10 Best Body Lotions For Softer Skin

Person wearing a patterned robe sitting on the edge of a tub putting lotion on their legs — Getty Images

Dry skin? Not on our watch. Whether you’re rocking a strapless wedding dress on your big day or prepping for an island honeymoon, your dermis better look and feel good. Like a big glass of water, body lotions and their thicker cream counterparts are all about hydrating your skin to live its most supple and glowy life. Look for formulas with ample amounts of humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that literally pull in moisture from the air around you (so sci-fi!) and occlusives like fatty ceramides and dimethicone that seal in all that goodness. For instant softness, check the label for emollients like lanolin or squalane that lubricate the skin for a silky finish. Insert these 10 best body lotions into your routine (and, of course, drink plenty of H20) and you'll be ready to show off that soft and luminous skin.

The best time to apply products is while the skin is slightly moist and soaks up the most moisture.

From drugstore steals to splurge-worthy options, read on for the 10 best body lotions for super-soft skin.

01 of 10

Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream

Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream turns morning rituals into a day at the beach with its cult-favorite tropical aroma. Meanwhile the fast-absorbing, oil-in-water dream gets arms, legs, and, well, everything else bikini-ready in a flash. The rich blend of hydrating cupuaçu butter, nourishing coconut oil, and the antioxidant superpowers of açaí are nothing short of a luxurious vacation for the skin.

SHOP NOW: Sephora, $45

02 of 10

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

Low-maintenance ladies, we’ve got the perfect pick for you. This lightweight formula for face and body is a daily essential with a bunch of mega-hydrating ingredients—including avocado oil and glycerin, as well as vitamins E and B5. That's quite the heavy lift for a drugstore steal.

SHOP NOW: Target, $10.79

03 of 10

Milk + Honey Body Cream, Nº 16

Ready to join the clean beauty revolution? Thoughtfully crafted with soothing aloe juice, hydrating shea butter, antioxidant-rich green tea extract, and dreamy essential oils, this obsession-worthy formula does a dermis good. And did we mention it smells delicious?

SHOP NOW: Milk + Honey, $38

04 of 10

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Moisturizer

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Moisturizer is one of those tried-and-true products that’s constantly converting new loyalists and making long-time fans feel pretty darn proud about their decision to slather this emollient elixir on every day. The cocoa butter, shea butter, and squalane formula absorbs quickly without compromising on hydration and leaves a subtle natural fragrance in its wake. Bonus: The packaging is made from recycled products so it's just as earth-friendly as it is skin-loving.

SHOP NOW: Kiehl's, $30

05 of 10

EltaMD Moisture-Rich Body Creme

Dermatologists love EltaMD. If your sensitive skin is craving some MD-approved TLC, this nourishing cream is definitely the move. It has got skin-quenching ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing mango seed butter, a heaping helping of vitamin E, and skincare superhero niacinamide to protect against environmental damage, retain moisture, and reduce inflammation and discoloration. Need we say more?

SHOP NOW: Dermstore, $29

06 of 10

SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Body Lotion

We’re nuts (pun intended) for this luxurious lotion that’s enriched with coconut milk, organic raw shea butter, and Acacia Senegal—ingredients that not only hydrate but soothe inflamed or damaged skin. If that weren't already a winning mix, the Black-owned brand is committed to creating certified clean and sustainable products with fair trade ingredients and never tests on animals. And a little goes a long way. So, the bottle—which is a steal at $10.99—lasts forever.

SHOP NOW: Target, $10.99

07 of 10

Seed Phytonutrients Body Moisturizer

Looking for a cruelty-free and vegan option that won’t harm the planet? Seed Phytonutrients Body Moisturizer is 99 percent natural containing earth-grown ingredients that pack a serious moisture punch like organic sunflower seed oil, camelina seed oil, and shea butter. Even the recycled paper packing is eco-conscious.

SHOP NOW: Seed Phytonutrients, $18

08 of 10

Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Lotion

Another oldie but a goodie, Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Lotion proves that soft, supple, glowing limbs are possible. Cocoa and shea butters deliver rich hydration while the brand's heavy-lifting petroleum jelly (this is Vaseline, after all) ensures that none of that goodness escapes. Seriously—slather it on for skin that begs to be touched. And, in case it needs mentioning, it doesn't get any more budget-friendly than this so there's no need to be precious when laying it on thick!

SHOP NOW: Target, $5.89

09 of 10

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Just because something isn’t shiny and new doesn’t mean it’s any less noteworthy. (Hey, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?) This colloidal oatmeal-infused classic has been a drugstore staple for decades and comes in a matching body wash, too. If you're not familiar with colloidal oatmeal, other than it sounding like something out of grandma's pantry, take note: The ingredient is a serious skincare savior for soothing any irritation or damage, and an actual godsend for anyone suffering from eczema. Plus, Jennifer Aniston swears by it.

SHOP NOW: Target, $6.99

10 of 10

Grown Alchemist Body Cream, Mandarin & Rosemary Leaf

One of our favorite Aussie exports, Grown Alchemist has a line of beauty-boosting standouts in packaging just as chic as the formulas they contain. We’re deeply obsessed with the brand’s antioxidant-rich body cream. It has a satiny texture and even dry elbows are no match for the smoothing powers of this antioxidant and shea butter concoction. The petite packaging comes with a price tag that can be described as luxurious at best, but a little goes a long way on your driest spots and the perfume-worthy fragrance is definitely worth the extra dollar signs (think: aromatherapy and a nourishing balm).

SHOP NOW: Dermstore, $26