I've Never Been a Body-Cream Person, But Consider Me Converted by These 11 Fast-Absorbing Finds

As someone who’s borderline obsessive about skincare—I’m talking multi-step skincare 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 how most body creams felt: sticky, heavy and slow to absorb. It always felt like I had to choose between being properly hydrated and getting dressed without waiting 10 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 that my bodycare routine finally caught up with my face care. 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. 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. Whilst that one product completely shifted my mindset, it has since led me to discover other body lotions that deliver the same luxe, fast-absorbing hydration. These are the game-changing formulas that made me a bodycare person: they sink in fast, hydrate deeply and leave my skin feeling soft, not slick.

The Best Body Creams, Tried and Tested

• Best Body Cream for Quick Absorption: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Body Crème, £20
• Best Body Cream for Everyday: Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Lotion, £28
• Best Body Cream for Oily Skin: Rare Beauty Find Comfort Bouncy Body Cream, £34
• Best Body Cream for Dry Skin: Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream, £32
• Best Body Cream for Sensitive Skin: QV Moisturising Cream, £15

1. Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Deluxe Body Crème

This body cream somehow perfectly strikes the balance between being thick enough to actually provide a major moisture boost, but light enough that it doesn't feel too rich or greasy, nor does it linger on the skin after application.

Editor review: "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," says beauty contributor Grace Day. "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."

2. Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Lotion

This is one of the lighter-textured body creams within this edit, so it may not be enough for very dry skin, but if your skin deals with a little bit of seasonal dryness or simply needs some consistency in daily hydration, it's perfect.

Editor review: "When I first tried it, this instantly entered the rankings in my top three body creams," says Grace Day. "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."

3. Rare Beauty Find Comfort Bouncy Body Cream

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 you can get dressed straight away. It would be an excellent pick for oilier skin types, which need moisture but without the greasiness or residue.

Editor review: "This is another body cream that I can really rely on when I'm in a rush and need something that sinks in fast," says Grace Day. "The texture is really unusual, but does a good job of hydrating skin without leaving residue. I also adore the scent—it's subtle but clean and fresh, so it's perfect for morning application."

4. Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream

There are no fewer than seven nourishing plant oils in this rich cream formula, as well as dry-skin favourites shea butter and mango butter. The result is a really thick, cushiony cream which totally cocoons skin in moisture.

Editor review: "This body cream is, hands down, one of the best body moisturisers I have ever tried," says Who What Wear's deputy 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."

5. QV Moisturising Cream

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. QV are particularly good for delivering fragrance-free options (I rate the body wash and bath oil), 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.

Editor review: "My husband has an even more minimal body care routine than I do, despite having incredibly dry skin," says Grace Day. "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 lanolin and squalane alongside a hefty dose of glycerin."

6. E45 Firm Body Gel Cream

Skin becomes drier and loses elasticity as we age, and not just on our faces. This multitasking formula firms as it hydrates, and is boosted with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and peptides to support the skin barrier and improve elasticity. It's a great body cream for mature skin.

Editor review: "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," says Grace Day. "In which case, I'd highly recommend investing in this multitasking body cream, which helps to firm and tighten as it hydrates."

7. Naturium Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter

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 the 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."

8. Saltair Multi-Lipid Body Butter

I couldn't possibly write a body cream roundup without an inclusion from Saltair. Available in a wide range of fragrances—all of which have impressive longevity—it's fast to absorb and provides a mega moisture boost.

Editor review: "Its moisturising properties are, of course, impressive, but I've never found a body cream that has such a potent and long-lasting fragrance as this one," says Grace Day. "I adore the clean, fresh air fragrance of the Driftwood scent in particular."

9. The Inkey List PHA Exfoliating and Hydrating Body Water Cream

These days, bodycare products can be just as hardworking and effective as your facial skincare. A case in point: this lightweight body lotion is packed with gently exfoliating PHAs to address texture, dead skin buildup and inflammation. Body acne and keratosis pilaris don't stand a chance.

Editor review: "If you have body acne, then you may not have factored a body cream into your skincare routine. Granted, not all will be beneficial, but thanks to the inclusion of (gently) exfoliating polyhydroxy acids, this formula will help to clear clogged pores and dead skin cells. I swear by it for workout-induced breakouts," says Grace Lindsay.

10. Laura Mercier Néroli du Sud Serum Body Cream

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 as potent as any body mist or perfume.

Editor review: "This rich body cream is a treat both for skin and the senses. It's decadent and nourishing in texture, and smells like an expensive perfume," says Grace Day.

11. Aestura Atobarrier 365 Body Lotion

If you're someone who needs to slather on the body cream to keep your limbs hydrated, you're probably after a basic-in-a-good-way formula that you can repurchase frequently without breaking the bank. Try this—it's light in texture, but super hydrating thanks to ceramides, squalane, and gluconolactone.

Editor review: "Korean skincare is known for its focus on hydration and barrier support when it comes to facial products, so it only makes sense that the same principles apply to its approach to bodycare, too," says Grace Day. "I love having this supersized pump bottle within reach of my shower for quick, easy, and reliable daily hydration."

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.