last for hours. Combine with a spritz of the fragrance or one of the brand's dozens of complimentary scents. Think of it as the perfect marriage between skincare and fragrance that is well worth the price. Contains jojoba, sweet almond and cocoa – delicious.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best body moisturisers with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best body moisturiser for sensitive skin
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm Apbiome, £24, LookFantastic
Why we love it: If you're someone who has sensitive or irritated skin, look no further, because this body moisturiser is the one to get. Its gentle and hydrating formula is especially designed to soothe the skin, relieving feelings of itchiness, urge to scratch and general discomfort. It also promises to keep your skin hydrated for up to 48 hours and is perfectly suitable for eczema-prone skin and even babies (that are older than three months).
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best body moisturisers with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best spray body moisturiser
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Express Body Mist, £6.99, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Spray moisturisers are a welcome invention when it's cold out. When you want to go from hot shower to pyjamas faster than the speed of light, this spray nozzle will cover you quickly, hydrating your limbs in a flash. It features a moisturising and nourishing formula that will provide you with instant hydration that promises to last for up to 48 hours. The best part? It doesn't feel sticky or greasy either.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best body moisturisers with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best body moisturiser with glycolic acid
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion, £23, Cult Beauty
Why we love it: Exfoliating? Check. Hydrating? Check. Rich in antioxidants? Check, again. This body moisturiser is enriched with a 10% AHA blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic and citric acids, making it perfect for dry skin. It hasn't got an overwhelming fragrance to it and it also features a cocktail of antioxidant-rich oils and butter and squalane. Exactly what your skin needs all year round.
Save big when shopping for the best body moisturisers with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best body moisturiser for firming
Paula's Choice Daily Replenishing Body Cream, £25, Paula's Choice
Why we love it: With shea butter, anti-oxidants and targeted peptides, this multi-tasking cream has it all to firm, replenish and protect. Its rich yet lightweight formula is infused with ceramides, shea butter, antioxidants to give your skin that much-needed hydration boost, without making it feel greasy or sticky. Thanks, Paula.
Best body moisturiser on Amazon
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Lotion, WAS £7.14 NOW £5.15, Amazon
Why we love it: This nourishing lotion and long-time cult favourite is loved by many for its sensitive-skin-friendly formula. It's formulated with naturally derived prebiotic colloidal oatmeal, helping to preserve the skin's natural microbiome for healthy looking and more resilient skin. Suitable for both normal and dry skin types, this body moisturiser promises to deliver a 24-hour-hydration, all the while being a wallet-friendly beauty treat.
Save big when shopping for the best body moisturisers with these Amazon discount codes.
Best vegan body moisturiser
Avocado Body Butter, £18, The Body Shop
Why we love it: An OG cult classic, if you’re not already familiar with The Body Shop’s famous Body Butters, where have you been? But the brand has taken things a step further with 13 reformulated scents in 100% vegan formulas and recycled plastic and aluminium packaging. Our favourite scents like grapefruit, satsuma and shea remain, but avocado has joined the line-up so you can slather yourself up like a delicious piece of toast. Yum.
Save big when shopping for the best body moisturiser with these The Body Shop discount codes.
Best body moisturiser with natural ingredients
Radiance Body Lotion, £12.99, Urban Veda
Why we love it: With a host of holistic properties, this Ayurvedic brand aims to balance your skin's ‘dosha’. This particular lotion is recommended for 'Vata' skintypes who suffer with a dry and uneven skin tone. What’s the remedy? Turmeric, liquorice, sweet almond oil and patchouli to soften, smooth, and even reduce scarring.
Best premium body moisturiser
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Moisturising Body Lotion, £55, Boots
Why we love it: This body moisturiser is truly unlike no other. In classic Chanel fashion, you'll get notes of the signature Coco Mademoiselle fragrance while slathering this gentle body lotion all over your skin. It features a liquid-y formula that quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving it smoother than ever. A great way to have a subtle fragrance on your body in the summer. Also perfect as part of a gift set – or one to add to your own wishlist.
Looking for big savings? Check out these Boots discount codes when you shop for the best body moisturisers.
Best affordable body moisturiser
NIVEA Body Lotion for Dry Skin, Rich Nourishing, WAS £6.99 NOW £3.49, Boots
Why we love it: Not only is this body lotion incredibly affordable, it's also easily available in most, if not all, shops, meaning you'll basically never run out. It provides 48-hour hydration, on top of a non-greasy texture that will leave your skin feeling silky smooth.
Looking for big savings? Check out these Boots discount codes when you shop for the best body moisturisers.
Best body moisturiser with shea butter
Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Body Moisture Creme, £18, Beauty Pie
Why we love it: This rich body cream is infused with amazing, skin-loving ingredients such as hibiscus flower, shea butter and essential oils of orange, tangerine, geranium and tonka bean. Best used when applied to slightly damp skin straight after a shower.
Best body moisturiser with squalane
OUIA Body Creme - St Barts, £34, Space NK
Why we love it: Filled to the brim with the wonders of squalane and coconut oil, this whipped body cream absorbs into your skin quickly without leaving any unwanted greasiness behind. Plus, it's scented with notes of tuberose, dragon fruit, orange blossom and Baltic amber – what's not to love?
Best body moisturiser for all skin types
Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream Refill, WAS £26 NOW £22.10, Boots
Why we love it: Now, if there's anyone in the beauty industry that champions inclusivity, it's Rihanna. That's why this antioxidant and vitamin C-rich whipped body oil is perfect for all skin types, including normal skin. 10/10 would recommend.
Looking for big savings? Check out these Boots discount codes when you shop for the best body moisturisers.
Best body moisturiser for a radiant glow
Charlotte's Magic Body Cream, £49, Charlotte Tilbury
Why we love it: Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Body Cream is just that – pure magic. It's full of nourishing emollients and ingredients such as caffeine, glycerin and magnolia oil, which firm and hydrate your skin in minutes, leaving it with a radiant glow. One of the best body lotions around.
Best body moisturiser with ceramides
CeraVe Moisturising Lotion, £11.50, Boots
Why we love it: CeraVe may not be the flashiest skincare brand, but it's always incredibly reliable. This lightweight body moisturiser is ideal for very dry and eczema-prone skin, helping it stay hydrated for up to 24 hours at a time. Suitable for both the face and body.
Looking for big savings? Check out these Boots discount codes when you shop for the best body moisturisers.
Best nourishing body moisturiser
Nourishing Body Cream, £27, Medik8
Why we love it: Struggling with dry, dehydrated skin? Say no more. This nourishing body cream from Medik8 is designed to improve skin tone and elasticity, while also restoring its natural protective barrier. Works as easy as Medik1-Medik2-Medik3 (sorry).
Best self-tanning body moisturiser
Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk, WAS £11.99 NOW £9.59, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Want to keep your skin hydrated while also looking like you've just come back from a warm weather holiday all year long? This gradual tanning milk features both aloe vera and vitamin E is also suitable for everyday use and leaves behind a natural, streak-free finish.
Best multivitamin body moisturiser
Necessaire The Body Lotion Fragrance-Free, £28, Sephora
Why we love it: Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free and non-greasy formula? Sign us up. Ideal for sensitive skin, this dermatologist-approved body cream is enriched with vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as niacinamide, omega-6 and omega-9. Plus, did we mention that it comes in recyclable packaging?
Best body moisturiser with aloe vera
Garnier Intensive 7 Days Hydrating Lotion, WAS £4.50 NOW £3.49, Amazon
Why we love it: Sometimes, it's just best to go simple. Thanks to a formula that revolves around the soothing properties of aloe vera, this product provides incredibly long-lasting hydration, leaving your skin feeling in tip-top shape even a week after your last application.
Best soothing body moisturiser
Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion, £25, LookFantastic
Why we love it: This lightweight body lotion is suitable for dry and sensitive skin. It's made specifically to help soothe visible redness and brighten the appearance of your complexion, thanks to the inclusion of niacinamide in its formula.
Best body moisturiser with coconut oil
Dove Nourishing Secrets Coconut Oil Restoring Body Lotion, £6.35, Boots
Why we love it: Coconut oil and almond milk? You'd be forgiven for thinking those belong in a dessert, not a skincare product. However, this moisturising cream makes it work perfectly by providing you with everything you need to care for your skin.
Looking for big savings? Check out these Boots discount codes when you shop for the best body moisturisers.
Best body moisturiser for rough skin
Why we love it: Powered by the natural skin compound urea, this skin relief product is designed by dermatology experts to target very dry skin by instantly rehydrating it and removing dead skin cells to create a smoother texture. Plus, it also contains lactate, which can help relieve any unwanted irritation and tightness. Buh-bye, dryness.
Best intensive body moisturiser
Weleda Skin Food Body Lotion, £14.95, LookFantastic
Why we love it: This intensive body lotion is powered by a blend of pansy, calendula, lavender, sweet orange and benzoin, all of which not only help your skin feel soft and smooth, but will also leave it with a pleasant, perfume-like aroma.
Best body moisturiser for mature skin
Anti-Aging Body Cream, £195, Dr Barbara Sturm
Why we love it: Don't let the price tag throw you off – this premium body moisturiser is an absolute powerhouse. Infused with elderflower blossom extract, white almond extract and purslane, this product is designed specifically for mature skin, helping firm it up while also restoring elasticity.
