Best Hydrating Body Creams of 2026

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 2 Feb 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

Cetraben Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin Cover #TOP 1
Cetraben Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin
ftb score rating icon 9.9
NIVEA Repair & Care Urea Deep Hydrating Cream Cover #TOP 2
NIVEA Repair & Care Urea Deep Hydrating Cream
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Aveeno Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin Cover #TOP 3
Aveeno Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Hydrating Body Creams

Cetraben Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin

158207
White
475ml
Cetraben Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin Cover
Cetraben Moisturising Cream, For Dry, Itchy, Sensitive & Eczema-Prone Skin, Soothe, Moisturise, Hydrate, & Protect, Dermatological Moisturiser,Daily Use on the Body, Fragrance Free, 1 x 475ml

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.

What We Like
Hydrates dry, itchy skin
Locks in moisture effectively
Suitable for all ages
Helps prevent flare-ups
Dermatologist recommended

NIVEA Repair & Care Urea Deep Hydrating Cream

NIVEA Repair & Care Urea Deep Hydrating Cream Cover
NIVEA Repair & Care Urea Cream (400ml), Deeply Hydrating Moisturising Cream, Moisturises Dry Skin With Urea and Glycerine for 72H, Ideal for Body, Hand and Face

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.

What We Like
Deeply moisturises dry skin
Provides 72 hours hydration
Gently exfoliates skin
Suitable for face, hands, body
Dermatologically approved

Aveeno Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin

8454601
Multicoloured
500 ml (Pack of 1)
Aveeno Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin Cover
Aveeno Moisturising Cream (1x 500ml), Nourishing Body Lotion with Hydrating Colloidal Oatmeal, Full Body Moisturiser for Dry and Sensitive Skin, Suitable For Adults and Babies From 3 Months

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.

What We Like
Deeply hydrates dry skin
Safe for sensitive skin
Suitable for all ages
Easy to apply anytime

CeraVe Moisturising Cream for Face and Body

MB517700
Translucent
542 g (Pack of 1)
CeraVe Moisturising Cream for Face and Body Cover
CeraVe Moisturising Cream, Face & Body, With 3 essential ceramides & hyaluronic acid, For dry to very dry skin, 542 g/19 oz

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.

What We Like
24-hour hydration
Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic
Non-comedogenic formula
Quick absorption
Recommended by dermatologists

QV Cream with 10% Glycerin for Sensitive Skin

QV
327-3315
As shown Picture
100 g (Pack of 1)
QV Cream with 10% Glycerin for Sensitive Skin Cover
QV Cream with 10% Glycerin (100g) Rich Protective Moisturiser for Sensitive, Dry Skin, Fragrance Free, Noncomedogenic Body Cream, Hydrating Skin Care for Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Tube

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.

What We Like
Highly concentrated for effective moisture
Gentle, irritant-free formula
24-hour deep hydration
Soothes dry skin conditions
#TOP 6

Cetaphil Moisturiser for Sensitive Skin

GL391716
white
450 g (Pack of 1)
Cetaphil Moisturiser for Sensitive Skin Cover
Cetaphil Body Moisturiser, 453g, Moisturising Cream For Dry to Very Dry, Sensitive Skin, With Niacinamide & Vitamin E, Packaging May Vary

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.

What We Like
Clinically proven hydration
Long-lasting moisture barrier
Vegan friendly ingredients
Non-irritating formula
Suitable for all ages

Cantu Cocoa Butter Hydrating Body Cream 251ml

08053-12/3UKGE
cream
240 g (Pack of 1)
Cantu Cocoa Butter Hydrating Body Cream 251ml Cover
Cantu Skincare 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.

What We Like
Hydrating formula
Relieves dry skin
24-hour moisture
Fast absorbing
#TOP 8

Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating Firming Cream

0299.053071
No Color
Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating Firming Cream Cover
Cetaphil Skin Activator Hydrating & Firming Body Cream 12oz, Mandelic Acid (AHA) and Centella Asiatica (CICA) Cream, Hydrates and Firms Aging Skin, Anti-Aging Skin Care, 12 oz

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.

What We Like
Hydrates and firms skin
Visible results in weeks
Boosts skin cell turnover
Long-lasting 48-hour hydration
Gentle for sensitive skin
#TOP 9

Garnier Body Superfood Moisturising Aloe Vera Cream

B0BBGH3KZX
380 ml (Pack of 1)
Garnier Body Superfood Moisturising Aloe Vera Cream Cover
Garnier Body Superfood, Moisturising & Soothing Body Cream, With Aloe Vera & Magnesium, Body Cream for Normal to Dry Skin, Vegan Formula, Cruelty Free, 380ml

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.

What We Like
Long-lasting hydration up to 48 hours
Contains 96% natural ingredients
Includes soothing Aloe Vera and Magnesium
Fast absorbing formula
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 10

Aveeno Moisturising Cream with Colloidal Oatmeal 100ml

7316600
100 ml (Pack of 1)
Aveeno Moisturising Cream with Colloidal Oatmeal 100ml Cover
Aveeno Moisturising Cream (1x 100ml), Nourishing Body Lotion with Hydrating Colloidal Oatmeal, Full Body Moisturiser for Dry and Sensitive Skin, Suitable for Adults and Babies from 3 Months

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.

What We Like
Long-lasting hydration
Contains soothing oatmeal
Suitable for sensitive skin
Safe for babies from 3 months
Buying Guide Image

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.

Editor's Notes

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.

Written by
Charlotte Powell Avatar

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.