29 Lotions and Creams to Soothe Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin

Aside from sun protection, moisturizer is arguably the most important element of any skin-care routine. "Moisturizer doesn't just add water back into your skin, it also traps in the water you already have to plump it up and protect it," Mona Gohara, a dermatologist at Yale University, previously told Allure. But try as we might, so often, the skin-softening process ends at our necks. That is, until now. "Your skin absolutely needs moisturizer," says Gohara. "Your skin is the biggest organ in your body. It's not bloody or guts-y, but it's still an organ, and organs need water." The easiest way to get the rest of your body in on the hydrating action? Slather on a luscious lotion that's formulated specifically for dry, tired limbs. Whether you prefer a frill-free body moisturizer, a luxurious cream, or a lightweight lotion, these 29 products are guaranteed to wrap your skin below the chin in some serious TLC this summer.

La Mer The Body Crème

Brimming with the marine algae that first put La Mer on the map, this omega-rich emulsion delivers all the sublime softness you’d expect from the ultimate luxury cream. This 2018 Best of Beauty winner for best body splurges promises to deliver lasting hydration while also helping tone and firm the skin. It also contains the brand's signature Miracle Broth, which uses sea kelp to naturally restore healthy, moisturized skin.

$195 (Shop Now)

Vaseline Clinical Care Extremely Dry Skin Rescue Healing Moisture Lotion

Vaseline Clinical Care Extremely Dry Skin Rescue Healing Moisture Lotion doesn’t just treat dry skin — it transforms it. Prolipids build a protective barrier to lock in moisture and it's extremely affordable. The 2018 Best of Beauty winner for sensitive skin products is also perfect for repairing your skin’s moisture barrier during harsh winter months and is fragrance-free.

$4 (Shop Now)

Acqua di Parma Chinotto Di Liguria Body Lotion

Another Allure team favorite, our editorial director Kelly Bales raves about this new mist-and-go body milk from Acqua di Parma's extended Blu Mediterraneo collection. Especially ideal for those who don't love a cream or lotion, this non-moisturizer-moisturizer instantly sinks into your skin upon contact, leaving behind a light summery scent and supremely hydrated limbs. Available in five fragrances, you'll definitely find one that ignites your senses. What's more: Because you're able to control exactly how much you're applying via the spray-on application, it'll last you ages.

$50 (Shop Now)

Dove DermaSeries Dry Skin Relief Expert Repairing Balm

Dove DermaSeries Dry Skin Relief Expert Repairing Balm transforms rough patches and deep creases, helping dry, droopy skin spring back to life. Formulated to relieve itchiness and dryness caused by eczema or psoriasis, this new line is an affordable, prescription-free option for sensitive skin needs. This 2018 Best of Beauty-winning balm is an intense body moisturizer without weight or greasiness, so your skin can feel comfortably hydrated all day. Use this as an extra treatment for tricky dry patches in conjunction with your body lotion.

$17 (Shop Now)

Mario Badescu Summer Shine Body Lotion

With a moisture-retaining blend of beeswax, peanut oil, and corn oil, this light-as-a-feather lotion makes limbs look and feel smooth, soft, and shiny (in a good way) after slathering on. It also contains vitamin A, which enhances the skin's cell turnover, along with super-fine particles of shimmer, both of which help make skin look healthy and radiant — never sparkly.

$10 (Shop Now)

Skinfix Calm & Nourish Body Cream

Ceramides, fatty acids, and botanical cholesterol may sound like a recipe for basted skin, but 2018 Best of Beauty-winning Skinfix Calm & Nourish Body Cream, which won for best rich body lotion, absorbs in seconds, delivering intense hydration without a trace of slickness. The oatmeal in this Canadian-made cream is a calming addition to the almond oil and shea and moringa butters that work to intensely hydrate the skin. In addition to providing instant relief for dry, flaky skin, the formula works to improve the skin’s moisture barrier throughout the day to provide lasting results over time.

$45 (Shop Now)

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

Since skin best absorbs moisture when it’s damp, Jergens formulated this lotion to be applied right out of the shower. This also means no stickiness and virtually no drying time. Argan oil helps the skin retain moisture and repair rough spots for a lightweight, radiant glow that lasts throughout the day. There's good reason why this moisturizer has won the Allure Best of Beauty Award for multiple years, including most recently in 2018.

$7 (Shop Now)

Ren Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp and Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Toning Body Oil

The omega-rich algae and soothing minerals in Ren Clean Skincare Atlantic Kelp and Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Toning Body Oil lock moisture in place to restore elasticity and give skin the smoothness of sea glass, which is one of the many reasons why it won Allure's 2018 Best of Beauty Award for best body oil. It can be mixed into your favorite body moisturizer or used on its own. The aquatic ingredients promise to lock in moisture while simultaneously tone the skin.

$50 (Shop Now)

Sol de Janeiro Açaí Body Power Cream

If you're someone who enjoys a thicker cream or lotion, but without the heavy feel or greasy residue, this sweet-smelling option from Sol de Janeiro could be your new go-to. And yeah, the pretty purple packaging doesn't hurt either.

$45 (Shop Now)

Dr. Teal's Pink Himalayan Lotion

Another staff favorite, this ultra-lightweight lotion absorbs swiftly and doesn't leave behind any white streaks (no laborious massaging needed)."It leaves your skin soft but not greasy or coated," says our beauty director, Sophia Panych, who adds that the coated part is key for her in the summer. "A moisturizer immediately gets bad marks if it makes my legs slimy when I go outside, but this one doesn't do that, not even in today's 82-degree heat," she explains. Oh yeah, and if you're a fan of citrusy, uplifting scents, this drugstore find is a must-have for you.

$15 (Shop Now)

Natural Bisse C+C Vitamin Summer Lotion

Its price tag is staggering, sure, but trust us when we tell you this luxurious lotion is worth sacrificing some brunch money on this summer. Our beauty director, who mind you, has been in the business for over eight years, calls it the lightest-weight lotion she's ever tried (and she's tested hundreds for formulations). As the name suggests, vitamin C is the hero ingredient in this moisturizer, but it also contains soothing aloe vera and free radical-fighting antioxidants to protect the skin and prevent damage from occurring down the line. If dark spots are a concern for you, or you happen to be a fan of Halls vitamin C lozenges, it's definitely one to try if you can overlook the steep cost.

$65 (Shop Now)

Aveeno Positively Radiant Body Lotion

Aveeno is famous for its ultra-soothing, no-fuss lotion options, and this one aimed at enhancing skin radiance is no exception. Infused with nourishing glycerin and soybean seed extract, as well as natural light diffusers that impart a subtle sheen to the skin, it makes your limbs look moisturized and glow-y after just one use. It's a wee bit creamier than the aforementioned options but sinks in quickly and without residue nonetheless.

$7 (Shop Now)

Curél Ultra Healing Lotion

While it may not have the most glamorous packaging, this dermatologist-approved lotion whips dry skin into ship-shape. The non-irritating, non-comedogenic formula softens rough, overworked skin in a hot sec, while continued use strengthens the skin's barrier over time. Not all heroes wear capes.

$9 (Shop Now)

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Technically an "ointment," this Allure editor-loved translucent paste has risen to beauty-aisle fame for its ability to give tight, dry skin an instant sense of relief. Plus, it protects cracked, broken skin from further damage, making it a superhero for chapped hands and blisters of any kind.

$10 (Shop Now)

AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion

This drugstore classic contains lactic acid, which exfoliates very gently — so gently, in fact, that this formula can be used on rosacea-prone skin. Plus, this product is free from artificial fragrance and color, which further cuts down on potential skin irritants.

$13 (Shop Now)

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

There's a good reason this body lotion has won an Allure Reader's Choice Award for a straight decade: It's affordable, fragrance-free, non-irritating, non-greasy, and it works, thanks to skin-soothing ingredients like oatmeal and glycerin.

$8 (Shop Now)

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+

This fragrance-free body balm is formulated specifically for super dry skin, including those prone to eczema. Shea butter, niacinamide, and glycerin soften and soothe, while prebiotics keep skin's microbiome — which, when out of whack, can exacerbate dryness — in check.

$20 (Shop Now)

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

If the thought of greasy palms makes you shudder, give this lightweight cream a whirl. While it's technically a "vanilla citron" scent, its fragranced with essential oils, so it's not overpoweringly lemon-y or vanilla-y. This formula is gentle enough to use on sensitive — even eczema-prone — skin, thanks to colloidal oatmeal, while calms itchiness while ceramides support a healthy skin barrier. Bonus: You can use this stuff as a facial moisturizer, too.

$30 (Shop Now)

Kiehl's Creme de Corps

Kiehl's best-selling body lotion has garnered a cult following since it hit the market — and for good reason. This non-greasy formula contains cocoa butter for its skin-soothing properties (and subtle fragrance), plus fast-absorbing sesame oil for a dose of deep hydration. Not to mention, this iconic packaging looks phenomenal in any medicine cabinet.

$30 (Shop Now)

Kopari Coconut Melt

If you've ever wanted to drench your body (er, life) in coconut oil, there's a product for that. Kopari tested a myriad of different coconut oils before bottling this one up for external use (i.e. it's better-suited for skin and hair than a jar you'd pick up at the grocery store). If you're looking for a chemical-free hydrator that also happens to smell like a tropical vacation, your search ends here.

$38 (Shop Now)

Avène TriXera Nutrition Nutri-Fluid Lotion

If you loved Avène's Cold Cream Nourishing Body Lotion as much as we did, check out this updated formula that's sure to become your new favorite. This fragrance-free moisturizer is gentle enough for literally any skin type (even baby skin!) and can be applied to any area (even face!). It's not super-thick (almost like a sunscreen-consistency) but don't let that throw you off. This stuff provides up to 48 hours of hydration.

$42 (Shop Now)

Philosophy Amazing Grace Whipped Body Cream

This luxurious body cream packs a punch of Philosophy's Amazing Grace fragrance, so it's a must if you just can't get enough of the fan-favorite scent (or if you want a fresh, floral base for literally any other perfume). Not only will this stuff make you smell like a petal, but it'll make your skin feel like one, too, thanks to infusions of aloe and shea butter.

$35 (Shop Now)

Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion

This versatile shea-based body lotion is lightweight enough to wear during warmer months (i.e. it won't make you feel like a sweaty mess), yet it's nourishing enough to keep winter skin at bay during colder temps. Plus, it has a fresh, subtle fragrance that's virtually impossible to dislike.

$43 (Shop Now)

Origins Ginger Soufflé Whipped Body Cream

If you prefer zingy scents over cozy ones, this ginger-scented body butter has got your back. The whipped formula absorbs in a flash, making it a perfect moisturizer to slather on if you need a quick dose of zen. Not a ginger fan? The formula also comes in energizing grapefruit and mint scents.

$35 (Shop Now)

Clinique Deep Comfort Body Butter

This fragrance-free body butter is an oldie but a goodie. The thick, creamy paste transforms desert-dry areas (we're looking at you, heels and elbows) into supple skin, stat.

$40 (Shop Now)

L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream

There's a reason this cream contains the words "ultra rich" in its title. It's super dense and as buttery as they come. That said, this 25 percent shea butter formula is like a hug in a jar for parched skin. We'd be remiss not to mention the light honey-almond scent, which makes the experience all the more pampering.

$44 (Shop Now)

Josie Maran Divine Drip Honey Butter Balm

This super-creamy, honey-infused formula smells good enough to eat (but please don't!). Cocoa, shea, and mango butters pose a triple threat to dry skin while argan oil delivers a dose of glow-inducing fatty acids and moisturizing vitamin E. While this isn't the cheapest lotion on the block, it's incredibly dense, so a little bit goes a looong way.

$42 (Shop Now)

Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Body Butter

Tatcha's aptly named body butter contains Japanese indigo, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has even been shown to calm dermatitis. This formula is also infused with liquid silk, which imparts an immediate healthy-looking sheen. Oh, and this lotion is pretty much the prettiest one we've ever laid eyes on, thanks to its rich purple hue.

$48 (Shop Now)

Moroccanoil Body Soufflé

If you like your lotion to smell like a chic French person's apartment, you absolutely must try this stuff. The je ne sais quoi aroma (i.e. the brand's signature "original" scent) lingers in a subtle, refined way that'll hit anyone within a foot of it with a whiff of heaven. As for texture, the consistency of this stuff reminds us of a superthick overnight face mask — not too thin, but not so thick that you need a spatula to dig it out. Oh, and did we mention that this stuff smells aaaah-mazing?

$56 (Shop Now)

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