A ceramide lotion for face and body, a fragrance-free oat lotion for sensitive skin and a scented shea butter lotion, plus how dermatologists say to moisturize dry skin.
The best body lotion for most people is CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, a fragrance-free 19-ounce pump with three ceramides and hyaluronic acid that you can also use on your face and hands. If sensitive skin is your main concern, Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion is fragrance free, formulated for sensitive skin and built on a prebiotic oat formula. If you want a scent, the eos Shea Better Body Lotion in Vanilla Cashmere is a 16-ounce shea butter lotion.
The timing matters as much as the bottle. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says to apply moisturizer while skin is still damp after a short, warm shower, and whenever skin feels dry, several times a day if needed. It also recommends fragrance-free products for dry skin, which is why two of our three picks are fragrance free.
We searched Amazon's Beauty department for body lotion, set aside sponsored results, and opened listings from established skin-care brands. We chose one all-round lotion, one fragrance-free lotion for sensitive skin and one scented lotion. For hands that need more than a lotion, see our hand cream picks; for the face, our face moisturizer guide.
Every product detail below comes from the Amazon listing on the day we checked it, and brand claims are labeled as claims. Care advice comes from the AAD's dry-skin page.
Shipped and sold by Amazon.com
CeraVe's lotion covers the most ground. The listing says it is fragrance free and non-comedogenic, usable as a body, face or hand lotion, and developed with dermatologists. The formula contains three essential ceramides (1, 3 and 6-II) and hyaluronic acid, which is on the AAD's list of ingredients that help dry skin. Being fragrance free also matches the AAD's first rule for dry skin.
CeraVe describes a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly and is never greasy, and says its MVE technology provides 24-hour hydration; both are brand claims. Because the listing says it can double as a face and hand lotion, it is also the simplest choice if you would rather not buy three separate products. The listing also says the lotion holds the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. It comes as a 19-ounce pump, the largest of our three, which suits a bathroom counter where the whole household can reach it after showering, the moment the AAD says to moisturize.
Best for: One bottle for the whole family and the whole body, including face and hands.
Check price on Amazon for CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Face and Body, 19 oz (opens in a new tab)Shipped and sold by Amazon.com
Aveeno's lotion is the one to reach for if your skin reacts to things. The listing says it is fragrance free, non-comedogenic and formulated for sensitive, normal-to-dry skin. The AAD recommends fragrance-free products for dry skin, so this ticks that box plainly, and it is labeled fragrance free rather than unscented, a distinction the AAD draws because unscented products can contain masking ingredients.
The formula is Aveeno's prebiotic oat blend, the same oat base the brand uses across its daily moisturizing range. The brand claims it moisturizes for a full 48 hours and instantly strengthens the skin barrier; both are claims we can't verify from the listing. It is described as fast absorbing and non-greasy, in an 18-fluid-ounce bottle. Unlike CeraVe, the listing positions it as a body lotion rather than a face-and-body product, so keep a separate face moisturizer.
Best for: Sensitive skin and anyone who wants a plain, fragrance-free daily lotion.
Check price on Amazon for Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion, Fragrance-Free, 18 fl oz (opens in a new tab)Shipped and sold by Amazon.com
If you want your lotion to smell like something, eos is the pick. The listing describes scent notes of whipped vanilla, cozy caramel and soft musk, and a blend of seven oils and butters including wild-harvested shea butter and vitamin E. Shea butter is on the AAD's list of helpful ingredients for dry skin, so there is substance under the scent.
eos says the lotion is fast absorbing and non-greasy and claims 24-hour deep hydration; read that as the brand's claim. The listing also says it is hypoallergenic, cruelty free and free of parabens, phthalates and gluten. The bottle holds 16 fluid ounces. If you have dry or sensitive skin, the AAD's advice to avoid fragrance applies here, so this is the pick for skin that is comfortable rather than skin that is struggling.
Best for: Normal skin and anyone who wants a gourmand scent from their body lotion.
Check price on Amazon for eos Shea Better Body Lotion, Vanilla Cashmere, 16 fl oz (opens in a new tab)| Body lotion | Our pick for | Size | Standout listing detail | Sold by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion | Overall | 19 oz pump | Three ceramides, hyaluronic acid; face, body and hands | Amazon.com |
| Aveeno Daily Moisturizing | Fragrance-free | 18 fl oz | Prebiotic oat formula; for sensitive skin | Amazon.com |
| eos Shea Better Body Lotion | Scented | 16 fl oz | Shea butter; vanilla, caramel and musk scent | Amazon.com |
Figures are taken from each Amazon listing on October 1, 2026 and can change.
The AAD recommends fragrance-free products for dry skin. CeraVe and Aveeno are both fragrance free; eos is scented, so save it for skin that is comfortable.
The AAD lists glycerin, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, dimethicone, lactic acid, mineral oil, petrolatum and shea butter. CeraVe has hyaluronic acid; eos has shea butter.
The AAD says ointments and creams add more moisture than lotions. For very dry patches such as elbows, shins and heels, pair a lotion with a cream, and use a hand cream on hands you wash often.
The AAD says to moisturize while skin is still damp after a 5-to-10-minute warm shower, and to pat skin dry rather than rubbing. A pump bottle by the shower makes that easier than a tube in a drawer.
Thickness and how much moisture they add. The AAD says ointments and creams are more effective than lotions because they add more moisture. Lotions are lighter and spread easily over large areas, which is why they suit everyday use on the whole body. For very dry spots, the AAD's advice points to a cream or ointment on top of your lotion routine.
Right after bathing, while skin is still damp. The AAD says to keep showers to 5 to 10 minutes in warm, not hot, water, use a gentle cleanser only where needed, pat skin dry, then apply moisturizer immediately, and to reapply whenever skin feels dry. Long, hot showers strip moisture, so the lotion step works best when the shower step is short.
A fragrance-free lotion with ingredients the AAD lists for dry skin, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or shea butter, applied several times a day. CeraVe is our overall pick because it is fragrance free and includes hyaluronic acid and ceramides; Aveeno is the alternative if your skin is sensitive. For very dry skin the AAD says a cream or ointment adds more moisture than any lotion.
Skin care advice doesn't change by gender, and all three of these lotions are listed for anyone. The differences are scent and texture: CeraVe and Aveeno are fragrance free, and eos has a vanilla scent. The AAD's guidance on short warm showers, patting dry and moisturizing while damp applies to everyone.
For dry or sensitive skin, the AAD says yes. It also warns that "unscented" isn't the same thing, since unscented products can contain masking chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin. CeraVe and Aveeno are both labeled fragrance free. If your skin is not dry or reactive, a scented lotion like eos is a matter of preference rather than a problem.
The AAD suggests a humidifier, especially in the bedroom, loose cotton clothing instead of wool or polyester against the skin, gentle cleansers instead of deodorant soaps, and avoiding products with alcohol, fragrance or retinoids on dry skin. See a board-certified dermatologist if dryness persists.
Listing details were captured from Amazon on October 16, 2026 and can change. Brand claims are attributed; we have not tested these products ourselves. This page is not medical advice.
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