You're probably fully stocked on the latest face creams, but what about the best body lotions? Your face and neck only account for around 5.5% of your body surface area, which means there's an alarming amount of below-the-neck skin that needs your attention.

Moisturization is a key component of any skin-care routine — no matter what area of the body you're targeting — so we've consulted our teammates and trusted dermatologists to bring you formulas that suit every skin type. Whether you have dry skin and crave a thick and luxurious cream or have acne-prone skin that needs a dose of acids to keep bumps at bay, discover the 17 best body lotions below and start slathering on the good stuff.

Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Body Cream

Why It's Worth It: Like Charlotte Tilbury's beloved facial moisturizer, the Magic Body Cream has a delectably buttery texture that leaves skin feeling smooth and supple to the touch. There are a few ingredients in this skin-firming formula that you may already be familiar with, including circulation-boosting caffeine, hyaluronic acid, and moisturizing rose oil. One of the stand-out additives though is a proprietary ingredient called Algaktiv, a microalgae extract. The additive is rich in antioxidants that address a slew of skin-care concerns like dryness, inflammation, and crepiness.

Editor Tip: The 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner is a favorite among editors for its intense hydration. "The Magic Body Cream is my go-to body moisturizer," says senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor. "It's rich in emollients that moisturize my thirsty skin without leaving it greasy or sticky."

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, camellia seed oil, sunflower seed oil | Who It's For: Everyone, especially those concerned with lax or crepey skin

Best Fragrance-Free: Nécessaire The Body Lotion

Why It's Worth It: As much as we love a gorgeously fragranced lotion, sometimes all we need is an unscented formula guaranteed not to irritate sensitive skin, and Nécessaire's The Body Lotion is just that. This custardy body cream soothes dry, itchy skin instantly, thanks to a mixture of firming peptides, tone-evening niacinamide, and hydrating glycerin. Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein calls it her "nightly moisturizer of choice" for its ability to soften her skin without leaving a slippery mess behind. "It has a creamy, dense texture that sits right at the intersection of lotion and body butter," she says.

Editor Tip: If you're ready for a commitment, it comes in a jumbo-size, 13.5 fl oz. bottle.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, cacay oil | Who It's For: Everyone

Best Scent: Osea Undaria Algae Body Butter

Why It's Worth It: Seaweed is one of the beauty world's secret superheroes for its nutrient-rich powers (hello, amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals). In Osea's Undaria Algae Body Butter, seaweed is whipped up with shea butter to form a decadent body cream that addresses the effects of aging, adds firmness, and seriously moisturizes. Bonus points for its unique, subtle grapefruit scent.

Editor Tip: The brand recommends using the body butter on its own because it's rich enough to not need a companion product, and Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin can attest to this. "My skin is so dry that I usually need to layer on a serum-like formula underneath lotions — especially at night," says Shipin. "But Osea's Undaria Body Butter is so nourishing that my body stays hydrated all night long and I wake up with happy, plump (and heavenly-smelling) skin."

Key Ingredients: Undaria seaweed, shea butter, ceramides, DPHP, skin-identical moisturizing complex | Who It's For: Everyone, especially people who are sensitive to scents

Best for Eczema: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizing Cream

Why It's Worth It: La Roche-Posay's Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizing Cream is formulated specifically for super dry skin, including those prone to eczema. This balm-like body cream has a rich feel, perfect for dry and sensitive skin needing soothing properties. The formula contains a trifecta of shea butter, prebiotic-rich thermal water, and glycerin that work together to soften and condition. At the same time, antioxidant niacinamide brightens, moisturizes, and evens tone simultaneously — say goodbye to post-body acne dark spots.

Editor Tip: Prebiotics serve as fuel for bacteria, so they support the skin's microbiome to keep skin comfortable and calm.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide | Who It's For: Those with eczema-prone or very sensitive skin

Best Splurge: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Moisturizing Body Lotion

Why It's Worth It: Coco Mademoiselle is a crowd-pleaser for its warm but surprisingly fresh blend of orange, May rose, and patchouli notes. It's even better in the form of this lightweight body lotion, which lightly moisturizes while scenting skin from head to toe. Even if you slather it on, the scent remains subtle and sinks in quickly without annoying residue or greasiness. Still, this product may not be nourishing enough if you have very dry skin.

Editor Tip: You can dab a touch of the lotion onto pulse points, behind the ears, and on the wrists to help naturally diffuse its fragrance.

Key Ingredients: Squalane, vitamin C, vitamin E | Who It's For: Those who enjoy a luxurious feel

Best for Dull Skin: Summer Fridays Skin Nourishing Body Lotion

Why It's Worth It: If you want baby-bottom-soft skin, Summer Fridays' Skin Nourishing Body Lotion has you covered — slathered, even. Cover skin in the indulgent formula packed with moisture-sealing emollients and occlusives, including cocoa and shea butter, barrier-strengthening ceramides, and enough oils (including grapeseed, argan, and rosehip) to keep your glow visible from afar.

Editor Tip: Applying the lotion to your skin while it's still slightly damp will help seal in the moisture and the fragrance.

Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, shea butter, ceramides | Who It's For: Those seeking a natural glow

Best for Body Acne: Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion

Why It's Worth It: James Y. Wang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, says that Glytone's Exfoliating Body Lotion is perfect for acne-prone skin or those trying to minimize the look of keratosis pilaris (KP for short). This lotion tackles rough, bumpy skin with its signature ingredient, glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates dead skin, targets fine lines, and evens tone for a softer feel and clearer look. It also contains caffeine, an ingredient known for its brightening and anti-inflammatory properties.

Editor Tip: Since it contains glycolic acid, skip it after shaving to avoid any stinging or irritation.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, caffeine, allantoin | Who It's For: People with body bumps and breakouts

Best for Discoloration: Vaseline RadiantX Nourish & Even Tone Body Lotion

Why It's Worth It: Dark spots are a common concern above the neck, but discoloration can happen anywhere, as is often the case for people with more melanin, who tend to be especially prone to hyperpigmentation. This affordable body lotion (and 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner!) pairs niacinamide and vitamin C to regulate pigment production, along with the usual moisturizing suspects like coconut oil. Despite the heavy-hitting formula, it's surprisingly lightweight and quick to absorb, and leaves ashy skin radiant and glowing.

Editor Tip: It has a slight coconut scent that smells good, but not overly beachy.

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, vitamin C, niacinamide | Who It's For: People prone to dullness and discoloration

Best Retinol Body Lotion: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum

Why It's Worth It: Got stubborn texture? The Topical Slather Exfoliating Body Serum tackles KP bumps and roughness using active ingredients like urea, lactic acid, and glycolic acid à la a hydrating, milky formula. It unclogs blocked pores and makes quick work of dead skin, leaving behind the smoothest of skin. Start by using the lightweight serum two to three times a week, and increase use if your skin is tolerating it well. And if you plan on spending time outside, do not skimp on sunscreen.

Editor Tip: A little goes a long way. One squirt can cover half of your body, so squeeze gently.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, squalene, urea, lactic acid, glycolic acid | Who It's For: People with bumpy or rough skin

Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Why It's Worth It: CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream claims to provide a day's worth of moisture, thanks to a potent blend of conditioning ceramides and hydration-replenishing hyaluronic acid. The straightforward formula doesn't contain known irritants like fragrances, dyes, or oils, and it's gentle enough to use on sensitive skin — it even has a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association. "The patented Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) delivery technology helps deliver moisturizing ingredients to the skin over 24 hours, keeping the skin soft, smooth, and hydrated," Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York and New Jersey, says, adding that the non-comedogenic formula can be used both on the face and body.

Editor Tip: It's a dermatologist-approved Best of Beauty Award winner and Readers' Choice Award winner — proof of its wide appeal.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: People with sensitive, sensitized, or reactive skin

Best for Cellulite: Augustinus Bader The Body Cream

Why It's Worth It: Augustinus Bader's The Body Cream is a luxurious formula that doesn't skimp on hydration and creaminess, period. The brand's proprietary blend of amino acids, peptides, and vitamins (called TFC8) promotes cell regrowth — especially when it comes to softening the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite. It's suitable for sensitive skin and can be applied daily.

Editor Tip: This product can help make stretch marks less noticeable, but you should wait to use it until you're done with pregnancy and breastfeeding. It contains verbena flower and leaf extract, and according to Augustinus Bader as well as a 2019 study, those ingredients aren't reliably safe if you're pregnant or nursing.

Key Ingredients: TFC8, bisabolol, shea butter | Who It's For: People with stretch marks, cellulite, and sensitive skin

Best Multitasker: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

Why It's Worth It: Embryolisse's Lait-Crème Concentré is the Swiss army knife of body lotions: You can use this formula as a moisturizer, makeup base, cleanser, and aftershave. It's both non-comedogenic and lightly fragranced with a floral scent for the sophisticated French girlie vibe we're all going for. Vitamins A and E (found in the formula's shea butter) help protect from oxidative stress on the skin, while fatty acids like glyceryl stearate SE soften and smooth. You can also use this cream as after-sun care, since it's spiked with redness-calming aloe vera.

Editor Tip: This is also Shipin's choice daytime lotion for herself and her daughter, and she loves that you can buy it in a large 16.9 fluid-ounce bottle.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, beeswax, aloe vera, soy protein | Who It's For: Everyone, including little ones

Best for Compromised Skin: Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion

Why It's Worth It: Skin looking red, raw, or otherwise inflamed? If so, Naturium's Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion can help since it's made with lipids identical to those found in the skin barrier. Fragrance-free and paraben-free, it won't set off reactive skin types and sinks in quickly despite its nourishing lineup of ingredients.

Editor Tip: Consider pairing it with the brand's Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash, which is a veritable TikTok hit.

Key Ingredients: Moringa seed oil, shea butter, sodium PCA | Who It's For: People with sensitive or compromised skin

Best Lightweight: Jack Black Turbo Body Lotion

Why It's Worth It: Jodie LoGerfo, DNP, a board-certified doctor of nursing practice in New York City, says that Jack Black's Turbo Body Lotion is a must for those who want an ultra-light yet effective formula, thanks to the addition of moisturizing aloe vera extract. "It's a hydrating gel-to-lotion moisturizer that is skin-nurturing and moisturizing without being too heavy," she says. Fatty acid-rich prickly pear seed oil is another star ingredient in this formulation to boost its conditioning properties, but we especially love its ultra-light texture and delightfully invigorating scent profile, which features herbal rosemary extract and zesty eucalyptus.

Editor Tip: It's especially nice when applied after a workout since the arnica can help soothe sore muscles.

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, eucalyptus, arnica extract | Who It's For: Those seeking a lightweight, refreshing feel

Best Exfoliating: AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

Why It's Worth It: AmLactin's Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion has garnered praise from dermatologists around the world, including Dr. Wang, who says the gentle yet effective formula utilizes lactic acid, which acts as both an exfoliating acid and a humectant to plump and soften the outer layer of your skin. Sensitive skin types, don't be alarmed by the inclusion of an alpha hydroxy acid in this formulation because lactic acid is known to be a gentler exfoliating alternative than its other chemical exfoliant counterparts like, say, salicylic acid.

Editor Tip: If you go through this quickly, consider springing for the jumbo, 14.1-ounce size, which has nearly double the amount of product.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycerin | Who It's For: Those with rough patches and/or keratosis pilaris

Best for Dry Skin: Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion

Why It's Worth It: In addition to its affordability, Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City, is impressed by Nivea's Essentially Enriched Body Lotion for its ultra-moisturizing feel. The highly conditioning, best-selling formula features almond oil, a star ingredient Dr. Greenfield says is great for moisture retention. Even Gen Z has caught on to the magic of this formula, with #nivealotion racking up almost 40 million views on TikTok.

Editor Tip: This lotion has a thicker feel than others on the market due to its heavyweight moisturizing ingredients. While it's soothing for dry skin types, those with oily skin may want a lighter option.

Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, glycerin | Who It's For: Anyone with dryness

Frequently Asked Questions

How is body lotion different from facial lotion?

Not only is body lotion housed in larger containers than facial lotion, but there are key compositional differences to what's going inside that bottle. "[Body lotions] are usually thicker in texture and focus primarily on hydration and moisturization," explains David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City. "It's best to apply to damp skin," he adds.

Like facial lotions, body lotions can be formulated to cater to specific skin issues, often using overlapping active ingredients. Despite similarities, how the skin on different body parts responds to high concentrations of active ingredients can vary. "The skin on the body is more sensitive to the dryness and irritation that can be caused by some active ingredients, like acne-smoothing salicylic acid or line-smoothing retinol," Ryan Turner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC and co-founder of TRNR Skin previously told Allure.

"An active ingredient would be modified for skin on the body versus facial skin," Dr. Turner continued. "The skin on the body cannot typically tolerate the same strength or type of retinol [for example] as the face. Facial skin has more density of sebaceous glands compared to the body so facial products tend to be formulated lighter [in texture]."

How do I choose a body lotion?

When choosing a body lotion, Dr. Greenfield says to look out for emollients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, moisturizing additives like glycerin and ceramides, and oils derived from coconut, almond, avocado, or jojoba. She recommends formulas with free radical-fighting antioxidants like vitamins C and E.

Stay goal-oriented when searching for a new body lotion, considering the benefits you're after. "It depends on exactly what you are hoping to improve. If you have acne, look for options with salicylic acid; if you're targeting ketosis pilaris, look for ammonium lactate or urea; if you're hoping to improve hydration, look for ceramide, fatty acids, glycerin, and colloidal oats," says Dr. Kim.

What is the best type of body lotion?

While different skin concerns call for various formulations, Dr. Wang says mildly exfoliating body lotions are ideal for all skin types — especially for people who experience body acne. "[Using exfoliating body lotions] is especially important in acne-prone skin because the skin barrier is disrupted, and there is underlying inflammation," he says. "Lotions that contain mild glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid can be helpful as long as they are not overused, which can lead to sensitive skin." Dr. Greenfield adds that acne-prone skin types should avoid ingredients considered occlusive, including heavy, petroleum-jelly-based creams or oils because they can trap bacteria under the skin.

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best body lotions, we considered each product's performance across four primary categories: product ingredients, efficacy, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.