Dry, tight and flaky skin is hard to ignore once the weather turns cooler, and a good body moisturiser is often the quickest way to bring comfort back. From a gentle exfoliating water cream to a rich, dessert-scented body butter, here are four picks to keep dry skin soft, smooth and glowing.
1. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream 75ml
An award-winning cult favourite for anyone who wants their moisturiser to feel like a little holiday, with a sunny, gourmand scent that lingers.
- Formula: Guaraná extract with cupuaçu butter, açaí oil and coconut oil to nourish and lock in moisture.
- Finish: A smooth, soft, radiant-looking finish with a visibly firmer look.
- Good to know: It’s vegan and scented with the brand’s Cheirosa ’62 fragrance of pistachio, salted caramel and vanilla. It contains Brazil nut, so check the label if you have nut allergies.
2. The INKEY List PHA Exfoliating and Hydrating Body Water Cream 150ml
The budget-friendly pick for rough, dull-looking skin, with a lightweight water-cream texture that exfoliates and hydrates in one step.
- Formula: 3% PHA (gluconolactone) to gently exfoliate, with jojoba and rice bran to soften and lock in moisture.
- Finish: Smoother, softer, fresher-looking skin, with visible results in about a week according to the brand.
- Good to know: It absorbs fast without feeling sticky and can be used morning and night. It’s also handy for prepping skin before fake tan.
3. Joonbyrd Little Love Body Lotion 300ml
A skincare-led, dermatologist-recommended lotion for those who want long-lasting hydration in a lighter, easy-to-spread formula.
- Formula: A lipid concentrate with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, beta-carotene, amino acids and ashwagandha to nourish, protect and brighten.
- Finish: Soft, hydrated, balanced-looking skin, with up to 48 hours of hydration claimed by the brand.
- Good to know: The scent is a rich, amber-gourmand blend of milky vanilla, maple syrup, coffee bean and caramel, and the generous 300ml bottle lasts well.
4. Joonbyrd Sunday Sofa Body Butter 200ml
The cosiest option for very dry skin, a creamy body butter that feels like a treat at the end of the day.
- Formula: Shea butter and hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, with rambutan leaf extract, described as a natural retinol alternative, for a firmer, smoother look.
- Finish: Skin feels deeply moisturised and soft for up to 48 hours.
- Good to know: It has a Chocolate Lily scent layering vanilla, musk and chocolate, and it’s dermatologist recommended.
Whether you pick a lightweight water cream or a rich, scented body butter, these four moisturisers make it easy to keep dry skin soft, smooth and comfortable.