Stella Maris Bodylotion - De Ultieme Verzorging voor je Huid

What to Look For

With so many body lotions on the market, which list countless ingredients with unpronounceable names, it's difficult to determine which components to look for—and which to stay away from.

Dr. Aya Ahram adds, "Look for a mixture of ingredients to help target moisture retention and water loss across the skin barrier: humectant ingredients—which draw in water from the air into the skin—such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, as well as occlusives, which seal water in the skin, like petrolatum and dimethicone." She also recommends "emollients, which provide moisture to the skin, like shea butter and ceramides."

Then comes the fun stuff. Your formula might come with antioxidants. “Vitamin E, C, and green tea extract for example have a dual purpose in preventing free radical damage and may also brighten and moisturize skin,” says Dr. Kikam. Your body lotion might have retinol in it as well, which is ideal for anti-aging. Or, maybe there’s an acid in the mix. “These are wonderful for those with acne prone skin, body hyperpigmentation, KP, and even psoriasis.”

Meanwhile, if you're combatting body acne, Dr. Ahram advises using "a face moisturizer that is non-comedogenic or oil-free so that the moisturizer does not make acne worse."

What to Avoid

In terms of what to avoid, Dr. Ahram says, "In general, I don't love fragrance because it can cause irritation in people with sensitive skin or atopic dermatitis, as they already have a fragile skin barrier and I prefer to avoid ingredients that can cause irritation. Some can tolerate it without any negative side effects, but in general I do not recommend products that are heavily fragranced."

Double board-certified dermatologist and psychiatrist Dr. Amy Wechsler also recommends "avoiding ingredients such as lactic acid and glycolic acid" if you're looking for something highly moisturizing that won't irritate your skin.

Finally, Dr. Greenfield says, “I like to see that there are no drying ingredients like alcohol or any strong fragrances that may cause reactions in the skin."

Best Overall

Necessaire The Body Lotion

• Balanced texture
• Non-greasy
• Suitable for all skin types
• Available in multiple sizes
• Fragrance-free
• Easy to dispense

Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, marula oil, fatty acids | Fragrance: None | Size: 2.4, 6.8, 13.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our editors have been loyal fans of this body lotion for years, so it’s no surprise that it scored highest during testing. Formulated with a blend of five peptides (which are great for firming), fatty acids, shea butter, and a combination of nourishing oils like marula oil and meadowfoam oil, it works to quench dry skin, leaving it soft and moisturized. It also contains a dose of niacinamide to do a number on dark spots while contributing to a healthy skin barrier.

This powerful combination of moisturizing ingredients left our skin feeling comfortable and hydrated—sans a greasy residue. The texture feels like a nice hybrid between a liquidy lotion and a rich cream, making it suitable for daily use year-round. It absorbed into our skin quickly, allowing us to easily slip into our clothes just a minute after application. We also love that it’s fragrance-free—so it won’t compete with perfume or irritate reactive skin. We’re giving bonus points to the brand for offering it in multiple sizes and making the packaging simple, elevated, and functional.

In This Article

In This Article

Raise your hand if you moisturize your face daily but you’re not as diligent about moisturizing your body (guilty!). We get it—it can feel like an extra, unnecessary step. But according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Teresa Song, it’s best to apply body lotion every day. “Moisturized skin maintains a healthy skin barrier, preventing irritation and premature aging,” she says. And, if you have eczema-prone skin, Song actually recommends moisturizing multiple times a day.

We tested more than 80 moisturizers in our daily lives over four weeks to find the best options for a variety of skin types, skin concerns, and preferences. We evaluated each one based on its texture, ingredients, consistency, absorption, effectiveness, and overall results. We also consulted with Dr. Teresa Song and double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Maya Thosani to learn more about what you should look for in a primo body lotion for your specific needs. These are our top picks that performed well above the rest.