These Are the 15 Best Body Lotions to Ever Exist, Period

There's a reason this is one of the best-selling body lotions at Sephora. First, it's moisturizing, and that's the most important function. Second, it's fragrance-free, so it's not irritating even for sensitive skin. Third, it firms and supports the skin barrier with niacinamide, peptides, and a variety of vitamins. Fourth, it's lightweight and sinks in quickly, so you don't have to worry about your clothes sticking to your skin if you apply it in the morning. There's a reason this is stocked in every beauty editor's bathroom (mine included). In fact, I bought the 15.2-ounce value size because I use it so often. It checks all the boxes for the perfect daily body lotion.

A double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, Brendan Camp, MD, agrees that this body lotion is one of the very best. In fact, it's one of his top recommendations. "In addition to providing hydration, this body lotion contains peptides, niacinamide, and vitamins A, C, and E to firm and strengthen skin," he says.

Promising review: "This wonderful cream is the best I’ve found: no scent whatsoever; absorbs quickly without any residue; moisturizes incredibly well; simple packaging; and lovely texture."

Pros: Firming, barrier-strengthening, fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin, lightweight, non-greasy

Cons: It might not be rich enough for severely dry skin.

Texture: Cream | Size: 15.2 oz | Fragrance: None

While anything north of $50 is expensive for body lotion, IMO, this one has enough active ingredients for the hefty price tag to make sense. The potent, ingredient-packed formula includes niacinamide, B-glucan, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, shea butter, argan oil, avocado oil, walnut extract, and matrikine peptide (just to name a few). Then, there's the silky texture. It's lightweight and fast-absorbing, yet it keeps the skin feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized for up to 48 hours.

Promising review: "This body moisturizer is so perfect. It melts into your skin and provides a beautiful, instant glow while leaving your skin moisturized. Only one downside is the cost…wish it was a bit less!"

Pros: Smoothing, brightening, glow-boosting, barrier-strengthening, fragrance-freelightweight, non-greasy

Cons: Pricey.

Texture: Cream | Size: 6.7 oz | Fragrance: Slight

For only $20 a bottle, this French pharmacy product is well worth it. It contains antioxidant-rich prebiotic thermal spring water, skin-strengthening ceramides, and moisturizing shea butter. Together, these ingredients are clinically proven to moisturize the skin for up to 48 hours. It's also fragrance-free, allergy tested, and non-comedogenic, so it's incredibly gentle on sensitive skin (it's even accepted by the National Eczema Association and can be used on babies that are two weeks old). The lightweight, non-greasy texture works just as well on the face and hands as it does on the body.

Promising review: "Originally bought this in the trail size to see how I liked it, and I LOVED it. I have been using this for months, and during the dry cold months, it’s been wonderful on my face, hands, and full body! 10/10 recommend. This bottle is also a great value for the amount and price compared to the trial and larger sizes."

Pros: Barrier-strengthening, fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin (including conditions like acne and eczema), lightweight, non-greasy, multi-purpose

Cons: None.

Texture: Cream | Size: 13.5 oz | Fragrance: None

If you want a body lotion that does double duty on sun damage, this is it. With a combination of tranexamic acid, hyaluronic acid, firming brown algae, and stable vitamin C, this body lotion brightens dark spots better than so many other formulas on the market. That's why it's one of the best vitamin C bodycare products money can buy. I apply it almost every time I get out of the shower on my most sun-damaged areas, specifically my shoulders and forearms. It took a few weeks, but I've seen a visible improvement in dark spots and fine lines. Beyond that, the light citrusy fragrance never fails to put a pep in my step.

Pros: Brightening, firming, antioxidant-rich, lightweight, non-greasy

Cons: None.

Texture: Cream | Size: 8.45 oz | Fragrance: Slight citrus scent

Promising review: "I feel as though I do see a difference, and it soaks straight in, easily and quickly. I like the smell, it is lovely and fresh but I don't find it lingers so doesn't interfere if I want to wear perfume.I bought it on the 'rectify sun damage this summer' promise and whilst I think that is a brave boast so far I'm thinking it wasn't a brag, it is doing exactly as promised."

If you want firmer skin, I recommend Tronque's Firming Butter. The New Zealand-based brand infuses 22 nutrient-dense ingredients into the formula, including seaweed extracts and red maple bark to visibly firm, improve elasticity, and boost the skin's biomechanical properties. Plus, it's a treat to swipe across the skin, thanks to a luxe, soufflé-like texture of shea, cacao, and mango butters.

Pros: Firming, barrier-strengthening, elasticity-boosting, microbiome-supporting, damage-repairing

Cons: Pricey.

Texture: Butter | Size: 6.8 oz | Fragrance: Fresh scent

Promising review: "I have been using Tronque’s firming butter for 4 weeks now and am very impressed with the results. It has improved both the texture and firmness of the skin on my thighs. It has helped target the crepey skin and cellulite to give a smoother appearance plus it smells and feels divine to apply. I highly recommend this product for those looking to combat skin dryness and appearance."

If you deal with keratosis pilaris (AKA those little bumps on the back of your arms and legs), this body lotion will make your skin feel smooth and petal-soft, like a blooming rosebud or expensive silk. It's all thanks to 10% AHAs, fruit extracts, and 5% urea—a bump-erasing combo. Don't think the smoothness will come at the cost of irritation, though. The formula is also spiked with soothing centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter.

Pros: Smoothing, brightening, barrier-strengthening, fragrance-free, non-irritating

Cons: It may not be as moisturizing as other non-smoothing formulas.

Texture: Cream | Size: 6.0 oz | Fragrance: None

Promising review: "Oh my! I have tried so many different special lotions and things [for] keratosis pilaris, and nothing seems to work except for this. I am amazed at how smooth it makes my skin and doesn't feel greasy or oily. I love it!"

What makes this one different from other moisturizing sunscreens is that it's *actually* hydrating (I've found other moisturizing sunscreens deliver on the SPF but not the moisture). The formula is enriched with vitamin E and antioxidants for a smoothing, protective effect, while broad-spectrum SPF 50 keeps sun damage at bay. Oh, and don't worry about a white cast. There isn't any.

Pros: Moisturizing, SPF 50 formula, lightweight, no severe white cast

Cons: None.

Texture: Cream | Size: 8.0 oz | Fragrance: Light coconut scent

Promising review: "This lotion is a total game changer. I use it as my daily body moisturizer, and it’s honestly perfect. The scent is amazing—not too overpowering, but just fresh and tropical enough to make you feel like you’re on vacation. What I love most is that it doesn’t leave you feeling oily like some lotions do. It absorbs quickly and gives your skin a nice, healthy glow without being greasy. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly, which is a huge plus for me. If you're looking for a lotion that checks all the boxes, this is it!"

Retinol is the gold-standard anti-aging ingredient, so why just use it on your face? If you want to bring the benefits to your body, use Naturium's Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion. It's formulated with an encapsulated, stabilized pure retinol complex and soothing allantoin to improve the appearance of skin texture, tone, and firmness.

Pros: Affordable, moisturizing, fragrance-free, and improves skin texture, tone, and firmness

Cons: Some people say they don't like the smell and find the texture difficult to rub in

Texture: Cream | Size: 14 oz | Fragrance: Santal

Promising review: "Only used 3 times so far and the improvement of my stretch marks is already very noticeable. Felt like sorcery. Can't wait to see how it will continue to improve them!"

Who What Wear's beauty director, Erin Jahns, introduced me to this gradual tanning lotion. She walked past me, and I caught a whiff of its sophisticated santal scent. I immediately got up to follow her and ask what perfume she was wearing. She told me it was actually *this* body lotion, and it was giving her the extra benefit of glowing, sun-kissed skin. I bought a bottle, and the rest is history. Since then, it's become my go-to body lotion when my skin is looking particularly dry and dull. It moisturizes as well as a traditional body lotion, builds natural-looking color, and never leaves streaks or a weird smell behind.

Pros: Moisturizing, natural-looking gradual tanning, sophisticated santal scent

Cons: Some people might find the santal scent too heavy.

Texture: Cream | Size: 6.8 oz | Fragrance: Santal

Promising review: "I have used Lux Unfiltered for almost three years now, and it's the only tanning lotion I'll ever use! As a busy mom, I don't have time for foam tanning products. I want to be able to apply and get on with my day. I love how easy this lotion is to apply. I have tried both the Rosewood and Santal scents and love both of them, but Santal is my favorite."

Who What Wear's beauty director, Erin Jahns, and I also agree that this new scent from the affordable hair, body, and personal care brand, Saltair, is utterly mouth-watering. With notes of vanilla, sea salt, and creamy sandalwood, it's like a beach trip in a bottle. Subtle, warm, and sophisticated, I never get sick of it. My skin doesn't either. It's formulated with cupuaçu butter, safflower seed oil, and three types of algae to deeply moisturize the skin.

Pros: Affordable, moisturizing, warm vanilla, sea salt, and sandalwood scent.

Cons: None.

Texture: Cream | Size: 10 oz | Fragrance: Salt water vanilla

Promising review: "Love this product! I would love to have a travel-size version to keep in my purse. I get compliments on this scent every time."

I'll keep going on about Mutha's Body Butter until the day I die. This stuff is expensive, but it's so rich and luxurious and keeps my skin softer, smoother, and more moisturized than just about anything else. I'm the first to admit that it's greasier than other body lotions on the market due to a formula rich in fatty acids, pure seed extracts, and shea, cocoa, and mango butter, but I don't care because it makes my skin look and feel incredible. I use it after shaving to keep my skin supple and prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs.

Pros: Intensely moisturizing, barrier-strengthening, helps prevent stretch marks and razor burn

Cons: Pricey.

Texture: Butter | Size: 5.5 oz | Fragrance: Slight citrus scent

Promising review: "This body butter is thick, rich, and SUPER moisturizing. I love the subtle citrus smell, and the texture is divine. It is everything I have been looking for in body butter. And all-natural? A dream."

Salt & Stone's body washes and deodorants are internet-famous, and I can see why—they're effective, and they smell incredible. This body lotion is no different. It intensely hydrates the skin with seaweed extracts and niacinamide, while the brand's iconic bergamot and hinoki fragrance delicately scent the skin. Trust me. If you have the body wash, you need the matching body lotion.

Pros: Firming, re-texturizing, barrier-strengthening, bergamot & hinoki scent, lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy

Cons: None

Texture: Cream | Size: 15 oz | Fragrance: Bergamot & hinoki scent

Promising review: "I love this scent. it smells clean and earthy. i personally like the smell of bergamot, so I knew I would like this 😊 I let my mom try it too and she loved how it made her skin feel soft and look smooth so I bought another for her!"

How could I *not* include Sol De Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream? The iconic body butter firms and tightens the skin thanks to caffeine-rich guaranà. I think the internet would agree with me when I say the scent is the real selling point. It's perfumed with the brand's Cheirosa ’62 scent—a warm and spicy combination of salted caramel, vanilla, and pistachio.

Pros: Firming, tightening, barrier-strengthening, refillable container, warm & spicy scent

Cons: None

Texture: Butter | Size: 8.1 oz | Fragrance: Warm & spicy scent

Promising review: "I love this scent. it smells clean and earthy. i personally like the smell of bergamot, so I knew I would like this 😊 I let my mom try it too and she loved how it made her skin feel soft and look smooth so I bought another for her!"

Here's another one of my long-time favorite body lotions. Kiehl's Crème de Corps Body Lotion gets the job done. With two hero ingredients—squalane and cocoa butter—it's moisturizing, smoothing, and fast-absorbing

Pros: Smoothing, barrier-strengthening, refillable container, lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy, fragrance-free

Cons: Some people say it can be difficult to dispense the product from the bottle.

Texture: Cream | Size: 8.4 oz | Fragrance: None.

Promising review: "One of my favorite body lotions. Light, no scent. My skin drinks it in. I just wish it was in a pump bottle because it can be hard to get out of the bottle."