Is it me, or has body lotion had a glow-up lately? Amid a swirl of launches from some of my favorite brands—including Josie Maran’s body butter in the dreamy “In Bed” scent—I’ve been savoring my moisturizing routine more than ever. Of course, I’ve always been quick to lotion up post-shower. But now, spoiled for choice, I use some of the best body lotions for aging skin before bed, too. (In bed, in fact. How apt). Admittedly, I started doubling down on body lotion for its ritualistic aspects: there are the scents, the cocooning textures, the massages to help it all sink in. But at 46, I’m staying for the long-term benefits.
Vogue’s Favorite Body Lotions for Aging Skin
“When used consistently, anti-aging lotions can improve the skin’s appearance by reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots,” says Pearl Rimtepathip, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MetroDerm in Georgia. “Body moisturizers can also improve skin tone, texture, and hydration, which helps with the overall appearance of the skin. I like to think of anti-aging body lotions as a key tool for skin maintenance.”
Keep in mind, “anti-aging” can simply mean hydrating—the more obscenely so, the better. Well-hydrated skin tends to look plumper and smoother, which makes fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging less noticeable. Formulas packed with oils, butters, and skin-care standbys like hyaluronic acid are always helpful.
But beyond tackling dryness and dehydration, more active body lotions have ingredients—like peptides and retinol—that target specific concerns associated with aging skin. And with summer wrapping up and autumn quickly approaching, hydration with added benefits is very in season. In short, it’s time to get shopping. Ahead, browse the body lotions that dermatologists recommend for their anti-aging benefits, from drugstore gems to high-tech innovations.