Whether you’re prepping for winter’s harsh winds and dry air or dealing with the relentless summer sun and its not-so-nice sunburns, keeping your skin hydrated is a year-round task. Prevention is key and that means using sunscreen daily, drinking lots of water, and of course, using a lotion that delivers a deeply moisturizing effect. But what lotion is best? That depends on your skin.
Using lotion every day not only helps to keep your skin hydrated, which in turn makes it feel good and look younger (wrinkles love a dry skin climate), but many of the lotions on our list also have protective barriers that help to prevent future dry spells. For those with sensitive skin, finding a moisturizer that won’t aggravate their condition further is key, which is why we’ve included options that work for eczema, rosacea, and photosynthesis. If you’re simply looking for a quality lotion for dry skin at an affordable price, we’ve got that for you as well. Also, we hope you appreciate your non-sensitive skin. That is a blessing.
From the face to the feet, hands to arms, finding a lotion to keep your skin looking and feeling great doesn’t have to be rocket science. Just remember to actually use the lotion. It’s much more effective that way.
1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
BEST OVERALL
For a dermatologist-recommended and affordable lotion that can be used anywhere on the body, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is one of the best options on the market. The cream helps to combat serious skin issues like eczema but is still gentle enough that it can be used daily by people with non-sensitive skin. Made with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, CeraVe can be applied to the face and helps reduce the appearance of acne thanks to its non-comedogenic makeup that won’t clog pores. It absorbs quickly, won’t leave a greasy residue, is fragrance-free and paraben-free, and can help to improve the skin’s natural moisture-making process after four weeks of regular use.
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2. EltaMD Moisture-Rich Body Crème with Hyaluronic Acid for Dry, Flaky, and Sensitive Skin
BEST FOR INFLAMED SKIN
If your skin is inflamed, it’s difficult to focus on anything else. Using hyaluronic acid, EltaMD helps to calm the skin. It’s made without the use of fragrance to ensure the skin isn’t further aggravated. A moisturizer for all skin types, EltaMD is non-greasy and uses plant-based lipids and mango butter to hydrate the skin and create a barrier to fight against future dryness. Safe for the body and face, EltaMD does come in on the higher price side of lotions, but it only takes a minimal amount to hydrate skin and users don’t have to reapply often.
3. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Intense Repair Body Cream
BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
If just thinking about putting something on your skin causes you to break out in hives, you need a lotion that takes your sensitive skin seriously. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Intense Repair Body Cream is recommended by dermatologists for anyone who suffers from extra-dry, extra-sensitive skin. Safe for daily use on the face and body, the lotion uses niacinamide, shea butter, and glycerin to provide deep hydration year-round. Winter skin, you’ve been warned. The fragrance-free lotion has Vitamin B3 to help soothe skin and is even safe for babies as young as two weeks.
4. Aquaphor Healing Ointment
BEST FOR CHAPPED SKIN
We’re pretty sure you can’t die from chapped lips, but we’re also pretty sure we came close a few years ago with a bad cold that wouldn’t go away. A very kind salesperson at a drugstore recommended Aquaphor Healing Ointment and we’ve been chap-free ever since. The do-it-all cream can be used just about anywhere your skin needs moisture, from the lips to the face, hands, feet, and body. Aquaphor differs from traditional lotions because it creates a healing barrier that allows the skin to recuperate while still receiving oxygen. Safe for babies, kids, and adults, Aquaphor is an excellent healer for skin that has passed the point of being simply dry and has entered the dreaded chapped chapter.
5. Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Balm
BEST FOR DRY HANDS
Mrs. Meyer’s is best known as the company that creates great smelling soaps and cleaners that are gentle on your home. Now they’ve branched out into the personal care line and we are fans. Spy received a sample of the new Mrs. Meyer’s Hand Balm and found our digits instantly soothed by the shea butter hand cream that has everything you want (clean scent, long-lasting moisture, non-greasy application) and nothing you don’t (no parabens, phthalates, or artificial colors). The cream goes on thick and users only need a small amount, which helps make the hand balm last.
6. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
BEST AFFORDABLE BRAND
Whether you’re buying moisturizer in bulk, keeping a house full of people hydrated (skin-wise), or simply want a great lotion that won’t cost a (smooth) arm and a leg, Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion is an excellent option. The fragrance-free, non-greasy lotion goes on light and absorbs quickly, making it easy to lotion up and get on with your day. It’s non-comedogenic, so pores will remain unclogged, and it contains soothing oatmeal that inflamed and dry skin will love.
7. Clayton Shagal Sensi Derm Cream
BEST FOR THE FACE
We’ve been using Clayton Shagal for a while after Spy was given several of the brand’s products to try and have become masters at working the skincare company into conversations. Trust us, your face will thank you. The Sensi Derm Cream works for every face, from sensitive to dry, normal to mature (age spots, you’re about to meet your match). If you suffer from rosacea, erythema, or photosensitivity, the Sensi Derm will not only moisturize your skin but also reduce redness and leave a protective layer to help reduce future breakouts. Skin is hydrated using hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and honey and algae extract, while artemia extract protects the skin from stress and UV rays. Skin will feel softer and smoother, helping you look younger.
8. CBD Lotion by CBD Living Products
HELPS TO RELIEVE MUSCLE TENSION
If you’ve been thinking of dipping your (dry) toes into the CBD world or you’re already a fan of the chemical’s healing components, CBD Living Products should be on your radar. The company offers a wide variety of bath and body products and we are big fans of their body lotion. Available unscented or in lavender, eucalyptus, coconut lime, and amber bergamot scent, the lotion is 100 percent free from THC and uses ingredients sourced from organic hemp grown in the US. The non-GMO, vegan, and cruelty-free cream adds moisture back into the skin and helps to relieve tension in muscles and joints. Spy received several of the items in the CBD Living Products line and we were impressed with the lotion’s non-greasy application and its calming effect that helps to relieve dryness and minor nerve and muscle pain while also leaving skin feeling hydrated.
9. Puriya Mother of All Creams
SAFE FOR THE WHOLE BODY
Dealing with dry skin is never fun, but throw in rashes and burns and, well, just cancel your plans, because you need to stay home and feel awful in peace. Or not! Puriya Mother of All Creams is a plant-based intensive moisturizer that can be used daily on the face and body. Using honey, aloe vera, shea butter, and jojoba oil, the lotion not only works like a regular moisturizer that soothes dry skin, but it also helps with (drumroll please) itchy skin, razor burns, rashes, muscle sprains, sunburn, and insect bites. Non-greasy, lightweight, free from fragrances, and safe for sensitive skin, the dermatologist-tested Puriya is a great option for the face all the way to the feet.
10. Cocoa & Jojoba Body Soufflé by London Grant
CAN HELP REDUCE THE APPEARANCE OF SCARS AND STRETCH MARKS
Moisturizing skin not only helps it feel smooth and soft all day but with the right kind of lotion, skin can also be healed. Spy received a sample of the Cocoa & Jojoba Body Soufflé by London Grant and can confirm it is not only an excellent lotion for providing skin with deep nourishment and leaving it feeling a-may-zing, but its plant-based Vitamin E ingredients can also help to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks while also soothing irritated areas, including rashes. The rich, fragrance-free lotion is made in the US without fillers or preservatives, giving users the calming sensation of knowing they’re putting only natural ingredients on their body.
Give Your Dry, Chapped Knuckles Some Relief With These Soothing Hand Lotions