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As the weather starts to cool down every year, there is one beauty woe that hurtles to the top of our priority list: figuring out how to keep our limbs hydrated through the cold weather. If we’ve learned anything from the many years that winter has snuck up on us, it’s that having a solid routine in place will help to prevent you from experiencing weather-induced dryness.
Anyone who’s experienced dry skin knows it’s not a matter of vanity. Particularly with the harsh winter elements, skin can become itchy, flaky and just plain uncomfortable. If you’ve let your personal care routine slip (or at least, your body care routine) in recent months, now is the time to set the foundation for hydrated and glowing skin, and show yourself some self-love in the process.
The ELLE Edit Of The Best Body Lotions And Oils To Shop In 2026:
- Best Lightweight Body Lotion: KIEHL’S Crème de Corps, $79
- Best Rich Body Lotion: Naturium The Glow Getter Body Butter, $38
- Best Body Oil: Bio Oil, $25.99
- Best Scented Lotion: Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream, $83
- Best Lotion For Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+ Body Balm, $35.96
- Best Shower Oil: L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, $49
And while beauty aisles are stocked full of options, many lotions on the market just act as Band-Aid solutions to parched skin, with those all-familiar cracks starting to show up again moments after application.
For actual long-lasting hydration, try to apply product straight after the shower when your skin is still a bit damp. Better yet, start with an in-shower oil for an initial dose of hydration, and then take the time to massage the product into the skin after drying off, using circular motions rather than just swiping it on, to help your skin absorb the moisture.
After a recommendation? Equip yourself for the cooler months ahead with these tried and tested moisturisers below.
Best Everyday Lotion
These everyday formulas may be on the lighter side, but do not underestimate the transformative power of daily moisturising. If you hate that slimy feeling that often comes with applying moisturiser in the mornings, these are the ones to pick up. These fast-absorbing classics are constantly on our radar for good reason.
KIEHL’S
Crème de Corps
THE ORDINARY
Natural Moisturizing Factors + Inulin
LA ROCHE-POSAY
Lipikar Baume AP+ Body Balm
NÉCESSAIRE
The Body Lotion
Best Body Oils
While the word ‘oil’ might not conjure up images of hydrated skin, the formula of an oil product is perfect for deep penetration into the skin, leaving your legs soft and supple. They also add a luminous glow to the skin, which can be sorely lacking during the cooler months.
L’OCCITANE
Almond Supple Skin Oil
MUKTI
Red Velvet Body Oil
BIOTYSPA
Firming Body Oil
BIO OIL
Bio Oil
Best Rich Lotions And Body Butters
For those of us who require a little extra TLC, opt for thicker formulas that deliver more immediate results. These lotions might take a bit longer to soak in — but their effects are immediate. If you’re newer to a rich cream, we suggest applying after your evening shower and before bed while you get used to the sensation on the skin.
NATURIUM
The Glow Getter Body Butter
NIVEA
Rich Nourishing Body Lotion
KIEHL’S
Crème de Corps Whipped Body Butter
WELEDA
Skin Food Body Butter
Best Scented Lotions And Oils
The Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream went viral for its blissful aromatic blend of vanilla and pistachio, so much so that they bottled up that fragrance into a now best-selling body spray. For a thriftier alternative, Love Beauty & Planet’s Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Lotion is equally as tropical and hydrating.
NUXE
Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil
RARE BEAUTY
Find Comfort Body Lotion
LE LABO
Body Lotion Bergamote 22
SOL DE JANEIRO
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
If you have sensitive or easily irritated skin, you are best opting for formulations that are gentle and (we’re sorry to say) don’t have any or the fun bells and whistles like fragrance or shimmer. We love brands like La Roche-Posay, Aveeno, Bioderma, CeraVe, and QV, which are all available at Chemist Warehouse and sometimes your local supermarket. These brands also have rich and lightweight formulations, so you don’t need to limit yourself to one texture. A good rule of thumb is to also look for brands that are dermatologically tested and endorsed.
If you despise the feeling of lathering lotions and oils onto your skin before putting your clothes on, we suggest opting for a shower oil or moisturiser that rinses off. These are formulated to leave a slight, non-oily residue on your skin when you dry off, so you can still get the benefits of a moisturiser without that dreaded slimy feeling. A few of our favourites are the L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, $49, the Naturium Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash, $32, and the Bioderma Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Shower Oil 1L, $47.
The post The Best 19 Moisturising Body Lotions And Oils For Winter-Ready Skin appeared first on ELLE.
