Body moisturisers: 10 of the best in 2020 – goodhousekeeping.com

Most of us regularly moisturise our face, neck and hands but its important to pay attention to the rest of the body too. Those who naturally have very dry skin, or suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, should take extra care to moisturise often to prevent skin becoming cracked, flaky or irritated. Even if you dont have a skin condition, you might spot changes as the temperature and humidity changes during winter especially, a body balm might be needed.

The best time to use these moisturisers is immediately after a bath or shower, when skin is damp. The oils in the product help to trap the water on the skin, keeping it moist. Remember to exfoliate first to remove any dead skin cells.

One note: dont use body moisturisers on your face. Your bodys skin is thicker than your delicate facial skin, so these products tend to include fragrances or other irritants that are unsuitable for use on your face.

Moisturisers are made up of several components:

Humectants, such as glycerine and hyaluronic acid, draw water from the atmosphere, other cells and any other products youve applied to the skins surface. Emollients, such as shea butter or ceramides, help to create a smooth surface that improves your skins appearance. Occlusive agents, such as petroleum jelly or jojoba oil, sit on the skins surface. These create a physical barrier against water loss to maintain good hydration.

Most body moisturisers should be suitable for everyone, but heres a general guide for the best formulations for different skin types:

Normal/combination: Water-based formulas Dry: Thicker, oil-based creams Oily: Lightweight, oil-free moisturisers. These tend to be labelled non-comedogenic, meaning they won't clog pores. Sensitive: Look for soothing ingredients, such as calendula, chamomile or aloe vera in the ingredients list and stay away from potential irritating fragrances and acids Mature: Opt for formulations with anti-ageing ingredients such as retinol or gentle exfoliating acids like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).

If you suffer from particular skin conditions, its best to seek advice from a medical professional before use.

Best body moisturiser: Sothys Pro-Youth Body Serum Runner-up body moisturiser: Ted Baker Peony Spritz Body Souffle Best multipurpose moisturiser: Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream Best for dry skin: CeraVe Moisturising Lotion Best value body moisturiser: Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing Dry Skin Body Lotion Best for very dry skin: O'Keeffe's Skin Repair Pump

Your skin type: See the above guide Additional beneficial ingredients: These are often mentioned on the front of the pack, such as soothing aloe vera, or anti-ageing retinol Fragrance: This is a personal preference, but its best to avoid fragranced moisturisers if your skin is sensitive SPF: If your moisturiser doesnt contain SPF, make sure to use one alongside it Packaging: Consider where you will be using this product avoid heavy glass jars if travelling, for example. Vegan/Cruelty free: Look for the logos which should be listed on the pack

We assessed 20 different body moisturisers using our beauty labs multi-skin test centre (a very high-tech machine, to you and I) to check skins hydration levels immediately after application and then again after a six-hour period. Over 270 testers also trialled the body creams at home for a week, assessing ease of application, how it felt, its effect on the skin and more.

Best body moisturiser

50.00

Designed to smooth skin and tackle extra dryness during winter, this serum-like moisturiser has a light, silky smooth texture which spreads effortlessly across skin. Scoring 7/10 in the lab, this cream noticeably improved the skin's hydration and the effect was still present upon retest after six hours. True to its claims, virtually everyone (92%) found this cream worked particularly effectively on dry patches and testers also loved the grapefruit scent.

Key specifications: Size: 200ml Packaging: Plastic tub Fragrance? Yes Skin type: all

Review:Sothys Pro-Youth Body Serum (Score:86/100)

Runner-up body moisturiser

8.80

This shea butter-infused cream has a light, silky texture and a floral, peppery scent. It was the top scorer in our lab test, scoring 8/10, but it was knocked from the top spot as some of our at-home testers thought the scent was a little strong. After use, skin was well-moisturised and remained hydrated throughout the day. Testers loved the light formula it absorbed easily into skin, leaving no unpleasant residue.

Key specifications: Size: 300ml Packaging: Plastic tub Fragrance? Yes Skin type: all

Review:Ted Baker Peony Spritz Body Souffle (Score:84/100)

3 Pro Age Body Lotion

This moisturiser contains a combination of exfoliating AHAs, moisturising olive oils and brightening vitamin B, which should support the skins natural renewal process, improve smoothness and reduce dark spots. Testers loved its light, non-greasy, fast-absorbing texture that glided smoothly onto skin. It scored a decent 7/10 in our lab hydration test, too.

Key specifications: Size: 400ml Packaging: Plastic bottle with flip-top lid Fragrance? Yes Skin type: All skin types, particularly mature

Review:Dove Pro Age Body Lotion (Score:83/100)

Best multipurpose moisturiser

6.59

For those who prefer a no-fuss approach to skincare, unusually, this body moisturiser can also be used on the face and hands. It was very hydrating, absorbed very quickly and testers loved its creamy texture. Skin felt softer after use and there was no unpleasant residue or greasiness. It worked especially well on rough patches, like those on elbows, so this might be one for you if thats an issue you have.

Key specifications: Size: 200ml Packaging: Plastic tub Fragrance? No Skin type: all

Review:Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream (Score: 82/100)

Best for dry skin

10.10

This cream is designed for those with dry to very dry skin and any associated health conditions, like eczema or atopic dermatitis. It scored 7/10 in our lab and the hydrating effects were still present upon retest six hours later. Eighty-two percent of our home testers liked how much softer their skin felt afterwards too. Some felt the consistency was a little thin, considering its a product for dry skin, but overall, most loved the light, non-sticky formula. The pump makes it easy to dispense the right amount of product, too.

Key specifications: Size: 236ml Packaging: Plastic bottle with pump dispenser Fragrance? No Skin type: Dry to very dry

Review:CeraVe Moisturising Lotion (Score:82/100)

Best value body moisturiser

4.95

This cost-effective lotion contains vaseline jelly, designed to lock in moisture and restore dull-looking skin. Testers were happy with its creamy texture, mentioning that only a small amount was needed. It scored 7/10 in our lab test and was still going strong six hours later. While it spread generously and smoothly, it did take a while to fully absorb but it didn't feel greasy or sticky on application.

Key specifications: Size: 200ml Packaging: Plastic bottle with flip top lid Fragrance? No Skin type: all

Review:Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing Dry Skin Body Lotion (Score: 80/100)

7 Intensive 7 Days Coconut Milk Body Lotion

4.95

This fast-absorbing body lotion scored 85% in key areas softening skin well and absorbing very quickly. It was commended by testers for its light, non-greasy and non-sticky formula. It scored 7/10 in our lab test too.

Key specifications: Size: 400ml Packaging: Plastic bottle with flip top lid Fragrance?Yes Skin type: Dry & rough skin

Review: Garnier Intensive 7 Day Body Lotion (Score:80/100)

Best for very dry skin

10.89

This lotion promises to heal, relieve and repair extremely dry and itchy skin and this was borne out in our tests: the buttery cream was particularly effective at rehydrating areas prone to dryness, such as elbows and soles of feet. In our lab test, it scored 7/10 in the lab and the effects lasted all day.

Key specifications: Size: 325ml Packaging: Plastic bottle with pump dispenser Fragrance? No Skin type:Dry, itchy

Review:O'Keeffe's Skin Repair Body Lotion (Score:79/100)

9 Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturising Body Treatment

27.00

The brand describes this cream as an intensive treatment and testers agreed: the texture was so thick it was tricky to squeeze out of the tube, especially on colder days when the cream had slightly solidified. Saying that, testers were pleasantly surprised with how quickly it sank into the skin on application and noted improvements in skin softness and hydration after use. It was let down in the lab slightly, scoring 6/10 with a slight immediate improvement in hydration although this did last through the six hours.

Key specifications: Size: 200ml Packaging: Plastic tube with flip top lid Fragrance? Yes Skin type: Very dry skin

Review:Elizabeth ArdenEight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturising Body Treatment (Score: 79/100)

10 Reve de Miel Melting Honey Body Oil Balm

22.50

This honey-infused body balm is for use on dry and sensitive complexions. When massaged in, it transforms into an oil, designed to leave skin with a healthy-looking glow. This consistency was a hit with our testers 92% loved its luxurious and rich formula. It was quick to absorb, left no sticky residue and skin felt more hydrated and smoother immediately. True to its word, the oil-rich formula did leave skin looking healthy but our panel said the moisturising effects didnt last all day.

Key specifications: Size: 200ml Packaging: Plastic tub Fragrance? Yes Skin types: Dry and sensitive skin

Review:Nuxe Reve De Miel Melting Honey Body Oil Balm (Score: 77/100)

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Body moisturisers: 10 of the best in 2020 - goodhousekeeping.com