Best body lotions for summer

The Ultimate Best Body Lotions For Summer

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Are you looking for the best body lotions for summer? Discover the ultimate list of the latest lightweight body lotions for all skin types and budgets.

Who is excited for summer? I definitely am. At the time of writing this article, it is not even spring, but for me, because we no longer have snow here where I live, it smells like summer and lightweight body lotions.

I don’t know your body skin, but mine is dry in the summer as well. And while I prefer richer body creams in the winter, like Uriage Xemose Anti-Irritations Cerat, for example, in the summer, I want something light enough to slather on without worrying about greasiness or sticky feeling.

If your skin is dry too or you simply need a light body moisturizer to have on hand, below I have put together a list of the best body lotions for summer for all skin types and budgets.

Why they’re the best? 

Because, above all, all the body lotions listed below contain beneficial and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, urea, shea butter, retinol, panthenol, honey, colloidal oatmeal, safflower seed oil, camomile extract, calendula extract, vitamin E while remaining lightweight.

How Did I Select The Products?

By reviewing dozens of ingredient lists (and products) and selecting only the best cost-effective products. For me, a good product is one that is effectively formulated, has a reasonable price for the ingredients it contains and is manufactured by a trusted brand.

In short, I’m always looking for high-quality products with proven beneficial ingredients (either chemical or natural) in any product I recommend or use myself, and I stay away from gimmicky products, fake claims, and fear-mongers. Because skincare has to work more than anything else.

Price Guide

  • $ = under $20
  • $$ = $20–$50
  • $$$ = over $50

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through my links, I may receive an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

Best Body Lotions For Summer Shortcut

Disclaimer

At Beauty Notifier, I strive to feature products that I personally test or have received positive feedback and reviews; however, I'm not a licensed professional and do not guarantee specific results or the prevention/ cure of any condition/ disease. The information provided on www (dot) beautynotifier (dot) com is solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or skincare advice. Additionally, prices, availability, and product formulations may change over time, so I recommend verifying product details and conducting your own research before making any purchasing decisions.

1. Best Anti-Aging: Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment

Price: $$ | Size: 118 ml/ 4 fl. oz

Key ingredients: 0.1% retinol, glycerin, dimethicone, shea butter, evening primrose oil, grape seed oil, vitamin E, panthenol, carnosine.

Paula’s Choice body retinol is one of the best lightweight, non-greasy anti-aging body lotions money can buy for summer.

It is a daily body lotion that contains an effective amount of retinol, a powerful anti-aging ingredient.

It helps to smooth and renew the skin on the body by reducing the appearance of wrinkles, rough patches, and age spots. Retinol also increases collagen production and reduces the appearance of stretch marks. (Source)

The lotion is formulated with 0.1% retinol and includes soothing ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, evening primrose oil, grape seed oil, vitamin E, panthenol, and carnosine.

Regular use on the body helps reveal softer, smoother skin. With no added fragrance.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

2. Best Blend For Dull Skin: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion

Price: $$ | Size: 240 ml/ 8 fl. oz

Key ingredients: 10% AHA acids (glycolic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid), squalane, shea butter, niacinamide, jojoba oil, allantoin, sodium hyaluronate, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, vitamin E.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion is an intense, highly-effective lotion designed to help you maintain your skin smooth and healthy.

It is formulated with 10% AHA acids, a blend that can help to gently exfoliate and clear away dead skin cells.

Squalane, shea butter, niacinamide, jojoba oil, allantoin, sodium hyaluronate, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, and vitamin E are also included to help smooth and hydrate the skin.

The lotion is also lightweight, non-greasy, and absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky residue.

But as with any exfoliator, if you are a beginner, start using it slowly, every other day is the most recommended.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

3. Best Dewy: L’Occitane Illuminating Almond Milk Veil Body Lotion

Price: $$ | Size: 240 ml/ 8 fl. oz

Key ingredients: sweet almond oil, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, mannitol, vitamin E.

If your goal this summer is to have dewy, glowing, healthy-looking skin, then L’Occitane Illuminating Almond Milk Veil Body Lotion is the exact product you need.

Formulated with micro-pearls to illuminate and visually smooth the skin, the body lotion has an ultra-light and fast-absorbing texture with a gentle almond scent.

It also contains sweet almond oil, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, mannitol, and vitamin E to help hydrate and nourish the skin.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

4. Best For All Skin Types: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream Fragrance-Free

Price: $ | Size: 453 g/ 16 fl. oz

Key ingredients: glycerin, dimethicone, petrolatum, sodium hyaluronate.

Neutrogena hydro boost body gel cream is one of the simplest, yet most effective – lightweight fragrance-free body lotions for summer.

It is made up of four simple but effective ingredients – glycerin, dimethicone, petrolatum, and sodium hyaluronate, which altogether can help smooth and plump the skin while remaining very light on all skin types.

Free of fragrance and minimally formulated, with a non-greasy, silky feel to it.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

5. Best Fragrance-Free: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Sheer Hydration Lotion

Price: $ | Size: 350 ml/ 12 fl. oz

Key ingredients: glycerin, dimethicone, oat flour.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Sheer Hydration Lotion is exactly what it sounds like. A sheer body lotion that is ideal for summer use on all skin types.

Formulated with oat flour, dimethicone and glycerin to moisturize and boost hydration, this ultra-sheer hydrating fragrance-free body lotion absorbs in seconds, providing intense lightweight hydration for dry, normal, sensitive, and even acne-prone skin types.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

6. Best For Redness, Eczema & Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream

Price: $ | Size: 354 ml/ 12 fl. oz

Key ingredients: 1% colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, panthenol, petrolatum, ceramide NP.

If you have redness, eczema, sensitive skin, or if your skin is prone to all of these conditions, Aveeno Eczema Therapy may be one of the best summer body lotions to try.

Formulated with 1% colloidal oatmeal, glycerin, panthenol, petrolatum, and ceramide NP, the lotion helps moisturize and heal dry, rough, eczema-prone skin on the body.

Colloidal oatmeal has been shown in studies to improve skin rashes, erythema, burns, itch, and eczema, and in one particular study has been proven to have direct antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The cream is also fragrance-free and lightweight formulated, with a sheer texture.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

7. Best Lightweight: Cetaphil Sheer Hydration Replenishing Body Lotion

Price: $ | Size: 473 ml/ 16 fl. oz

Key ingredients: glycerin, sunflower oil, soybean oil, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, vitamin E.

Cetaphil Sheer Hydration Replenishing Body Lotion is exactly what it sounds like.

A sheer body lotion that all skin types can use, including acne-prone skin, to heal and hydrate during summer without leaving the skin feeling greasy or sticky.

Its formula, which includes glycerin, sunflower oil, soybean oil, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and vitamin E, can heal and hydrate the skin without clogging pores.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

8. Best Multitasker: Embryolisse Lait-Creme Fluid

Price: $$ | Size: 500 ml/ 16.9 fl. oz

Key ingredients: shea butter, soy protein, tropolone, aloe.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Fluid is one of the best multitasking summer lotions I have ever come across. I had no idea about its existence. I really want one now because I simply love multitasking products.

Formulated with shea butter, soy protein, tropolone, and aloe as the most notable ingredients, you can use it as a body moisturizer, facial make-up remover, soothing after-sun, or aftershave care. How great is that?!

Plus, it also has a light texture, which is ideal for those looking for a lightweight multitasking body lotion for summer.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

9. Best Natural: Weleda Skin Food Body Lotion


Price: $ | Size: 200 ml/ 6.8 fl. oz

Key ingredients: glycerin, safflower seed oil, camomile extract, calendula extract, vitamin E.

If you enjoy natural body lotions for summer, you will absolutely enjoy Weleda body lotion.

Filled in with glycerin, safflower seed oil, camomile extract, calendula extract, and vitamin E, this lotion can help nourish and hydrate for a beautiful, natural skin.

Plus, it is lightweight and vegan.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

10. Best Lightweight Oil: Neutrogena Fragrance Free Body Oil

Price: $ | Size: 250 ml/ 8.5 fl. oz

Key ingredients: sesame oil.

Neutrogena body oil is one of the simplest, light summer, fragrance-free body oil on the market. And the least expensive.

Formulated with just sesame seed oil, it can help smooth and hydrate the skin for a silky finish experience.

Sesame oil has been shown in various studies to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, helping in the protection of the skin from damage while having a low comedogenic rating. (Source)

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

11. Best Richest For Very Dry Skin: Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion Fragrance-Free

Price: $ | Size: 500 ml/ 16.9 fl. oz

Key ingredients: urea, glycerin, shea butter, ceramides.

If you struggle with extremely dry skin in summer, Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion fragrance-free is all about healing dry skin while remaining lightweight.

The cream, which contains urea, glycerin, shea butter, and ceramides, protect the skin’s moisture barrier and moisturizes even the driest skin.

Several clinical studies have been performed showing that at lower doses (≤10%), urea-containing topical formulations act as a skin moisturizer, while at higher concentrations (>10% urea), urea-based preparations exert a keratolytic action. (Source)

The lotion is light, fast-absorbing and non-greasy.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

12. Best SPF: La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Spf 50

Source: La Roche Posay

Price: $$ | Size: 50 ml/ 1.7 fl. oz

Key ingredients: Active: titanium dioxide 6%, zinc oxide 5%. Inactive: dimethicone, silica, cassia extract, vitamin E.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Spf 50 is a mineral sunscreen that is also on my list of moisturizers without hyaluronic acid.

 It is a lightweight formula with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as active ingredients to help protect against sun damage. It has a matte finish, is non-comedogenic, and is water-resistant (40 minutes).

The sunscreen is also fragrance- and paraben-free, and can be used for both face and body with a non-whitening texture.

CHECK PRICE (La Roche Posay)

13. Best With Vanilla: Camille Beckman Silky Body Cream French Vanilla

Price: $$ | Size: 384.5 ml/ 13 fl. oz

Key ingredients: sweet almond oil, glycerin, aloe, vitamin E, plant extracts.

Vanilla is my absolute favorite fragrance. It is the only scent that I don’t mind having in my body skincare routine. If you too, then you need to try Camille Beckman Silky Body Cream French Vanilla.

Packed with sweet almond oil, glycerin, aloe, vitamin E, and plant extracts, this body lotion is light, silky, and creamy that can go on smoothly for an incredible effortless smooth treat.

With a creamy vanilla sensual scent.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

14. Best Value: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Price: $ | Size: 562 g/ 19 fl. oz

Key ingredients: glycerin, dimethicone, ceramides, hyaluronic acid.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is the winner of the best budget body lotion for summer.

It is formulated with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, and glycerin to help hydrate and protect the skin. With a non-greasy formula that sinks in quickly, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth.

I also use it in my skincare routine for both my face and body, and it absorbs quickly and leaves a matte finish. I’m not a fan of the matte finish for the face but is great on the hands and body.

The lotion is fragrance-free, with a light texture that does not feel greasy at all. Also present on my list of best calming moisturizers without fragrance for sensitive skin.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon)

15. Best Self Tanner: Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer

Price: $ | Size: 221 g/ 7.5 fl. oz

Key ingredients: glycerin, shea butter, dimethicone.

I’m not much of a tanner. I was never fully tanned, either naturally or artificially. But if I had to choose between laying in the sun and using tanning lotion, I’d go with the second.

Jergens Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer features a texture that glides on smoothly to lock in hydration and create a gradual, subtle color, basically an in-shower color.

Formulated with glycerin, shea butter, and dimethicone, it can help you tan and hydrate your skin at the same time.

Best to use in the shower on wet skin. Available in 2 shades. Fair to medium. Medium to tan.

CHECK PRICE (Amazon

My favorite low-cost option: Neutrogena Deep Moisture Body Lotion

Neutrogena deep moisture body lotion review

Neutrogena deep moisture body lotion is one that I have tried and found to be ideal for summer.

It is an affordable fragrance-free, non-sticky, non-greasy body lotion that feels hydrating while remaining light on the skin.

Check out my full review of Neutrogena deep moisture body lotion for more information.

Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Lotion For Summer

For a happy shopping experience for the best body lotion for summer, always consider the following factors:

  • Your skin type
  • Your skin needs
  • Your allergies
  • What you already have and can pair with
  • The time of the year and the area you live in
  • The ingredients, as well as what your skin likes based on prior experiences
  • Your dermatologist recommendation
  • Your Budget

One of the best suggestions I can give you is to always look for beneficial ingredients in your products, whether it’s a body lotion or a face moisturizer. Look for light ingredients like:

  • niacinamide
  • ceramides
  • hyaluronic acid
  • silicones
  • vitamin E
  • vitamin C
  • glycerin
  • panthenol
  • aloe
  • honey
  • urea (if your skin is very dry)
  • sesame oil
  • jojoba oil (is the lightest for summer)
  • camomile extract
  • calendula extract
  • oatmeal

Look for specifics when looking for body lotions for summer.

Lightweight /sheer formula, non-greasy, light hydration and fast-absorbing are just a few of the specifications that should be included in the packaging description of a light body lotion (at least one or two of them).

Lastly, remember to check the lotion listing or packaging for all of the ingredients it contains, as well as any other details such as name, size, price, and availability to ensure that your expectations are met.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a body lotion used for?

A body lotion is a topical preparation that is applied to the skin with bare hands to moisturize and treat certain skin conditions. Most body lotions have a lighter consistency and are made to keep skin soft, healthy and hydrated, but they can also have anti-aging properties.

Can I apply body lotion on my face?

To lock in moisture, most body lotions contain moisturizing ingredients such as oils and butters. However, body lotions are tested mostly for the use on body and are not recommended for the face because they can exacerbate some skin concerns like acne or eczema. To protect your skin, avoid applying body lotion to your face, using a face cream instead.

When should I use body lotion?

Generally accepted, most experts advise the use of body lotions twice daily after shower–every morning and every night. It is the most commonly accepted practice to ensure a proper level of hydration throughout a complete 24-hour period.

Can you put body lotion on your private area?

No. Do not put body lotion on your vulva as the ingredients it contains as safer are for the body as irritating can be for your private area if you are sensitive. Always look for targeted delicate products and ask your dermatologist for proper recommendations.

Can I use body lotion on my neck?

Yes. Most body lotions contain moisturizing ingredients like oils and butters which can hydrate and soften even the thinnest skin on the neck.

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