Finding the best body lotion for your skin isn’t always easy. Some are too oily, not hydrating enough, don’t absorb well… you get the picture. However, sometimes you come across a formula that is so good, you’ll want to use it on your face.
According to celeb beauty therapist, Isabella Loneragan, that’s ok.
“Your luxury body cream absolutely can be used on the face as well as body,” she says. Just remember, if it contains actives like AHAs, only apply it to facial skin more once or twice a week. It would just be too active for facial skin use too frequently, given that AHAs work to dissolve dead skin build-up.”
Best body lotion for anti-ageing
Ragan Skin Body Cream is my number one choice here. I prefer it even over some prestige formulas I’ve tried in the past that are upwards of $500. Firstly, because of the experience. It’s like massaging a beautifully-prepared soufflé of gently active ingredients all over. I felt so cocooned and instantly relaxed, as it quickly absorbed into my skin.
It has a kind of bouncy texture that soothes and softens upon application. It’s super-easy to apply. It glides over the skin with enough play time to really check in with your skin and body. I love taking the time to do this in the morning. I check for any unusual lumps and bumps, and get the lymphatic system moving. This cream allows time for you to check everywhere. At the same time, it hydrates the skin for upwards of 24 hours.
It’s also a fab little formula for getting rid of Keratosis Pilaris (chicken skin), thanks to glycolic and lactic acids. These acids whisk away any debris on the skin’s surface. It also contains niaciminamide to help unify the skin’s tone, strengthen it, smooth the texture and keep it well hydrated.
I love this body lotion so much, and I really can’t say enough great things about it. My only gripe is it isn’t available in a one litre bottle!
Best Organic Body Lotion
Clemence Organics Ultimate Hand and Body Lotion truly is the ultimate. In fact, I loved this so much, I left a review on the website, which I never do. Here’s what I said:
“I was sent this to review and I loved it SO much that I bought two at full retail price as soon as my review bottle had run out. It’s just SO good. It applies like a dream, absorbs beautifully and does all that a body lotion should do – hydrates, softens, leaves skin feeling ever-so-supple and helps plump out those fine lines on the décolletage. It is perfectly scented – enough that you’re uplifted when applying but not too much that it overpowers your fragrance. I love this lotion and highly recommend it.“
If that’s not enough to convince you, perhaps the regenerative benefits of organic rosehip, calendula, jojoba and shea nut oils will? Or, that it beautifully nourishes all skin types, especially those with signs of ageing, sun damage, scarring and pigmentation.
It contains a lovely dose of aloe vera to soothe inflammation, which you notice as soon as you apply. Again, my only complaint is I can’t buy it in a super-sized bottle.
Best Body Lotion for Super-Dry and Stressed Skin
I trialled Ella Bache Water Source Moisturising Body Cream in the middle of winter. My skin was parched, with many crepey patches and fine lines. It was like finding an oasis in the desert. Rich in peanut oil and lanolin, this deeply hydrating cream takes the tightness out of dry skin instantly. It is thick, oh-so-creamy and has the most wonderfully comforting scent. It’s a little like being wrapped in a sot, luxurious wool blanket on a cold winter’s night.
Again, it allows for plenty of application time, which means you can really give your skin a once-over. It does absorb to leave your skin grease-free and supported for 24hours. My skin felt as soft as when I applied it the next morning. While I would love a super-sized version of this body cream too, this one lasts for ages! You only need apply a little, as it goes a very long way.
Best for dry skin
Another brilliant dry-skin reliever is Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion. With a price tag that sits around $30, you might wonder why I’ve included it in the wrap up. Personally, I don’t think that cost is in the luxury category, but it isn’t budget either. And while this body lotion is middle-of-the-road price wise, it’s far from it in performance. So, I have included it as luxe, because that’s the experience it gives you.
With Omega fatty acids, shea butter and B vitamins, it’s got the hero ingredients to back the claim up. These work to replenish thirsty skin, to smooth out crepiness and to leave you feeling soft and hydrated all over. It absorbs a little faster, but not too fast that you can’t experience a great self-massage. I also love that it has no scent, so it won’t interfere with your signature scent. Even though I adore a fragranced lotion, there is a time and place.
Best All Rounder
Sodashi Body Brilliance Cream literally has it all. It’s a day spa, in a jar. Firstly, it’s incredibly hydrating. Secondly, its texture is exquisite. It’s whipped to perfection, which means it melts softly into the skin. Its lush scent of Madagascan Vanilla, Ylang Ylang and Patchouli cocoons you and uplifts you through the day as you catch the scent. Also, its rich base of avocado oil drenches skin with moisture, which lasts for 24 hours! Top tip: be sure to warm the cream between your hands to soften before applying.
Best For Sensitive Skin
I can’t relay quite how much I adore Caudalie Vinotherapist Replenishing Vegan Body Butter. It’s priced kind of in the middle of the luxury price range, but it delivers as well as anything three times its price. Also, do you remember Perkins Paste? This beautiful butter smells a little like that. So, you’ll enjoy a nostalgia trip, too.
Best For Pampering
L’Occitane Almond Delightful Body Balm is exactly as its name suggests – delightful! It’s a dream to apply, melting into the skin instantly, but leaving enough playtime for your rituals. It also doesn’t leave your skin greasy – just lightly scented with nurturing almond.
