Want Smooth, Buttery Skin? These Body Lotions Earned Our Highest Recommendations

Pros: Firming, barrier-strengthening, fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin, lightweight, non-greasy

Cons: It might not be rich enough for severely dry skin

Texture: Cream | Size: 15.2 oz. | Fragrance: None

There's a reason this is one of the best-selling body lotions at Sephora. First, it's moisturizing, and that's the most important function. Second, it's fragrance-free, so it's not irritating even for sensitive skin. Third, it firms and supports the skin barrier with niacinamide, peptides, and a variety of vitamins. Fourth, it's lightweight and sinks in quickly, so you don't have to worry about your clothes sticking to your skin if you apply it in the morning. There's a reason this is stocked in every beauty editor's bathroom (mine included). In fact, I bought the 15.2-ounce value size because I use it so often. It checks all the boxes for the perfect daily body lotion.

A double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, Brendan Camp, MD, agrees that this body lotion is one of the very best. In fact, it's one of his top recommendations. "In addition to providing hydration, this body lotion contains peptides, niacinamide, and vitamins A, C, and E to firm and strengthen skin," he says.

Promising review: "This wonderful cream is the best I’ve found: no scent whatsoever; absorbs quickly without any residue; moisturizes incredibly well; simple packaging; and lovely texture."

Pros: Barrier-strengthening, fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin (including conditions like acne and eczema), lightweight, non-greasy, multi-purpose

Cons: None I can think of

Texture: Cream | Size: 13.5 oz. | Fragrance: None

For only $23 a bottle, this French pharmacy product is well worth it. It contains antioxidant-rich prebiotic thermal spring water, skin-strengthening ceramides, and moisturizing shea butter. Together, these ingredients are clinically proven to moisturize the skin for up to 48 hours. It's also fragrance-free, allergy tested, and non-comedogenic, so it's incredibly gentle on sensitive skin (it's even accepted by the National Eczema Association and can be used on babies that are two weeks old). Even dermatologists love it—and though it may be lower-priced, Chang named it one of her favorites for its "rich but non-greasy" formula. Because it's so lightweight, the texture works just as well on the face and hands as it does on the body.

Promising review: "I was skeptical purchasing this from an ad on Instagram, but this was a great buy. My eczema hasn't had any flare-ups since using this cream. Been using it for a month now. Hope it keeps up. Highly recommend."

Pros: Smoothing, brightening, glow-boosting, barrier-strengthening, fragrance-free, lightweight, non-greasy

Cons: On the pricey side

Texture: Cream | Size: 6.7 oz. | Fragrance: Slight

While anything north of $50 is expensive for body lotion, IMO, this one has enough active ingredients for the hefty price tag to make sense. The potent, ingredient-packed formula includes niacinamide, B-glucan, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, shea butter, argan oil, avocado oil, walnut extract, and matrikine peptide (just to name a few). Then, there's the silky texture. It's lightweight and fast-absorbing, yet it keeps the skin feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized for up to 48 hours.

Promising review: "This body moisturizer is so perfect. It melts into your skin and provides a beautiful, instant glow while leaving your skin moisturized. Only one downside is the cost…wish it was a bit less!"

Pros: Brightening, firming, antioxidant-rich, lightweight, non-greasy

Cons: Nothing to note here

Texture: Cream | Size: 8.45 oz. | Fragrance: Slight citrus scent

If you want a body lotion that does double duty on sun damage, this is it. With a combination of tranexamic acid, hyaluronic acid, firming brown algae, and stable vitamin C, this body lotion brightens dark spots better than so many other formulas on the market. That's why it's one of the best vitamin C bodycare products money can buy. 

I apply it almost every time I get out of the shower on my most sun-damaged areas, specifically my shoulders and forearms. It took a few weeks, but I've seen a visible improvement in dark spots and fine lines. Beyond that, the light citrusy fragrance never fails to put a pep in my step.

Promising review: "I feel as though I do see a difference, and it soaks straight in, easily and quickly. I like the smell, it is lovely and fresh but I don't find it lingers so doesn't interfere if I want to wear perfume.I bought it on the 'rectify sun damage this summer' promise and whilst I think that is a brave boast so far I'm thinking it wasn't a brag, it is doing exactly as promised."

Pros: Firming, barrier-strengthening, elasticity-boosting, microbiome-supporting, damage-repairing

Cons: One of the priciest I've tried

Texture: Butter | Size: 6.8 oz. | Fragrance: Fresh scent

If you want firmer skin, I recommend Tronque's Firming Butter. The New Zealand-based brand infuses 22 nutrient-dense ingredients into the formula, including seaweed extracts and red maple bark to visibly firm, improve elasticity, and boost the skin's biomechanical properties. Plus, it's a treat to swipe across the skin, thanks to a luxe, soufflé-like texture of shea, cacao, and mango butters.

Promising review: "I have been using Tronque’s firming butter for 4 weeks now and am very impressed with the results. It has improved both the texture and firmness of the skin on my thighs. It has helped target the crepey skin and cellulite to give a smoother appearance plus it smells and feels divine to apply. I highly recommend this product for those looking to combat skin dryness and appearance."

Pros: Moisturizing, SPF 50 formula, lightweight, no severe white cast

Cons: Fragranced (but doesn't smell like sunscreen)

Texture: Cream | Size: 8.0 oz. | Fragrance: Light coconut scent

What makes this one different from other moisturizing sunscreens is that it's *actually* hydrating (I've found other moisturizing sunscreens deliver on the SPF but not the moisture). The formula is enriched with vitamin E and antioxidants for a smoothing, protective effect, while broad-spectrum SPF 50 keeps sun damage at bay. Oh, and don't worry about a white cast. There isn't any.

Promising review: "This lotion is a total game changer. I use it as my daily body moisturizer, and it’s honestly perfect. The scent is amazing—not too overpowering, but just fresh and tropical enough to make you feel like you’re on vacation. What I love most is that it doesn’t leave you feeling oily like some lotions do. It absorbs quickly and gives your skin a nice, healthy glow without being greasy. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly, which is a huge plus for me. If you're looking for a lotion that checks all the boxes, this is it!"

Pros: Affordable, moisturizing, fragrance-free, and improves skin texture, tone, and firmness

Cons: Some people dislike the smell, texture can be difficult to rub in

Texture: Cream | Size: 14 oz. | Fragrance: Santal

Retinol is the gold-standard anti-aging ingredient, so why just use it on your face? If you want to bring the benefits to your body, use Naturium's Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion. It's formulated with an encapsulated, stabilized pure retinol complex and soothing allantoin to improve the appearance of skin texture, tone, and firmness.

Promising review: "Only used 3 times so far and the improvement of my stretch marks is already very noticeable. Felt like sorcery. Can't wait to see how it will continue to improve them!"

Pros: Smoothing, brightening, barrier-strengthening, fragrance-free, non-irritating

Cons: May not be as moisturizing as other non-smoothing formulas

Texture: Cream | Size: 6.0 oz. | Fragrance: None

If you deal with keratosis pilaris (AKA those little bumps on the back of your arms and legs), this body lotion will make your skin feel smooth and petal-soft, like a blooming rosebud or expensive silk. It's all thanks to 10% AHAs, fruit extracts, and 5% urea—a bump-erasing combo. Don't think the smoothness will come at the cost of irritation, though. The formula is also spiked with soothing centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter.

Promising review: "Oh my! I have tried so many different special lotions and things [for] keratosis pilaris, and nothing seems to work except for this. I am amazed at how smooth it makes my skin and doesn't feel greasy or oily. I love it!"

Pros: Moisturizing, natural-looking gradual tanning, sophisticated santal scent

Cons: Some people might find the santal scent too heavy.

Texture: Cream | Size: 6.8 oz. | Fragrance: Santal

Who What Wear's beauty director, Erin Jahns, introduced me to this gradual tanning lotion. She walked past me, and I caught a whiff of its sophisticated santal scent. I immediately got up to follow her and ask what perfume she was wearing. She told me it was actually *this* body lotion, and it was giving her the extra benefit of glowing, sun-kissed skin. I bought a bottle, and the rest is history. Since then, it's become my go-to body lotion when my skin is looking particularly dry and dull. It moisturizes as well as a traditional body lotion, builds natural-looking color, and never leaves streaks or a weird smell behind.

Promising review: "I have used Lux Unfiltered for almost three years now, and it's the only tanning lotion I'll ever use! As a busy mom, I don't have time for foam tanning products. I want to be able to apply and get on with my day. I love how easy this lotion is to apply. I have tried both the Rosewood and Santal scents and love both of them, but Santal is my favorite."