I've Never Been a Body Cream Person—But Consider Me Converted by These 11 Fast-Absorbing Finds
I tested over 40 body creams to find the top picks for every skin type, concern, and budget. The one thing they all have in common? They all sink in quick.

As someone who’s borderline obsessive about skincare—I’m talking multi-step routines, daily SPF, and never missing night cream—you’d think I’d be just as devoted to moisturising my body. But for years, I wasn’t. I hated the way most body creams felt—sticky, heavy, slow to absorb. It always felt like I had to choose between being properly hydrated and being able to put my clothes on without having to wait ten minutes for my body lotion to absorb.
In fact, it wasn’t until the day I first tried Beauty Pie's Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Body Crème (£19) that my body care routine finally caught up with my face care one. The seemingly thick cream melted into my skin like a dream—no stickiness, no residue, just soft, deeply nourished skin that actually stayed hydrated all day long. Oh, and the fragrance (think fresh floral) also lasted throughout the day. For the first time, moisturising my body didn’t feel like a chore; it felt like a treat—and I was able to get dressed instantly.
Now, I’m a full-blown convert who moisturises twice a day (yes, even in a rush), and I genuinely look forward to it. While that one product completely shifted my mindset, it's since led me to discover other body lotions that deliver the same luxe, fast-absorbing hydration. These are the game-changer formulas that made me a body care person: they sink in fast, hydrate deeply, and leave my skin feeling soft, not slick.
The Best Body Creams
- Best body cream for quick absorption: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Body Crème
- Best body cream for every day: Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Lotion
- Best body cream for oily skin: Rare Beauty Find Comfort Bouncy Body Cream
- Best body cream for dry skin: Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream
- Best body cream for sensitive skin: Necessaire The Body Cream
1. Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Body Crème
Price shown is members cost.
If you're after a body cream that sinks in fast but still provides deep and lasting hydration, I still think this is the best of the best. I can literally get dressed as soon as I've applied it, and the scent (a bright fresh floral) really does last all day long.
Pros
- Luxurious texture that absorbs quickly
- Leaves skin subtly glossy
Cons
- Higher price point if you're not a Beauty Pie member
2. Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Lotion
This landed on my doorstep very recently and has instantly entered the rankings in my top three body creams. It's a light, silky lotion which absorbs quickly but still leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and what's more, leaves a subtle and lasting glowy sheen. The scent isn't overpowering, but still lingers impressively—I always get compliments on days when I've applied this.
Pros
- Silky, non-sticky hydration that absorbs quickly
- Improves softness, inflammation, and radiance
Cons
- Scent may be too strong for fragrance-sensitive users
3. Rare Beauty Find Comfort Bouncy Body Cream
Best for: Normal to oily skin
Although this body cream looks thick and rich when you first open the tub, it has a whipped, almost sorbet-like texture which makes it incredibly lightweight and quick to absorb. Again, this is so fast to sink in that I can get dressed straight away. It would be an excellent pick for oilier skin types, which need moisture but without the greasiness or residue.
Pros
- Deep hydration with hyaluronic acid
- Fresh floral scent
Cons
- Might not be sufficient hydration for very dry skin
4. Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream
Best for dry skin
Best for: Very dry skin
My husband has an even more minimal body care routine than I do, despite having incredibly dry skin. He's even tried medicated and prescription moisturisers to help tackle his dryness, but swears that this body cream is the best he's tried. The magic, I'm sure, lies in the formula, which includes shea butter and mango butter alongside no less than seven nourishing plant oils.
Editor review: "This body cream is, hands down, one of the best body moisturisers I have ever tried," says Who What Wear's junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. "Not only does it smell incredible, but the whipped butter texture is infused with multiple oils, from baobab to jojoba, that work to hydrate the skin and leave you with the most beautiful glossy sheen."
Pros
- Ultra-rich texture
- Relieves dryness and itchiness
- Leaves skin glowy
Cons
- Scent fades quickly
5. Nécessaire The Body Cream
Best for: Sensitive, dry to very dry skin
If you have sensitive skin then all this talk of fragrance is probably making you feel itchy. Fear not, there's a body cream for you, too. Necessaire are particularly good for delivering fragrance free options (I rate the shower gel and deodorant), which deliver results without the risk of triggering reactive skin. Despite not having any scent, this body cream still feels like a luxurious and indulgent treat for skin, and it's impressively nourishing.
Pros
- Intense hydration for sensitive, dry skin
- Fast absorption
- Leaves skin soft without heaviness or stickiness
Cons
- No fragrance (which is a plus for some, but may not appeal to all)
6. Joonbyrd Sunday Sofa Body Butter
Best for: Dry, mature, or firming-concerned skin types
Skin becomes drier as we age, and not just on our faces. If you, like me, have managed to go years without needing to use a body cream, you may find that it eventually reaches a point where head-to-toe hydration becomes essential. In which case, I'd highly recommend investing in this multitasking body cream, which helps to firm and tighten as it hydrates. It's boosted with antioxidant-rich rambutan leaf extract, hyaluronic acid, and prebiotic inulin to support the skin barrier. It's a great body cream for mature skin.
Pros
- Decadent texture
- Smells amazing
- Provides long-lasting hydration
- Helps with firmness and elasticity
Cons
- High price point
- Scent doesn't last long
7. Naturium Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter
Best for: Normal to dry skin
If you like to keep your morning routine short and sweet, you may prefer to incorporate body cream into your evening routine instead. This body cream is basically the beauty product version of a 15-tog duvet—thick, soft, and comforting—it immediately soothes and nourishes dry skin, but you can still get into your pyjamas without risk of it leaving any lingering greasy residue.
Editor review: "This might be the most sensorial body cream I've tried," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden. "It has a decadent, whipped buttery texture that is enriched with oils that leave your limbs hydrated and silky with a glossy sheen. If I could bathe in it, I would."
Pros
- Soft texture, sinks in fast without greasiness
- Good value for a rich, multi-oil formula
Cons
- Scent is divisive
- Some users report slight pilling
8. Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Cream
Best for: Normal to dry skin wanting hydration, glow, and mild firming
I couldn't possibly write a body cream roundup without an inclusion from Sol de Janeiro. While most favour the brand's iconic Brazilian Bum Bum Brazilian Cream (£48), I personally prefer this option instead. It's faster to absorb and I adore the fruity fragrance.
Pros
- Scent lasts all day
- Deeply moisturises, leaves skin soft and glowing
- Promotes firmer feeling skin, hint of shimmer
Cons
- Moisture may not last a full day
- Fragrance may be too irritating for sensitive skin
9. The Inkey List PHA Exfoliating and Hydrating Body Water Cream
Best for body acne
Best for: Normal to combination and acne-prone skin
These days, body care products can be just as hardworking and effective as your skincare ones are. A case in pont, this lightweight body lotion, packed with gently exfoliating PHAs to address texture, dead skin buildup, and inflammation. Body acne and keratosis pilaris don't stand a chance.
Pros
- Lightweight, sinks in quickly—no greasy feel
- Smooths texture on rough areas like knees, elbows, feet
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- May not be rich enough for very dry skin
- Tube size considered small by some users
10. Laura Mercier Neroli du Sud Serum Body Cream
Best luxury body cream
Best for: All except very dry skin types
For many people I know, body cream is a luxurious, indulgent treat for their skin. Of all the options I've tried, this is certainly the most luxe. The rich formula leaves skin smooth and soft, and the delicious neroli-based fragrance is a potent as any body mist or perfume.
Pros
- Long-lasting scent
- Instant hydrating effects
Cons
- May not be hydrating enough for very dry skin types
11. Byoma Body Hydrating Body Lotion
Best affordable body cream
Best for: All except very dry skin types
If you're someone who needs to slather on the body cream to keep your limbs hydrated, you're probably after an affordable pick that you can repurchase on a frequent basis without breaking the bank. Try Byoma's Hydrating Body Lotion—it's light in texture, but super hydrating thanks to ceramides, shea butter and beta glucan.
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Absorbs quickly
- Mild fragrance
Cons
- Some users find the packaging frustrating to use
How We Tested the Best Body Creams
I spent the past few months testing some of the most talked-about and highly-rated body creams—from budget-friendly finds to luxurious formulas loved by dermatologists. I tried over 40 different products paying close attention to texture, absorption, scent and how well each one delivered on promises like deep hydration, smoothing rough patches, firming, and improving long-term skin health.
I also spoke with my fellow beauty editors to get their expert takes on the best body moisturisers out there—and, unsurprisingly, their go-to picks were already on my list. After applying these creams from head to toe, post-shower, before bed, and everything in between, I'm confident this list highlights the best body creams for just about every skin type, concern, and budget.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
Grace Day is a beauty editor and content creator. She has over 10 years of beauty-industry experience, spanning editorial, retail, and e-commerce, which gives her a unique understanding into how people shop for their beauty routines.While studying for a history degree (specialising in the history of beauty) and working as a beauty adviser in department stores, Grace started writing her own beauty blog in order to share the products she discovered while dealing with acne. After graduating, she moved to Beauty Bay as beauty editor and content manager. Grace is currently a beauty contributor to Who What Wear. She has also written for Hypebae and PopSugar and works as a brand consultant and copywriter.
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