9 best body moisturisers for dry skin 2025 – tried and tested
WHILE most people wouldn't dream of skipping face moisturiser in their daily routine, body care tends to get overlooked.
A combination of cold weather, central heating and hot showers means our skin is almost guaranteed to suffer during the winter as it's constantly being stripped of its natural moisture.
That's where a body moisturiser for dry skin comes in.
The skin on the body needs TLC in the same way as our faces, and refining a body care routine will improve the skin's appearance, smooth out any bumps and maintain that fake (or natural) tan.
Those with sensitive and eczema-prone skin should take extra care when choosing the best moisturiser for them, as formulas containing alcohol and fragrances may be too harsh.
Ingredients that lock in moisture and maintain the skin's natural barrier are key features to look out for, and will keep those dreaded rough patches away.
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While there are some luxury options on the market, plenty of the top rated moisturisers come with affordable price tags, making them ideal for everyday use.
As someone who suffers with dry skin throughout the year, I've tried and tested some of the top rated body moisturisers, giving my honest verdict on whether they actually work as they promise.
Best moisturisers at a glance
How I tested
Every moisturiser included in this list has been trialed across several days, and I applied each one in the morning on clean skin.
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I have dry skin, so I kept an eye on how effectively they moisturised my skin and soothed any irritation.
Along with the effectiveness, I also took note of the consistency of each product, how quickly it absorbed, the scent, and the affordability.
Each cream included is marketed as being suitable for sensitive skin, but it's still worth checking the listed key ingredients before use.
9 best body moisturisers for dry skin - tried and tested
Cetaphil Moisturising Cream, £17
Cetaphil Moisturising Cream, £17 at Boots
Pros: Suitable for face and body, skin feels hydrated all day, affordable
Cons: Not cruelty-free
Rating: 5/5
Cetaphil's products are known for being gentle on the skin, which is why the brand is popular among skincare beginners and teenagers.
Suitable for all skin types (including sensitive) the Cetaphil Moisturising Cream is one of the brand's bestsellers.
It has a soothing formula made with almond oil and panthenol to fight dryness, while the Vitamin E protects the skin’s barrier function.
Niacinamide is also added to the formula to improve the skin’s appearance and texture.
A 450ml retails for £17, which makes it one of the most affordable options - and my huge tub is likely to last for months.
When it comes to the packaging, it's not the most aesthetically-pleasing, but it does exactly what it needs to do.
Fragrance-free, gentle and vegan - the Cetaphil moisturiser is a strong choice for anyone in need of rich hydration for the body or face.
Size: 450ml, Key ingredients: Niacinamide, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Jojoba Esters, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Cruelty-free? No
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+M Rich Moisturiser, £25
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+M Rich Moisturiser, £23 at Sephora
Pros: Easy to apply, lightweight on the skin, gentle enough for babies and children
Cons: Pump bottle means some product will go to waste
Rating: 5/5
La-Roche Posay has plenty of options when it comes to treating dry and sensitive skin.
The French beauty brand has a long list of bestsellers, including its and , which I reviewed in the Sun Shopping's best face moisturisers for dry skin feature.
La Roche's dermatologist-approved body lotion contains an AP+M formula that works to restore the skin’s barrier function in order to minimise dry skin flare-ups.
The body moisturiser is described online as a balm, but the light consistency feels more like a lotion that glides onto the skin.
It absorbs quickly without feeling sticky, so I was able to get dressed straight after applying.
It's clear just how gentle the formula is by the fact that it's suitable for babies and children, and it's of course fragrance-free.
The pump bottle makes the moisturiser easy to apply, although it's likely that some product will go to waste at the end as I won't be able to get the final drops out.
Size: 400ml, Key ingredients: Niacinamide,Tocopherol,Glycerin, Aqua/Water, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Shea Butter, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil/Rapeseed Seed Oil, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes Cruelty-free? No
Nursem Ultra Caring Body Balm, £26.95
Nursem Ultra Caring Body Balm, £26.95 (was £29.99)
Pros: Thick balm texture, suitable for sensitive, eczema-prone and psoriasis-prone skin
Cons: Difficult to rub in
Rating: 5/5
Founded in 2019, Nursem was created by healthcare workers (who also appeared on Dragon's Den) to create products that would aid dry skin as a result of excessive hand washing.
I discovered the brand when my friend introduced me to the - which has become my all-time favourite for keeping in my handbag when my hands are drying out.
All of the brand's products are tested by medical experts, and the creams really as effective as they claim.
The Ultra Caring Body Balm has an ultra-rich consistency that will soothe even highly irritated skin.
As it's so rich in texture, it doesn't make it difficult to rub in, so it's not one that I would reach for on the daily.
I can see the balm being absolute saviour for those suffering with severe dryness, so it's one that I'll be keeping in my cupboard for when it's needed.
It's slightly more expensive that some of the alternatives, but you only need a small amount to hydrate the skin, so I won't be repurchasing any time soon.
Size: 250ml, Key ingredients: Niacinamide, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Jojoba Esters, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Cruelty-free? Yes
CeraVe Moisturising Lotion, £17.50
CeraVe Moisturising Lotion, £17.50 at Boots
Pros: Lightweight texture, suitable for face and body, affordable suitable for eczema-prone skin
Cons: Not cruelty-free
Rating: 5/5
CeraVe likely one of the first names that spring to mind when it comes to affordable moisturisers, due to it's huge cult following (that includes Maya Jama).
The brand focuses on gentle formulas, which is why most of its products are suitable for the face and body (a huge bonus for those that like a low maintenance routine).
A lotion that feels lightweight on the skin is ideal for everyday use, and I genuinely felt like I didn’t have anything on straight after applying.
It's enriched with hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides, all of which hydrate the skin while protecting its barrier.
Finished with the brand's patented Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) technology, the cream has a controlled release of hydration to keep the skin feeling soft for longer.
As richer creams have the potential to clog the pores, I like that CeraVe's version is non-comedogenic.
Size: 473ml, Key ingredients: Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Cholesterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Cruelty-free? No
Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Cream, £21
Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Cream, £21 at Sephora
Pros: Rich whipped consistency, floral scent, feels luxurious
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 4.5/5
Sol de Janeiro products are constantly trending, and the body butters are among the brand's bestsellers.
The original went viral a few years ago, and several other scents have trended since - including the new range.
The Bom Dia Bright Cream is also a top contender, which is designed to brighten the skin with a formula containing AHAs and Vitamin C.
Infused with cupuaçu butter and willow bark extract, the cream's whipped texture that absorbs quickly into the skin.
Everything about this moisturiser screams holiday to me; the sweet scent contains a mix of florals and vanilla, and the creamy consistency gives the skin a subtle glow.
The scent stays put on the skin for hours after application, and I would recommend layering it with the spray for a long-lasting fragrance.
The cream is expensive, so it may not be one for wearing every day, but it feels like a touch of self-care whenever I use Sol de Janeiro body butters.
Size: 75ml, Key ingredients: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol,Glycerin, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Aqua, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Dodecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes Cruelty-free? No
Astral Intense Face & Body Moisturiser, £5.44
Astral Intensive Face & Body Moisturiser, £5.44 at Amazon
Pros: Suitable for face and body, shea butter scent, four scent options, can be used as a make-up remover, affordable
Cons:
Rating: 4/5
Astral's Intensive Moisturiser is a multipurpose cream that can be used on the body, face and as a make-up remover.
I love the buttery soft consistency of this cream.
It feels instantly nourishing with its whipped texture, and I like that it feels just as soothing on the face.
The lotion has a couple of scents to choose from, but my favourite is the shea butter version as it lingers on the skin without being overpowering.
I personally don't understand moisturisers that double up as make-up removers, but the instructions advises rubbing the product into the skin and wiping it away with a warm cloth.
While I will be sticking to using the cream as a body moisturiser, it's a hack for times when you find yourself without make-up remover.
Size: 200ml, Key ingredients: Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glycerin, Paraffin, Lanolin, Ozokerite, Lanolin Alcohol, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Myristate, Magnesium Sulfate, Parfum, Propylparaben, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Cruelty-free? Yes
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Lotion, £9.55
Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Lotion, £9 at Boots
Pros: Absorbs quickly, handy pump bottle, suitable for all skin types
Cons: Unpleasant smell, not cruelty-free
Rating: 4/5
Aveeno's Daily Moisturising Body Lotion has been one of my all-time favourites over the years.
The pump bottle makes it easy to dispense throughout the day whenever my skin feels in need of some extra moisture.
It's designed for normal to dry skin, but I think all skin types could use this as the formula is so gentle.
The cream recently had a formula and packaging revamp, and while it mostly feels the same as before - it now has a slightly unpleasant scent.
While it's not too overpowering, the play doh-esque fragrance is why I had to slightly drop the rating.
Size: 300ml, Key ingredients: Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Glycerin, Aqua, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Paraffin, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Cruelty-free? No
Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra, £13
Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra, £13 at Look Fantastic
Pros: Barrier-building, can be used on face and body, suitable for adults and children
Cons: Not cruelty-free
Rating: 4/5
I only became familiar with Bioderma through it's popular , but I was pleasantly surprised by the brand's Atoderm cream.
Another moisturiser that's suitable for the face and body, the skincare buy has a creamy texture that feels refreshing on the skin - and it absorbs completely after a couple of minutes.
It's free from any oils and fragrances, with an ultra-gentle formula that makes it suitable for children and babies.
Glycerin is an effective ingredient for supporting the skin's barrier, so it works to soothe and repair simultaneously.
The 200ml tube feels like it's going to take ages to get through, as a small amount will moisturise large areas of the skin.
Size: 200ml, Key ingredients: Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Glycerin, Aqua, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Paraffin, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Cruelty-free? No
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream, £18
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream, £18 (was £36.53) at Amazon
Pros: Multifunctional, made with six natural ingredients, soothes dry patches and irritation, a little goes a long way
Cons: Feels oily on the skin
Rating: 3.5/5
Egyptian Magic's All Purpose Skin Cream is the brand's only product, and the multi-purpose balm has built a mass following over the years that includes Madonna and Brooke Shields.
Made from only six natural ingredients, it has a balm-like texture that melts into an oil when its warmed up in the hands.
Moisturising the face and body is the cream's main function, but it can also be used to smooth split ends and flyaways, or soothe burns and shaving irritation.
I like that the cream is soothing, but I found it to be quite oily on the skin (which isn't ideal if you're an avid fake tan user).
The cream isn't easy to rub into the skin as it does start as quite a thick balm, but you can also use it straight after showering which makes it easier to blend.
A little really goes a long way with this balm, so I only needed a small amount to moisturise my entire body.
It's definitely a product I'll be keeping in my collection for occasions where my skin is feeling irritated, but it's not one that I would reach for daily.
As the formula is filled with only natural ingredients, it could be a good fit for those with highly sensitive and eczema-prone skin.
Size: 300ml, Key ingredients: Olive oil, Royal jelly, Honey, Propolis, Pollen and Beeswax, Suitable for sensitive skin? Yes, Cruelty-free? Yes
Can you use body moisturiser on your face?
Body moisturisers can often be thicker in consistency, so using them on your face could lead to clogged pores and an oily complexion.
As the skin on on the face is thinner, the ingredients used in face moisturisers are often gentle, while body moisturisers sometimes include rich ingredients like butters and oils.
Several body moisturisers are also suitable for using on the face, as they contain gentle ingredients that aren't too harsh on the skin.
Where to buy moisturisers in the UK
Most of the top moisturisers are available at or , and some of the budget brands can be picked up in-store at the supermarket.
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Online beauty retailers including , and also stock a mix of the affordable and high end body moisturisers.
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