Best overall
AmLactin
Daily Nourish Lotion with 12% Lactic Acid
8.4Great
The dermatologist-favorite 12% lactic acid body lotion that smooths rough, dry skin cheaply, though it can sting.
Body lotion4$19.99
The best body care
Body lotions, washes, oils, scrubs, deodorants and body SPF, scored on results, feel and price per use.
- 6
- products scored
- 8.0
- average score
- 26
- creator reviews
Top rated
The podium.
Body care covers everything below the jawline: lotions and creams, body washes, oils and scrubs, deodorants and antiperspirants, and sunscreens for the body. It is also where some of the most effective, affordable skincare lives, since a big tub of fragrance-free cream often outperforms a luxury lotion.
The American Academy of Dermatology's advice for dry skin is simple: keep showers short and warm, use a gentle cleanser only where needed, pat dry, and apply a fragrance-free cream or ointment while skin is still damp. Creams and ointments add more moisture than lotions. Body products with lactic acid, urea or salicylic acid can smooth rough patches and the bumps of keratosis pilaris. For sun, most adults need about an ounce of sunscreen, roughly a shot glass, to cover skin not covered by clothing.
Our Beauty score for body care weights results 30%, formula and ingredients 20%, texture and experience 15%, value 20% and community love 15%. Results reflect how well a product relieves dryness, smooths texture or controls odor in creator and community reports; experience covers absorption, scent and how a product feels under clothes; and value is price per ounce, which matters more here because you use so much.
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6 products
Derm favorite
CeraVe
SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin
8.3Great
A fragrance-free salicylic and lactic acid cream with ceramides that reliably softens rough, bumpy skin for a drugstore price.
Cream4$25.99
Best value
Tree Hut
Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub
8.2Great
A cheap, generous sugar scrub with shea butter, plant oils and a rose scent, popular for softening dry body skin.
Body scrub4$9.99
Native
Deodorant Stick
7.8Good
The best-known aluminum-free drugstore deodorant: pleasant scents and a gentler new formula, but it controls odor, not sweat.
Deodorant5$14.00
Nécessaire
The Body Wash
7.6Good
A gentle, niacinamide-and-oil gel wash that cleans without stripping, with spa-like scents and a premium price per ounce.
Body wash4$28.00
Community favorite
Sol de Janeiro
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
7.5Good
The cult pistachio-caramel body cream: fast-absorbing and irresistibly scented, but firming results are modest for the price.
Cream5$48.00
Buying guide
How to choose body.
- 01
Creams and ointments for real dryness
Lotions are light and pleasant but evaporate faster. For dry or flaky skin, the AAD recommends creams or ointments with ingredients such as glycerin, petrolatum, shea butter, dimethicone, lanolin or lactic acid, applied right after showering while skin is damp.
- 02
Use exfoliating lotions for rough patches
Lactic acid, urea and salicylic acid lotions can soften rough elbows, heels and the bumps of keratosis pilaris over several weeks. Use them on intact skin, not on shaved or broken areas, and wear sunscreen on exposed skin because AHAs increase sun sensitivity.
- 03
Choose fragrance-free if you react easily
Heavily fragranced washes and lotions are a common cause of itch and rashes. If your skin is dry or sensitive, the AAD suggests fragrance-free products and notes that deodorant soaps can be harsh.
- 04
Know deodorant from antiperspirant
Deodorants mask or reduce odor; antiperspirants reduce sweat, usually with aluminum salts, and are regulated as over-the-counter drugs in the US. Applying antiperspirant at night to dry skin gives it time to work. Baking soda in some natural deodorants irritates sensitive underarms.
- 05
Budget for enough body sunscreen
About an ounce per full-body application means a 3 oz bottle covers only about three beach applications. Compare price per ounce and choose a format, lotion, stick or spray, that you will apply generously.
Video reviews
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FAQ
Questions, answered.
Is body oil as moisturizing as lotion?
Oils are emollients and help slow water loss, especially on damp skin, but they lack the humectants most lotions contain. Many people get the best results by applying oil over damp skin or layering it over a cream. If you have very dry skin, a cream or ointment is usually more effective on its own.
How do I smooth keratosis pilaris bumps?
The AAD suggests a cream with urea or lactic acid, applied within five minutes of bathing while skin is damp and two or three times a day, plus gentle exfoliation. Exfoliating products with AHAs, salicylic acid, urea or a retinoid can soften bumps; ease off if skin gets dry or irritated. Results take weeks and fade if you stop, and a dermatologist can suggest other options.
Are body scrubs good for my skin?
Occasional gentle scrubs can make skin feel smoother, but harsh scrubs can irritate, especially on dry, sensitive or darker skin, where irritation can leave dark marks. A lotion with lactic acid or urea is often a gentler way to smooth texture.
Do I need a separate sunscreen for my body?
Any broad-spectrum, SPF 30+ sunscreen works on the body; body sunscreens are simply sold in larger sizes and lighter textures. Choose water-resistant formulas for swimming and sports, and reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
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