The 15 Best Body Lotions for Aging Skin, According to Board-Certified Dermatologists
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They say getting older means getting wiser, so shouldn't the same be said about what we choose to put on our skin? Oftentimes when you hear the term "skincare" facial cleansers, serums, creams and devices spring to mind—but what about the body? There's an entire area south of your neck that deserves just as much TLC but might need different products and ingredients. So, what are the best body lotions for aging skin?
As we navigate the aging journey, our skin's needs evolve and our products need to keep up. Celebrity dermatologists emphasize that selecting the right lotion is crucial for addressing the unique challenges that aging skin presents, such as reduced elasticity, dryness and the appearance of fine lines, yet with a plethora of options available, narrowing down the countless labels can be overwhelming. What's truly effective vs. what's a waste of money?
To simplify your search, we consulted a panel of celebrity dermatologists to answer this very question and uncover the best lotions for aging skin, whether you're looking for drugstore-trusted brands, splurge-worthy investments or something in between.
These expert-backed recommendations not only offer deep hydration but incorporate efficacious ingredients designed to rejuvenate and protect mature skin. Keep reading for their top picks, body care tips and insights into what makes these lotions stand out in the realm of anti-aging skincare.
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Best Body Lotions for Mature Skin
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
Best Firming (Tie): Revision Skincare BodiFirm and Nécessaire The Body Lotion
Best Drugstore: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
Best for Post-Treatment Use: ALASTIN Skincare TransFORM
Best Retinol: Doris Day MD Skincare Retinol Body Serum
Best Retinol Alternative: Josie Maran Pro-Retinol Body Butter
Best for a Glow: OSEA Anti-Aging Body Balm
Best Lightweight: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream
Best for Eczema: EltaMD Moisture Seal
Best Hybrid: SkinCeuticals Body Retexturing Treatment
Best Oil: Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil
Best Vitamin C Body Lotion: Nivea Skin Firming Nourishing Hydration Body Lotion
Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA
Best for Age Spots: Eucerin Intensive Repair Body Lotion
What to Look for In Anti-Aging Body Lotions
According to celebrity dermatologist and skincare authority, Marnie B. Nussbaum, M.D., FAAD, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides are the key power players to look for on lotion labels since they assist with firming, softening, moisturizing and glow-boosting.
"Body lotions containing retinol are also great for mature skin because they increase skin cell turnover and promote collagen synthesis, which is necessary for anti-aging," she says.
While retinol-based creams are safe for most, it's important to remember that retinols cannot be used if you're trying to conceive, are currently pregnant or are breastfeeding, she warns.
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How Often Should You Apply Them?
As with any beauty goal that requires a bit of effort to see results, consistency is key here. Most of these body creams are meant to be applied morning and night (every day) to see firmer, smoother skin over 4-6 weeks but that doesn't mean you can't show super parched areas some more love throughout the day. If your legs, hands or feet tend to become dry and crackly quickly, by all means, slather more on. Achey skin with visible lines is a sign of thirsty skin, so if your skin looks or feels parched, reapplying throughout the day is a wise idea.
The one exception to this rule is retinol body lotions, however. These are better suited for nighttime since vitamin A molecules can make you more sun-sensitive. With that said, it's a good idea to reapply SPF on exposed areas every two hours when you are in the sun, especially when using retinol-based moisturizers—night or day.
Related: How To Get Rid of Forehead Wrinkles Over 50, According to Dermatologists
Other Things to Keep in Mind When It Comes to Body Care
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but dry brushing might not be doing as much for your body goals as you think. According to celebrity cosmetic and skin cancer dermatologic surgeon, Ellen Marmur, MD, body brushes used for dry brushing are *said* to help remove dead skin cells but paradoxically make the skin dryer by disrupting the barrier with microtears. Ouch.
Another no-no for her is gritty scrubs that exfoliate too harshly and can cause more unwanted issues at the same time. "Plus the beads are terrible for the environment," she says.
Now that you're informed on the DOs and DON'Ts of skin care it's time to stock up on the lotions, serums and oils that will actually help your body concerns, according to the experts.
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15 Best Body Lotions for Aging Skin, According to Celebrity Dermatologists
Board-certified derms share their all-time favorite lotions for mature skin.
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream, $20 on Amazon
Dry skin doesn't stand a chance against this moisturizing cream our team of celebrity derms unanimously recommended. Doris Day, MD, an author, speaker and board-certified dermatologist in New York City, calls it "a great hydrator with benefits!" since it's packed with ceramide 3, shea butter, niacinamide and LaRoche-Posay's prebiotic thermal water from France.
Dr. Nussbaum agrees it's her #1 pick, adding that it's ideal for sensitive skin, without any fragrance. Those suffering from eczema will also find relief using it, given that it soothes red, scaly patches while rebalancing the skin's microbiome with 48-hour hydration.
Best Firming: Revision Skincare BodiFirm, $162 on Amazon
Looking for a tightening, firming cream for certain areas of your body? Look no further. Dr. Day highly recommends BodiFirm, a clinically proven formula designed to sculpt and lift sagging areas. "It contains glucosamine which helps with skin exfoliation, caffeine which is one of my favorites and iFirm technology which is a blend of peptides, antioxidants and prebiotics," she explains.
Pro tip: To see results, be sure to exfoliate twice a week using a loofah or physical exfoliator, then apply the cream in a circular motion, massaging it in until fully absorbed.
Best Firming (Runner-Up): Nécessaire The Body Lotion, $45 on Amazon
Dr. Nussbaum also suggests Ne?cessaire's Body Lotion to any of her patients looking for tighter, extra-taut skin. "With 5 peptides, 2.5% niacinamide and two different kinds of fatty acids, they all work together to help strengthen the skin barrier and firm the skin," she explains. "I specifically like this one because while it firms, it hydrates." Double bonus.
Best Drugstore: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion, $9 on Amazon
Aveeno has been a reliable, dermatologist-approved body lotion for years. Loved for its soothing, prebiotic oat formula, it's a brand you can trust upon application, knowing your skin won't be thirsty a few hours later. Celebrity board-certified dermatologist and founding director of NicholsMD of Greenwich, Kim Nichols, MD, FAAD, says it's perfect for those who have sensitive skin as well, as it's gentle but hydrating—and fragrance-free. "I love how it leaves skin feeling nourished without residue or any greasiness," she notes.
Best for Post-Treatment Use: ALASTIN Skincare TransFORM, $220 on Amazon
For anyone undergoing non-invasive body sculpting services like CoolSculpting, SculpSure, Vanquish and EMSCULPT, Dr. Day says ALASTIN's TransFORM is the perfect post-treatment lotion for maintaining results in between office visits. "It contains proprietary TriHex technology to help with crepey skin and works especially well with body contouring and fat-melting treatments."
Best Retinol: Doris Day MD Skincare Retinol Body Serum, $185 at Doris Day MD
After years of testing various retinol body lotions on the market and being not-so-satisfied with the results, Dr. Day did what any world-renowned derm would do: she created her own.
"My retinol body serum contains a high-powered retinol called HPR, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and peptides," she explains, noting that her serum feels silky smooth going on, gently exfoliates and helps with crepey skin, discoloration and sun damage to boot. Although it can be applied all over, you must wear SPF during the day since your skin will be more sensitive to UV rays.
For a budget-friendly retinol lotion, she's also a fan of Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion. "It's a great affordable option that provides intense moisture and anti-aging benefits," she says.
Best Retinol Alternative: Josie Maran Pro-Retinol Body Butter, $46 at Josie Maran
If you need a retinol alternative (for pregnancy or breastfeeding reasons), or simply looking to ease into it slowly, without the flakiness, redness or dryness that's often associated with vitamin A, our panel of derms suggests trying a plant-based alternative.
Josie Maran's unscented, vegan body butter is powered by pro-retinol that's derived from pink algae and is known for reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also comes in a giant tub that lasts forever BTW and has a luxurious whipped texture thanks to 100% pure argan oil.
Best for a Glow: OSEA Anti-Aging Body Balm, $52 on Amazon
Many of the lotions on this list are pros at addressing skincare worries like spots, sagging skin or leathery texture but a glow-boosting balm is always a bonus if you ask us.
According to Dr. Nussbaum, OSEA's anti-aging body balm contains Alaria seaweed which helps improve the appearance of skin elasticity and firms at the same time, thanks to a cocktail of polysaccharides, antioxidants and essential minerals. "And it contains coconut oil, which helps lock in moisture and provide an all-over glow," she says.
Best Lightweight: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream, $11 on Amazon
"I like the non-greasy feel of this one, especially in the summer months when you don’t want to have that heavy residue feel," shares Dr. Nussbaum. Because of its gel texture, it's very lightweight and the formula absorbs instantly. What she loves most though, is that it boasts hyaluronic acid—a hydrator found naturally in the skin—which retains moisture for supple, super-soft skin all day long.
Best for Eczema: EltaMD Moisture Seal, $19 on Amazon
With an estimated 31.6 million people suffering from some form of eczema in the United States, it's fair to say creams that work are top of mind for most. "I recommend Moisture Seal to my patients struggling with eczema or very dry skin," says Dr. Nichols, "although it's excellent after any cosmetic treatment as well."
Given this heavy-duty moisturizer's occlusive nature and ability to create a protective barrier over the most inflamed skin conditions, she loves the fact that it stays put for 24 hours. "This is a go-to for me because it's formulated with just two ingredients, petrolatum and paraffin, so it's highly unlikely to cause any irritation or inflammation."
Best Hybrid: SkinCeuticals Body Retexturing Treatment, $90 at Dermstore
Cracked, lizard-like skin tends to occur in places like the elbows and knees first, so it's important to remember to moisturize the entire body—not just the face, according to Dr. Nichols.
"This gel formula helps simultaneously exfoliate the skin and provide gentle hydration," she shares, thanks to key ingredients like hydroxyethyl urea (an acid compound that helps promote cellular turnover), niacinamide (to strengthen the barrier while minimizing discoloration) and hyaluronic acid (a natural humectant that can hold 1,000 times its weight in water).
We like to use it straight out of the shower when our skin is still damp so it fully absorbs.
Best Oil: Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil, $120 on Amazon
"My perfect recipe for mature skin—think crepey, thinner, dryer, with more pigmentation—is MMSkincare AHA Cleanser, MMSkincare Polishing Serum and your body oil of choice to lock it all in," shares Dr. Marmur.
We especially love Tata Harper's anti-aging, antioxidant-rich oil that employs a 100% natural blend of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients to help promote radiant-looking skin while relieving dry, rough patches.
Best Vitamin C Body Lotion: Nivea Skin Firming Nourishing Hydration Body Lotion, $10 on Amazon
If you religiously use a vitamin C serum or lotion every am, ask yourself this: shouldn't you be blessing your body with the same antioxidant benefits? "Vitamin C is an essential ingredient for addressing oxidative stress which causes dull-crepey skin," shares Dr. Marmur. "With regular use, your skin’s elasticity will visibly improve over time, giving you firmer, brighter, healthier skin."
Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA, $32 on Amazon
Although all skin types could benefit from this lotion that's powered by 10% glycolic acid, Dr. Marmur points out it's especially great for anyone looking to address dryness and uneven skin tone at the same time. "Its creamy texture is best for combating crepey skin," she says, adding that it's very gentle with ultra hydration."
It was also designed with keratosis pilaris in mind and helps soften the appearance of hard, clogged, red bumps on the arms and legs.
Best for Age Spots: Eucerin Intensive Repair Body Lotion, $13 on Amazon
With over 20k ratings on Amazon and an average of 4.7 stars, it's no wonder this is a highly recommended lotion for aging skin that our board-certified dermatologists love too!
Dr. Nichols says the key ingredients to look for in lotions that target age spots include niacinamide, retinol and gentle exfoliants such as lactic acid, glycolic acid and kojic acid. However, if over-the-counter skincare does not help stubborn discoloration, she recommends visiting your local board-certified dermatologist, who can prescribe a more potent topical.
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Sources:
Doris Day, MD is an author, speaker and board-certified dermatologist in New York City. She is also the clinical associate professor of dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center.
Marnie B. Nussbaum, MD, FAAD is a NYC-based, board-certified dermatologist specializing in non-invasive aesthetic rejuvenation.
Kim Nichols, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist who treats both cosmetic and medical skincare concerns at NicholsMD of Greenwich in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Ellen Marmur, MD is a cosmetic and skin cancer dermatologic surgeon, the Chief of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery and Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.
