Best Hydrating Body Creams of 2026
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Hydrating body creams are moisturising lotions designed to help soothe and nourish dry skin. They are typically made with a blend of hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin, which work together to provide long-lasting hydration and protection. These creams are perfect for those with dry or sensitive skin, and can be used daily to help keep skin soft, smooth, and hydrated. With a variety of formulations available, from lightweight lotions to rich, creamy formulations, there is a hydrating body cream to suit every skin type and preference.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Hydrating Body Creams
Cetraben Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin
Cetraben Moisturiser is designed to keep your skin hydrated, making it ideal for those with dry and eczema-prone skin. Its rich formulation locks in moisture, providing protection against irritants and preventing water loss. Suitable for adults and children over one year, this cream can be applied to the whole body, helping to soothe itchy and sensitive areas. By using this dermatologist-recommended cream after bathing, you can effectively reduce the likelihood of flare-ups and maintain a healthy skin barrier.
NIVEA Repair & Care Urea Deep Hydrating Cream
The NIVEA Repair & Care Cream is enriched with 18% glycerine, provitamin B5, and urea, which deeply moisturise and repair dry, rough, and bumpy skin. It offers up to 72 hours of hydration, helping to lock in moisture and keep your skin feeling soft and comfortable for days. This cream is ideal for dry skin as it gently exfoliates from the first use, restoring your skin’s barrier and improving softness and smoothness. Easy to apply daily on your face, hands, and body, it absorbs quickly into the skin, fitting seamlessly into your routine.
Aveeno Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin
Aveeno Moisturising Cream is designed to keep your dry and sensitive skin hydrated throughout the day. With active ingredients like Colloidal Oatmeal, it provides rich moisturising and protective effects, ensuring your skin feels soft and comfortable. This cream is dermatologist-tested and safe for both adults and babies from three months old, making it a suitable choice for the whole family. You can apply it as often as needed, delivering nourishment and protection whenever your skin requires it.
CeraVe Moisturising Cream for Face and Body
CeraVe Moisturising Cream offers instant and long-lasting hydration, making it ideal for dry to very dry skin on both the face and body. Its unique formula contains three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which work together to nourish and restore your skin barrier. With patented MVE technology, you can enjoy 24-hour hydration as the active ingredients are released steadily throughout the day. This rich, non-greasy cream allows you to dress quickly after application, providing convenience to your daily routine.
QV Cream with 10% Glycerin for Sensitive Skin
QV Cream is a highly concentrated moisturiser designed for sensitive, dry skin. Its gentle formula is free from fragrance and colour, making it suitable for those prone to irritation. With 10% glycerin, it provides deep hydration, attracting moisture to keep your skin feeling supple and refreshed. This cream also offers soothing relief from conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis, ensuring your skin remains comfortable and well-nourished.
Cetaphil Moisturiser for Sensitive Skin
Cetaphil Body Cream is specially designed for dry to very dry, sensitive skin. It provides hydration in just one day, making it ideal for all ages, including children and babies. You will enjoy immediate and long-lasting relief as it helps restore your skin's natural moisture barrier within a week. The new formula includes beneficial ingredients like Sweet Almond Oil and Niacinamide, ensuring your skin feels smooth and comfortable without irritation. This non-comedogenic cream is perfect for even the most sensitive skin types.
Cantu Cocoa Butter Hydrating Body Cream 251ml
The Cantu Body Cream offers a hydrating formula designed to give you smoother, softer skin. It effectively relieves dry skin, helping to reveal your natural radiance. With clinically proven 24-hour moisture, you can enjoy lasting hydration throughout the day. Its fast-absorbing formula ensures that you won't have to wait long before getting dressed, making it a convenient addition to your daily routine.
Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating Firming Cream
The Cetaphil Skin Activator Cream helps to refresh your skin by activating resting cells, making it feel hydrated and firmer. It smoothes crepey skin within a week and visibly firms it after four weeks, giving you noticeable improvements. The cream uses Skin Activator Technology with Mandelic acid and Centella Asiatica to boost skin cell renewal, reducing sagging and improving texture. Additionally, it provides lasting hydration for 48 hours and supports your skin’s natural moisture barrier, which is especially beneficial for ageing skin that needs extra care.
Garnier Body Superfood Moisturising Aloe Vera Cream
The Garnier Body Superfood Cream deeply hydrates your skin, absorbing quickly to nourish up to 10 layers of the epidermis, which keeps your skin feeling soft and moisturised for up to 48 hours. It uses 96% natural ingredients, including Aloe Vera, which provides powerful hydration and a cooling effect, and Magnesium-PCA, a mineral known for soothing the skin. This cream offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience, making your daily shower or bath routine even more pleasant. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, so you can care for your skin responsibly.
Aveeno Moisturising Cream with Colloidal Oatmeal 100ml
The Aveeno Moisturising Cream is designed to provide all-day hydration, keeping your dry and sensitive skin comfortable, soft, and smooth with regular use. It contains active Colloidal Oatmeal, which helps to soothe and nourish your skin, making it ideal for those prone to dryness or irritation. This dermatologist-tested cream is suitable for both adults and babies from three months old, ensuring gentle care for delicate skin. You can apply it as often as needed to maintain hydration, and it works well alongside Aveeno’s Daily Moisturising Body Cleansing Oil for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best hydration cream for body?
Best for hydrating skin: Nivea Q10 Power 60+ Firming and Extra Nourishing Body Lotion. Best budget body moisturiser: Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Lotion. Best shimmering body moisturiser: Soap & Glory A Cream Come True Body Butter. Best for dry skin: CeraVe Moisturising Cream.
2. What is a good body hydrator?
Water. As you can imagine, water is one of the best drinks to fight dehydration. Drinking water throughout your workout helps replace the water you're losing by sweating. It's also key to drink when you're not feeling well.
During our hydrating body cream research, we found 304 hydrating body cream products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 140,622 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hydrating body creams list. We found that most customers choose hydrating body creams with an average price of £6.01.
The hydrating body creams are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hydrating body creams, including Cetraben, NIVEA, Aveeno, CeraVe, QV.
Charlotte Powell is a dermatologist and a licensed cosmetologist from Westminster, London. However, she was first a cosmetologist from London Beauty Training School. According to Charlotte, she needed better insight into the human skin, hence the dermatology degree. Long before she acquired her degree, she wrote and edited articles, eBooks, and editorials for companies and websites. Charlotte combines her skill and knowledge in providing DIY Beauty tips amongst other fashion related topics.