By Sage McHugh on July 2, 2010 in
There are countless body lotions on the market that promise to hydrate and soften your skin. In our recently-updated report on body lotion, ConsumerSearch determines which products deliver on that promise. Read on to find out which lotions get the best reviews, and which product might be right for your particular skin type.
Choosing the right body lotion is largely a matter of personal preference, but your skin type is also an important consideration. In general, experts recommend thicker creams and ointments (which typically contain heavy moisturizers such as lanolin, petrolatum and shea butter) for dryer skin. Lightweight lotions, gels and milks (with ingredients like aloe, jojoba and glycolic acids) are generally good for normal skin. Lighter-weight body lotions will absorb into skin faster than thicker creams and ointments.
We discovered that drugstore products actually do better than more expensive brands in reviews. For extremely dry skin, reviewers recommend Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant (*Est. $15 for 14 oz.). Its main ingredient is petrolatum, which forms a barrier and prevents skin from losing moisture. Users at MakeupAlley.com, Amazon.com and Drugstore.com rave about Aquaphor, saying they use this ointment to treat skin ailments like chapped lips, sunburn, eczema and even diaper rash. Aquaphor might be a little too thick for people with only mildly-dry skin, however.
Another affordable drugstore brand that’s highly recommended for dry skin is Nivea Crème (*Est. $7 for 6.8 oz.). Users say it does a great job of protecting dry skin from the elements. According to the manufacturer, it can be used all over the body, but it’s best for rough patches on the feet, knees, elbows and hands. Users warn that this lotion is hard to rub into wet skin, so don’t apply it right after you shower. According to reviewers, it seems to work best as a night cream.
For a lighter body lotion that you can wear every day, experts recommend Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Triple Smoothing Body Lotion (*Est. $8 for 13.5 oz.). This lotion contains an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to exfoliate skin, as well as glycerin and vitamin E, which are very effective at moisturizing skin. Experts and users agree that this budget-priced lotion leaves skin feeling soft. Editors at Real Simple magazine report that the AHA clears up keratosis pilaris (KP), a condition that causes tiny bumps to form on upper arms and thighs. Many users find that Lubriderm Advanced Therapy helps alleviate body acne.
For more information on these products, or to see more body lotions that do well in reviews, including baby lotions and specialty lotions, check out our full report.
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