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Nothing beats finding (and slathering on) the best body moisturizers for itchy skin. While they're not always the buzziest products on the shelf, that doesn't really matter: These formulas always feel like a sigh of relief in a bottle, especially when flakes start forming, redness surges, and the urge to scratch becomes almost impossible to ignore.
Products designed specifically for reactive skin harness ingredients like squalane and ceramides, which strengthen your skin barrier (the protective layer guarding against external irritants) and boost moisture retention, calming skin, and stopping the itch-scratch cycle. Because, yes, it actually is possible to stop scratching and take your skin from dry and rough to soft and radiant. To help you get there, we spoke to Allure editors and board-certified dermatologists about their favorite body moisturizers for itchy skin, what causes itchiness to begin with, and exactly how to choose the best formula for your needs.
Our Top Body Moisturizers for Itchy Skin
- Best Overall: Kiehl’s Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream, $49
- Best Lightweight: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Ceramide Lotion, $32
- Best Drugstore: Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion, $11
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Soft Services Carea Cream, $40
- Best for Eczema: Nécessaire The Body Serum, $52
- Best for Barrier Repair: Aquaphor Healing Ointment, $14
- Best for Redness: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream, $17
- Best Fragrance-Free: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, $20
- Best for Families: Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra, $22
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What do dermatologists recommend for extremely dry, itchy skin?
- How should I choose a lotion for dry, itchy skin?
- What cream stops itching fast?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Kiehl’s Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream
Kiehl's
Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Kiehl’s Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream
Deanna Pai
Why it's worth it: Even though Kiehl’s already has a reputation for sensitive skin-friendly formulas, the Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream goes even further by targeting skin that’s both extra-dry and easily irritated. “This is a great, gentle product that will provide the skin with lots of hydration and also support the skin's barrier health,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. She also notes that it’s “not too thick,” fast-absorbing, and has a light, non-greasy texture that won’t trigger sensitivity. The formula leans on two key ingredients for itchy, reactive skin: squalane and ceramides, which “strengthen and repair your skin barrier while moisturizing the skin,” Dr. Chacon explains. That combo helps calm irritation, reduce the urge to scratch, and keep skin hydrated for up to three days—making it a rare, barrier-boosting cream that works for skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“Moisturizing from head to toe is non-negotiable—or else my skin gets so itchy that it wakes me up in the middle of the night. I’ve used a lot of body butters, some better than others, but what sets this apart is its whipped texture, which is nourishing enough to keep me from scratching, but sinks in immediately. It’s been a godsend as the temperatures rise, since I don’t have to worry about waiting for it to absorb. And a little goes a long way, so I’m hoping the tub lasts me through summer.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, glacial glycoproteins, pro-ceramides
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Aestura Atobarrier 365 Ceramide Lotion
Aestura
Atobarrier 365 Lotion
Amazon
Sephora
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Ceramide Lotion
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: The 2024 Best of Beauty Award-winning Aestura Atobarrier 365 Ceramide Lotion is a K-beauty staple that's equally beloved stateside. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, loves that this lotion has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, and notes that it's "hypoallergenic and formulated with a patented blend of barrier-strengthening ceramides—great for those with sensitive skin or eczema." A blend of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids mimics your skin's natural lipids, boosting moisture retention, while niacinamide adds even more hydration.
Tester feedback from commerce producer Sarah Hoffman
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"If I ever magically became low maintenance, this lotion would be a key player in my pared-down routine. I love how it works on my face, and I've recently come around to using it on my body, and it's equally excellent for both. The texture borders on watery, so it absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy or heavy. My skin is generally sensitive to fragrance and richer formulas, so I love how gentle this lotion is while still being very hydrating and soothing." —Sarah Hoffman, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, squalane, niacinamide, cholesterol, fatty acids
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion
Lubriderm
Daily Moisture Lotion
Amazon (24 fl oz.)
Walmart (16 fl oz.)
Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why it's worth it: Skin-care aficionados know that sometimes, the most no-frills packaging boasts the absolute best formulas. Exhibit A: Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion. You'll spot this humble lotion on the shelves of any drugstore—and on the recommendation lists of countless dermatologists. Packed with barrier-strengthening pro-ceramides, deeply moisturizing shea butter, and hydrating glycerin, this lightweight cream sinks quickly into your skin and delivers 24-hour moisture without clogging pores. Bonus: It's versatile enough to use from face to feet (and everywhere in between). The original formula is lightly scented, but fragrance-sensitive folks can opt for the fragrance-free version. And if you need extra itch relief? The brand's Advanced Therapy Lotion is another great pick.
Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"Maybe it's because I have a dry skin type. Perhaps it's because I take pretty hot showers. But my body needs to be moisturized daily, or I get lines and cracks on my hands, arms, and legs. The Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion is lightweight and quickly absorbs to feel silky (but not sticky or greasy). It also has a very clean scent, which I appreciate, since strongly scented body care products can overwhelm me." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, shea butter, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Sensitive Skin: Soft Services Carea Cream
Soft Services
Carea Cream
Sephora
Soft Services
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Soft Services Carea Cream
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it’s worth it: Soft Services Carea Cream is a lightweight, healing option for people with dehydrated skin for whom thick creams might feel suffocating. The formula contains 10% urea (a compound naturally found in skin), which Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, calls “a powerful moisturizing ingredient that helps with protecting [the skin’s] moisture from the environment."
Urea also mildly exfoliates, sloughing off dead skin buildup and smoothing bumps. The inclusion of 5% squalane further conditions and hydrates skin, and colloidal oatmeal calms and soothes moderate itching. Gentle enough for daily, full-body use, this lotion not only alleviates dryness but prevents it from making a comeback by locking in long-lasting moisture.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I’m the person who will always forget to put on body lotion because I’m rushing to get dressed—and then spend the rest of the day wondering why my arms feel like sandpaper (hi, KP). This body lotion is the first formula that’s actually made me want to slow down and use it: It has this almost milky, run-off-your-fingers texture, but once it absorbs, it’s unbelievably silky and leaves zero residue behind. I can’t stop talking about how amazing it feels. Soft Services, you have me convinced.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: urea, squalane, colloidal oatmeal
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Eczema: Nécessaire The Body Serum
Nécessaire
The Body Serum
Amazon
Nordstrom
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin applying the Nécessaire The Body Serum
Sarah Felbin
Why we love it: While it’s a body serum and not a cream, if you’re dealing with eczema, “Nécessaire The Body Serum is great for those with highly sensitive, itchy skin,” says Dr. Chacon. She also notes that the formula—approved by the National Eczema Association—is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and made without silicones, phthalates, or parabens. It features glycerin, niacinamide, and five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, which hydrate both the surface and deeper layers of the skin for longer-lasting moisture. Dr. Chacon also loves that it’s “not sticky, not greasy, and still leaves skin hydrated, plump, and restored.”
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“Lotion haters, this one's for you. I'm not a fan of super-heavy creams and body butters because I don't love the greasy feeling that often comes with them, but my constantly dry, itchy skin needs a layer of something after I shower. This serum is ultra-lightweight and only takes a few seconds to rub in, but is still impressively hydrating. My skin immediately feels softer and looks radiant after I apply it. It's been a godsend for my legs especially, which always feel extra-prickly after I shave." —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Barrier Repair: Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Aquaphor
Healing Ointment
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Whether you know Aquaphor Healing Ointment in the tube or the classic tub, chances are it needs no introduction. “This petroleum-based ointment creates an occlusive barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss and supercharges repair,” says Sarah Sung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of The Perq based in Seattle. This means this ointment is completely water-free and seals in moisture so your skin can heal without suffocating, since it still lets oxygen pass through. That balance is what makes it so good at repairing a compromised barrier. “Especially when used overnight, patients most often tell me they wake up with noticeably softer, less inflamed patches,” says Dr. Sung. With panthenol and glycerin, it’s a go-to for everything from chafed hands to cracked heels to lips, and even “eczema flares around the eyes,” Dr. Sung adds.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: panthenol, glycerin, petrolatum
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Redness: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream
La Roche-Posay
Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Another affordable, National Eczema Association-approved formula on our list, La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Soothing Relief Eczema Cream is built for anyone dealing with persistent redness, itchiness, or flare-ups. The star is 1% colloidal oatmeal, a proven skin protectant that helps calm irritation on contact, but it’s the supporting ingredients that make it especially effective: “Shea butter, niacinamide, and colloidal oatmeal combine to soothe visible redness and heat on contact,” says Dr. Sung. While glycerin and thermal spring water promote lasting moisture, she also notes, “Many of my patients report a more even skin tone after just a couple of weeks of use.” The fast-absorbing texture makes it easy to use daily—whether you’re treating redness on your face or body.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: 1% colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide, thermal spring water
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Fragrance-Free: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe
Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: The dermatologists we spoke to consider drugstore superstar CeraVe Moisturizing Cream the ideal product for dry, itchy skin. Kate Edwards, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Antonio, considers it a go-to for patients suffering from dry, itchy skin, while Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, calls out its contents of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other humectants as ideal for locking in moisture and boosting hydration. This cream is fragrance-free and completely non-irritating, making it a great choice for those with any level of skin sensitivity who need intense hydration and itch relief. Sexy? Maybe not. But it’s a reliable, powerful workhorse that’s a classic for good reason, and its undeniable efficacy makes it a great first port of call for treating dry and itchy skin.
Tester feedback from contributor Kaleigh Fasanella
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"It feels almost like a weighted blanket—but for the skin—cocooning my chronically dry limbs and soothing them on days when it's especially sensitive and inflamed. If I had to propose one con, it would be that I go through the stuff like water." —Kaleigh Fasanella, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Families: Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra
Bioderma
Atoderm Crème Ultra
Amazon
Dermstore
Why it’s worth it: You might wonder whether a lotion gentle enough for babies could really deliver the kind of healing power adult skin needs, but Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra can keep up. “For those with eczema, this cream is a game-changer for restoring the skin barrier—and it’s safe for the whole family, babies included,” says Fatima Fahs, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Michigan. The formula combines occlusive mineral oil with glycerin to draw in moisture, plus rapeseed and sunflower seed oils to reinforce the lipid barrier and prevent water loss. Niacinamide adds another layer of repair, helping calm irritation and support long-term barrier health. Despite its rich texture, it absorbs quickly without a greasy film.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, niacinamide, rapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What do dermatologists recommend for extremely dry, itchy skin?
According to Dr. Green, the best thing to do for dry, itchy skin is to apply moisturizer liberally and multiple times a day. According to dermatologists, thick creams with high oil concentrations are especially effective for locking in moisture and hydrating the skin (Dr. Edwards even suggests skin-sealing petroleum jelly like Vaseline). Dr. Green recommends looking for moisturizers with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which pulls in water from the environment; glycerin, which acts as a humectant to retain moisture; colloidal oats, which reduce inflammation; and ceramides, which restore the skin barrier. However, she cautions against products with irritants like alcohol and fragrances, as they can exacerbate dryness. Dr. Edwards also advises looking for the blue seal that says, "Accepted by the National Eczema Foundation" when picking out a moisturizing product.
In addition to using hydrating lotions. Dr. Green recommends washing dry, itchy skin with a product like a soothing colloidal oatmeal bath treatment before using a gentle, hydrating cleanser, thoroughly rinsing the area, then applying moisturizer. Dr. Edwards endorses the "soak and grease" method, which consists of bathing daily for five to ten minutes in lukewarm (not hot!) water, then applying a thick moisturizer immediately after exiting the bath or shower and patting dry. Dry, itchy skin can sometimes be associated with overactive histamines, and suggests taking a daily antihistamine until the condition has resolved.
How should I choose a lotion for dry, itchy skin?
Dr. Edwards emphasizes looking for products that feature ceramides to help lock in moisture naturally lost throughout the day. Dr. Green also advocates for products with urea, which soothes skin in addition to providing hydration. However, for severe itching or eczema-prone skin, both doctors advise that topical prescription steroids may be needed to calm down inflammation resulting from a compromised skin barrier.
What cream stops itching fast?
According to Dr. Edwards, topical steroid creams such as hydrocortisone are one of the quickest and most effective ways to relieve itching. Dr. Green recommends using over-the-counter hydrocortisone twice a day on the affected area to help soothe itchiness.
On the flip side, Dr. Edwards strongly discourages the use of any Benadryl creams or gels, which are ineffective at stopping itch and can often lead to the development of an allergy to the product that will worsen a rash. Both doctors recommend speaking to your dermatologist if over-the-counter treatments are not providing enough relief, and using any prescribed topical steroid exactly as directed while avoiding overuse.
Meet the experts
- Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
- Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Kate Edwards, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Antonio, Texas
- Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Elizabeth Houshmand, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in Dallas, TX
- Scott Paviol, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Charlotte, NC
- Pooja Rambhia, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best body lotions for dry, itchy skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
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