There are plenty of beauty products worth spending your hard-earned cash on, but there are also plenty of drugstore options out there that are incredible options for a fraction of the price. This is especially true when it comes to products like body lotion, which people tend to use a lot of and go through fairly quickly.
I almost exclusively buy my body lotions from the drugstore—for daily use, they work just as well to moisturize my skin as some of the higher-end options. The key is to make sure you’re picking a lotion with everything your skin needs for optimum hydration and nourishment.
“Look for a body lotion that contains a blend of emollient, humectant, and occlusive ingredients to protect and hydrate the skin,” says Josh Zeichner, associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. “Occlusives like petrolatum form a breathable seal on the skin to keep hydration in and environmental aggressors out. Humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin act like sponges to pull in hydration to the skin. Emollients, like fatty alcohols and natural oils soften the outer skin layer.” Zeichner also recommends opting for a fragrance-free option, which is better for sensitive skin.
Zeichner recommends applying body lotion twice a day if possible. If you’re applying after the shower, be sure to slather on body lotion within five minutes to help seal in moisture. Keep reading for some of the best drugstore body lotions out there and why they’re tough to beat.
“Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion is an easy-to-spread lotion that protects the skin with triple-purified petrolatum,” says Zeichner. “It offers excellent hydration without leaving you feeling greasy or sticky.”
“Eucerin Intensive Repair Very Dry Skin Lotion contains natural moisturizing factor to pull in hydration to the skin, along with alpha hydroxy acids to offering humectant and ultra gentle exfoliating benefits,” says Zeichner.
For a non-sticky body lotion that soaks in easily, it doesn’t get much better than this Aveeno lotion. It has colloidal oatmeal and rich emollients for soothing hydration.
Consider this lotion a dry-skin savior. With niacinamide and shea butter, it imparts skin with deep moisture, so it’s the perfect option for someone suffering from eczema or extremely dry skin.
A gel-like body lotion is incredibly easy to incorporate into every routine. This one soaks in instantly but delivers a punch of hydration to skin.
With a blend of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this moisturizer contains all of the ingredients you need for smooth, supple skin.
When I buy body lotion, this is the only one that I reach for. My derm once told me this is the best lotion for dry, irritated skin (mine), and I’ve never looked back.
A multitasking product is always a good idea. This body lotion firms, hydrates, and gives you a natural-looking tan—all for $10.
Enriched with almond oil, this deeply moisturizing body lotion softens skin and locks in hydration for up to 48 hours. Don’t let the word oil fool you, though—this lotion is non-greasy.
If you need to seal in moisture, it’s best to go for something heavy duty like Aquaphor. This ointment delivers healing relief to severely dry skin.
Formulated with vitamin E and vitamin B5, this is a true workhorse for softening skin. It absorbs quickly and helps seal in hydration to the skin.
If you find yourself with itchy skin thanks to eczema or extreme dryness, this itch-relieving lotion will help you find relief. Ceramides, shea butter, and vitamin B5 help deeply nourish and moisturize.
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