The Best Body Lotion For Dry Skin

Body lotions have a light texture and absorb into skin quickly. They contain emollients and humectants to moisturize and soften the skin, while protecting against harsh environments and conditions such as rosacea or psoriasis.

Creams have a thicker consistency and contain more oil than lotions. They have occlusive ingredients, such as shea butter or lanolin, that help prevent moisture from escaping the skin.

Hydration

The best body lotions for you may depend on a number of factors, including your skin type and whether or not you’re targeting specific issues like dryness. Those with particularly dry skin can benefit from a rich cream that contains ingredients like shea butter, petroleum jelly or hyaluronic acid. You might also want to consider what your skin looks and feels like at different times of the year, as thicker moisturizers like ointments can be too heavy for warm weather.

Those with normal or oily skin can benefit from lotions that are formulated without oil, which helps to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. If you’re targeting specific issues, such Lotion/cream as itchy skin, look for lotions that contain ingredients like ceramides and glycerin to help reinforce your skin barrier and keep it hydrated.

Ointments are the thickest moisturizing formulas, containing occlusive ingredients like petrolatum (also known as petroleum jelly) to create a barrier that holds in moisture. They work well on dry areas of the body, especially during the winter. Ointments are also great to use in conjunction with a bandage, as they can be applied over small wounds and burns to help them heal. We recommend our Healing Ointment for this purpose. It’s also ideal for repairing chapped lips and temporarily protecting chafed, cracked hands and feet.

Softening

While the optimum way to soften skin is to soak it in water, that’s often impractical for daily use (plus it can be messy). Instead, you should apply lotion or cream that contains skin-softening ingredients. A good place to start is with a formula that has shea butter or cocoa butter, which «are on the thicker side of moisturizers,» explains dermatologist Robyn Gmyrek of UnionDerm. She also recommends products like Filorga’s NCTF-Essence, which helps boost hydration and radiance, or Jurlique’s Activating Water Essence to prep skin for whatever products you’re using next. Lotions are lighter in texture and have higher water content than creams, which lean heavier on the fatty and occlusive side of things. Lotions are typically found in bottles with pumps whereas creams are housed in jars that require you to scoop or squeeze out the product.

Moisturizes

Moisturizers help protect the outermost layer of skin known as the stratum corneum or skin barrier. Keeping this barrier intact helps control eczema and other skin conditions by preventing irritants, allergens and bacteria from invading the skin. It also prevents the skin from losing water and causing dryness. Moisturizers contain occlusive agents like petrolatum and emollients like esters and plant oils that create a protective seal over the skin, stopping moisture loss and making the skin feel smoother and less dry.

The type of moisturizer you choose depends on your skin type. Lotions that are oil-free or low in occlusive ingredients and have a higher water percentage are best for normal-to-combination skin. These formulas will seep into the skin quickly and never leave a greasy finish. They’re also perfect for those with sensitive skin.

Creams are the opposite end of the spectrum to lotions, offering heavier hydration and a thicker consistency. They’re ideal for those with dry skin, especially those serum who live in cold climates or suffer from dermatitis. They often contain shea, cocoa, mango and palm butters for extra hydration.

If you’re prone to itching, look for formulas that include menthol, which provides a cooling sensation to the skin. This relieves itching caused by many skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis. Some products may also contain eucalyptus oil, which has natural anti-inflammatory properties to soothe itching and reduce redness.