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In news that will shock no one anywhere, moisturising our bodies makes skin look better and feel softer. It’s also widely accepted that, thanks to the power of touch and smell, it improves our mood. Now there’s increased evidence that regular application has health gains that go far beyond that – even helping to prevent serious illness.
Dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite, of the Skinesis Clinic in London, is an advocate of body lotion. She says the simple act of massaging it in ‘stimulates our nerve fibres to release oxytocin and dopamine and reduce cortisol levels’. In fact, she adds, studies have indicated those who moisturise have shown ‘a decrease in depression and anxiety’ and an improved ability to ‘withstand stress’.
On the flipside, Dr Granite believes that neglecting your body’s skin can have ‘invisible repercussions’ on your wider health. She cites The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which says that when our skin becomes ‘photo aged, diseased or damaged’ it releases chemicals that lead to disruption or inflammation in the body. ‘This is called inflamm-ageing.’
According to Dr Granite, this kind of compromised, irritated, infected skin has been linked to ‘increased risk of type 2 diabetes* and cardiovascular disease**’. She adds, ‘It is also believed such inflammation can potentially contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.’ Dr Granite has also found evidence that chronic inflammatory skin conditions (such as atopic eczema) are linked to a small but increased risk of dementia. Big claims, we know, but Dr Granite backs them up with scientific studies (find information up the side of the page).
So keeping our skin happy has never been more pressing.
Dr Granite suggests ‘avoiding hot showers, patting skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing it, and using a mild shower gel’. Then she advises choosing a body lotion ‘rich in hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or amino acids’ to help the skin ‘retain water and repair existing damage’.
Here I share my top ten troubleshooters from the dozens of body lotions I’ve been sent.
Best for rough skin
I’ve never set much store by body serums, finding them too faffy for minor results. That was until trying this one. It hydrates my skin better than the majority of lotions and creams I’ve tried, with a light and supremely spreadable texture, so my bottle lasts for ages. Urea gently exfoliates, so skin texture improves with use – and I don’t feel greasy afterwards.
Best for keratosis pilaris (‘chicken skin’)
I have a colleague who has had keratosis pilaris (small bumps on the skin caused by a keratin build-up blocking the hair follicles) for as long as she can remember. And while Ameliorate is known as the go-to brand for smoothing ‘chicken skin’, its original lotion left her underwhelmed. This, on the other hand, she called ‘pure wonder in a tub’. She now uses it once a week to keep bumps at bay. The smell, she warns, is a bit nappy-rash cream, but the results are worth it.
Best for itchy, tight skin
Sometimes a scented body lotion sends my skin a bit funny. When I’m feeling run down I reach for this calming, unscented cream, which relieves any discomfort. It helps rebuild the skin barrier and keeps my limbs supple.
Best for giving limbs sheen
There is nothing that I love more than feeling silky and smooth – slippery like a dolphin is my goal. This, by Rihanna’s Fenty brand, is the richest cream I’ve ever used, and I love it. Plus it gives your limbs a beautiful healthy sheen. If it’s good enough for RiRi…
Best for value for money
Price: £6.99 for 200ml, boots.com.
This is often on sale in Boots, and when it is I have been known to buy it in bulk – and I mean bulk. Unscented, it soaks in deliciously and isn’t sticky. The colloidal oat complex soothes any itchy or angry patches, too. Sometimes I add a body oil on top to really seal in all the goodness.
Best for de-scaling shins
This formula is very user-friendly. It feels satisfyingly unctuous but absorbs in seconds. It has a vaguely medicinal smell that only adds to the efficacious vibe. Shea butter, avocado oil, glycerin and ceramides hydrate and blitz shin dandruff to make limbs look years younger. A bottle lasts ages and is a staple on my bedside table.
Best for eczema-prone skin
I gave this to a colleague whose entire family suffers from eczema. Now it’s the only cream she trusts on her skin and it’s won over the rest of her brood, too. She reports that it sinks in quickly, isn’t sticky, keeps their bodies well moisturised and is excellent for sensitivity.
Best for sensitive skin
This dermatologist-approved brand offers great value for money and this lotion, containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides, is ideal for very dry and eczema-prone skin. It works well on all generations (I’ve tested it on toddlers and octogenarians) and leaves skin feeling hydrated, smooth and soft. It absorbs fast without leaving any sticky residue.
Best for spa vibes
As soon as you rub this mousse into your skin it turns into a rich, moisturising oil, but doesn’t leave you feeling oily or slimy. It also smells like a spa – so it’s relaxing to put on, even if you’re in the gym changing room.
Best for everyday hydration
This whole range smells good enough to eat (my faves are the Watermelon, Mango and Coconut scents) and leaves my skin feeling very hydrated with minimal effort (absorption is fast!). Made with glycerin and shea butter, the moisturising effects really last. If I apply it at bedtime my skin still feels soft throughout the next day.
