The best body creams for dry skin that soften, soothe and de-scale

The best body creams for dry skin should curb itching, soften scaly patches and leave skin tantalizingly soft. Basically, they need to work damn hard. Especially when you consider that our skin acts as the first line of defense against germs, bacteria and other nasties, keeping the bad stuff out, and the good stuff locked in. 

The sad truth is that for most of us, myself included, our bodies aren’t treated to the same daily diligence with the best skincare products as our faces. The result? Dry, itchy, rough-looking skin that doesn’t feel comfortable. This is something I'm familiar with. Despite being surrounded by balms, oils, and lotions that lavish the skin with goodness, I still struggle with dry, rough patches. My legs in particular are prone to itchy flare-ups (this probably has a lot to do with my penchant for the best fake tan), so I have a vested interest in pinning down the best body creams for dry skin. 

When it comes to beauty bugbears like pigmentation, the general consensus is prevention is better than cure. Dry skin is no different, so before you reach alligator-skin territory, get into the habit of daily moisturizing from top-to-toe, all year round. These are the body creams I have used to restore my skin back to optimum health, including formulas targeted toward eczema and Keratosis Pilaris.

The best body creams for dry skin, as chosen by our Beauty Editor

One of the lesser-mentioned causes of dry skin is bacteria. Human skin has 1 million microbiomes per square centimeter and is a crucial component of our skin barrier. When these levels are out of whack, it exacerbates dryness. That's why this balm includes prebiotics, to balance and nourish these living microbes and bolster barrier function, restoring healthy, happy skin. That’s on top of a trifecta of skin-drenching ingredients - shea butter, niacinamide, and glycerin. 

From the very first application of this, my skin felt soothed, and I didn’t feel the gnawing desperation to scratch. In fact, La Roche-Posay products are usually the first ones I recommend to fellow dry-skin-afflicted types. I have used them on my babies, too. This balm is directed at desert-like dry skin and provides 48 hours of hydration. It certainly left my skin feeling comfortable and quenched, less red and raw. It is a true miracle worker. 

When your skin is prone to eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis, it is often more illuminating to check what has been left out of a product, rather than put in. This one is suitable for vegans and formulated without fragrance, sodium lauryl sulfate, and parabens to minimize any potential irritation. 

On testing, I found doubling this up as a body wash in the shower really helped alleviate my scratchy dry skin. As an emollient, it helps trap moisture in the skin. The texture was pleasant and light, and it did a top-notch job at soothing a particularly pesky patch of scratchy skin below my knee. This may not be the most glamorous-looking pick of the bunch, but it is a real 'does what it says on the tin' skin staple.

Nursem launched with one of the best hand creams I've tried in years, developed by a nurse and borne out of the need to combat the drying effect of relentless hand washing. The body cream has also been developed with nurses, this time to cure the discomfort of dry, sensitive skin. Touchy skin types will be soothed by a combination of calming ingredients, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and barrier-boosting natural oils (a healthy skin barrier will help prevent moisture loss in the long term). 

It has a satisfyingly thick texture, which, much to my surprise, melted into my skin with very little effort, leaving no hint of tackiness, only a soft zingy citrus scent. Even better is the fact that it really does offer immediate comfort to skin that feels tight and scratchy. My elbows have never felt better.   

For me, a spray-on lotion has endless appeal as one of the best body creams for dry skin - it’s quick, it’s easy, and fairly mess-free, although you might need to rub it in some areas to ensure an even coating. Still, with its 360° reach this makes moisturizing even tricky areas a doddle. 

Although it's emitted as a fine mist, this is a rich, water-free ointment that really feels like it’s doing something. Skin is cloaked in an intensive combo of glycerin and panthenol, which help encourage skin regeneration and maintain ongoing hydration. There’s also a slight cooling sensation, which really helped to relieve that desperate-to-scratch feeling that often accompanies my dry, dehydrated skin. 

I love the healthy-looking glow of a good fake tan. But the dry skin on my knees clings to that honey color like a desperate ex, which completely undermines any illusion of a well-rested countenance. I started using this lotion on my legs when regular exfoliation and moisturizing were having little effect on my poor knees (or on how to get fake tan off hands for that matter) and it succeeded where others failed, and really improved the bumpy texture of my legs.

The combination of three skincare acids - AHA, BHA and Lactic Acid - unglues the dead skin cells that cause rough, bumpy, painfully dry skin and speeds up cell renewal to reveal fresh, peachy limbs. The rough, itchy patch below my knee was smoother and less noticeable, even with self-tan. Just make sure you don’t apply this lotion after you’ve bronzed, as the color will fade a little quicker. 

Gorgeous floral fragrance, dreamy texture, quality ingredients - sweet creams are made of these! Omorovicza’s elevated, hyper-luxurious version has it all. If you like a moisturizer to completely evanesce within a few seconds of application, this isn’t the cream for you. Skin remains a little slippery for a while but for me that works in its favor, especially on legs-out days, as it left them with a flattering gleam. 

It’s packed with more than just token moisturizers. There are polypeptides that support elastin and collagen, ceramides, which are known to bolster the lipid barrier and Omorovicza’s signature hydro mineral transference complex, which delivers minerals deep down into the skin. The end result is firmer, younger-looking skin that feels – and looks – quenched. 

Did you know that Keratosis Pilaris affects 40% of the population? This dry skin condition appears as rough, bumpy, red dots, and is most commonly found on the upper arms, legs, and thighs. It happens when there's a build-up of keratin and dead skin cells inside the hair follicles but can be treated with creams that not only soften the skin but loosen the blockade of cells with skin smoothing exfoliating ingredients. 

This industry-favorite exfoliator-come-skin conditioner is moisturizing without being sticky or greasy, and even though I don’t suffer from Keratosis Pilaris, it still managed to deliver a softer, smoother texture to my upper arms. I’ve even used it on my four-year-old daughter, who was showing signs of KP, which have since evaporated. Goodbye goosebump skin.

For snake-like levels of dryness, this is your gal. It’s aimed at very dry skin and works to target the core of moisture loss – the lipid barrier. Cerave is the OG of barrier-boosting skincare, and load their creams with ceramides. These fatty acids make up the building blocks of our skin and help it to hold on to moisture. By supporting the lipid barrier, this cream is going to make dry skin more resilient in the long term. 

It’s a powerhouse of a cream that soaked in surprisingly well and didn’t leave any marks on my clothes (stain my best top and that's a deal breaker for me) It made an immediate difference to the texture and feel of my skin too. My legs felt a lot more comfortable, and I appreciate the fact that you can use it as one of the best face moisturizers too.

This is the sort of product that demands the invention of virtual smell-ovision. Until then, let me assure you the combination of palmarosa and lavender will transport your mind to a heavenly spa. If your idea of 100% organic is some sort of kitchen cupboard concoction, you're about to have your mind blown. 

This body butter is pure luxury, from the packaging and scent to the feel of it on your skin. It soaked in really well, and considering how chock-full of oils it is, it didn’t feel remotely greasy. These oils aren’t here for a jolly either. From rosehip oil-derived transretinoic acid to the vitamin E-loaded evening primrose oil, they have been carefully chosen to restore and replenish the skin. It’s suitable for use during pregnancy and helps to prevent stretch marks. Having used it for a few weeks now, I can imagine how lovely this would feel on a bump, especially in those last few months. 

This body cream has racked up hundreds of 5-star reviews online, and after testing it, I'm not surprised. Not only is the cream miraculous (my scaly patches have vanished) but it’s got angelic eco credentials too. It’s vegan-friendly, made from fully recyclable packaging, and leading the way in byproduct beauty.

 In this instance, it makes use of date seeds, a by-product of date farming. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say, and these date seeds just happen to reduce inflammation and redness in easily-irritated or sensitive skin. It definitely had a calming effect on those areas that were a little more scratchy and scaly. And the difference in the feel of my skin, which was softer and smoother, was tangible from the first application. 

What causes dry skin?

"Dry skin, also called xersis, is when the outermost layer or layers of the skin lack moisture," explains Dr. Pippa Bowes (opens in new tab), Dermatology GP. "This causes it to feel rough, crack and flake away, which in turn causes breaks in the skin barrier and can be a risk factor for the introduction of infective organisms."

Dry skin doesn’t discriminate - some people are born with it - but almost everyone will experience it, particularly with the tricky UK climate. As humidity levels drop in the colder months, coupled with moisture-sapping central heating, skin often becomes dry, cracked and flaky. In summer, there’s chlorine, salt water and sweat to contend with. Age plays a role too, as the skin thins and produces less oil, as well as overly-abrasive scrubs and harsh soaps, which strip moisture from the skin.

Daily moisturizing is essential for rehydrating and maintaining a healthy moisture barrier. "Pop an emollient or cream on after washing," says Dr. Pippa. "This locks in and seals new hydration, allowing the skin to rehydrate and recuperate. Body creams actually work better if applied to damp skin, as they tend to absorb more thoroughly." 

Dr. Pippa also advises washing only with water, no skin-stripping soaps or scented washes that may irritate, and ensuring you’re always protected from the sun. "This is because the dry skin cracks weaken the skin barrier and allow more damaging UV rays through, making you more sun sensitive than usual," she explains.

The Dos and Don'ts of dry skin

Paula Oliver (opens in new tab), Dermatology Nurse Consultant, shares her expert guidance on the daily habits to avoid in order to maintain healthy skin. 

• Stop over-exfoliating: Washing too often with exfoliants in the cleansing process can be harmful because it scrubs away skin cells and natural oils. But how often should you exfoliate your face? The skin should only be exfoliated once or twice a week. Signs of over-exfoliation include irritation, redness, and otherwise inflamed skin. 
• Turn down the temperature: Hot water can dry out and irritate your skin. This also makes conditions like eczema worse. Research has indicated washing with cold water can have a number of benefits, including calming itchy skin, waking you up, and increasing circulation. If you can’t face cold water, stick to a lukewarm shower.
• Slash your products: Using too many products can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier and result in spots, eczema, and exacerbated rosacea symptoms.
• Switch up with the season: In eczematous skin, the top layer of skin is often damaged and the alterations in skin barrier function can increase the potential for skin infection. During the winter months when your skin has to adapt to the harsh colder weather, it might be worth switching to a heavier emollient such as an ointment to help add some extra moisture.