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Your skin is the largest organ on the body. Taking care of it can feel like a full-time job, especially if you struggle with anything from dryness and sun damage to psoriasis, not to mention allergies and hormone fluctuations over time. Picking the right lotion for your skin is crucial – and it’s much more of a health decision than many people realize.
Packaging, brand loyalty, fragrance or recommendations from your favorite influencers might factor into your decision. But when considering a lotion for long-term use, the best options are those that will actually benefit the skin.
To narrow down the choices, we assembled a group of five enthusiastic testers to test 15 lotions over the course of three weeks, and asked them about everything from scents to the design of the packaging. With their feedback, we compiled a comprehensive list of lotion ratings.
To learn about lotion quality, best practices and general information about skin health, I started by consulting three licensed dermatologists. Of the seemingly infinite number of brands available, I compiled a list of 15 options from buzzy new online brands to drugstore staples. All of the products were provided as samples by the companies for evaluation and will be donated as testing has concluded.
I asked five testers, whose ages range from their 20s to their 60s, to use at least one lotion a day and record their experiences on a detailed survey. They gave opinions on the packaging, moisturizing, texture, scent, absorption, effects on skin conditions and overall value of each lotion. I also tested most of the lotions myself for a hands-on experience.
Dr James Wang, a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist and founder and co-CEO of Metropolis Dermatology in Los Angeles, California.
Dr Melanie Palm, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD in Solana Beach, California.
Dr Carina Woodruff, dermatologist at the Epiphany Skin Allergy Institute and assistant professor at Texas A&M at Epiphany Dermatology, in Dallas, Texas.
Most of the group were already familiar with this lotion, a nostalgic product that some testers referred to as a “family favorite”. Nivea stood out among testers for being a good value for its price, being very hydrating, and most of the group said they intended to purchase it after testing concluded. One tester was effusive in their response, calling it the “Goat” in its price bracket.
The brand claims that its formula lasts for 48 hours, which seems to meet our testers’ discerning standards. The ingredients include shea butter (a fatty extract that comes from the nuts of the African shea tree) and hyaluronic acid (a humectant that helps the skin stay hydrated). Most of our testers reported feeling moisturized for up to and over 12 hours. While I typically associate shea butter with a thicker texture, the thinner, almost milky consistency of the Nivea lotion made it very easy to apply and feel comfortable on the skin.
It’s a shame that … one tester noted that the floral-forward fragrance was “just too strong” to wear daily and also had some issues with the packaging: “The bottle is kind of poorly constructed. The other lotions just come in harder and thicker bottles, and this bottle is kind of soft for a pump style,” they said.
