Best Body Lotion of 2018: Complete Reviews with Comparisons
Every single day, our skin is put to the test, having to battle a wealth of factors such as sun exposure, stress, and diet. While a lot of these external factors can be a lot harder to manage or control, there are some ways in which we can help keep our skin healthy and vibrant with the most common method, which is the application of different body lotions.
The objective of most lotion brands is to rehydrate your skin while adding a selection of other vitamins and nutrients, which are all targeted to provide different benefits. This article takes a comprehensive look at five of the best body lotion products currently available.
Comparison Chart
Best Body Lotion Reviews
1. CeraVe SA Lotion
If you’re looking for a bottle of lotion with fantastic hydration properties that aim to help those with rough and bumpy skin, then CeraVe is a great choice. Not sure what ingredients are important to your skin? This lotion is developed with the help of dermatologists to deliver a true, skin-friendly product.
Product Highlights
The CeraVe SA Lotion is popular for the following:
- MVE technology: Utilizing CeraVes’ multivesicular emulsion allows the lotion to be absorbed slowly over time to provide 24-hour protection for your skin. Working over such a long period of time helps the lotion to properly hydrate, nourish, and restore your skin’s natural barrier.
- Salicylic acid: This is a derivative of aspirin and works similarly to the very common alpha hydroxy agents found in most other varieties of body lotion but with a few extras. Salicylic acid also contains natural exfoliants to help unclog pores, as well as have numerous antibacterial properties.
- Ceramides: These are crucial when it comes to protecting your skin as they make up 50% of your skin’s natural barrier. Ceramides are a type of lipid that helps your skin to retain moisture while adding protection against irritants and pollution. An imbalance in the ceramide ratio can lead to a compromised barrier which leads to dryness or itching, so the proper application of this lotion helps keep this ratio in check.
What's to like about the CeraVe SA Lotion
When looking for a quality body lotion, reading through the ingredients list can be rather confusing. This is why we love it when professionals back a product. This body lotion is developed with dermatologists who ensure that only quality ingredients are used in its creation, and this level of quality assurance is what led to its acquisition of the National Eczema Association stamp of approval.
What's not to like about the CeraVe SA Lotion
While the longer-lasting hydration is fantastic for keeping your skin healthy, it can leave a slightly oily feeling across your skin. This can make it uncomfortable if you’re applying the lotion before getting dressed, so it’s best to let this lotion air out beforehand or apply it before going to bed.
PROS
CONS
2. Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Cetaphil has been developing lotion products for over 70 years and is using only high-quality ingredients. The lotion was originally only available through select pharmacies but became so popular and widely available, thanks to recommendations from dermatologists, pediatricians, and other healthcare professionals.
Product Highlights
The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion has the following features:
- Avocado oil: For some nutrients to be absorbed into your body, they need to contain fat. Avocado oil is a fantastic natural fat supplement that not only enhances the absorption rate of these nutrients, but it is also rich in vitamin E, potassium, and lecithin which all help to nourish the skin. This superior absorption rate reduces the need to rub the lotion repeatedly during application.
- Fragrance- and lanolin-free: Lanolin is a byproduct of wool that offers effective emollient features, making it commonly used across a wide range of body cream and lotion. However, due to its waxy and great nature, it’s also associated with skin irritation and can cause allergic reactions, so those who suffer from eczema or psoriasis are especially susceptible. Adding artificial fragrances to lotion is also known to cause skin irritation, so Cetaphil leaving both of these products out of their ingredients list makes this lotion a viable dry skin remedy for a wider audience.
- Non-comedogenic: This Cetaphil lotion also has non-comedogenic properties that help to prevent pores from becoming clogged, causing skin breakouts. This makes it an excellent choice for those who commonly suffer from oily skin or acne.
What's to like about the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Our favorite feature of this lotion is that it is safe for a wide range of skin types thanks to its well-manufactured ingredients list. Its formula is specifically designed to help combat dry and rough skin, but it is also applicable to those with more sensitive skin as well as for infants.
What's not to like about the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
It’s not the lightest body lotion on the market, meaning that it isn’t an excellent choice for those with extremely oily skin. You could always try blotting the cream rather than applying larger quantities, but realistically, you’ll want a lighter and easier-to-apply lotion.
PROS
CONS
3. AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Amlactin offers an alpha-hydroxy-based daily moisturizer which is hard to resist in such an affordable twin-pack offer. This lotion is great for those who are looking to boost their skin health through gentle exfoliation without a greasy after-feeling.
Product Highlights
Here are some of the most important things you have to know about the AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion:
- Paraben-free: A preservative that’s widely used in cosmetics but considered to be harmful since they have carcinogenic properties, this lotion was manufactured without any form of paraben.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are well known for boosting healthy skin and are often used in anti-aging products. AHAs are fantastic for exfoliation, helping to increase the natural process of shedding dead skin cells. AHAs also boost collagen production, helping to give skin a younger and smoother looking complexion, which is done through the elimination of old collagen fibers.
- Cetyl alcohol: While alcohol itself is typically bad for your skin, there are a few exceptions that are actually extremely beneficial. Cetyl alcohol is also known as fatty alcohol which is not only non-irritating, but it enhances the absorption rate of the lotion, allowing users to spend less time and eliminating the oily skin feeling.
What's to like about the AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion
We are huge fans of this twin pack offer from Amlactin as it is becoming more and more expensive to keep up a healthy skin and cosmetics routine. Being able to buy a general purpose moisturizer that comes with so many benefits to our skin really helps in keeping the cost low.
What's not to like about the AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion
While AHAs are great for skin care, they do have one significant downside, and that is they increase the likelihood of sunburn. This means that users will have to apply another lotion to account for this, which can leave the skin feeling a little heavy.
PROS
CONS
4. Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion
Adamia is a brand that combines science and nature to provide a less artificial skincare solution. They try to achieve this through the skin therapy agent known as Promega-7, which is a blend of pure macadamia oil and a variety of soothing and effective moisturizers.
Product Highlights
Here are the things we found about the Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion:
- Macadamia oil: One of nature’s most restorative skin lipids, omega-7 is found in macadamia oil. This oil contains high concentrations of palmitoleic acid which is a monounsaturated acid that perfectly compliments the skin’s fatty acid composition. As skin ages, it loses its omega-7 stores, and macadamia oil helps to restore these levels. It is also quickly absorbed thanks to it being so similar to our natural skin oil.
- Healthy skin boosters: The lotion is rich with a variety of other essential skin nutrients coming from a combination of ingredients. Users will benefit from alpha-tocopherol which comes from pressed kernel shells and is exceptionally high in natural antioxidants, linoleic acid to reduce water loss, phytosterols to reduce itchiness and irritation, and squalene to aid in the healing process of chapped or cracked skin.
- Clinically proven: While many brands boast about the abilities of their products, Adamia has gone the extra mile to not only have an array of dermatologists test their products, but they have even undertaken clinical trials. The results of these trials are even available on the Adamia website, proving that their product improves the health of the distressed skin.
What's to like about the Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion
Adamia really has gone the extra mile to ensure the quality of their product. Not only has it been heavily tested but the company also made sure to incorporate ingredients that are non-allergenic and fragrance-free, as well as tried to make the lotion as non-greasy as possible for a more pleasant application.
What's not to like about the Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion
While we can appreciate the quality of the product, one thing that we aren’t keen on is how expensive this lotion is compared to others boasting similar properties. The price tag alone makes it a hard purchase when looking for a daily lotion, but if you’re looking to improve dry or irritable skin, then it could still be an excellent choice for you.
PROS
CONS
5. Neutrogena Moisturizing Sheer Body Lotion
Neutrogena is an extremely well-known skin care company that was established in the 1950s after being presented with a hand soap developed by a Belgian cosmetic chemist. Neutrogena use a variety of different formula to deliver effective and targeted products in order to provide the best body lotion.
Product Highlights
The Neutrogena Moisturizing Sheer Body Lotion is formulated with:
- Sesame seed oil: This oil is used as a healing oil thanks to it being extremely rich in varying nutrients. It is enriched with vitamins E, B, D, and other complex vitamins as well as minerals such as calcium or phosphorous. This not only makes it great for reducing pimples or preventing rashes but also for encouraging the healing process of your skin.
- Titanium dioxide: To help protect us from the sun’s UV rays and prevent us from applying numerous lotion, Neutrogena has included titanium dioxide into their ingredients list. This agent is typically used as a thickening or lubricating ingredient but is primarily included for its natural resistance to UV rays including UVA and UVB radiation.
- Non-comedogenic: For our skin to stay healthy, it needs to be able to breathe which can be a problem with oilier lotions. This sheer body lotion contains non-comedogenic properties meaning that it won’t clog your pores, helping to prevent any unwanted spots or breakouts.
What's to like about the Neutrogena Moisturizing Sheer Body Lotion
We love the lightness of this lotion; it is incredibly thin and feels luxurious upon application. Being so light also adds the benefit of fantastically fast absorption rates, allowing us to avoid that unpleasant sticky feeling.
What's not to like about the Neutrogena Moisturizing Sheer Body Lotion
Although we love the luxurious feel delivered through this thicker and smoother lotion and how fast it’s absorbed, it can leave you feeling as if you need to reapply a lot sooner than you would with heavier lotions. This can lead to a bottle lasting for a shorter period.
PROS
CONS
BUYER'S GUIDE
Not only looking to provide you with a list of our top five recommendations, but we’ve also compiled a list of features that you should consider when looking to buy any body lotion. As long as you really bear these factors in mind, you should end up with a body lotion that’s great for you.
Ingredients
Possibly the most confusing part of buying a new body lotion is the list of almost impossible to interoperate ingredients. With such a wide range of ingredients being used in every body lotion, we figured it would be best to supply you with a short list of some ingredients that you should avoid.
- Parabens: You would have noticed us mention this a few times in some of our reviews and for a good reason. Due to their hormone-mimicking abilities, they are widely associated with increasing the risk of breast cancer. While Parabens haven’t been proven to cause cancer directly, they do often appear in tumor biopsies, so they’re probably worth avoiding.
- Fragrances: This is a relatively vague term used by manufacturers to protect their “secret formula” but as far as we know as consumers, this could consist of various chemicals that aren’t necessarily good for the health of your skin. When searching for body lotions, you’ll notice that more and more companies are now stating that their products come fragrance-free, but this doesn’t mean it won’t smell. They’re referring to the fact that they haven’t added any artificial fragrances.
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): This is a surfactant that is used in a considerable number of personal health products as it helps to produce a foamy texture. These ingredients are known to cause skin, lung, and eye irritation, making them a nightmare for those with sensitive skin. The major issue linked with SLS is that if mixed with other varying chemicals, it can form nitrosamines which are carcinogenic.
Feel
The feel of the lotion on your skin is significant as no one wants that horrible sticky or oily feeling. It’s important to note that everyone’s skin is different, so one person could find one lotion oilier than someone else. Don’t let these “oily feeling” reviews put you off. Your best bet is to go to your local store and try a sample on your skin and leave it 24 hours to see if it causes any irritation.
Lotion thickness is also an important factor when deciding on which lotion is best. Thicker lotion can feel more luxurious but can also feel heavier on your skin. The trick again is just to try as many different products as possible. The thickness is normally due to artificial thickening agents.
Side Effects
Side effects that are commonly associated with body lotion can include skin irritation and itching as well as increased chances of cancer. It’s important to speak to either a doctor or dermatologist depending upon your symptoms as they’ll be able to tell you best what ingredients you should avoid.
That being said, most emollients can be used safely with zero side effect. If you do suffer from side effects of a prescribed lotion, bear in mind that the doctor would have weighed the benefits being greater to you than potential side effects.
Moisturizing Effect
Moisturizers help to keep your skin hydrated and healthy through the absorption of various minerals and nutrients within the lotion. To make these lotion products absorbable, manufacturers often include some form of fatty acid to replicate the similar makeup of our skin’s natural oils.
Protection
While most body lotion products help to rejuvenate our skin’s natural level of protection, they all do so to varying degrees. Amongst the most common features to look out for on your body lotion is whether or not it offers any UV protection. Some products include Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), which actually increase our susceptibility to the sun’s UV rays. Thus, requires the user to apply a UV protection lotion on top, which can leave the skin feeling very heavy.
Smoothing Effects
The smoothing effect experienced from using a good body lotion is derived from the combination of ingredients that help restore your skin to its full glory. The exfoliation process helps to clear out your clogged pores and remove dead skin cells, exposing younger and naturally more supple skin. This skin is then pampered with beneficial minerals and nutrients that help it to breathe and improve its protective barrier functions.
F.A.Q.
Below, we have listed some of the more popular questions asked when it comes to finding a good body lotion.
How to Use Body Lotion?
Bottles or tubes of body lotion, cream, and butter work by trapping moisture in the skin, so they are most effective when your skin is already damp. This makes the best time to apply body lotion within the first five or so minutes after bathing.
You’ll want to start with a quantity that is approximately the size of a quarter, rubbing it between your palms to warm it up. After a few seconds, you’ll then massage the lotion into the desired area of the skin in a circular motion for maximum absorption.
What Is Body Lotion?
A body lotion is primarily a moisturizer but more often than not, also contains exfoliants, which make it great for treating dry skin conditions such as eczema or KP. There are more medically inclined body lotion brands available but usually, require prescriptions. If you have been using a body lotion and your condition isn’t improving, either try a different brand or better yet, seek out your doctor or a dermatologist.
What Lotion Is Good for Dry Skin?
When it comes to treating dry skin, you’ll be less inclined to purchase a body lotion that primarily focuses on its exfoliation properties; instead, you’ll want a quality moisturizer. You’ll want to aim for a heavier moisturizer which typically appears on an ingredients list as either hyaluronic acid or dimethicone.
What Is the Difference Between Body Lotion and Body Cream?
A body cream is thicker and heavier than a lotion and helps to trap in more moisture. The advantage that lotion has over cream is that it is far more readily absorbed, making it great for those who want to apply it before getting dressed, as they don’t have to worry about waiting for prolonged periods for the cream to sink in.
Does Body Lotion Expire?
A body lotion can definitely expire, and you’ll notice a change in smell after long periods. This length of time is dependent upon the number of active ingredients being used in the lotion. With this being said, an expired lotion won’t cause any harm to the skin; it simply becomes less effective than a newer bottle.
FINAL VERDICT
There is no doubt that using a body lotion helps to keep your skin feeling younger and healthier, so it’s just important to make sure that you find the right lotion for you. Everyone’s skin reacts differently, so head to your local store and patch test a variety of lotions before making a purchase. We also recommend heading to your doctor or dermatologist to seek advice on the best lotion for you.
Now, as hard as it is due to the nature of allergies and different skin types, we are recommending one lotion above the rest for its high number of natural ingredients, which is the Adamia Therapeutic Repair Lotion. Its macadamia oil content gives this lotion incredibly high levels of omega-7 which is incredibly similar to the makeup of our skin’s own oil, making this lotion very easily absorbed and preventing any oily skin feeling.