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This body lotion addresses your skin barrier from multiple angles: Humectants (like aloe vera) pull in moisture, fatty acid-rich players (like shea butter, oat oil, and moringa seed oil) cushion the skin and soften microcracks, while new-generation actives (like postbiotics and CoQ10) protect your skin from free radicals and environmental stressors. Not to mention, it toes the line between rich and creamy and lightweight and spreadable—so it slides onto your skin with ease and provides long-term moisture. 

This cocoa and cupuaçu butter blend delivers major hydration. It’s technically meant for drier skin types, but those prone to oil can certainly join the party: It absorbs quickly into the skin and never leaves a greasy finish—just a soft, velvety feel. Plus, it features 98.9% natural ingredients.  

With shea butter, organic raspberry water, tamarind pulp acids and organic oat sugars, this luxurious formula hydrates and gently exfoliates the skin for a brighter, more supple appearance. I wouldn’t consider it a full-on AHA body lotion, per se—the emphasis remains on moisture, here, with a few exfoliating extras for extra smoothness. As for the texture, it’s incredibly plush: It melts into your skin upon application, and there’s zero dry-down time. Feel free to dress immediately without worrying about sticky, greasy clothing. “Dear men,” one reviewer notes on Clarins’ website, “All I wanted was to apply lotion on my skin, one which I wouldn’t need to turn on the fan at full speed to dry it out. If this goes extinct, I will never put lotion on my skin again.” Say less. 

You can never go wrong with Weleda. With a base of sunflower and sweet almond oils and antioxidant-rich rosemary, chamomile and pansy extracts, the formula simultaneously moisturizes and protects skin from environmental aggressors. The consistency is a bit thick (they call it Ultra-Rich for a reason!), so it may be best for those with drier skin or for rougher patches, like the elbows, knees, feet, etc. 

This buttery number features a cocktail of skin-loving hydrators and antioxidants, like astaxanthin, ceramides, and panthenol, and a fragrance-free formula. It is a bit thicker than your average water cream, but it absorbs immediately with no greasy residue, so it won’t make your face look too shiny. For those looking to streamline their skin care routine, you cannot go wrong with this silky cream. 

This super-lightweight lotion was inspired by Kiehl’s Original Musk Oil (also referred to as the “Love Oil”), which delivers a complex, sophisticated fragrance: First, you’ll notice an initial burst of bergamot nectar and orange blossom, with softer notes of rose, lily, ylang-ylang, and neroli. Then once it dries, you’ll catch whiffs of white patchouli and musk. You could even top the lotion with the oil if you’re looking for even more moisture (or try your hand at fragrance layering), but for those who love a lightweight confection, this blend is sublime as is. 

Best with SPF: Unsun Hydrating Full Coverage Body Lotion SPF 30

Unsun Hydrating Full Coverage Body Lotion SPF 30

VIEW ON Target | $12.99

Pros

• Doesn’t leave a white cast

Active ingredients: Zinc oxide, Titanium dioxide, Baobab oil, Prickly pear cactus extract, Orange peel extract, Cucumber extract

Smell: Citrus

Skin type: Dry, Acne-prone, Combination, Oily, Sensitive

Say it with me now: You need to protect your skin from excess sun, regardless of your gender. If you’re in the market for a lotion that provides UV protection and moisture, look no further than this hydrating, mineral SPF 30. Not only does it shield your skin from the sun’s rays, but it also quenches thirsty skin with baobab oil, as well as prickly pear cactus, bitter orange, and cucumber extracts. Not to mention, these ingredients are loaded with antioxidants, which provide further skin protection from UV exposure. 

Stiff muscles are no match for this CBD-infused Recovery Rub. More research still needs to be done to validate its effect, but many people anecdotally find success applying CBD products for soothed skin and muscles. The menthol, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils also lend a cooling experience, perfect for those looking to relax all of their senses. 

If you’re dealing with dry skin, I have three words for you: shea butter, shea butter, shea butter. The fatty-acid-rich ingredient is an excellent emollient, meaning it can soften the skin and fill in microcracks, and it has even been shown to seal moisture into the skin and protect the skin barrier. Shea Moisture combines the hero ingredient with coconut oil (another savior for rough, dry skin) to really cushion your complexion.  

“Ocean” is the perfect name for this weightless number—it truly feels like a splash of moisture. As one reviewer describes on Osea’s website: “After rubbing it in, it doesn’t feel like you are wearing lotion, but it’s still lightly moisturizing.” We can thank jojoba, avocado, and macadamia seed oil for that lightweight consistency, as well as algae extract for its ultra-hydrating properties. In fact, algae has been found to be a better humectant than hyaluronic acid (one of the most famous hydrators of all). 

Nécessaire’s fragrance-free formula mirrors its minimalist packaging design: simple, fresh, and oh-so-clean. In addition to vitamin E and healthy fatty acids, it also features niacinamide—an ingredient beloved for strengthening the skin barrier, balancing oil production, and fading dark spots. The consistency is also very spreadable and quick-absorbing, yet it hydrates exceptionally well. 

Best for sensitive skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Lipid-Boost Body Cream

Skinfix Barrier+ Lipid-Boost Body Cream

VIEW ON Sephora | $48

Pros

• Soothes skin upon application

Cons

• Thicker consistency might not be great for oily skin

Active ingredients: Shea butter, Moringa seed oil, Oat, Sweet almond oil, Grapeseed oil, Jojoba oil, Ceramides, Botanical cholesterol

Smell: Fragrance-free

Skin type: Dry, Sensitive

This body cream is brimming with actives known for comforting easily inflamed skin: ceramides (which make up the skin barrier), fatty acids (which help maintain the integrity of said barrier), and colloidal oat (which instantly soothes). Not to mention, it’s fragrance-free: As those with hypersensitive skin likely know, even naturally derived fragrances can easily aggravate the barrier and lead to irritation. 

This lightweight formula moisturizes, protects, and soothes sore muscles—what more could you ask for in an everyday body lotion? With shea butter and sunflower oil, vitamin E, the formula nourishes your skin with fatty acids and antioxidants, while arnica and magnesium contain anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe and improve circulation. Plus, it leaves behind a sophisticated cedarwood scent, perfect for post-gym, post-shower, or any time your dry skin needs a little pick-me-up. 

This fluffy, whip-thick cream contains a mixture of olive oil, coconut oil, and beeswax—that’s it! It’s a delightfully smooth formula that melts into your skin like butter. (Just don’t leave it out in the direct sunlight or it might melt.) This option comes laced with pure essential oils or completely fragrance-free, although you might still smell the slightly honeyed aroma of beeswax. Of course, the tin container is made in the U.S. and is 100% recyclable in your metal recycling. 

This 99% naturally derived formula contains just 10 ingredients, with vegetable glycerin and coconut oil as the main hydrators. While the coconut oil does leave behind a faintly nutty smell, the moisturizer is completely fragrance-free. So if you prefer a minimal lotion that leaves no trace (well, aside from a splash of moisture), this is your best pick.