Intense hydration doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice anti-aging benefits when looking for the best lotion for dry skin. Meredith Price, staff dermatologist at Grosse Pointe Dermatology,   recommends Versed Skin’s Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion as a way to get both much-needed moisture and anti-aging ingredients.

“Retinol helps with texture and fine lines, while squalane and cocoa butter hydrate,” Price says. “While many brands out there typically focus on adding retinol to face lotions, this formula delivers retinol that helps smooth skin texture and brightens it over your body, all while providing nourishing hydration.”

“A potent combination of hydrating compounds, lipid replenishing ingredients, vitamins and other antioxidants result in a synergistic effect for Seaweed Bath Co, Hydrate Body Cream, a top choice for dry skin,” Mraz says. She calls out the company’s use of seaweed extracts and vitamin-packed formulas as why it’s a go-to for her.

“This supplies free fatty acid rich shea butter, a potent “mortar” replenishing ingredient for dry and very dry skin, as well as kukui oil from the candlenut tree, which contains additional fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants which help heal, repair, and calm inflammation,” she says. “Plus, argan oil, which is rich in fatty acids, and vitamin E contribute to the skin mortar and increase elastin production in the skin. Hyaluronic acid in this product is also found naturally in healthy skin and holds up to 1000 times its weight in water to potently hydrate the skin.”

A budget friendly option under $25 that you can use on both the face and body is the La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream. 

Accepted by the National Eczema Association, “this cream is rich and soothing,” says Price.

Dr. Kseniya Kobets, dermatologist and the director of cosmetic dermatology at MEAC at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, agrees. She says it’s “one of my favorite moisturizers to use on the body.”

What makes this cream ultra-hydrating and perfect for dry skin comes down to its three key ingredients: ceramide-3, glycerin, and shea butter, Price says. “Combined, these help respect the skin microbiome and restore the barrier layer of the skin.”

This pick is another one that’s all about the skin barrier. “CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Cream is one of my top recommendations for patients struggling with dry winter skin because it focuses on repairing the skin barrier while delivering long-lasting hydration,” says dermatologist Dr. Dylan Greeney. 

“CeraVe incorporates ceramides, which are essential components of a healthy skin barrier and critical for preventing moisture loss,” he says. “The formula hydrates deeply and seals in moisture, helping the skin stay protected even in harsh conditions.” 

Thanks to some fancy chemistry, the formula releases hydration for up to the next 72 hours.

“Another all-time favorite is AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion for those bodies that need extra exfoliation for the rough dry skin,” says Kobens. “The 12% ammonium lactate is a hydrator and exfoliator, while ingredients like glycerin, mineral oil and dimethicone are great emollients to keep hydration in the skin and smooth it out.”

Her rec does come with a caveat.