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We asked 266 panellists to test the best body moisturisers on the market
Here’s what they thought (spoiler: you may not have heard of our winner)
Tested by Maria KumarBeauty and Grooming Testing Manager
Body care is almost as big as skincare right now. From the best neck toning devices that smooth out the décolletage to the body brushing trend, which has over 313 million views on TikTok – everyone’s talking about the skin below our chin. But, what if it’s as simple as choosing the right body moisturiser?
Most of us regularly smooth cream into our face, neck and hands – but you’re never going to regret paying the same attention to the rest of your body, too. After all, it’s not just our complexions that can be affected by changes in temperature and humidity during, making moisturising top-to-toe a necessity.
So, to help you find the best body care on the market, the Good Housekeeping Institute product reviews team recruited a panel of over 266 testers to try the leading lotions, creams and moisturisers.
These are their favourites at a glance but for more info on what ingredients to look out for, and our full reviews of the best formulations for silky-soft skin all year round, read on…
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Best before-bed moisturiser
Neom Organics London Perfect Night's Sleep Magnesium Body Butter, 200g
Read review - 5
What ingredients should I look for in my body moisturiser?
Keep an eye out for these key ingredients.
Humectants, such as glycerine and hyaluronic acid, absorb water from the atmosphere, underlying skin cells and any other products you’ve applied to the skin’s surface, helping it retain moisture. You’re probably most familiar with hydration mainstay, hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times its own molecular weight in water, making it a must-have in many formulations.
Emollients, such as shea butter or ceramides, help to create a smooth surface that improves your skin’s appearance.
Occlusive agents, such as petroleum jelly or jojoba oil, sit on the skin’s surface and create a physical barrier against moisture loss. While occlusives are best avoided in skincare if you’re prone to oiliness, they’re your secret weapon in body lotions, as they lock in all that hydration that the humectants have worked so hard to attract.
If you’re after something ultra-nourishing for super dry skin, we recommend one of the best body oils according to our tests.
How we test body lotions and creams
To make sure we’re recommending the best of the best, we put the market-leading body butters, creams and lotions to the test over a two-week period, with the help of over 266 seasoned panellists. We asked them to assess ease of use, packaging design, texture and how well each body lotion hydrated, nourished and improved the look and feel of their skin.
Back in the Good Housekeeping Institute beauty lab, we measured the hydration of the skin immediately after application and again after a four-hour period, to determine how effective each formulation was at locking in moisture.
The best body lotions, creams and moisturisers 2025
Score: 88/100
Rare indeed. Testers loved how thick and luxurious this product felt for the price, as well as praising the unique packaging and the jasmine, lemon and tonka bean fragrance notes, which were described as “lovely and comforting”.
“It left my skin so soft all day, even my husband commented and asked if I’d bought a new moisturiser!” said one panel member. Miracles do happen. Everyone who tried it told us their skin felt hydrated all day after application and they enjoyed the firming effects that helped smooth rough skin. Though most loved the unique bottle, some said it was more style over function, with a few struggling to squeeze out every last drop. However, it’s nothing a good shake shouldn’t sort.
Score: 87/100
Looking for a deeply nourishing moisturiser with no greasy feel? Get your hands on this body butter, which is bursting with occlusives, including olive oil and the brand’s dual-action moisturising complex, Nutri-DUO.
So, what’s the ‘pro-age’ element about? Well, it’s designed to improve the appearance of dark spots and accelerate the renewal of new skin cells, to help combat the slower rate of regeneration in more mature skin.
Testers told us it deeply moisturised and, most importantly, the effects lasted a long time. “Skin stayed plump and noticeably soft for at least a day,” said one. Plus, it’s a bargain at just over £7.
Score: 87/100
You'll often find us waxing lyrical about the resurfacing superpowers of AHAs in our facial skincare, and we're now seeing their firming, tightening benefits in our body care, too.
This sensory dream of a product – with a watermelon fragrance and sumptuous feel – gave those who tried it some of the glowiest skin they’d ever had. They said it sank in well and was lightweight. It's a good option for daily use, without greasiness or causing build-up, and many said they started to see improved firmness in their skin after a few applications. Sign us up.
Neom Organics London Perfect Night's Sleep Magnesium Body Butter, 200g
Score: 83/100
Described as having the “calming aroma of a spa treatment” by one of our testers, this lavender-packed, magnesium-enriched cream aims to ease you into a better night's sleep.
It topped our softness test in the lab, leaving all panellists with silkier skin, while boosting hydration for most. Nearly everyone who tried it loved it so much, they said they'd happily make space for it on the bedside tables in future.
Clarins Body Firming Extra-Firming Cream, 150ml
Score: 83/100
The only bad thing anyone had to say about this formula was that they missed having a strong fragrance, but as far as results were concerned, it was a resounding success. Many of our testers commented on the cream’s lovely consistency, which they said was “rich but well balanced” and “absorbed well”.
One person noted that the subtleness of the scent means it doesn’t clash with your perfume, sending your skin into some sort of olfactory overdrive. Many told us it gave them a great glow, as well as seriously soft and supple limbs without residue or grease.
Granted, it’s fairly pricey, but with feedback like, “It provided huge relief for my dry patches which never seem to budge when using other creams”, we can’t really complain.
Cetaphil Body Moisturiser, 450g
Score: 82/100
This one performed best for locking in moisture and providing a healthy dose of hydration in our beauty lab, making it a great pick for those with seriously dry skin.
Our panel agreed. “My dry skin has significantly improved after using it for two weeks,” said one tester, while another added: “This was so moisturising and comforting and soothing to use – I think it would be great for skin conditions and sunburn, as it’s not fragranced and feels lovely to apply.” Panellists also raved about the generous tub.
CeraVe Moisturising Cream Pot with Ceramides, 454g
Score: 82/100
Much like the Cetaphil moisturiser, a few grumbled about the lack of fragrance with this cream, but nobody bemoaned its firming and softening effects. Everyone thought it was a good option for sensitive skin too, saying it didn’t cause any irritation, something CeraVe is quite rightly famed for.
Flaky, dry skin didn’t stand a fighting chance with this cream – it left limbs “rejuvenated and radiant”, according to one panel member, with dry elbows given the TLC they deserve.
Olay Beauty Fluid Moisturise & Replenish Face, Neck And Body Lotion, 200ml
Score: 80/100
Bouncy, firm and fabulous skin awaits with this nifty two-in-one number. It’s packed full of goodness and light enough to use on your face, but comes as a full-size fluid that allows you to smother it over your body, too.
Some people felt slightly uncomfortable using the same product for both areas, but once they got past the concept, our testers couldn’t stop talking about how lovely and moisture-locking this lotion is.
They loved that the hydration hit lasted all day and one praised how it made their oft-neglected arms and elbows feel softer. “The smell was fresh, but luxurious,” said another and many commented on its ability to sink in “without unwanted stickiness.” Not bad for under £10.
Score: 79/100
“The fragrance is reminiscent of a spa treatment,” one relaxed tester told us, and – having tested out a fair few massages and facials in our time – we must agree. A session with this sumptuous lotion truly does make you feel like you’re skipping away from a soporific spa day.
The scent is citrus-y and fresh, and it oozes quality, with many commenting on how expensive the formulation feels as it effortlessly sinks in. The pump makes it a doddle to apply and the lotion left skin soft, while still feeling clean and fresh.
Score: 77/100
For gorgeous, glowy, almost iridescent skin, this Refy option should be what you reach for. Perfect for party season, it’s subtly sparkly and it enhances the skin’s natural shine with a petit portion of pigment.
“The colour and sparkles were still there the next morning – it had real staying power and didn’t rub off once properly dried,” one satisfied tester told us. A great option for getting ready before a night out.
Score: 77/100
M&S is having a fashion renaissance, with its new-in section sparking joy for Millennials, Gen Z, Gen X and Boomers alike, which is no mean feat. But does its Apothecary skincare range live up to the brand’s elevated sartorial status?
This two-in-one lotion, with its sleek packaging and practical pump dispenser, left testers raving about the "pleasant but not overpowering scent" and conveniently quick absorption, leaving skin feeling velvety-soft and hydrated without any overly oily after-effects.
The stylish bottle – crafted from dark brown plastic, mimicking expensive glass – means you can still have something sexy on your bathroom shelf when you’re on a budget. Some found the formula a bit thin for intense body moisturising, though, so it's probably better for daily moisture top-up than treatment really dry spots.
Can I use a body moisturiser on my face?
Body moisturisers can be used all over your body, but not on your face, unless you’re opting for the Olay Beauty Fluid Face and Body Moisturiser on our list above. Body creams generally tend to feature fragrances or other irritants that are unsuitable for use on delicate facial skin.
The best time to use a body moisturiser is immediately after a bath or shower, when your skin is damp. The oils in the product trap the water on the skin, keeping it moist. Remember to exfoliate first to remove any dead skin cells.
What body moisturiser is best for my skin type?
Most body moisturisers should be suitable for everyone, but here’s a general guide to the best formulations for different skin types.
Normal/combination: Plump for products with water-based formulas.
Dry: Try thicker, oil-based creams.
Oily: Choose lightweight, oil-free lotions. These tend to be labelled as ‘non-comedogenic’, which means they won't clog pores.
Sensitive: Look for soothing ingredients, such as calendula, chamomile or aloe vera and avoid potentially irritating fragrances and acids.
Mature: Opt for formulas with pro-ageing ingredients such as retinol or gentle exfoliating acids such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).
If you suffer from a particular skin condition, always seek advice from a dermatologist before use.
15 April 2025: This article was updated to reflect the latest stock levels and prices. We also adjusted headlines and seasonal references and linked to other relevant Good Housekeeping content.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
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