The 16 Very Best Body Lotions for Dry Skin

Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Price: 12 ounces (Approx. $1.30/ounce)

For a lightweight option when your skin doesn’t need quite as much TLC (say, in the summer), Dr. Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg, Ohio, likes CeraVe’s lightweight moisturizing lotion, which has similar ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, but isn’t quite as thick.

Ingredients: Ceramides, vitamin E | Price: 6.7 ounces (Approx. $4/ounce)

For extremely dry skin, four dermatologists recommend using this exceptionally rich cream to prevent cracking and splitting (and to treat those conditions once they occur). The fragrance-free formula includes vitamin E and ceramides, making it “extremely hydrating,” according to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss. L.A.–based dermatologist Dr. Annie Chiu is “a big fan” of Avène’s cream because of its density, telling us that “severely dry skin typically calls for a thicker cream, balm, or ointment rather than a lotion because they can trap in moisture better.” Although this cream is rather rich, Hirsch says it’s still wearable without being too greasy, which is often an issue with creams designed for really dry skin. MacGregor recommends the Avène cream for extremely dry skin, noting that anyone with severe dryness should steer clear of “lotions marketed for rough and bumpy skin, because they have peeling agents (lactic or glycolic alpha hydroxy acids), and these are not good.”

Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Price: 19 ounces (Approx. $1/ounce)

This lotion comes recommended by almost every dermatologist we talked to as an effective, all-around hydrating treatment for dry skin. It’s a dependable staple for dermatologists and one of my longtime favorites. It’s such a workhorse that I use it everywhere, face included. The formula has both ceramides and hyaluronic acid, notes dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein. New York–based dermatologist Dr. Melissa K. Levin, the founder of Entière Dermatology, calls hyaluronic acid “an incredibly effective humectant.” The CeraVe cream’s thick texture feels cool to the touch, immediately soothing irritated skin upon application, according to Levin. Hirsch appreciates the “soothing, creamy texture” of the moisturizer.

To get the best results, Marchbein suggests applying a liberal amount (which seems reasonable at $18 a bottle) within 60 seconds of getting out of the shower because that’s when your pores will be slightly open, allowing your skin to easily absorb the cream’s moisture.

Ingredients: Niacinamide, shea butter | Price: 13.5 ounces (Approx. $1.49/ounce)

I’ve struggled over the years to find a body cream that doesn’t seem to vanish after a few hours, particularly in the winter. I can apply Lipikar Balm at night and wake up still moisturized, which, given my ultradry alligator skin, is an impressive feat. Dermatologists recommend it too: Mitchell likes La Roche-Posay, which, like Vanicream, is “accepted by the National Eczema Association,” making it great for sensitive skin. Despite how gentle this lotion is, it’s still effective enough to “reduce dry, rough skin and provide daily relief.” She calls out the “unique prebiotic action on the skin microbiome,” which restores and preserves the skin’s barrier and gives longer-lasting results. Hirsch likes this almost identical cream from La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar line, calling it a “super-solid product” that features glycerin, shea butter, and niacinamide, which helps to repair (and strengthen) the skin barrier. 

Ingredients: Petrolatum, propylene glycol | Price: 16 ounces (Approx. $0.90/ounce)

Five of our dermatologists — Dr. Debra Jaliman, Mitchell, Palep, Idriss, and Hirsch — give this cream their stamp of approval as a go-to for soothing dry, sensitive skin. Idriss told us she always urges patients to take “the time time to figure out” what their skin may be reacting to instead of “blindly saying, ‘I have sensitive skin,’” but she notes that this stuff generally works for most types of dry sensitive skin because “it’s free of almost everything.” She adds, “If you’re extremely sensitive or don’t have the time to figure it out, then this is probably a good go-to product.” “The brilliance of this is what’s not in it because it’s free of essentially all the main ingredients that can cause issues,” Hirsch explains. Jaliman seconds this but notes that the limited ingredient list features petroleum and glycerin, which are useful moisturizers. Mitchell mentions that it’s “accepted by the National Eczema Association,” so it will work for those with eczema as well.

Ingredients: Ceramides, colloidal oatmeal | Price: 7.3 ounces (Approx. $0.60/ounce)

Chiu describes eczema as a condition “characterized by irritated, chronically itchy skin,” noting that it can be notoriously finicky and tough to treat. She (along with many of our pros) says eczema patients should consult with their dermatologist about any prescription products they might use. Short of a prescription, Chiu, Idriss, and Levin (who says she has eczema herself) all recommend using this lotion on dry skin caused by eczema. “It’s fragrance free, enriched with ceramides and oatmeal — oatmeal is known to be really helpful for people with eczema because it helps calm inflammation — and it really is very long-lasting,” explains Idriss. Levin notes that this lotion contains glycerin: “Not only is it a powerhouse ingredient because it really knows how to pull in water, but it’s not greasy.” That latter detail may be especially appealing to the eczema-prone like herself, Levin adds, because they “are so used to using greasy stuff that they actually tolerate and enjoy this one.” Plus, Aveeno made this lotion a tad liquidy, allowing it to blend quickly and smoothly into the skin without the incessant kneading that some thicker lotions require.

Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Price: 2 ounces (Approx. $16/ounce)

If you’re looking for something to specifically soothe inflammation caused by dry skin, Palep and Levin recommend this one, in part because they can vouch for its effectiveness after using it themselves. Levin calls this EltaMD cream “probably one of my favorite products of all time,” adding that “it has dimethicone, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, but it has squalane oil and mango-seed butter as well as niacinamide — all of which focus on inflammation.” She lists the formula’s kiwi-fruit extract and bromelain, more ingredients that she says dermatologists specifically “look for to help with swelling and inflammation.” Mitchell, another fan, appreciates that it’s long-lasting, which cuts down on the number of times you’ll have to reapply. It’s a lot pricier than some other lotions on this list, but Palep says the cost is worth it because the quality of this stuff is hard to beat.

Ingredients: Prebiotic thermal water, colloidal oatmeal | Price: 6.8 ounces (Approx. $3.3/ounce)

While this cream is technically formulated to treat eczema, Levin notes that it’s an overall great cream for calming the inflammation that typically happens with dry skin. When skin is dry and inflamed, she explains, it generally suggests there’s “an imbalance of the natural bacteria and microbes that live on the skin.” This cream helps restore that balance while hydrating and smoothing, she says. Levin notes that the “hero” ingredient in this is “prebiotic thermal water,” adding that it is generally “incredibly rich in minerals that focus on trying to rebalance your skin microbiome.” It’s “much thicker” than our best overall CeraVe cream, she admits, but has standout ingredients that can deeply hydrate and soothe any redness, irritation, and inflammation.

Ingredients: Essential fatty acids, caffeine, AHAs, fruit enzymes | Price: 6.4 ounces (Approx. $5.9/ounce)

I’ve been using this ultrathick lotion from Ole Henriksen all summer, and after using it for a few months, I’ve been happy with how it nourishes my very dry winter skin. I credit that to the ingredients — AHA exfoliants, nourishing butters and oils, and caffeine — which work together to gently slough away dry skin while also moisturizing the fresh, new skin underneath. The texture reminds me a bit of lightweight whipped Shea, but smoother and easy to apply. And despite the presence of exfoliants, I’ve been able to use it daily without any irritation. Because AHAs can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, I’d recommend applying this at night or being very good about sunscreen if you plan on exposing skin throughout the day.

Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycerin | Price: 14 ounces (Approx. $0.92/ounce)

Palep told us she recommends this specifically to patients with keratosis pilaris, “the spiky, dry, rough patches of skin on the back of the arms and thighs.” She says that because it contains lactic acid (which gently breaks down rough skin), this, like the above Cetaphil cream, is “really good for when you have a condition that needs a little exfoliation.” The nongreasy formula sinks in immediately, she adds, and works to improve skin’s overall texture in the long run, too.

Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega 6 and 9 | Price: 6.8 ounces (Approx. $3.7/ounce)

Finding clean and natural beauty products can be tricky, according to Idriss, who says, “There’s no universal definition for what natural means.” She adds that the term “clean” typically indicates that a brand has formulated a product without any toxic ingredients (like SLS, fragrances, or other synthetic materials), which is exactly how she describes this lotion from Nécessaire. She says her clients rave about it, and she recommends it to anyone practicing clean beauty who is looking to soothe dry skin. “It’s fragrance free, enriched with a bunch of omegas and vitamins, and formulated without controversial ingredients,” Idriss explains, adding that the lotion is relatively light, sinks in quickly, and provides fast relief.