Slather your way to hydration post summer – without breaking the bank.
If you are coming out the other side of summer with parched, scaly limbs in need of a hefty dose of hydration, but without the hefty price tag, we’ve put together a serious haul of budget moisturisers to nourish, repair and quench dry summer skin back to its former, glowing glory. Whether you prefer a lightweight milk or a rich butter texture, we have picks from eco brands, high-street staples and cult French pharmacy buys to choose from.
A love it or loathe it chocolatey scent, the deeply skin-softening results are undeniable. Buy it.
10 simple ingredients for sensitive skin in an 100 per cent recyclable aluminium tube. Buy it.
It may be hard to find in the UK, but this intense repairing lotion from French brand Mixa is amazing for the driest skins. Buy it.
A patent-pending formula with lactic acid to exfoliate dull, dead skin cells for brighter, smoother skin. Buy it.
Gentle and fast-absorbing with prebiotic colloidal oatmeal to strength the skin’s natural barrier. Buy it.
A bold blend of amber, rose absolute and saffron to enrobe skin in heady, velvety notes. Buy it.
Suitable for babies and eczema-prone skin, this lightweight lotion instantly soothes, while repairing and restoring irritated skin long-term. Buy it.
The juicy mix of sweet lime, vanilla and sea salt with almond and macadamia oils this energising lotion is a great morning scent. Buy it.
Perfect for those who want a super hydrating, non-greasy formula. It is rich in hyaluronic acid to quench skin with zero drying time. Buy it.
Instant relief for dry, itchy, sensitive skins, this lotion is formulated to replenish protective lipids and offer 24-hour hydration. Buy it.
An antioxidant-rich body cream with brightening plant extracts and light-reflecting particles to deliver serious glow. Buy it.
A supercharged almond-scented lotion, with a reparative five-ceramide blend and plant oils and butters to nourish. Buy it.
Rich in three essential ceramides to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier over time and hyaluronic acid to hydrate instantly. Buy it.
A brilliant budget buy packed with skin-softening shea butter and probiotics to feed the skin’s microbiome for long-term health. Buy it.
A serious skin treatment to be applied topically to the driest areas for instant relief. Buy it.
An ultra-rich, fragrance-free cream designed to be applied to damp skin to improve skin’s suppleness and help boost skin’s health and resilience. Buy it.
Packed with antioxidants and a fresh neroli and ginger scent, this milk texture lotion is a joy to apply, leaving skin brighter and softer. Buy it.
With antioxidant Vitamin E and nourishing shea butter, this body milk is great for thirsty skins that need some post-summer TLC. Buy it.
If you’re looking for a 100 per cent plastic-free option, this push-up solid body butter stick in sweet orange and vanilla is blended with cocoa butter that melts on contact with skin to soften parched limbs. Buy it.
The perfect skin-softening addition to your night-time routine, with soothing lavender, tonka bean and ylang ylang to invite sleep. Buy it.
By Lydia Mansi
August 2022
Cocoa Butter Body Lotion, Palmers, £5.99
A love it or loathe it chocolatey scent, the deeply skin-softening results are undeniable. Buy it.
10-ingredient Body Moisturiser, Typology, £16.30
10 simple ingredients for sensitive skin in an 100 per cent recyclable aluminium tube. Buy it.
Repairing Body Lotion, Mixa, £5.30
It may be hard to find in the UK, but this intense repairing lotion from French brand Mixa is amazing for the driest skins. Buy it.
Transforming Body Lotion, Ameliorate, £9
A patent-pending formula with lactic acid to exfoliate dull, dead skin cells for brighter, smoother skin. Buy it.
Daily Moisturising Lotion, Aveeno, £7.99
Gentle and fast-absorbing with prebiotic colloidal oatmeal to strength the skin’s natural barrier. Buy it.
Rebel Rosebud Body Butter, Body Shop, £18
A bold blend of amber, rose absolute and saffron to enrobe skin in heady, velvety notes. Buy it.
Lipikar Moisturising Balm, La Roche Posay, £20
Suitable for babies and eczema-prone skin, this lightweight lotion instantly soothes, while repairing and restoring irritated skin long-term. Buy it.
Sugar Crush Body Lotion, Soap & Glory, £10
The juicy mix of sweet lime, vanilla and sea salt with almond and macadamia oils this energising lotion is a great morning scent. Buy it.
Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream, Neutrogena, £5.99
Perfect for those who want a super hydrating, non-greasy formula. It is rich in hyaluronic acid to quench skin with zero drying time. Buy it.
Dry Itchy Skin Moisturising Lotion, Cetaphil, £15
Instant relief for dry, itchy, sensitive skins, this lotion is formulated to replenish protective lipids and offer 24-hour hydration. Buy it.
Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream, Glossier, £18
An antioxidant-rich body cream with brightening plant extracts and light-reflecting particles to deliver serious glow. Buy it.
Sili Body Lotion, Drunk Elephant, £18
A supercharged almond-scented lotion, with a reparative five-ceramide blend and plant oils and butters to nourish. Buy it.
Moisturising Lotion, Cerave, £15
Rich in three essential ceramides to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier over time and hyaluronic acid to hydrate instantly. Buy it.
Intensive 7 Days Nourishing Lotion, Garnier, £5.95
A brilliant budget buy packed with skin-softening shea butter and probiotics to feed the skin’s microbiome for long-term health. Buy it.
Skin Food, Weleda, £12.50
A serious skin treatment to be applied topically to the driest areas for instant relief. Buy it.
Atoderm Cream, Bioderma, £18.50
An ultra-rich, fragrance-free cream designed to be applied to damp skin to improve skin’s suppleness and help boost skin’s health and resilience. Buy it.
The Des Vignes Nourishing Body Lotion, Caudalie, £17
Packed with antioxidants and a fresh neroli and ginger scent, this milk texture lotion is a joy to apply, leaving skin brighter and softer. Buy it.
Completely Quenched Body Milk, No. 7, £12.95
With antioxidant Vitamin E and nourishing shea butter, this body milk is great for thirsty skins that need some post-summer TLC. Buy it.
Sweet Orange and Vanilla Body Butter Stick, Ethique, £11
If you’re looking for a 100 per cent plastic-free option, this push-up solid body butter stick in sweet orange and vanilla is blended with cocoa butter that melts on contact with skin to soften parched limbs. Buy it.
Sleepy Body Lotion, Lush, £18
The perfect skin-softening addition to your night-time routine, with soothing lavender, tonka bean and ylang ylang to invite sleep. Buy it.
By Lydia Mansi
August 2022
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Lydia Mansi
Lifestyle Editor
Lydia is an all-round lifestyle guru, tireless champion of women in business and our resident expert on beauty.
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