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Slathering on a rich body butter or shimmer oil is an excellent way to treat your skin—but if you want straightforward moisture, the best drugstore body lotions are hard to beat. After all, they contain a lot of the same nourishing, restorative ingredients as higher-end products. Tried-and-true moisturizers like glycerin and hyaluronic acid? Check. Barrier-bolstering ceramides? Check. Innovative brighteners and exfoliators? At the risk of repeating ourselves, check.
With their derm-approved ingredients and more wallet-friendly prices, these products make it easy to stick to a consistent lotion routine. “Even if your skin doesn't feel dry, regular moisturizing helps maintain the skin barrier,” says Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
Our Top Drugstore Body Lotions
- Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+Max Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream, $22
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Lotion, $16
- Best for Hyperpigmentation: Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion, $8
- Best for Eczema: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, $14
- Best K-Beauty: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion, $30
To get the most out of your body lotion, apply it right after getting out of the shower, while your skin is still slightly damp, says Kunal Malik, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. “The moisture is already there, and your lotion's job is simply to seal it in. If you wait until your skin is completely dry, you're starting from a deficit,” he explains. According to Dr. Malik, your skin goes into repair mode while you sleep, so it’s even better if you do your shower-lotion routine in the evening. And that way, you can slide into bed feeling silky-soft (and maybe slightly smug that you’re already ahead of the moisturizing game).
Send scaly, dull, and dry skin packing with these editor- and expert-approved drugstore body lotions, all of which clock in at or under $30.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What is the #1 dermatologist-recommended drugstore lotion?
- Which body lotion is best for older skin?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Send scaly, dull, and dry skin packing with these editor- and expert-approved drugstore body lotions, all of which clock in at or under $30.
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+Max Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream
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La Roche-Posay
Lipikar AP+Max Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Dermstore
Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+Max Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream
Jessica Cruel
Why we love it: No wonder one Allure editor called La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP+Max Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream “the cashmere sweater of moisturizers.” With its balm-like texture, it feels luxurious, but its formula is remarkably simple: It contains hydration heavy-hitters like shea butter and glycerin as well as brightening niacinamide to support the skin barrier and fade brown spots in one fell swoop. It’s also infused with La Roche-Posay’s patented prebiotic thermal water, which supports your skin’s microbiome and soothes inflammation. Both Dr. Shah and Dr. Malik highly recommend this lotion, noting that it’s suitable for sensitive skin, rough patches, and even compromised skin barriers. But don’t worry about it weighing down your skin. While it’s nourishing enough to address eczema and severe winter dryness alike, its fast-absorbing consistency leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth—not greasy.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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“I am particular about body lotion. Just like Goldilocks: too thick and it's greasy, too thin and it's useless. This La Roche-Posay formula is just right. I find that it is moisturizing enough to quench my dry elbows and knees. Yet, it doesn't leave me feeling like I am going to slip and slide all over every surface I touch. There is no scent so it's good for sensitive skin types. When I don't use it for a while, I can feel my dry, itchy skin begging for moisture. It's screaming ‘Lipikar, please!’” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Lotion
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Lubriderm
Advanced Therapy Lotion
Amazon
Walmart
Allure senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Lotion
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why we love it: Lubriderm is a go-to for dry, itchy skin, and its Advanced Therapy Lotion is an especially soothing option, thanks in no small part to its pro-ceramide formula. Ceramides fill in the gaps between skin cells, making your skin barrier stronger; that’s key for anyone with sensitive skin—when your skin barrier is healthy and resilient, it’s more resistant to irritation. And, while it locks potential irritants out, it locks moisture in. This lotion also contains panthenol, a.k.a. pro-vitamin B5, which targets inflammation while drawing moisture into the skin. To top it off, it’s made without fragrances, dyes, and other common causes of reactions in sensitive skin—so your skin stays calm in the short- and long-term.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“I've been using Lubriderm lotion since I was a small child. It helps keep my sensitive skin soft and moisturized all day until I reapply it the next day post-shower. It massages in easily without being greasy, sticky, or leaving behind residue on my clothing. I use it all over, from my face (when my regular moisturizer isn't within reach) all the way down to the bottoms of my feet.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, vitamin E, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion
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Vaseline
Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion in Soft & Supple
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion in Soft & Supple
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, is the MVP in Vaseline’s Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion, addressing dullness, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation all at once. The brand’s antioxidant complex further brightens your skin and protects it from common effects of environmental stressors—think dark spots, dehydration, and signs of aging. Finally, it wouldn’t be a Vaseline product without a little petrolatum, an occlusive that seals in moisture, but not to the point that you feel like a slug. This lotion feels impressively lightweight, with a serum-like consistency that blends easily into the skin and leaves a soft finish behind.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I'll totally admit that I haven't tried other Vaseline products outside of the original jelly, but I've been reaching for this Pro VitaB3 body lotion almost every day. In fact, I credit this lotion for helping me actually take my body care seriously. The main reason: The ‘Serum-Burst Lotion’ is the perfect labeling for this ultra-lightweight, ultra-fast-absorbing formula—I never feel sticky afterwards. (Did I mention I hate heavy lotions? Yup, good time to mention that.) Niacinamide has always been a go-to brightening ingredient for me, and this formula—which has not only niacinamide, but an antioxidant complex and peptides— instantly perks up my skin.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin, petrolatum
- Fragrance-free: no
Best K-Beauty: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion
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Illiyoon
Ceramide Ato Lotion
Amazon
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying the Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: Korean skin-care aficionados and newbies alike will love Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Lotion, a deeply hydrating option that’s gentle enough to use on your face. It absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving zero residue or grease behind, but trust that it’s working around the clock: This is another lotion with a time-release, encapsulated ceramide system that provides sustained hydration for hours. It also contains soybean oil for softer skin and antioxidant-rich rosemary leaf extract for its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also available as a more intensive cream, so you can enjoy the formula year-round, even during harsh, drying winters.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“This is my mainstay lotion—I have three in the house at any given time (one for my room, one for my girls’ room, one for the bathroom). It’s all very necessary, and you’ll understand once you start to use this lotion. Illiyoon managed to make a lotion that’s airy and lightweight, but it has substance. It immediately seeps into the skin right after a shower, or quells angry, itchy flare-ups at the end of your day, leaving no hint of greasy residue. You know that feeling of sticky, oily lotion transferring onto your bedsheets or pants? The worst! But there’s none of that here. It’s why both of my kids (who have eczema, like me) prefer this lotion over anything else. It’s also the little things about this lotion: It’s fragrance-free, the pump-top is a big round circle (like a target you can’t miss), and one extra-special feature is that you can get every last drop. The formula is encased in an internal silicone bag—no pump-top dip ‘n scooping here!” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, soybean oil, vitamin E, rosemary leaf extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: AmLactin Daily Nourish Therapeutic Body Lotion
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AmLactin
Daily 12% Lactic Acid Moisturizing Body Lotion
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the AmLactin Daily Nourish Therapeutic Body Lotion
Sarah Kinonen
Why we love it: Smoother, less flaky skin—but no scrubbing required? That’s the beauty of AmLactin’s Daily Nourish Therapeutic Body Lotion, which won a Best of Beauty Award in 2024 for its lactic acid-driven, non-greasy formula. It gently exfoliates your skin, sloughing away dead skin cells and reducing dry patches. But it isn’t just good for rough and bumpy skin. Dr. Malik specifically recommends it for mature skin that’s starting to lose firmness and elasticity. “Lactic acid works for texture and tone, and consistent use genuinely smooths crepey skin on arms and thighs,” he says.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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"This is the easiest and gentlest exfoliator I've ever used. I just slather the lightweight cream onto the backs of my arms where my keratosis pilaris (KP) is more prominent and patiently wait for the smoothing magic to happen in the days after application." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ammonium lactate (a derivative of lactic acid), glycerin, cetearyl alcohol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Eczema: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
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Vanicream
Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: With a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association and a formula that’s free of common irritants (zero fragrances, dyes, plant extracts, essential oils, or lanolin here), Vanicream’s Moisturizing Cream was made for those with reactive, rough, and flaky skin. Its super simple formula uses reliable, longtime derm-approved ingredients like cetearyl alcohol (a skin-softening emollient), sorbitol (a hydrating humectant), and petrolatum (a powerful occlusive) to address dryness without ticking off your skin and triggering a flare-up. ”When a patient reacts to everything, I always go back to Vanicream,” Sarah Sung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Seattle, previously told Allure. “It simply hydrates without provoking irritation.” It’s even gentle enough to use on your face—and since it’s noncomedogenic, it won’t clog your pores.
Tester feedback from former senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“I have super-sensitive skin and eczema on my face and neck that tends to flare up when it’s cold outside. I’ve tried tons of moisturizers, but Vanicream is the one I always go back to. It’s extremely gentle, and I love that the formula feels rich and thick without feeling sticky. It’s truly the only cream that can calm my picky, irritated skin. One large tub (with a handy pump—no mess!) lasts me all winter long.” —Sarah Felbin, former senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: petrolatum, sorbitol, cetearyl alcohol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Very Dry Skin: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
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CeraVe
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Don’t let CeraVe’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion’s lightweight, non-greasy texture fool you—it’s a hydration powerhouse that’s “packed with ceramides to help support the skin barrier and hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture,” Dr. Shah says. It uses multivesicular emulsion (MVE) technology (a system that slowly delivers water, fatty oils, and ceramides to the skin) to steadily release its moisturizing ingredients throughout the day. Rather than getting immediate relief, only to find that your skin feels thirsty again in an hour, you’ll get continuous hydration with this formula. Dr. Malik also notes that it works well with pretty much any skin type, even if your skin is prone to inflammation, clogged pores, or severe dryness. It also has a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association, so you can rest easily knowing it won’t irritate your skin.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: caprylic/capric triglyceride (a moisturizing compound made from glycerin and coconut oil), ceramides, hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Lotion Gel Cream
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Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Body Lotion Gel Cream
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Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: With a weightless feel and fast-absorbing texture, Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Body Lotion Gel Cream is “my go-to for patients who hate the feel of lotion, run warm, or live in humid climates,” says Dr. Malik. Even if you don’t mind the feel of regular lotion, a gel-cream product like this one may feel more pleasant during the summertime, Dr. Shah says. “Hyaluronic acid-based, [this lotion] absorbs almost instantly [and] leaves no residue,” Dr. Malik notes. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it works by pulling in additional moisture and holding it in the skin. This lotion is a great pick for normal or oily skin, but if your skin is especially dry, you’ll probably get more relief from a richer, more heavy-duty product.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, cetyl alcohol (a skin-smoothing emollient), hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 dermatologist-recommended drugstore lotion?
CeraVe’s body lotions and creams are frequent favorites among derms, including Dr. Shah and Dr. Malik. Their formulas are streamlined, non-greasy, and contain limited irritants, so they’re considered suitable for most skin types and concerns. Dr. Malik also frequently recommends La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP+Max Triple Repair Moisturizing Body Cream, especially for those with very dry or sensitive skin.
Which body lotion is best for older skin?
It’s better to look out for certain ingredients rather than specific brands or products when you’re shopping for mature skin-friendly lotions. “As we age, the skin's protective barrier becomes less effective,” Dr. Shah explains. “The skin produces less oil, becomes thinner, and loses moisture more easily, making dryness and irritation more common.”
With that in mind, it’s important to use body-care products that provide immediate moisture and strengthen the skin barrier for less water loss in the future. Ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, lactic acid, shea butter, petrolatum, retinol, and urea (which exfoliates as well as moisturizes the skin) are all solid bets. “While these ingredients can benefit people of any age, they become increasingly important as the skin matures and its natural ability to retain moisture and protect itself declines,” Dr. Shah says.
Meet the experts
- Kunal Malik, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best drugstore body lotions, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.