The right body lotion is the difference between skin that feels comfortable all day and skin that nags at you by mid-morning, which is why a good one is worth a little thought. Below are the top 6 body lotions we think are worth buying, chosen to run from no-frills budget staples to one proper splurge. This is general guidance rather than medical advice, and skin varies, so patch-test first and see how yours responds.
What to look for
Start with how dry your skin actually is. Lighter lotions absorb quickly and suit normal skin and warmer months, while richer, butter-based formulas give more lasting comfort to very dry or winter skin. Ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, shea butter and oat are all worth looking out for, and the best time to apply is on slightly damp skin straight after a shower, which helps the appearance of softness and holds moisture in.
Fragrance is the other big decision. A scented lotion can be a daily pleasure, but if your skin is reactive a fragrance-free or lightly scented option is the safer path, and the same gentle-first thinking runs through our guide to the best gentle cleansers for sensitive skin. If you like the plump, well-fed finish that layering can give the face, our edit of Korean moisturisers follows the same comfort-first philosophy for your routine above the neck.
Finally, do not forget the bits that get missed. Elbows, knees, shins and hands take the most punishment, and a lotion only helps if you actually reapply to them. For the very driest zones, the lips are their own project, and our roundup of lip treatments covers that corner properly.
1. CeraVe Moisturising Lotion
CeraVe has built a quiet empire on barrier-friendly basics, and its Moisturising Lotion is the body member of that family. It is lightweight, absorbs quickly and leaves a non-greasy finish, which makes it genuinely easy to use every day rather than something you dread rubbing in. The ceramide story is the draw for readers who like the appearance of a comfortable, well-supported skin barrier.
The large pump bottle is a small but real part of the appeal, making it easy to use one-handed and generously after a shower, which is when a body lotion actually earns its keep. It is lightly scented rather than perfumed, so it tends not to clash with fragrance, and it spreads far enough that a bottle lasts.
Pricing sits at mid-range, around £13 for a large pump bottle, and it is easy to find in Boots. It is not the richest option here, so very dry skin in deep winter may want something heavier. The Sixated take: the sensible everyday default, especially if you already trust the brand on your face.
2. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion
Aveeno’s oat-based lotion is a long-standing go-to for dry and easily irritated skin, and its appeal is how undemanding it is. It soaks in fast, feels light rather than tacky, and carries only a soft scent, which makes it an easy one to share across a whole household. For everyday, all-over moisture without any fuss, it is hard to fault.
The oat angle is the heart of its appeal, giving it a soft, comforting feel that tends to sit well on skin that gets tight or itchy in cold weather. It is the sort of lotion you can keep by the door and use without thinking, which is often exactly what busy households need.
Pricing is budget, often around £7 and regularly on offer, and it is stocked almost everywhere. The Sixated take: a dependable family staple that does exactly what it promises, and a safe recommendation for skin that is dry rather than dramatic.
3. E45 Dermatological Lotion
E45 is the opposite of a hype product, and that is precisely why so many readers keep a bottle on hand. It is a plain, fragrance-light lotion long associated with dry, flaky skin, and it earns its place through sheer reliability rather than any clever marketing. If your shins or arms go tight and rough, it is a no-nonsense option that just gets on with it.
It spreads easily and sinks in without much fuss, and because it is so lightly fragranced it tends to suit people who find scented lotions overwhelming. Buying the larger tub is the obvious move if dry skin is a year-round rather than seasonal issue, since you will get through it.
Pricing is budget, around £6, and it is a fixture in Boots. It will never feel like a treat, and it is not trying to. The Sixated take: the unglamorous workhorse for genuinely dry patches, and a fair choice when you want substance over scent.
4. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is instantly recognisable by its warm, sweet scent, and it has a devoted following among people who like their lotion to feel a bit richer. It gives drier skin a comforting cushion and a glow, and the familiar fragrance is a big part of the appeal, so it is worth a sniff first to be sure it suits you. For the price, it delivers a surprising amount of richness.
Pricing is budget, around £6, and it is easy to find in Boots and Superdrug. The scent is assertive, so fragrance-sensitive readers may prefer a quieter option elsewhere on this list. The Sixated take: a budget pick with character, ideal for dry skin that wants richness and a comforting scent.
5. Weleda Skin Food Body Lotion
Weleda’s Skin Food range has a cult following, and the body lotion version brings that natural-leaning, herbal character to an everyday format. It has a creamy feel that absorbs to a non-greasy finish and a distinctive plant-based scent of orange and lavender, which makes it a lovely choice for readers who want something that feels more natural without tipping into heaviness.
It carries the same plant-extract approach that made the original Skin Food balm a favourite, translated into a format you can use all over without it feeling greasy. The scent is noticeable, so it is worth sampling if you are fragrance-sensitive, but for many readers that botanical character is precisely the point.
Pricing is mid-range, around £19, and it is easy to find at Boots and Cult Beauty. It is a step up from the budget staples both in feel and in scent. The Sixated take: the thoughtful middle option, and a pleasure for anyone who prefers a more botanical ingredient story.
6. L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Lotion
If you want your body lotion to feel like a genuine treat, L’Occitane’s shea-rich offering is the splurge of this six. It has a plush, comforting texture and the brand’s signature scent, and it is the kind of thing that makes the few minutes after a shower feel a little more indulgent. For very dry skin, the richness pays off; for normal skin, it is simply a pleasure.
Shea butter is the hero here, giving the lotion a genuinely rich, cushioning feel that lingers on the skin rather than vanishing in seconds. It is slower to sink in than the lighter options above, which is the trade-off for that lasting comfort, so it tends to shine most on legs, elbows and anywhere that goes properly dry. The scent is understated and warm rather than loud, which helps it feel grown-up rather than gimmicky.
Pricing is a splurge, around £26, and it is easy to find at L’Occitane boutiques and online. Whether it is worth the premium comes down to how much you value the texture and scent, since the budget picks here will keep skin perfectly comfortable too. The Sixated take: the little luxury of the list, and a lovely one if everyday softness is something you would rather savour.