These Drugstore Body Lotions Feel Way More Luxe Than Their Price Tags (2024)

Our Top Picks

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Dimethicone, Petrolatum | Skin Type: All, including sensitive | Size: 8, 12, 16 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

Of all of the drugstore body lotions we tried out, this one stood out for all of the best reasons. Look no further than Cerave Moisturizing Cream for a lotion that delivers body butter-level hydration and a quick-absorbing formula. We love that, even though it has a thick consistency, it’s easy to apply and goes on so smoothly. We were also impressed with how quickly it absorbed—within one minute of application, we could pull on leggings without any problem.

This lotion left the skin feeling and looking amazing (credit to the ceramides and hyaluronic acid in the formula). We saw a well-hydrated glow for a full day after application. The only thing we’d like to see changed is its packaging from a tub to a pump bottle so it’s easier to get product out.

READ THE FULL REVIEW: Cerave’s Moisturizing Cream Transformed My Skin

Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter | Skin Type: Dry skin, Dull skin | Size: 10, 20.3, 32 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

A tried and true brand, Vaseline’s Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Lotion is a fantastic drugstore moisturizer for anyone—but especially a shopper looking to get a lot of bang for their buck. It’s available in three large sizes and we found that a little goes a long way; even with daily use, the smallest container will last a while. We also love that it’s packaged in a no-mess pump bottle. Plus, the formula’s light cocoa butter scent will take you back to the tropics.

We were very impressed with the lotion’s consistency—spreads nicely over the skin and absorbs quickly without leaving anything behind. Most importantly, it leaves dry skin feeling healthy, nourished, and well-hydrated. That said, we didn’t notice a significant improvement in skin appearance after daily use.

Key Ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Colloidal Oatmeal, Aloe | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 8 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Acure’s Seriously Soothing 24-hour Moisture Lotion leaves the skin feeling hydrated and soothed even on the driest of days when the skin gets chapped. We like the thick consistency, and that, unlike a lot of thicker lotions, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to rub this formula into the skin. Its quick absorption also stood out to us, as did how efficient the lotion is, likely due to the colloidal oatmeal—you’ll be surprised by how much moisture you can get from just a little dab!

Despite its thick consistency, the lotion doesn’t leave any residue behind (no flakes, no rubbing off on clothes) and it's gentle enough to use on any skin type. However, even though our skin felt fantastic for a full day after using this lotion, we were a little disappointed to find that it didn’t leave behind a glow or change in the appearance of the skin.

Key Ingredients: Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Water, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone | Skin Type: Dry skin | Size: 20 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

We love Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion because it’s light enough to wear on a hot summer day, but still effective enough to keep the skin moisturized in the dry winter. We were so impressed with its smooth application and quick absorption, and despite its lighter formula, it didn’t leave the skin feeling wet or greasy. We also appreciated its mild scent that was in no way overpowering.

This lotion doesn’t leave behind any residue and doesn’t seem to transfer to clothing after it’s been absorbed. It left our skin glowing and feeling hydrated and smooth throughout the day. While it is marketed for all skin types, it isn’t the strongest formula, so it may not be the most effective option for someone with very dry skin or a condition like eczema.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid | Skin Type: Normal to dry skin | Size: 3, 8, 12, 16 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

When we tried out Cerave’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion, we were truly surprised by how quickly it soaked into the skin. The light formula is easy to apply and spread, and its effects on dry skin are visible within minutes. It left our skin feeling soothed and hydrated and with a bit of a glow. Also, despite it being a lightweight lotion, it didn’t feel greasy or sticky after application.

Our tester for this specific product has eczema and used the lotion on their hands where they frequently experience flare-ups. They found that the formula did not further irritate their skin and was effective in hydrating the affected areas. That said, they mentioned that they needed to reapply in these areas twice to three times a day to keep them sufficiently moisturized.

READ THE FULL REVIEW: I Tried CeraVe's Daily Moisturizer on My Sensitive Skin—Here's What Happened

Key Ingredients: Ceramide Serum, Dimethicone, Mango Seed Butter, Sweet Almond Oil | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 13.5 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you want your skin to not only feel hydrated but look fantastic, then Dove’s Body Love Glowing Care Body Lotion is for you. The light formula goes on smoothly and fully absorbs in under a minute. While it leaves the skin with a beautiful glow, it does not leave behind a film or any greasy feeling. We love this lotion for any time, but especially for giving your skin a little extra warmth on a night out.

This lotion’s subtle scent (likely due to the mango seed butter) also stood out to us because it lasted all day but never felt like it was too much. We also like how easy it is to apply and that the iridescent glow stays on the skin without transferring to clothes. The one area we feel could use some improvement is its consistency—it’s very light and if it were a little thicker it may feel more moisturizing.

Key Ingredients: Shea Oil, Shea Butter, Dimethicone | Skin Type: Dry skin, Sensitive skin, Normal skin | Size: 16 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

EOS’ Shea Butter 24H Moisture Body Lotion is a lightweight, creamy moisturizer that leaves the skin feeling super hydrated throughout the day, more so than other lotions we tried, thanks to its inclusion of shea oil and shea butter. We love how smoothly this one goes on and how easy it is to blend into the skin. After applying the formula, we found our skin felt hydrated, nourished, and soft. We like that it’s also super gentle, so our sensitive skin friends can also enjoy it.

This body lotion is unscented and is formulated for all skin types. We found it to be very effective and love that it doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy or sticky or leave behind a film that will transfer to clothing. Compared to similar products, it does have a slightly longer absorption time, but it’s still relatively quick given the consistency of the lotion.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Aloe | Skin Type: Dry skin, Extra dry skin | Size: 16.8 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We were stunned by just how thick Gold Blond’s Healing Hydration Lotion is—and even more amazed once we saw how easy it is to apply. This lotion works wonders for dry, cracked skin, offering relief almost immediately and repairing the skin within a few days of consistent use (thanks, vitamins E, A, C, and aloe). We love how quickly it absorbs into the skin and that a single application on the hands can last through several rounds of hand washing.

Despite how thick this lotion is, we found that it absorbed well into the skin without leaving behind any greasy film or flakes. It feels super hydrating and is still gentle enough for skin that can be prone to reactions. The product claims that an application of Gold Bond’s Healing Hydration Lotion can moisturize skin for up to 24 hours, but we found that we did need to reapply once or twice throughout the day to maintain hydration.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid | Skin Type: Normal skin, Dry skin | Size: 16 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

If you aren’t into the consistency of a traditional lotion, Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream is an excellent alternative. It’s equally as hydrating as the cream-based lotions we tried but has a lighter, non-greasy feel. We found this gel to be super lightweight, easy to apply, and a great value because a few dabs will go a very long way. We also loved the results this formula delivered; with consistent use, we found our skin softer, smoother, and generally more hydrated.

We did notice that it can take up to five minutes before it’s fully absorbed and it can leave the skin feeling wet and somewhat sticky during the process. However, after applying the lotion and letting it absorb, it does not leave a greasy or filmy feeling behind and it doesn’t transfer from the skin to clothes.

Key Ingredients: Almond Oil | Skin Type: Dry skin, Very dry skin | Size: 16.9 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

For dry skin that needs quick relief, you can’t go wrong with Nivea’s Essentially Enriched Body Lotion. It offers fantastic hydration all over, but it’s especially great for dry spots that need extra moisture. It has a thick texture to lock in moisture, but it is also formulated with almond oil which helps skin look (and feel) smoother. The oil base also helps soften the thick lotion so it’s easy to apply; it absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy feelings behind.

After using this lotion, we found that the skin feels moisturized and has a little extra shine. We love that even though the lotion is on the thicker side, it still feels lightweight. If we could change anything, we’d want to get rid of the baby lotion-like mell and have an unscented formula instead. It also requires a good amount of lotion to cover the body.

Key Ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E | Skin Type: Rough, dry skin | Size: 1.7, 8.5, 13.5, 33.8 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion offers deep hydration for rough, dry skin that we found to be effective and nourishing. We like that the lotion comes out thick enough for the skin to feel saturated, but that it’s still easy to rub into the skin and doesn’t leave a greasy look or feeling behind. It’s also super effective and keeps dry, rough skin moisturized throughout the day.

We were also impressed by how quickly the lotion absorbed into the skin—particularly given how thick the formula is. Within about 30 seconds of rubbing it in, the lotion is fully absorbed and actually feels light on the skin compared to similar thick-textured body lotions. While we are definitely impressed with how hydrated the skin feels after using this lotion, we noticed that it didn’t improve appearance (no glow or radiance after application).

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil | Skin Type: Normal skin | Size: 14 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re a fan of scented body lotions, Saltair has you covered with nine delightful scents (plus an unscented option, just in case you change your mind). We were truly impressed with how nourished this lotion leaves skin looking and feeling, and love that it doesn’t need to be reapplied throughout the day because a single layer offers long-lasting hydration. It has a more liquid-like consistency than a lot of other body lotions, but it absorbs quickly (within seconds) and feels light on the skin.

We also like that Saltair body lotions are cruelty-free and vegan and that the lotions are packed in aluminum bottles instead of plastic. We’re fans of the many scents to choose from, but did note that the smell lingers a bit, so if you happen to choose one that you’re not a big fan of you’ll probably be smelling it throughout the day.

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, Hibiscus extract, Shea butter | Skin Type: Dull skin | Size: 13 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Body Lotion not only moisturizes dry, dull skin but also leaves it looking healthier than ever. The thick formula uses coconut oil, hibiscus extract, and shea butter to nourish dry skin, leaving behind a silky, glowing appearance. We love that even though it’s a heavier lotion it’s still easy to blend into the skin and that it absorbs quickly without leaving a film or residue behind. Not to mention, it smells amazing.

We found that SheaMoisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Body Lotion leaves dry skin feeling well-hydrated throughout the day while also looking healthier. Overall we were impressed with this moisturizer, but we do wish it came in different packaging because the plastic tube can lose its shape, making it difficult to squeeze out the lotion.

Key Ingredients: Petrolatum | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive skin | Size: 4 fl oz, 16 fl oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

We think Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream is an ideal body lotion for people with sensitive skin types due to its gentle, unscented formula. Though it’s still a cream, it has a thicker consistency (thanks to emollient petrolatum) but it doesn’t transfer onto clothes. We were pleasantly surprised by how quickly it absorbs, leaving skin feeling very nourished and hydrated throughout the day.

Our tester for this body lotion has the chronic skin condition keratosis pilaris and found Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream to be gentle enough for daily use on sensitive skin. Overall, we found that this lotion delivers ample hydration to dry skin, however, the thick formula does take a little extra muscle to thoroughly rub in.

FAQ

• What's the difference between a body lotion and a body cream?

  According to Dr. Rodney, creams are thicker and have a higher concentration of hydrating ingredients. Lotions, on the other hand, have higher amounts of water and lighter consistency. Body butters, like creams, also have a thicker consistency, while body oils are thinner and best for dry skin.

• How often should I use body lotion?

  You can feel free to use your body lotion as often as every day, ideally when you're just out of the shower to help your skin retain moisture. Simply use a towel to dab off excess water, and while your skin is still slightly damp, spread a layer of body lotion over the top.

• Should my body lotion contain SPF?

  Using a lotion with SPF offers the one-two punch of hydrating your skin and protecting it from harmful UVA/UVB rays. Dermatologist Dr. Marie Hayag, MD, told us it's important to find a broad-spectrum lotion with as high an SPF as you can find and apply it liberally: “A shot glass amount is ideal for your body, and it should be applied every two hours, especially if you’re outdoors.”