Quick answer: Our top pick is the 100% PURE Vanilla Bean Nourishing Body Cream. It is a silky, everyday body lotion with deeply moisturizing cocoa and avocado that soothe dryness and flaking, plus vitamins and antioxidants for softer, more supple skin. For very dry skin, step up to our Whipped Body Butter, and use the Intensive Nourishing Balm on rough patches.
Just so you know up front: this guide covers our own body moisturizers at 100% PURE. It is not a neutral roundup of other brands. We make everything listed here, and we want to help you choose the right texture for your skin.
Dry skin can show up as tightness, flaking, rough elbows or an itchy feeling that gets worse in cold weather. The right body lotion helps in two ways: it adds water back to the skin and it seals that moisture in with rich oils and butters. Here is how to pick one.
What to look for in a body lotion for dry skin
1. Rich plant butters
Butters like cocoa butter and avocado butter coat the skin with a soft layer that slows down moisture loss. The drier your skin, the more butter you usually want.
2. A hydrating base
Water-rich ingredients like aloe vera and rose hydrosol help replace the hydration that dry skin is missing. Think of these as the "drink" and the butters as the "lid."
3. Nourishing oils
Plant oils such as blackcurrant oil help soften skin and support its natural barrier, the outer layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out.
4. Vitamins and antioxidants
Ingredients rich in vitamins and antioxidants help skin look and feel softer and more supple over time.
5. The right texture for how dry you are
A lighter cream is easy to use every day. A thick whipped butter is better for very dry skin. A balm is best for small rough spots like elbows, heels and knuckles.
6. A scent you will want to use every day
Consistency matters more than anything. Choose a scent you enjoy so moisturizing becomes a habit. If you have sensitive skin, patch test first.
Our picks: the best 100% PURE body lotions for dry skin
Vanilla Bean Nourishing Body Cream
Best for: everyday use on normal to dry skin. This is our top pick.
Key ingredients: deeply moisturizing cocoa and avocado to soothe dryness and flaking, plus vitamins and antioxidants for softer, more supple skin. It is silky smooth, sinks in nicely and smells of sweet, decadent vanilla.
Shop Vanilla Bean Nourishing Body Cream
Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream
Best for: anyone who wants the same everyday cream with a warm, nutty scent.
Key ingredients: the same cocoa and avocado to soothe dryness and flaking, with vitamins and antioxidants for softer skin. It is scented like sweet, honey-glazed almonds.
Shop Honey Almond Nourishing Body Cream
Coconut Whipped Body Butter
Best for: very dry skin that a regular lotion cannot keep up with.
Key ingredients: a base of water-rich aloe vera and soothing rose hydrosol to replenish lost hydration, with ultra rich cocoa butter, avocado butter and blackcurrant oil to coat skin with moisture and support its delicate lipid barrier. Our whipped butters are made to nourish even the driest skin and help relieve dry, itchy-feeling skin. This one smells of sweet, tropical coconut.
Shop Coconut Whipped Body Butter
Vanilla Bean Whipped Body Butter
Best for: very dry skin and vanilla lovers who want a thick, creamy night-time treat.
Key ingredients: aloe vera and rose hydrosol for hydration, with cocoa butter, avocado butter and blackcurrant oil to lock it in. It is thick, creamy and infused with the scent of sweet vanilla.
Shop Vanilla Bean Whipped Body Butter
Intensive Nourishing Balm
Best for: extremely dry spots like elbows, heels, knees and the sides of the nose.
Key ingredients: a concentrated blend of rich butters and nourishing oils, made for both face and body. It is infused with calming lavender oil to soothe the feel of dry, itchy or flaky-looking skin. Use it as a spot treatment on top of your daily cream.
Shop Intensive Nourishing Balm
How to use body lotion for dry skin
- Apply right after a warm shower or bath, while your skin is still a little damp. This helps trap water in the skin.
- Warm a small amount between your palms and smooth it over your body in gentle strokes.
- Give extra attention to elbows, knees, shins and feet, which tend to get the driest.
- For very dry skin, use a whipped body butter at night and a lighter body cream in the morning.
- Dab a little Intensive Nourishing Balm on any rough patches as a final step.
- Pair your moisturizer with a gentle, sulfate-free wash like our Honey Almond Shower Gel so you are not stripping skin before you moisturize it.
FAQ
What is the difference between body lotion, body cream and body butter?
They mostly differ in thickness. Lotions are the lightest and absorb fastest. Creams are richer and work well for everyday dryness. Body butters are the thickest, with more butters and oils, so they are best for very dry skin. Our Nourishing Body Cream is a silky everyday option, and our Whipped Body Butter is the richer choice.
What is the best natural body lotion for very dry skin?
For very dry skin, we recommend our Whipped Body Butter. It combines aloe vera and rose hydrosol for hydration with ultra rich cocoa butter, avocado butter and blackcurrant oil to seal in moisture. Use it after showering, and add our Intensive Nourishing Balm on the roughest spots like heels and elbows.
When is the best time to apply body lotion?
The best time is within a few minutes of getting out of the shower or bath, while your skin is still slightly damp. That is when lotion can trap the most water in your skin. If you are very dry, apply again before bed, and keep a hand cream nearby for daytime touch-ups.
Can I use a body cream on my face?
Our Nourishing Body Creams and Whipped Body Butters are made for the body. Facial skin is usually more delicate, so we suggest a moisturizer made for the face. One exception is our Intensive Nourishing Balm, which is designed for both face and body and works well on dry patches around the nose.
Written by Ric Kostick, CEO of 100% PURE.
- Tags: Body Butter, Body Care, Body Lotion, Buying Guide, Dry Skin
We carefully hand-select products based on strict purity standards, and only recommend products we feel meet this criteria. 100% PURE™ may earn a small commission for products purchased through affiliate links.
The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as such.
