Scintillating scents to refresh and recharge.
“You smell amazing” has to be one of the best compliments—and believe it or not, you don’t have to wear expensive perfume to receive this praise. Enter scented body lotion. You already need to moisturize, so why not kill two birds with one stone and douse yourself with a pleasant-smelling formula? Even if the skin on your face is too sensitive for fragrance, this allows you to still use scented products elsewhere and often!
“I recommend you moisturize at least two times a day or, at the very least, after you shower,” says dermatologist Divya Shokeen, MD. She adds that the best ingredients for body moisturizers include humectants (think hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera), antioxidants (like vitamins C and E), shea butter, and plant oils.With Dr. Shokeen’s expert pointers in mind, we conducted hours of research on the best scented lotions, evaluating each based on its scent profile, ingredients, absorbency, container, and price. We also took several top contenders for a spin in our everyday lives. After considering dozens of options, we narrowed it down to these gem moisturizers worth buying.
Best Overall: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Body Cream
Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow skincare line is one of our favorites in terms of scent, and you can bet this body cream smells delectable. It’s inspired by the Korean tradition of rubbing watermelon rind onto the skin to soothe irritation, so it’s formulated with watermelon seed butter, watermelon extract, and hyaluronic acid, the ultimate moisture-retainer. Dr. Shokeen stands behind the latter for lotions. “This powerful humectant helps draw moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated and plump,” she tells Byrdie.
Pink Dream Body Cream also contains a form of exfoliating AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) derived from hibiscus. This helps encourage cell turnover to reveal smooth, glowing skin underneath. What’s more, the lightweight formula dries quickly without a sticky feel, so you can get dressed right after slathering it on. We do recognize that not everyone loves a watermelon scent, but if you do, you’re sure to fall for this cream.
Who It’s ForIf you want smooth skin and a healthy-looking glow, you can’t go wrong with this hydrating, gently exfoliating body cream.Scent: Watermelon | Size: 6.8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget: Flamingo Daily Moisturizing Lotion
You don’t have to spend a ton to get an amazing-scented moisturizer. Fragranced with notes of earthy-green vetiver and citrusy-fresh bergamot, this daily lotion will leave you smelling like you just stepped out of the spa. Beyond smelling amazing, it’s formulated with squalene to hydrate thirsty skin for up to 24 hours.1 Meanwhile, white willow bark and papaya enzymes gently exfoliate, sloughing off dead cells to make your skin super soft and supple. We do with it came out of its tube a bit easier, though.Who It’s ForWe highly recommend this product for budget shoppers in the market for an affordable, multi-use lotion that moisturizes and exfoliates.
Scent: Vetiver and bergamot | Size: 10 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge: Diptyque Fresh Body Lotion
Diptyque is best known for its wonderful-smelling, high-end candles, but did you know each signature fragrance also comes in body care products? We’re particularly fond of the brand’s Fresh scent, which combines petitgrain and orange blossom to create an invigorating citrus aroma with notes of floral and musk. Not only that, but the luxurious formula calls on sweet almond and macadamia nut oils to deliver deep moisture from the neck down.Who It’s ForWhether you’re buying a gift or treating yourself to luxury skincare, this top-shelf formula won’t disappoint. However, since the scent is strong enough to double as a perfume, some users have said it can be a bit much.Scent: Citrus, floral, and musk | Size: 8.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best With Perfume Match: Byredo Gypsy Water Body Lotion
If you’re addicted to Byredo’s beloved Gypsy Water perfume like a few of us here at Byrdie, you might consider getting the accompanying body lotion. Fragranced as delicately as the perfume, the down-to-earth scent blends notes of pine, sandalwood, lemon, vanilla, and bergamot to transport your senses to late-fall forests and campfires. It also absorbs quickly and nourishes the skin with shea butter, glycerin, and vitamin E. We do wish the awesome scent lasted a bit longer, though
Who It’s ForThose who already wear Gypsy Water perfume can expand their collection with this scented body lotion. And those who don’t can try out the brand’s fan-favorite fragrance in moisturizer form.Scent: Woody, citrus, and vanilla | Size: 7.6 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Firming: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Brazilian Bum Bum (pronounced boom-boom) Cream’s all-star ingredient is guaranà extract, a potent source of caffeine that encourages circulation and constricts blood vessels to temporarily tighten and firm your skin.2 The ultra-creamy, deeply moisturizing formula leaves you feeling supremely smooth and supple, and the brand’s signature sweet, nutty fragrance is pretty delicious too. However, we don’t love that it comes in a screw-top container.
Who It’s ForThis wildly popular cream, named after the Brazilian posteriors that inspired it, was designed to tighten and firm the skin all over your body. We love the pina colada-like scent, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.Scent: Salted caramel, pistachio, and vanilla | Size: 2.5–16.9 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Fast-Absorbing: Kora Organics Nourishing Hand & Body Lotion
This quick-to-absorb lotion boasts a lightweight consistency and a non-greasy feel—perfect for when you’re running late and need to get dressed right after you shower. It consists of ceramides, aloe vera, and antioxidant-rich algae to soothe inflammation,3 replenish the skin barrier,4 and provide long-lasting hydration. It also smells lovely, with a rose, geranium, and basil fragrance, but the scent doesn’t last super long.
Who It’s ForNot a fan of heavy, greasy lotions? This one is fast-absorbing and non-greasy so it won’t slow you down.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Kopari Hydrating Body Milk
Scented products can be irritating for those with reactive complexions, but this body lotion from Kopari promises to nourish and hydrate your skin without stressing it out. The formula contains deeply moisturizing shea butter, plus vitamin E and chamomile to soothe, minimize redness,5 and keep inflammation at bay.6 You can choose from a guava or coconut fragrance, neither of which is overpowering. We just wish the pump dispenser was a bit sturdier as users have said it can break or get stuck.Who It’s ForIf you have sensitive skin, we suggest Kopari’s Hydrating Body Milk, a gentle, nourishing formula that calms inflammation.Scent: Guava or coconut | Size: 8.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dry Skin: Moroccanoil Body Lotion
This body lotion contains multiple plant oils (argan, Tsubaki, and evening primrose) to provide thirsty skin with much-needed moisture. It also contains aloe, one of Dr. Shokeen’s go-tos. “Known for its soothing and hydrating properties, aloe vera can help calm and moisturize the skin,” she says. It’s definitely something to pack for your next sunny vacation since it’ll help soothe sunburns. We love how the formula absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.Who It’s ForIf your skin craves a good dose of moisture, but you don’t like the sticky, heavy feel of some lotions, this one from Moroccanoil is your new best friend.Scent: Original, Spa du Maroc, Oud Mineral, Bergamote Fraiche, Ambiance de Plage, or Ambre Noir | Size: 12.2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Long-Lasting Moisture: Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Cream
Bath & Body Works debuted its Japanese Cherry Blossom line in 2006, and the distinct floral-sandalwood scent has been a staple ever since. But the fragrance isn’t the only thing we love about this body cream. Containing hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamin E, and shea butter, the luxurious formula keeps your skin hydrated for up to 24 hours. “A rich source of fatty acids and antioxidants, shea butter is deeply moisturizing and can help improve the skin’s elasticity,” says Dr. Shokeen.Who It’s ForIf you want your skin to stay moisturized all day and night, reach for this rich, buttery body cream.Scent: Floral, sandalwood, and pear | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Long-Lasting Scent: Philosophy Pure Grace Body Lotion
There’s nothing better than a freshly showered feeling and this hydrating lotion helps it linger a bit longer with a signature fragrance that marries water lily, leafy greens, and frosted musk. Better yet, you can count on the scent to last all day. We also like that it contains shea butter, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, and glycerin to hydrate and condition the skin. “Glycerin helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, keeping it soft and supple,” says Dr. Shokeen. Just know some users occasionally had a hard time getting the lotion to come out of the bottle.
Who It’s ForThis is a great choice for those who want to use scented body lotion instead of traditional perfume.Scent: Floral, herbal, and musk | Size: 16 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Multi-tasker: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Body Cream
We love a body lotion that does it all, and that’s Charlotte’s Magic Body Cream in a nutshell. Not only does it hydrate well with a blend of shea butter, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and vitamins C and E, but it’s been shown to firm the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite in a clinical trial. It even includes vitamin C to combat skin dullness and boost radiance.
Instead of synthetic fragrance, the lotion draws its scent from hydrating ingredients and essential oil. According to the brand, frangipani flower extract not only moisturizes but also offers a light, calming aroma. And magnolia oil lends a refreshing, sweet floral scent with notes of green mint.Who It’s ForIf you’re wary of strong fragrances and want a lotion that tackles multiple skin concerns, we think you’ll love this naturally scented option.Scent: Sweet floral and mint | Size: 1.6–6.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Vegan: Saltair Pink Beach Body Lotion
It can be tricky to find a body lotion that is vegan, cruelty, and paraben-free, but Saltair does it. The brand has so many scrumptious body lotions to choose from, but Pink Beach transports us straight to a sunny beachside locale with notes of coconut, almond blossom, and vanilla. Besides smelling heavenly, it leans on murumuru seed butter, allantoin, and coconut oil to make your skin softer and more supple all while absorbing quickly.
Who It’s ForIf you want a plant-friendly lotion, we recommend this reasonably priced, generously sized pump bottle.Scent: Sweet floral and coconut | Size: 14 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Unisex Fragrance: Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Body & Hand Lotion
Jo Malone’s beauty counter fragrances are instantly recognizable, and this lotion allows you to enjoy one of its most popular ones all day long, which also happens to fit all genders. It features delicate notes of pomegranate, pink pepper, and Casablanca lily and uses coconut oil to intensely hydrate the skin. Massage it onto your body after a morning shower, and leave it on your desk to moisturize your hands throughout the day. The brand’s signature packaging also makes it the chicest gift.
Who It’s ForIf you’re buying a gift for a beauty enthusiast, we think this luxury body lotion is a stellar choice, no matter the gender of your recipient.Scent: Fruity, spicy, and floral | Size: 8.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Where We Stand
Overall, our favorite scented body lotion is Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream. It smells incredible and is full of skin-loving ingredients that absorb quickly and leave you feeling oh-so-soft and smooth. But if you’re looking for something more affordable, Flamingo Daily Moisturizing Lotion is an excellent choice that also smells fab, but in a totally different, more floral-forward way.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best-scented lotions currently on the market, evaluating each product based on its fragrance profile, ingredients, skin benefits, container, price, and overall value. We scoured user reviews and turned to our real-world experience with some of the products we considered. We also consulted a dermatologist for buying tips and expert guidance on formulations.
Attributes we evaluated each scented lotion on:
- Scent profile
- Ingredients
- Skin benefits
- Absorbency and consistency
- Container
- Price and overall value
What to Look For in Scented Lotions
- Scent Profile: Scent preferences can be very personal. But no matter what your tastes are—floral, musk, herbal, citrus, sweet, or spicy—there’s a body lotion that’ll appeal to your senses. For instance, the caramel-vanilla and nutty profile of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is perfect for people drawn to sweet fragrances. If you prefer something more floral and fresh but still warm, Philosophy’s Pure Grace Body Lotion might be a better choice.
- Ingredients: Dr. Shokeen recommends looking for a body lotion containing humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. They help draw moisture into the skin, which she says is “especially important immediately after the shower.” She’s also a fan of aloe vera, ceramides, shea butter, plant-derived oils, and antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide (vitamin B3). Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Body Cream checks many of these boxes, boasting a blend of hyaluronic acid, shea butter, rosehip oil, aloe, and vitamins C and E.
- Container: Body lotions usually come in a tube, pump bottle, or lidded jar. As with Glow Recipe Pink Dream Body Cream, tubes are the most portable. But pump bottles, like the one Kora Organics Nourishing Lotion comes in, are more convenient for daily use at home. Having to untwist the lid from a tub can be inconvenient, plus dipping your fingers into the lotion each time you use it isn’t very hygienic.
FAQHow often should I apply a scented lotion?
According to Dr. Shokeen, applying body lotion twice a day is ideal—just like how you (hopefully) moisturize your face in the morning and at night. “Preferably, you want to moisturize your skin soon after the shower when your skin is moist so the hydration can be sealed in for long periods,” she says.
What are the benefits of a scented lotion?
Scented lotions are a nice way of fragrancing your skin and adding a luxurious element to your routine. While they’re by no means essential, they can bring a fresh feel after your morning shower or help you wind down before bed.
Some people are sensitive to scented facial skincare products, but the skin on their body may be less reactive. In that case, a scented body lotion can be an opportunity to enjoy good-smelling products. But, as Dr. Shokeen notes, “If you are sensitive or allergy-prone, fragrances can be very irritating for the body.”