I've Always Overlooked Body Lotions in My Routine, But These 12 Actually Transformed My Dry, Scaly Skin

"It's no secret that I'm a scented beauty product kind of girl, so I'm even shocking myself when it comes to this unscented recommendation. But the truth is, Naturium's Bio-Lipid Body Lotion is one of the most hydrating and wonderful body lotions around," says beauty director Shannon Lawlor. "It turns dry, scaly skin silky-smooth and glowing in no time at all, and it doesn't leave any unwanted greasiness behind, either. And while I'd prefer it with some mind-soothing fragrance, its scent-free nature is great for those with more sensitive skin," she says.

“This is probably the most luxurious body lotion I have ever owned, but I truly believe it is worth every penny," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. "Not only does it look incredibly chic, but it smells so expensive, feels super nourishing on the skin and is lightweight enough to apply in the morning and get dressed straight afterwards. My top tip? Layer this with your favourite floral perfume and thank me later on how many compliments you get," she says.

As a beauty editor, I've amassed a lot of luxury body lotions that are proudly displayed in my bathroom. But truth be told, it's actually this unassuming body lotion that I've been reaching for the most. It has a serum-lotion texture that sinks in almost immediately on contact with the skin. You'll love it if, like me, you can't stand waiting for body lotion to sink in—you can get dressed immediately after. It's incredibly hydrating and has left my skin feeling incredibly soft. For £13, I'm seriously impressed.

As someone prone to eczema flares from time to time, I'm never without a tube of Aveeno's body lotion in my bathroom. I love it so much, in fact, that I even recommend it to those without sensitive skin—it's a great body lotion in its own right. It has a gel-cream consistency that soothes and cools inflamed skin on contact, and dries to a velvety touch that makes your limbs feel amazing. It uses colloidal oatmeal to hydrate and soothe the skin barrier.

If you struggle with dry, bumpy skin or keratosis pilaris (otherwise known as "chicken skin", which can often appear as tiny bumps on the skin) then you need to add this body lotion into your routine, stat. It uses lactic acids and alpha-hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate dead skin build-up, leaving you with soft and smooth limbs. It takes time to work, but when used regularly, you'll see visible results.

This was the lotion that actually made me fall in love with body moisturising. It was the first one I tried that really impressed me when it came to its absorption. Despite the fact it has a dense, creamy texture, it sinks in straight away, leaving skin feeling soft but not greasy. It comes in both fragranced and unfragranced forms, but my favourite is Hinoki—a gorgeous woody scent that leaves your skin with a scented trail all day long.

Leave it Byredo to make a body lotion that smells (and looks) so good, you basically don't even need to wear perfume—alternatively, you could layer it with the corresponding fragrance to amp up the intensity. Either way, when I'm feeling fancy or simply need a pick-me-up ahead of a long day, applying this lotion does just the trick. What's more, the silky texture absorbs quickly and leaves a fresh, glowy sheen on skin.

If you're after an easy-to-get-hold-of budget buy, look no further. CeraVe understands hydration like nobody else, so this no-frills lotion is truly excellent if you have seriously dry skin and get through body lotion fast. With ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it works to deliver hydration and keep the skin barrier intact to prevent future dryness.

I'm so thrilled that Salt & Stone is now more widely available in the UK, and the body lotions need to be on your radar if you love a fragranced body lotion. I'm personally a big fan of Santal & Vetiver, a beautifully woody scent, and Saffron & Cedarwood, which smells impossibly expensive. The formulas have a buttery texture that deeply hydrates the skin while leaving you beautifully scented from top to toe.

If moisturising your body is less a chore and more a ritual and a moment for self-care, then fragrance probably plays a big role when you're shopping for body lotion. L'Occitane's Almond bodycare range smells amazing, and this body milky in the collection is no exception. This particular formula offers lightweight hydration in a silky formula, all with the delicious scent of almonds. The bottle will make a chic addition, whether perched on a bathroom shelf or your bathtub, too. The matching shower oil is to die for, so I'd recommend picking that up too.

Like all Aesop products, this body lotion smells amazing, and I find the scent lingers impressively on my skin. It's a bright and vibrant combination of grapefruit, orange and lemon rind, so is great for awakening your senses in the morning. The lotion itself is very lightweight and cooling, so sinks in quickly and makes skin feel plumped with moisture. I also really appreciate the pump bottle packaging, which helps to avoid wastage and prevent greasy hands.