15 Best Body Lotions for Aging Skin, Recommended by Dermatologists 2023

By Brigitt Earley

It’s no surprise that as we get older, skin elasticity wanes. And unfortunately, the fountain of youth still eludes us. There are, however, some basic practices—like applying a quality face serum and a body lotion for aging skin—that can help lock in moisture.

“As we age, the integrity of our skin barrier weakens, which predisposes us to dryness and rougher skin, and using a lotion to support the skin barrier can help prevent and improve this issue,” says Carmen Castilla, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC. “It can also help improve the appearance of thin, crepey skin.”

While it’s good practice to apply any hydrating body lotion, a few key ingredients indicate a product is ripe for mature skin: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and retinol, in particular. “Ceramides are essentially the glue that holds the skin cells together,” says Dr. Castilla. “They are very important for skin barrier function and maintenance of hydrated skin.” Hyaluronic also helps with hydration, while retinol helps boost collagen production and diminish outward signs of aging—particularly after sun exposure, Dr. Castilla explains.

Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream Moisturizer, $9Best Clean: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum With Retinol and AHAs, $30Best for Dry Skin: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin, $10Best for Crepey Skin: Dermend Specialized Fragile Skin Moisturizing Cream, $27

Of course, there are a host of other steps you can take to protect your skin as you get older. Always use a broad-spectrum SPF—even in the winter—since UV radiation further breaks down collagen and disrupts the skin barrier, says Dr. Castilla. “Eating a healthy diet with adequate amounts of healthy fats (avocados, salmon, and walnuts, for example) can help keep your skin looking healthy as you age,” says Kat Kesty, a cosmetic dermatologist and medical director at St. Pete Skin and Laser. You can also add other specialized products to your beauty routine, like vitamins E and C, AHAs, and glycolic acid.

From affordable drugstore picks to “the Cadillac” of dryness busters, ahead, dermatologists say these are the best body lotions for aging and mature skin that anyone over 40 should reach for.

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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream Moisturizer

Amazon

Available in both body and face formulations, this product has been one of the most popular drugstore options for years. It’s lightweight and oil-free, and packed with hyaluronic acid to keep skin rich with moisture. It’s also nongreasy and absorbs quickly.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin

Amazon

Another high-quality drugstore option recommended by dermatologists, including Dr. Castilla. “Cerave is a great option—and one of my patients' favorites—because it has ceramides and is widely available,” she says. It also boasts hyaluronic acid to help keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours.

Dermend Specialized Fragile Skin Moisturizing Cream

Amazon

“This body lotion has all the ingredients you would want for aging skin: hyaluronic acid, ceramide, and retinol,” says Dr. Castilla. As a bonus, it also contains glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate crepey skin, as well as niacinamide, which is a B3 vitamin with antioxidant properties.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+ Intense Repair Body Lotion

Amazon

This cream moisturizer, which is a thicker consistency, is perfect for colder and drier months,” says Reshmi Kapoor, a board-certified dermatologist and owner and founder of Brooklyn Dermatology in the Greenpoint section of the borough. “It contains glycerin, a humectant, which draws moisture into the skin, as well as niacinamide, which is anti-inflammatory and reparative to skin cells.” It’s also safe for sensitive skin and can even be used on the face.

AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Amazon

The 12% ammonium lactate is a great hydrator and exfoliator, while ingredients like glycerin, mineral oil, and dimethicone are great emollients to keep hydration in the skin and smooth it out,” says Kseniya Kobets, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore-Einstein. While this is great for smoothing aging skin, it’s worth noting that the formula isn’t suitable for irritated, red, or cracked skin—it can make this type of skin itchy and can even burn.

Gold Bond Retinol Overnight Body Lotion

Target

Curious what dermatologists reach for themselves? “I have this product sitting on my bathroom counter,” says Adrienne O'Connell, medical director and president of Laguna Beach Aesthetics. “I use it every night.” And here’s why: It contains retinol and peptides and helps visibly plump and smooth the skin. Plus, it’s one of the more affordable options out there.

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Advanced Clinicals Retinol Body Lotion

Amazon

Packed with 2.5% pure retinol, this powerful antiaging moisturize helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and other signs of aging. It also contains hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and plump the skin, as well as shea butter to soothe and protect the skin barrier.

OSEA Anti-Aging Body Balm

Nordstrom

If you’re willing to spend a little bit more, this body lotion is a luxe lightweight option that’s formulated with a blend of antioxidants and botanicals like sea buckthorn oil, green tea extract, and chamomile. As a result, it smooths, firm, and even adds a subtle glow.

Nécessaire The Body Retinol

Nordstrom

As the name suggests, this body lotion contains 0.1% pure retinol to help diminish crepiness and repair signs of aging. It’s also packed with 10% AHA and five peptides and vitamins for even more antiaging benefits, including firmer, smoother skin.

Paula's Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment

Dermstore

A standout choice for mature skin, this antiaging body lotion boasts a blend of antioxidants and a specialized retinol complex to hydrate dry skin, firm, and even skin tone. It also contains shea butter to hydrate and soften dry, crepey skin.

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Olehenriksen BeamCream Smoothing Body Moisturizer With AHAs

Sephora

This lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizer contains glycolic acid, a gentle alpha hydroxy acid to help smooth and plump skin. For even more hydrating properties, the fragrance-free pick also features shea butter and jojoba oil.

Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum With Retinol and AHAs

Sephora

Though packed with powerful exfoliators—glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid—to smooth and even skin tone, this body lotion is gentle enough for sensitive skin. The milky serum also boasts retinol to help improve skin texture and minimize fine lines and wrinkles.

Augustinus Bader The Body Cream

Dermstore

It may be a pricey pick, but it’s packed with everything you’d want in a body lotion for mature skin. The rich, silky cream is chock-full of antioxidants, but what really makes it special is the special TFC8 complex—a blend of natural amino acids, vitamins, and synthesized molecules naturally found in skin—to help repair and regenerate skin cells from the inside out. It’s also fragrance-free and noncomedogenic.

Isle of Paradise Confidently Clear Body Moisturizer With Lactic & Hyaluronic Acids

Sephora

This lightweight, quick-absorbing body lotion for aging skin contains lactic acid to exfoliate and smooth dry skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid to infuse moisture, leaving skin plumper and brighter. As a nice bonus, it’s noncomedogenic and fragrance-free—safe for all skin types.

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Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream

Nordstrom

Let’s just call this moisturizer what it is: the Cadillac of body lotions for aging skin. After all, the lightweight moisturizer is made with pure glacier water. It’s lightweight and quick-absorbing, and delivers white almond and elderberry blossom extracts, as well as nutrient-rich oils to help firm and rejuvenate mature skin, and it glides on like a body butter.

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