Photo-Analogy: The Strategist; Photo: Retailer

Body balm benefits your legs, knees, arms, butt, and torso in much the same style that a daily moisturizer benefits the skin on your face up. According to dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, an acquaintance professor at the Icahn School of Medicine, "Information technology keeps skin smoothen and supple, and maintains a healthy peel barrier." Contrary to popular belief, applying lotion is more about protecting your skin confronting dryness than treating it. "A lot of people think moisturizers bring moisture into the peel, but their master role is actually to forestall water loss," explains Doctorly'due south Dr. Muneeb Shah. Keeping your pare hydrated in this style is besides essential to maintaining youthful-looking skin and protecting against signs of aging. "Think about your favorite leather shoes — if you leave them in the sun or elements and never treat them with leather conditioner, they will begin to crack and wait much older," says Karen Fernandez, lead aesthetician at SkinSpirit spas. "But when treated properly, your leather tin can look healthy, soft and 'younger' for much longer. Skin is very similar, then using torso lotion really helps preserve our youthful pare."

Much like the serums, creams, and moisturizers you use on your face up, body lotions come in a wide diverseness of formulations meant to target specific issues like dryness, loss of elasticity, acne, eczema, and keratosis pilaris. With that in mind, we asked 14 dermatologists and peel-care experts for their body-lotion recommendations for a variety of skin types. No thing your skin concern, though, dermatologist Dr. Hadley King says, "For all skin types, moisturizers ideally contain iii components: humectants, emollients, and occlusives." Humectants (like hyaluronic acrid and glycerin) retain water to hydrate the peel, emollients (like squalane and ceramides) improve pare texture and advent, and occlusives (like oils and waxes) seal in the wet. The skilful news is that, according to Shah, drugstore brands will do the play a joke on: "I exclusively use stuff that's pretty inexpensive." Beneath, are 32 lotions packed with these ingredients that volition help you get your skin as close to infant smooth equally possible. Almost are relatively affordable, but our experts also recommended some higher-finish options that will make your daily routine feel a fiddling more luxurious.

On that note, remember it'southward platonic to employ body lotion when wet — i.east., when yous're hanging out in your towel — to meliorate seal in the wet. "The all-time time is as shortly as y'all exit of the shower, while skin is notwithstanding damp and best able to blot your moisturizer," says Shah. "That's when you're going to lose the virtually water to the surround: within three minutes of getting out of the shower."

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

To combat even the most farthermost cases of dry pare, similar eczema, experts tell united states y'all should seek out formulations rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Melanie Palm — the medical managing director at Art of Skin MD — explains that ceramides (or, cholesterol-derived fatty) aid seal the pare barrier to go along in wet, while hyaluronic acid is known to carry 1,000 times its weight in water, so your skin stays extra hydrated. Seven of our experts pointed us to this CeraVe lotion, which contains both. It's fragrance-gratuitous and then it's well-suited for sensitive skin types, and it doesn't feel viscid or heavy on skin. Equally cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green sums it up: "CeraVe is the best overall trunk lotion. It is safe for all skin types and packed with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and humectants to continue the most sensitive skin hydrated."

Eucerin Advanced Repair Dry Skin Lotion

Boca Raton dermatologist Jeffrey Fromowitz says this Eucerin dry out-skin balm is another highly effective pick. Dr. Shah agrees, calling it a "great, underrated product." It's not only moisturizing (with added ceramides), merely as well gently exfoliates with some alpha-hydroxy acids. Green too recommended Eucerin as a high-quality drugstore lotion with fantabulous ingredients. The divergence between Eucerin and CeraVe is mainly that CeraVe has moisture-retaining hyaluronic acid while Eucerin uses urea to lock in moisture. And as for the price difference, information technology's pretty slight (near $five), merely enough to add upwards to sizable savings if you're using it consistently over time.

Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray

For ease of awarding, Dr. Shah recommends this spray-on lotion from Aquaphor, which will help you moisturize hard-to-reach areas like the heart of your back. "It'south a pretty unique method of delivery and pretty squeamish to apply to the pare besides," he says. Hypoallergenic and complimentary of any irritating fragrances, the spray is intensive and designed to specially help dry and rough pare. For those who discover themselves in demand of even more relief, Dr. Shah recommends using this spray equally part of a multistep moisturizing routine: "You could use a cream-based balm like CeraVe and follow it with an ointment spray like this for double the outcome."

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Best Seller

When it comes to dry skin, "lotions" actually aren't recommended considering they're usually not thick enough to cure your cracked, flaky pare. Instead, "look more for creams and ointments," recommends Dr. Shah. This CeraVe foam — which is much thicker than the lotion we mentioned above — came recommended to us by five dermatologists when we asked them about the best torso lotions for dry pare. Considering it'south fragrance-free and chock-full of hydrating ingredients, like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, it'll work for even the most sensitive of skin. As Dr. Sapna Palep, founder of Spring Street Dermatology in New York City, puts it, "Information technology's just a good staple; what'south not to love?" If you have dry and acne-prone skin, this is a skillful selection for y'all besides. Dr. King explains, "Information technology'due south noncomedogenic so it won't clog pores and contribute to acne, and its skin-barrier-nourishing ingredients assistance to protect the skin from the potentially irritating furnishings of anti-acne medications."

PH Balance Skincare Daily Moisturizer

If you like your pare-intendance and torso intendance routine to exist as uncomplicated equally possible, you can rely on this moisturizer from caput to toe. Information technology'south a favorite of board-certified dermatologist and custom skin-care brand Docent's medical adviser, Dr. Farhaad Riyaz, because information technology'south natural and absorbs into the skin quickly without mineral oil or fillers. He explains that those ingredients "give the illusion of hydration by forming an occlusive movie over the pare, but tin can thin skin over fourth dimension." Instead, this formula is packed with "shea butter and natural oils with essential fatty acids and antioxidants that assist protect and restore dry, crumbling skin." He adds that "the shea butter, avocado oil and sesame seed oil take anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and nourishing fatty acids that smooth, heal, and protect against gratis radical harm and the environment, helping maintain healthy moisturized skin." Riyaz says this will piece of work for all pare types but would be "ideal for stressed or compromised skin" as it will heal and soothe peel that's irritated.

Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm

"People with eczema have very allergenic skin, so they tend to react to a lot of ingredients," explains Dr. Shah. "They should avoid fragrances, and instead of using lotions and gels, go for more creams and ointments." He adds that people with eczema take "abnormally depression ceramide levels," and so they should look for moisturizers that contain ceramides for a scrap of a boost. Dermatologist Debra Jaliman, an banana professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai's Icahn Schoolhouse of Medicine, pointed us to this Aveeno tub that relies on a combination of ceramide and colloidal oatmeal for curbing eczema-related itchiness, but it'll besides piece of work for people who are itchy from regular erstwhile dry skin. Aveeno reviewers say this soothing lotion is a godsend, with one noting that it got her off "steroid-based sprays and creams," and another praising the fact that "this doesn't get out a slime trail in my husband's wake. Plus he's non waking me up multiple times during the night scratching his feet and hands. This balm kept me from a divorce." And if in, say, the summer months, you lot don't need something quite equally heavy-duty, then try the foam version instead, which came recommended to usa past three different dermatologists for eczema.

Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream

Dermatological nurse and celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar says she's always suffered from eczema, which is why she loves Avéne'south Lipid-Replenishing foam. "It nourishes, soothes, and calms dry out, itchy skin prone to atopic dermatitis and eczema," she says. "It rebalances our microbiome while supporting pare'due south defense organisation for a good for you skin. It's also safe and amazing for the entire family, whether they accept eczema or not."

Sarna Original Steroid-Free Anti-Itch Lotion

Even if you don't take eczema, you can experience itchy skin for a number of reasons. "Dehydration, dryness, irritants, and insect bites can crusade peel to be extremely itchy," says Aguilar. For those times, she recommends Sarna lotion. "It calms and relieves uncomfortably itchy pare," she says. The menthol in the lotion provides a soothing effect, and Amazon reviewers recommend keeping it in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation.

EltaMD Moisture Rich Body Creme (2 oz.)

Sometimes intensely dry out peel can cause inflammation, which, for obvious reasons, can be very uncomfortable. To soothe whatever irritation, 3 dermatologists recommend this EltaMD cream. "It has dimethicone, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, but it also has squalane oil and mango-seed butter as well as niacinamide — all of which focus on inflammation," explains Dr. Melissa K. Levin, the founder of Entière Dermatology. While it's a bit pricey, she says it's completely worth it.

CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin

And because you want your body balm to exist hydrating simply not exacerbate any body acne, two experts — Jaliman and Waldorf — recommend CeraVe'southward SA lotion because it contains salicylic acrid, an exfoliant that'due south been clinically proven to assist with acne. It'southward also fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and noncomedogenic, which ways that it won't irritate the skin and is specifically formulated not to clog pores. Some reviewers say they've seen noticeable improvements and smoother skin in simply a few days.

AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

For conditions like keratosis pilaris — which consist of "plugs" of cells in hair follicles, oftentimes on the upper arms and thighs — exfoliation is key. Fromowitz says you should look for creams that include exfoliants similar lactic, salicylic, or glycolic acid, and prescription-grade products for more severe cases. This AmLactin lotion that Waldorf suggests contains lactic acrid (which you might recognize if you're a Dominicus Riley fan). Incidentally, the Eucerin on this listing likewise contains lactic also as glycolic acid, so you lot could beginning there and try this if you desire something stronger.

DerMend Alpha + Beta Hydroxy Moisturizer Glycolic Acid Skin Lotion

Heather Downes, dermatologist and founder of Lake Woods Dermatology in Illinois, also recommends a balm for keratosis pilaris. Her pick, DerMend Alpha + Beta Hydroxy Moisturizer, has glycolic and salicylic acids, which assist exfoliate and unclog pores. Downes tells her patients to apply it daily to arms and legs and says that "one week later your peel volition feel silky smoothen." The prices of the DerMend and AmLactin version are basically the aforementioned, and the just noticeable difference in the formulations is that DerMend has niacinamide, a course of vitamin B3 that helps reduce pore size and retain moisture, which might be helpful in soothing sensitive skin.

First Aid Beauty KP Smoothing Body Lotion with 10% AHA

This is the body balm sidekick to the trunk scrub derms recommended in our keratosis pilaris story. Similar to the above lotions, this one contains acids (like lactic acid and AHAs) to aid exfoliate and smooth the skin, but it's free from salicylic acid if your skin is sensitive to that ingredient. Additionally, it'due south packed with colloidal oatmeal and ceramides, which Dr. Male monarch says support the pare barrier.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry, Sensitive Skin

Many people have twelvemonth-round sensitivities to certain ingredients. But in the winter months, blasting radiators and hot showers can sap the moisture out of everyone'south pare, making it more than sensitive and actress thirsty. Green, King, and Engelman recommend this Cetaphil lotion for irritated and sensitive skin, which can manifest as redness, breakouts, and hives. It has sugariness almond oil in information technology, which is "an emollient that softens and anecdotal show suggests that it may help to rejuvenate damaged pare," says King. Information technology likewise contains ceramides and essential fat acids, which Green says "create a barrier that protects skin from environmental stressors, while replenishing lost wet." Engelman likes that it'south a gentle, fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic moisturizer from a brand with a bang-up reputation. Every bit the seasons alter, you might want to swap your lightweight body balm for this richer, more nourishing formula.

Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream

Besides for sensitive skin, Vanicream came recommended by Downes, Engelman, and Morgan Rabach, dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical. Downes told us that she recommends Vanicream because it's hypoallergenic for those with sensitivities to fragrances and preservatives. "It's also inexpensive," says Downes, who stocks it in her office because she recommends it to patients so often. Rabach calls information technology "truly an amazing product," saying that "it's extremely thick and moisturizing, and ane of the best creams for people with very sensitive skin or eczema because its formulation is free of dyes, lanolin, fragrance, parabens, and formaldehyde."

Simple Kind to Skin Face Moisturizer Replenishing Rich 12-Hour Moisturization for All Skin Types 4.2 oz

If you lot take sensitive pare, but don't want a cream, here'southward a lotion option to try. It's free from perfume, dyes, and irritants and it'south hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, merely information technology is enriched with pro-vitamin B5, bisabolol, and allantoin to hydrate and soothe the skin, says Male monarch. This is technically made for the face, but Male monarch recommends using it all over.

Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion, Unscented Original

Fernandez says her main concern when it comes to body balm is finding one that tin can penetrate the skin. "Optimally, lotion will besides deliver healthy oils, hydrators, and moisturizers to feed and rebalance the pare, but unfortunately skin is designed to keep things out, and so it takes true science to blueprint products that can get in," she says. This lotion from Alba fortunately has figured it out. "Information technology soaks in well and feels balancing to the skin. It provides the hydration and lipids — but not too much," Fernandez says. " It's non too greasy or thick." It'southward besides unscented, which is perfect for sensitive skin.

Suave Soothing with Aloe Body Lotion

If your peel tends to be oily even in the expressionless of wintertime or y'all abhor the slimy feeling that sometimes comes with applying body lotion, Jaliman recommends looking for products that incorporate aloe and cucumber considering "they are moisturizing and great for irritated skin without being also heavy." This one by Suave, which Jaliman says is "lite in texture and nongreasy," contains both.

Kiki Kreme's 100% Organic body butter

If your skin is super-dehydrated, Aguilar recommends Kiki Kreme. It's a super-thick torso butter made with just organic butters and oils. "Its thick consistency keeps my skin hydrated even when I feel then dehydrated that nothing can relieve it," she says. The company slogan is "from belly to baby and beyond" as "information technology'due south safe for pregnant bellies, newborns, or anyone in the family who needs clean and gentle simply a rich creamy layer of protection," Aguilar adds. It tin help prevent stretch marks on your growing bump, help with baby rashes, or even piece of work every bit a bristles oil or to treat dry, cracked feet.

Dove Whipped Lavender and Coconut Milk Body Cream 10 oz

Really dry skin needs the thick consistency of a foam, simply not everyone enjoys that heavy feeling on their skin. This is a cream, but Rex promises information technology has a light texture, while withal delivering the ingredients your skin needs: "Glycerin hydrates the skin and petrolatum, fatty acids and dimethicone lock in that moisture and protect the peel barrier," she says.

Augustinus Bader Body Cream

Though it's pricey (at to the lowest degree $100 more than the other products on this list), Engelman swears by this body lotion from West Declension beauty brand Augustinus Bader (we included it in our list of things to buy earlier they sell out back in July). Similar the Augustinus Bader face up creams, which have a significant cult following of aestheticians and celebs, this newly released cream also uses stalk-cell technology, amino acids, and high-grade vitamins to jump-commencement the peel's natural renewal and repair process. In addition it contains Shea butter to evangelize intense moisture and protect your pare's natural barrier, while vitamins A and E combined with anti-inflammatory Brazilian candeia oil assistance business firm skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and fine lines.

Replenix Smoothing Body Lotion

Because this fast-absorbing torso balm contains retinol information technology can increase sunday sensitivity, so yous'll want to let it do its nourishing and firming while you sleep rather than during the day. When it comes to night creams, our experts tell us to expect to retinols and gentle chemical exfoliants that will aid increment cell turnover and opposite any ecology damage acquired during the mean solar day, for renewed, softer-looking pare. Replenix is a routine favorite of dermatologists, and came recommended by Jaliman for the retinol and hyaluronic acid in it that volition reduce the appearance of fine lines and plump upwards skin.

Pevonia Preserve Body Moisturizer

Dr. Riyaz says the blastoff-hydroxy acids, safflower oil, chamomile, antioxidant vitamin Due east, and panthenol in this formula will help diminish lines and wrinkles too as improve uneven pare tone.

MBR Medical Beauty Research Cell-Power Rich Contouring Cream

If you notice your pare has lost some of its elasticity, celebrity aesthetician Vicki Morav recommends this contouring balm, which she says is "great for textures that lack firmness and hydration." It'due south said to meliorate the microcirculation and regeneration of the skin, which rejuvenates the cells and leads to smoother and firmer-looking peel.

OGX Hydrating Argan Oil of Morocco Body Lotion

If you dear the luxurious experience of applying a body oil, but find them to never quite stack upward to more flossy textures in the hydration they deliver, here is the perfect compromise."This balm is great because it has argan oil in information technology," says Jaliman of this lightweight oil-based lotion. According to her, argan oil is the Goldilocks of carrier oils: not likewise heavy and not also low-cal. So information technology's suitable for all skin types. This lotion is rich in omega fat acids, vitamin East, and linoleic acids, ingredients that Jaliman tells us "work to lightly moisturize your pare, soften dry patches, and help with rosacea."

Pevonia Botanica Dry Oil Body Moisturizer

This is another oil-packed body balm. Information technology has safflower oil, squalane, and macadamia nut oil, which Dr. Riyaz says is an ideal combination. "Safflower oil is a natural source of essential fatty acids, specially linoleic acid, which we tend to lose as we age, and squalane and macadamia oil are similar to the oil that is within the human trunk, which makes them highly compatible and therefore more than readily absorbed for deep moisturizing," he says. "Information technology helps restore elasticity, making it suitable for those concerned with aging skin or anyone wanting smoother skin."

Ellis Brooklyn Verb Excellent Body Milk

As with perfumes and colognes, when it comes to fragrant lotions anybody has their ain gustation, just some options tend to have more than universal appeal than others, particularly when their olfactory property is neither too feminine or masculine. Which is why Engelman's pick is this scented body balm from Ellis Brooklyn. Her favorite odor is Verb, which she describes as "a gorgeous unisex citrus/sandalwood scent." Scent bated, this torso milk is made using moisturizing natural ingredients, including cocoa butter, shea butter, jojoba oil, macadamia-nut oil, camellia oil, and aloe-leafage-juice extract (an ingredient with healing and anti-aging properties). It's also fabricated without a list of over 50 potentially harmful ingredients, including sulfates, parabens, and phthalates — and as unwelcome ingredients can sometimes go hand in hand with scented products, that's another reason this one is a standout.

Epicuren Discovery Kukui Coconut After Bath Body Moisturizer (8 fl. oz.)

If you are into a sweeter fragrances, this coconut-scented lotion is a favorite of Fernandez's when she "wants to feel spa-like and luxurious." She adds, "It's a 50-l blend of oil and emollients, so information technology actually feels hydrating and silky simply also soaks in and does not get out a balance." Specifically, the amino acids aid with peel elasticity, skin tone, and overall health of the skin, while the shea butter helps with hydration.

Alastin TransFORM Body Treatment

Alastin is more of a torso anti-aging treatment than a lotion, but since keeping the skin hydrated is the No. 1 manner for maintaining youthful-looking skin, as aridity is ane of the prime number causes of aging, the two go hand in mitt. "I think of this equally 'food' for my skin and utilize it advisedly," says Fernandez. "Alastin Body Transform will help pare look its best and feed it important peptides." And active ingredients too help peel shed damaged cells. If you accept particularly dry skin, she recommends combining this with another moisturizer.

Neova Body Repair

For about a quarter of the toll, this body treatment similarly replenishes skin cells. Copper micronutrients reverse harm to the cells while enzymes speed upward the repair of sun-inflicted damage. According to Morav, a treatment like this will help address signs of aging, as well every bit damaged skin that lacks ideal texture and firmness.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance Free Body Lotion

Dr. Shah too likes the uncomplicated, effective formula of Neutrogena's Hydro Boost range, specifically the make'south fragrance-gratis version. Because it's a gel cream rather than an ointment, he describes Hydro Boost as a "really skilful option" for those who don't suffer from peculiarly dry peel but still want to stay moisturized on a daily basis. In general, he adds, fragrance-free torso lotions like this one are platonic for all skin types because there's far less risk of allergic reactions or general irritation.

Nécessaire The Body Lotion With Niacinamide

Though he'southward mostly loyal to the drugstore shelves, Dr. Shah admits that make clean-skin-intendance make Necessaire "makes some pretty cool body products," such as this cult-favorite balm with added vitamins B3, A, C, and Due east, as well every bit a blend of nourishing oils. The formula is fragrance-free to prevent irritation and contains a bunch of lipids and ceramides that he says "are really good for the peel." Plus, we have to admit, information technology'll look nice if yous leave it out on the bathroom sink.

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women's jeans , rolling luggage , pillows for side sleepers , ultra-flattering pants , and bath towels . We update links when possible, only note that deals can elapse and all prices are subject to change.

Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Body Lotions, Co-ordinate to Dermatologists