The Data — Skincare
Body Lotions for Dry Winter Skin, by Ingredient
6 body lotions and creams for skin that tightens when the heating comes on, ranked by rating and sorted by what each one is built on: ceramides, shea, oat, urea, or nothing that could irritate.
This guide is research-led: we have not handled these units ourselves. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission — it never changes a pick.Research-led, nothing handled. We may earn from links; it never changes a pick. How we choose
The 6 lotions and creams here are ranked by rating, then by how many owners rated them, as How we choose describes, and sorted by the ingredient each maker builds its formula on. Nothing here was applied or tested.
Best for Dry, sensitive skin, light feel
Watch for Light for deep winter
Best for The driest, itchiest skin
Watch for Rich for summer
Best for Lotion that smells good
Watch for Scented
Best for Daily, no residue
Watch for Mild for cracked skin
Best for Rough, cracked patches
Watch for Thickness splits owners
Best for Reactive skin
Watch for Thickness splits owners
CeraVe’s lotion puts 3 ceramides in a light formula
CeraVe builds its Daily Moisturizing Lotion on 3 ceramides and hyaluronic acid, with no added fragrance, and it carries the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, according to CeraVe. It rates 4.7 across 153,476 ratings, the most here. Owners say it suits dry and sensitive skin, feels light, absorbs quickly and does not irritate.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, 19 oz
3 ceramides and hyaluronic acid in a light, fragrance-free lotion, for face and body.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Built on | 3 ceramides, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | None added |
Owners call it light and fast-absorbing, and say it suits dry, sensitive skin without irritation.
Buy it if
- Dry, sensitive skin that wants a light lotion
Don't buy it if
- Skin that needs a heavier cream in deep winter
CeraVe’s cream is the same base with petrolatum added
The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream rates 4.7 across 149,068 ratings. Owners say it works on dry, itchy skin and still absorbs quickly, without a greasy feel. Buy the cream when the lotion stops being enough in January; buy the lotion for the rest of the year.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, 19 oz
The same 3 ceramides as the lotion, with petrolatum and dimethicone added for a richer feel.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Built on | 3 ceramides, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | None |
Owners say it calms dry, itchy skin, feels silky and absorbs quickly.
Buy it if
- The driest or itchiest skin, where a lotion is not enough
Don't buy it if
- A buyer who wants something light for summer
eos Shea Better is the lotion bought for its scent
eos builds Shea Better on shea butter and shea oil, with vitamin E and glycerin, and states it is free of parabens and phthalates. The Vanilla Cashmere version rates 4.7 across 84,677 ratings. Owners praise long-lasting moisture, a rich texture that is not greasy, and above all the fragrance. That scent is the reason to buy it, and the reason to skip it if fragrance bothers your skin.
eos Shea Better Body Lotion, Vanilla Cashmere
Shea butter, shea oil, vitamin E and glycerin, with a vanilla scent owners love.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Built on | Shea butter, shea oil |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | Vanilla Cashmere |
Owners love the vanilla scent and say the moisture lasts without greasiness.
Buy it if
- Someone who wants their lotion to smell good
Don't buy it if
- Skin that reacts to fragrance
Aveeno builds its daily lotion on oat
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion is fragrance-free and built on prebiotic oat, from oat kernel flour, according to Aveeno. It rates 4.7 across 60,154 ratings. Owners say it works on dry winter skin, leaves no residue and is good value for daily use.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion, Fragrance-Free
A fragrance-free lotion built on prebiotic oat, which owners call non-greasy.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Built on | Prebiotic oat |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | None |
Owners say it handles dry winter skin with no greasy residue, and call it good value.
Buy it if
- Daily use on dry winter skin without residue
Don't buy it if
- Cracked patches that need more than a daily lotion
Eucerin Advanced Repair brings urea for rough, cracked skin
Eucerin Advanced Repair is sold as urea-enriched, and it rates 4.7 across 52,712 ratings. Owners reach for it on dry and cracked skin, say it absorbs quickly and feels silky, and split on how thick it is. It is the one to keep for elbows, heels and winter hands.
Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion, 16.9 oz
A urea-enriched lotion that owners reach for on dry, cracked skin.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Built on | Urea |
|---|
Owners use it on dry, cracked skin and like how fast it absorbs. Thickness divides them.
Buy it if
- Rough, cracked skin on elbows, heels and hands
Don't buy it if
- A buyer who wants a thin lotion, since owners split on thickness
Vanicream leaves out what reactive skin reacts to
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is free of dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde releasers, and carries the National Eczema Association’s seal, according to Vanicream. It rates 4.6 across 50,494 ratings. Owners say it hydrates all day and suits sensitive skin, with mixed views on its thickness.
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, 16 oz Pump
A cream free of dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin and parabens.
Current price shown on Amazon. We may earn a commission.
| Free of | Dyes, fragrance, lanolin, parabens |
|---|---|
| Comes in | A 16 oz pump |
Owners say it hydrates all day without scent and suits sensitive skin. Some find it thick.
Buy it if
- Skin that reacts to almost every lotion
Don't buy it if
- A buyer who wants a thin texture, since owners split on thickness
La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar is the strong pick that missed the cut
La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ MAX rates 4.6 across 42,693 ratings, and owners describe it as fragrance-free and good on the driest, most sensitive skin. It ranks just below Vanicream on both figures. For the face rather than the body, the best retinol serums covers the next step in a winter routine, and gifts for mom pairs the eos lotion with its matching body wash.
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Best overall
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, 19 oz