Whether we like to admit it or not, there’s more to male hygiene than just picking the first 2-in-1 bottle off the shelf and hoping for the best. Even with the proven benefits of having a good skincare routine a lot of men are on the fence when it comes to buying skincare products for a variety of reasons.
However, adding the best body lotion for men to your cleaning routine can make all the difference. It can take you from pimply to hero with just a few extra minutes of self-care. With that said, what if we told you you could put your shower time to good use by getting your hands on all the right supplements?
Your usual bar of soap is all well and good, but if you’re a man’s man, you know that smelling good and keeping your skin young, hydrated, and protected should be on every guy’s priority list. Skip the confusing looks in the bathroom aisle because we’ve taken the time to pick out some of the finest products on the market for your convenience.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser at Amazon
Lumin Body Balm at Amazon
Bioderma Intensive Balm at Amazon
Tame the Beast Nutt Butter Lotion at Amazon
Vaseline Extra Strength Lotion at Amazon
Brickell Men’s Deep Moisture Body Lotion at Amazon
Bulldog Skincare Body Lotion at Amazon
Santal 33 Body Lotion at Saks Fifth Avenue
Nivea Men Breathable Body Lotion at Amazon
Malin+Goetz Body Lotion at Amazon
Old Spice Hand & Body Lotion at Amazon
1. Best Overall: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
The best body lotion for men should leave you with baby-like skin, and that’s definitely what you’re getting with this wonder product. Rich in ceramides, this is the lotion to get if you want to stay hydrated without putting your skin in danger from exposure to harmful chemicals, and it’s been known to counter acne quite effectively to boot.
Based on CeraVe’s signature Multivesicular Emulsion formula, the moisturizing benefits of this product are among the longest-lasting you can get for the price. While this is definitely an all-body product, you should try to incorporate it into your morning routine and apply some to your face after a shave.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceramides 1, 3, 6-11 | Size: 12oz | Skin Type: Normal | Cruelty Free: No | Benefits: Hydration
2. Best Conditioning: Lumin Body Balm
There’s no better way to start off your morning than by applying some of the best lotion for men before going about your day, and that’s certainly what this product is. Shea butter is a key component of the equation here since it boosts the hydrating potency of this Lumin lotion, and the coca plant extract can do wonders for reducing or eliminating skin lesions.
From a purely hygienic standpoint, this balm makes your skin smell great and invigorates your skin, making it look softer and smoother. Add to that the sweet almond oil that ensures you’ll stay hydrated throughout the day, and you have yourself a balm product that can’t be beaten. Not sure what product fits best for your skin – try Lumin’s personalized quiz.
Active Ingredients: Centella Asiatica, Shea Butter, Almond Oil | Size: 9,3oz | Skin Type: Sensitive | Cruelty-Free: No | Benefits: Hydration
3. Best Basic: Gold Bond Men’s Everyday Essentials Lotion
Few things are as annoying as having to deal with dry skin, but the best body lotion for men on the market can take care of that problem. Enter Gold Bond and their incredible lotion, whose vitamin-and-protein formula will give your skin the kind of thickness every man should aspire towards.
This is not to say that your skin won’t be silky to the touch after applying – a single squirt of this magic brew after a shower is more than enough to get you through a hot and dry day, especially if you pair it with some of Gold Bond’s other skincare creams and moisturizers.
Active Ingredients: Hydroxyethyl urea, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Aloe Vera, Vitamin C | Size: 14,5oz | Skin Type: Dry | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Benefits: Moisturizing
4. Best for Sensitive Skin: Bioderma Intensive Balm
Larger packaging is all well and good, but if you want to apply moisturizer on the move, the best body lotion for men with sensitive skin also comes in a smaller tube for your convenience. Still, the best way to use this balm is right after a hot shower, and given its efficacy in cleansing pores, you’ll want to pay special attention to your face.
The real kicker here is the sunflower seed oil in the formula, which grants you a reasonable degree of sun protection on top of everything else and prevents wrinkling. On top of that, the lack of chemical abrasives means even your children or younger siblings can safely apply some after a bath.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Mineral Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil | Size: 6,6oz, 16,7oz | Skin Type: Sensitive | Cruelty-Free: No | Benefits: Hydration, Cleaning Facial Complexion
5. Best Multipurpose: Tame the Beast Nutt Butter Lotion
Well, below the belt is part of the body so… you’d best believe the name isn’t just for show. As far as the best body lotion for men goes, this is one of the best picks you could make. Packing a unique double-whammy of an amazing scent and anti-aging properties, you should always make room in your bag for the Nutt Butter wherever you go.
The lack of sulfates and parabens makes this a great pick as far as safety is concerned, and there’s also the touch of lavender to get rid of any pesky bruises, cuts, and other skin injuries. Packing only 8 ounces per jar, the cost-to-quantity ratio is iffier than for certain other products, but very few lotions have as many practical uses as this one.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Cocoa Seed Butter, Corn Starch, Lavender Extract | Size: 8oz | Skin Type: Sensitive, Dry | Cruelty-Free: No | Benefits: Hydration, Skin Healing
6. Best Tried and True Favorite: Vaseline Extra Strength Lotion
Although the best body lotion for men is ideally based on natural ingredients, those with (literally) thicker skin can really get a lot out of this product. One of the ultimate counters to dry skin, the Vaseline Extra Strength Lotion gets absorbed by the skin very quickly, and using it for about a week is guaranteed to give great results.
This product also contains Vitamin B3, and besides hydration, the benefits of this vitamin are plentiful – it gives your skin a bit of extra elasticity, and it’s even been known to alleviate hyperpigmentation, which would otherwise be treated by laser surgery.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Petroleum, Fragrance, Vitamin B3 | Size: 10oz | Skin Type: Dry, Combination | Cruelty-Free: No | Benefits: Hydration, Skin Healing
7. Best Long-lasting Moisture: Brickell Men’s Deep Moisture Body Lotion
When it comes to resolving dry skin, certain parts of the body tend to be more resilient than others, but this might just be the best body lotion for men who suffer from alligator elbows. Made mostly of natural ingredients (most notably aloe vera and tea leaf), this lotion is about as organic as it gets, making it extremely safe for just about anyone.
As any good lotion should, this is also an amazing hydration tool you’ll want to apply both in the morning and before bed. On top of all that, it’s hard to say no to the freshness of the eucalyptus oil and peppermint extract that define this Brickell masterwork.
Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tea Plant, Eucalyptus Oil, Glycerin | Size: 8oz | Skin Type: Dry | Cruelty Free: No | Benefits: Hydration
8. Best Travel Size: Bulldog Skincare Body Lotion
Another micro-sized product (although it’s available in two sizes), this lotion is perfect for people on the move, and it’s by far the best lotion for men you can buy on a budget. What makes this product unique is the camelina sativa oil, which is rich in Vitamin E – this helps the Bulldog lotion double as an anti-aging cream, besides the obvious moisturizing benefits it provides.
A lot of men aren’t big fans of strong-smelling lotions, but this particular one isn’t in-your-face in the slightest. It also doesn’t have the problem of gooping up your arms and face – you’ll find that it gets absorbed by your skin in no time at all, so you can whip it out at virtually any time and let it work its magic.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Camelina Sativa Oil, Fragrance | Size: 6,5oz, 8,4oz | Skin Type: Dry | Cruelty Free: Yes | Benefits: Hydration
9. Best Splurge: Santal 33 Body Lotion
If you’re willing to spend a little bit more money, you’ll be rewarded with what might be the best body lotion for men, irrespective of skin type. This lotion is riddled with all those beautiful natural ingredients we all know and love, but more importantly, it contains no parabens, which are among the biggest risk factors when it comes to picking out hygiene products.
Although it’s probably safe to call Santal 33 unisex, we’d say it’s more geared towards dudes – it boasts a distinct, leathery musk that’s genuinely hard to find in another product. On top of all that, you get some brownie points for being eco-conscious, as this is the epitome of cruelty-free lotion through and through.
Active Ingredients: Avocado Oil, Apricot Oil, Matricaria Flower Extract | Size: 8oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty Free: Yes | Benefits: Hydration
10. Best Budget: Nivea Men Breathable Body Lotion
The household brand to end all household brands in the skincare sector, Nivea is responsible for some of the best body lotion for men, and this is certainly one of them. Rich in Vitamins C and E as well as shea butter, this is one of the finest anti-wrinkling lotions out there, and you can get it for a very affordable price.
Besides the incredible smell, what really helps Nivea’s products stand out is their longevity – whereas most body lotions you’ll find only really last a few hours or a day at most, you’ll find that the effects and scent of the Breathable Body Lotion can often linger into day two.
Active Ingredients: Shea Butter, Glycerin, Soybean Oil, Fragrance | Size: 13,5oz | Skin Type: Dry | Cruelty Free: No | Benefits: Hydration
11. Best Natural: Malin+Goetz Body Lotion
Rum aficionados are sure to get a kick out of this amazing lotion and its unforgettable smell, not to mention all of its benefits to your health. Aside from being rich in fatty acids that do wonders for keeping you hydrated for extended periods of time, this is an all-natural product that feels amazing on your skin thanks to the avocado and grape seed extracts.
Although people of all skin types can use this product, it’s especially useful if you have sensitive skin – one of the most important ingredients here is provitamin B5, which provides a layer of protection from irritation on top of making your skin incredibly soft.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Avocado Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Dark Rum Fragrance | Size: 8,5oz | Skin Type: All | Cruelty Free: Yes | Benefits: Hydration
12. Best Classic: Old Spice Hand & Body Lotion
For some of our more macho readers who really relish in the smell of dude, Old Spice has your back with the best body lotion for men in terms of scent – in fact, you’ll have your pick of three amazing aromas (Fiji being our favorite), not to mention a formula rich with oils that’ll keep you nice and moisturized for a good long while.
As far as moisturizers go, Old Spice products are relatively light on artificial additives, and this is no exception. You can expect to get good mileage out of a single 16-ounce container, an especially sweet deal when you consider the relatively low price. We would recommend not using this one on sensitive areas like your face.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Tapioca Starch, Fragrance, Oils (Shea Butter, Argan or Coconut) | Size: 16oz | Skin Type: Dry, Sensitive | Cruelty-Free: No | Benefits: Hydration, Skin Irritation
What To Look For In The Best Body Lotion For Men
Skin Type
Typically (listen, the world of skincare is much more than skin deep – sometimes you have to generalize) there are four categories of skin types – ‘normal,’ oily, dry, and combination (sometimes sensitive is thrown in there as well). Each category requires different regiments to reach that balanced look everyone is after.
However, just because you got your hands on some of the best body lotion for men doesn’t mean the product is ideal for your specific skin type, and what’s best for you isn’t always made apparent on the product packaging.
Understanding your skin type is the first step to picking the right product. ‘Normal’ (what is that anyway) is distinguishable when your skin is typically balanced with no major spots, shiny skin, or dry patches. If your skin tends to look shiny, greasy, or with large pores, there’s a good chance you have oily skin. Dry skin would be the complete opposite of flaky, often itchy skin. Finally, the combination is a little bit of everything (what fun!).
Active Ingredients
Even the best body lotion for men might have ingredients you may be sensitive to, so it’s a good idea to keep tabs on what you’re actually applying to your skin. While it’s true that all men are different, there are a number of repeat offenders that have been known to cause problems, specifically parabens and various mineral oils.
As far as the big scary word ‘parabens’ goes, they’ve been linked to interfering with hormonal function, and while some experts claim the risks are overblown, it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
Then there are mineral oils, which are said to be responsible for pore-clogging (“trapping” of dead skin cells), and they can even exacerbate the development of acne or worsen those who deal with it already.
Size/Quantity
Generally speaking, the best skin lotion for men comes in packages of 10 to 20 ounces. While there’s no magic quantity of lotion you’ll want to apply on a daily basis, a good rule of thumb is to aim for a coin-sized squirt.
By applying this amount on a semi-regular basis, a single bottle or container should comfortably last you upwards of three months, depending on the size.
Packaging (bottle with a pump, jar, etc)
The best lotion for men should ideally be convenient to apply and reasonably friendly to the environment. A pump-based container makes it easy to get just the right amount of lotion with each use, while jars (especially glass ones) are more eco-friendly and can be repurposed as containers for other uses down the line.
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- How to use body lotion for men
The way to use body lotion is relatively straightforward – you’ll want to take a shower, ideally in warm water, then towel off before applying your lotion of choice. Be sure not to apply too much of the stuff, though, and don’t forget to slather your feet and harder-to-reach parts of your body like your upper back.
- What to look for in the best body lotion for men
When it comes to picking out the best body lotion for men, the biggest thing you need to take into consideration is your skin type. Even if your skin is naturally oily, you can still find a product to suit your needs (the right moisturizer can actually combat oily skin).
In general, you should look for products that are fragrance and paraben-free to minimize the chance of skin irritation. Ingredients like shea butter and olive oil are “moisture trappers”, so it hardly ever hurts to invest in lotion that contains these extracts.
- What is body lotion for men?
Body lotion for men is a hygiene-slash-skincare product which, at the most basic level, primarily makes skin softer to the touch, hydrated and keeps it smelling nice (unless unscented). Beyond that, it serves to moisturize the skin and even help mitigate outbreaks of acne, eczema, and other skin conditions.
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