This Under-$9 Body Lotion Was the Most Hydrating in Our Tests (2024)

Dry body skin is a common issue — and it is not fun (hello, itchiness, flaking and irritation!). While various remedies exist, body lotion is one of the simplest and most effective daily solutions to incorporate into your daily skincare routine.

A good moisturizer typically combines humectants (like glycerin and hyaluronic acid) to draw moisture in and occlusives (such as plant butters, waxes and petrolatum) to seal it in and prevent water loss. "Humectants draw moisture into the skin, while occlusives create a barrier to lock it in," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek.

To find the best body lotions, our GH Beauty Lab scientists test popular formulas using both technical instruments and consumer evaluations. In the most recent test, they analyzed over 6,000 hydration measurements and consumer responses to identify the top-performing lotions on the market, including budget-friendly options that won't break the bank.

A steal at under $8, Vaseline's unscented glycerin and shea butter formula proved to be a powerhouse, winning the GH Beauty Lab body lotion test. It increased skin hydration by an impressive 60% in measurements with the Corneometer device, which gauges skin moisture content — one of the highest levels ever recorded in Lab testing. Even though it's a heavy-hitting moisturizer, the texture is light: 100% of consumer testers said it absorbed quickly and didn't feel tacky on skin. "My skin felt moisturized all day," one commented.

GH Beauty Lab scientists have long used this fragrance-free drugstore Curél lotion, made with ceramides and glycerin, as a benchmark for skin moisturization. In Lab calculations with the Corneometer device, it boosted skin hydration by 56% for over six hours and earned a perfect score with testers for spreading easily. Several testers reported that it was absorbed quickly and wasn’t greasy. One called it "light and silky" and another said “I like pretty much everything about this."

Say goodbye to heavy, sticky body moisturizers: Nivea’s inventive gel-like formulation with glycerin, shea butter and soybean oil instantly melts in like water when it comes in contact with skin. The GH Beauty Award-winning lotion “absorbs lightning fast yet still moisturized well,” there’s “no wait for it to soak in before dressing” and skin is “velvety smooth,” expert evaluators reported.

Enriched with nourishing shea butter, Cetaphil was a strong performer in Beauty Lab testing, boosting skin's moisture by 54% per Corneometer measurements. Users loved that it spread easily onto skin and several reported that it "absorbed quickly," though a few noted a greasy feel.

From a brand known for its aromatherapy-like scents, Weleda's body lotion was a favorite among GH Beauty Lab testers for its vibrant citrus aroma. Two shared that the fragrance was "fresh" and "energizing in the morning." The aloe and plant oil-based formula upped skin hydration levels by 40%. Many users praised the product's "fast absorption," but a few didn't like the "thin" consistency.

Of all the body lotions tested, Mary Kay's was the best at making skin look moisturized and smoothing dull, flaky skin. It also had strong hydration benefits, raising skin moisture by 49%. Though two testers said it left a sticky, greasy feel on their fingers after application, another enthused that "my skin didn't look flaky, especially on my legs, which is my problem area."

Treat your skin to a little luxury by smoothing on this rose-scented Jurlique lotion infused with a plethora of plant oils and extracts. It increased skin hydration by 46% and testers loved how it applied easily and didn't feel tacky or greasy. "It goes on smoothly and I didn't feel sticky getting dressed after using it," one remarked. Note that some users found the fragrance overly "strong."

The GH Beauty Lab determines which body lotions will actually keep skin hydrated by rounding up a wide range of products from drugstore to prestige brands and narrowing them down based on moisturization capabilities. In the Lab, scientists measure changes in skin hydration with the Corneometer device before and six hours after application of a standardized amount of each body lotion (below).

Then, Lab experts mask the labels of the top-performing products to eliminate brand bias and distribute them to consumer testers. Testers use the body lotions for a set time period and report back on ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction. In the most recent body lotion test, GH Beauty Lab scientists collated 5,040 skin hydration data points and results from 1,062 consumer survey responses to identify the winning products.