The best and most moisturizing creams from Aveeno, Neutrogena, Clarins, and beyond.
The fall and winter seasons are a time for holidays, cozy sweaters, and, unfortunately, dry skin. When the seasons change, the drop in temperature and lack of humidity lead to the body being unable to retain moisture as well as it could in the warmer months. Because of that, if you don’t up your moisturizing game, your skin will really feel it.
Instead of waiting around for the cold weather months to turn your skin into an itchy, flaky mess, why not get ahead of things with a new moisturizing body cream? We’ve found budget-friendly and bougie options that reviewers swear by to help you find your perfect match.
Here are a few of the best moisture-rich body creams for dry skin:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream (This link opens in a new tab)
The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream contains purified hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture in each tiny cell in your body, retaining moisture better. With just one application, it can keep your skin soft for up to 24 hours. Because of its lightweight gel formula, it absorbs instantly and is excellent for normal to sensitive skin types.
Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion (This link opens in a new tab)
The Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion has all the moisturizing properties of shea butter with the added oomph of organic raspberry water, tamarind pulp acids, and oat sugars. The natural ingredients are safe for all skin types and work to penetrate deep into the layers of skin for an unmatched softness that lasts.
Elta MD Skin Restore Body Cream (This link opens in a new tab)
Elta MD products come highly recommended by dermatologists, and for good reason. The brand’s powerful formulas, made with healing ingredients, help give the skin what it needs. The Elta MD Skin Restore Body Cream is designed specifically for those who need to tackle dry skin while improving the health of the skin barrier over time. It contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide, ceramides to replenish and moisturize the upper layers of skin, and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture all day long.
OUAI St. Barts Body Crème (This link opens in a new tab)
The OUAI St. Barts Body Crème is a luxurious option that offers the suppleness of whipped butter and fast absorbency, with no greasy residue left behind. It’s made with cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and squalane to moisturize and soothe for long-lasting hydration that leaves your skin glowing. It also smells delicious, so if you want something to double as a perfume, this one may be it.
Youth to the People Hydrate + Glow Dream Body Butter (This link opens in a new tab)
If you want a moisturizer that can also firm and brighten the skin, the Youth To The People Hydrate + Glow Dream Body Butter should be on your radar. The cream contains niacinamide, superberry extracts, and cupuaçu butter to create a unique and replenishing blend. Aside from smoothing and softening the skin for up to 48 hours, the cream also boosts skin radiance for that all-over glow. The scent is yuzu and green tea, so it’s also super refreshing.
Available in two sizes.
Yves Rocher Repairing Whipped Body Butter (This link opens in a new tab)
The Yves Rocher Repairing Whipped Body Butter is the perfect addition to your cold-weather skincare routine. In addition to the vegan formula and sustainable sourcing, the shea butter and calendula blend of ingredients helps soothe and regenerate skin while leaving it feeling moisturized and soft. It’s specifically made for dry to extra-dry skin, so even if you’ve let things go a bit, it’ll be there to restore your skin to its former hydrated glory.
Tree to Tub Lavender Moisturizing Shea Butter Lotion (This link opens in a new tab)
The Tree to Tub Lavender Shea Butter Body Lotion has it all: ingredients formulated for sensitive skin so it’s not harsh, shea and cocoa butter to deeply penetrate the skin for long-lasting hydration, and calming colloidal oatmeal to soothe any itchiness or irritation the often arises when you haven’t moisturized enough. The lavender scent provides gentle care and a spa-like experience, too.
Nivea Cocoa Butter Lotion (This link opens in a new tab)
The Nivea Cocoa Butter Lotion is the OG of moisture-rich creams. The 5-in-1 complete care cream provides 48-hour hydration and the non-greasy and light texture allows it to deliver intensive moisture to the skin without feeling thick or heavy. Ingredients include cocoa butter, vitamin E, and Nivea Deep Care serum.
Vaseline Illuminate Me Whipped Body Butter (This link opens in a new tab)
The Vaseline Illuminate Me Whipped Body Butter provides up to 24 hours of moisture for dry skin in a light-to-the-touch, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly. The body butter is made with ethically sourced shea butter and Vaseline jelly to create the perfect cream free of harmful compounds. It was also designed with Black women to suit the unique needs of melanin-rich skin, so if you have a dark complexion and want to use something that was made with your skin in mind, this body butter may be the one.
Grace & Stella Lavender Lotion (This link opens in a new tab)
The instant hydration power of Grace & Stella Lavender Lotion will make you buy it, but the anxiety-relieving and calming scent of lavender will keep you coming back for more. The cream offers nourishment through shea butter in a lotion that melts into the skin without leaving behind any greasy residue. It also contains rosehip oil for anti-inflammatory benefits and aloe extract to soothe extra-dry skin.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.