The best body moisturisers for always-silky, smooth skin

We’ve all fallen head over heals for a body butter from The Body Shop at one point in our lives…and we never really get over that extra, extra nourishing formula that melts like butter on your skin. Not to mention the luscious scent it coats you in. While we all have our go-to scent from the range that takes us to our happy place, it’s hard to go past the summer-inspiring fragrance of coconut.

The review: “I can’t go past The Body Shop’s Coconut Body Butter. Super nourishing, especially for this time of year when my skin is at its driest after winter. It’s best applied before bed as it is quite heavy, but it does the job so well. The scent is delicious!” Bree, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $25

When you hop out of the shower, pool or other body of water, does your skin instantly feel parched and tight? Use this lightweight yet very hydrating lotion. The shea butter and honey extract pamper skin to leave it feeling soft and comforted.

The review: “There’s nothing I hate more than a body lotion that doesn’t absorb quickly enough and leaves me feeling slippery and slimy, especially during the warmer months. That’s why L’Occitane Shea Butter Extra-Gentle Lotion for Hands and Body has become a firm favourite of mine. My skin drinks up the lightweight fluid in a matter of minutes and the hydrating formula leaves my skin feeling smooth and baby-soft.” Kate Niven, Beauty Crew’s Beauty Writer

Cost: $37

Not too long ago, the Internet went crazy for this Lush lotion. Our Beauty Writer, Kate, gave it a whirl too, and backed up the hype. Beyond its skin-nourishing abilities, it’s the scent that really has everyone singing its praises. A beautiful concoction of oatmeal, lavender and organic cocoa butter is just the ticket before bed – just don’t apply it in the morning or you’ll never get anything done in your dream-state haze!

The review: “Lush Sleepy Body Lotion is my favourite as the lavender and vanilla scent is gorgeous, it absorbs well and makes my skin so soft and smooth. I apply this lotion at night and the calming scent definitely helps me relax, unwind and sleep better.” Dina, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $16.50

If you prefer your body moisturiser to be scented, layer this one on thick. With a silky texture that works beautifully as a body and hand lotion, it wraps skin in a luxurious rose fragrance while also intensely moisturising. It’s a full-body pampering experience that shouldn’t be saved for special occasions.

The review: “I’m going to put it out there, I have a serious girl crush on Aerin Lauder. Everything she creates is completely and utterly chic and I’m obsessed with her fragrance and body collection (I’ll take one of everything, thank you). Aerin Rose Hand and Body Cream was my postpartum indulgence when I could only steal a few moments for myself each day and has become a part of my evening routine ever since. The rose bouquet smells heavenly and it leaves the skin deeply hydrated but not greasy.” Alex Noonan, Beauty Crew’s Content Director

Cost: $60

If you’re looking for the best body cream that uses organic, botanical ingredients, we love this one. Not only does it nourish skin, it also increases skin elasticity to firm. This is a winner for extremely dry skin and those who like a natural scent.

The review: “This cream smells divine and is super moisturising. I use it after showering for amazingly soft skin. The cream is rich and luxurious and the handy tube means I can squeeze what I need with no mess. Pure perfection.” Graeme, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $33

If you love an oil formula, you can’t beat this body oil. It’s been a French pharmacy classic for decades, and really pampers your skin with every application. It’s a dry oil so it doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy, and it has a skin-restoring mix of plant oils, such as sweet almond, St. John’s wort, camellia, hazelnut and macadamia, which add to its gorgeous scent.

The review: “I fell in love with a sample a couple of years ago, and have been obsessed ever since. It applies effortlessly, with no downtime to allow for it to dry. It smells so absolutely divine that it almost doubles as my favourite signature scent. I feel so pampered every single time that I use this lovely product.” Sinead, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $26.99

Boasting a five-star rating in our product directory, Kiehl’s Crème de Corps has been a long-time cult favourite. Zendaya professed her love for the moisturiser on her website, saying “I always keep a big one on deck. It’s the best freakin’ stuff in the world!” Its formula is lightweight and just melts into skin, and its beta-carotene-enriched formula works hard to regenerate skin so it constantly looks healthy and glowing.

The review: “I have a million faves, but the one I go back to in the end would have to be Kiehl's Creme de Corps. It is divinely rich, super hydrating and leaves your bod with a beautiful glow. The cream does take a little to absorb, but that hydration lasts for hours and hours and this has a scent best described as ‘a very, very subtle, clean scent’. It is fantastic after a day at the beach OR for that post-winter flakiness our bods are experiencing right now. It is also a fantastic way to extend the life of your (faux) tan, by preventing dryness and peeling. Added bonus? Try it as a facial moisturiser in a pinch...it feels amazing for dry skin.” Jacqui, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $32

That moreish cocoa butter scent is enough to make you want to bathe in this stuff. Palmer’s know how to make great body moisturisers, but their original formula is hard to beat. It absorbs easily into skin to deliver antioxidants, pure cocoa butter and vitamin E deep down for a nourished, healthy-looking result.

The review: “I have tried so many body moisturisers through the years and I just keep coming back to Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lotion with Vitamin E. It’s so easy to apply, drenches my body with moisture and smells divine at a fabulous price.” Delores, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $9.99

If you have sensitive skin, finding a body lotion can be hard. Even those that say they’re fragrance-free can be irritating. But this one gets our tick of approval. Colloidal oatmeal is super gentle on skin, so even if you suffer from eczema, this moisturiser won’t cause any irritation. It also contains rich emollients that work to protect skin from moisture loss while restoring hydration so dry skin is gone in as little as 24 hours. Not bad for a moisturiser you can pick up in a supermarket aisle.

The review: “This is the best body lotion I’ve found for sensitive skin. As I’m prone to eczema and irritated skin (especially post-shaving), a fragrance-free, gentle formula is a must for me. This one absorbs swiftly into skin and makes quick work of dry, scaly skin. I also love the consistency– it’s not too lightweight like many formulas for sensitive skin can be. I prefer a richer consistency and this one is just right.” Chelsea Tromans, Beauty Crew’s Contributing Editor

Cost: $25.99

Another cocoa butter-enriched moisturiser for the win. What makes this one extra special is the combination of pure cocoa butter with micro-droplets of Vaseline jelly, which work together to boost the hydrating effects. Your skin won’t be dry, dull or cracked for long.

The review: “Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Glow is one of my serious skin care staples! I use it *every* time I get out of the shower to hydrate my skin and smooth away any dry areas or roughness. It smells absolutely delicious and absorbs super fast – which is a real plus because I’m always in a rush!” Erin Docherty, Beauty Crew’s Contributor

Cost: $12.99

If you like to keep things simple in your beauty routine – especially when it comes to the formulas you apply on your skin – Cetaphil is for you. Dermatologists highly recommend it and celebrities swear by it (Olivia Wilde, Charlize Theron, Zoe Saldana) for the humectants and emollients in the formula that attract moisture to skin and keep it there. You’ll also love what’s not in it: fragrance, lanolin or parabens.

The review: “Love Cetaphil!! I'm a swimming instructor so I get really dry skin and I get eczema in the winter, but this cream nourishes my skin and leaves me feeling moisturised. It helps manage eczema outbreaks and it's thick enough to to soothe my skin after hours in the pool. It doesn't smell strongly and absorbs fairly quickly, I warm it up in my hands first but spreads nicely. I definitely recommend this cream, particularly for those with sensitive/dry skin.” Laura, Beauty Crew member

Cost: $14.15

Like we said at the start, there are really great body lotions out there that won’t cost you a fortune. And this is one of them. It is ultra hydrating and has the bonus of firming ageing skin thanks to the addition of coenzyme Q10, L-Carnitine and creatine in the formula. It’s also Meghan Markle’s go-to. She revealed in an interview with Beauty Banter that, “It’s honestly my favourite lotion on the market, it’s so affordable, and makes my skin look and feel amazing. I would buy a case of this at a time if I could find it.”

The review: “I like it for the handy bottle with a pump it comes in, for its delicate and subtle scent, and I also like it for its non greasy formula and the way it gets absorbed. It provides enough hydration for my needs.” Anita, SUPERcrew member

Cost: $6.50

Looking for a nourishing body wash to double your moisturising efforts? Try this budget buy.

What’s your Holy Grail body moisturiser? What do you look for in a moisturiser? Share with us below!

Main image credit: Getty