While in-office procedures bear the standard for reversing signs of aging, don’t discount the powers of the best body lotions for mature 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. “They 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.”
Vogue’s Top Body Lotions for Aging Skin:
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Of course—like any skin-care product—the best body lotion for aging skin isn’t a one-size-fits-all prescription. That’s why we’ve tapped the pros. Ahead, dermatologists break down the best body lotions, body creams, and body balms for sensitive skin, crepey skin, and more. Happy moisturizing!
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Best Overall: Osea Anti-Aging Body Balm
- Why We Love It: Malibu-based Osea specializes in “skincare from the sea,” and powers its products with seaweed that hydrates and firms the skin while swathing it in antioxidant protection. With a light, silky texture, the brand’s body balm combines the hydrating properties of a body lotion with the anti-aging effects of a potent serum. It’s made with Alaria seaweed to improve skin’s elasticity and give it a firmer look, while a blend of natural oils leaves the skin feeling smooth as a siren song. What’s more, the balm’s spa-like scent of jasmine, rose-geranium, and basil brings a dose of aromatherapy to mature-skin maintenance. “This formula is rich in seaweed and plant-based oils, which help lock in moisture and provide antioxidant support,” says Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon based in Austin. “It’s a great option for those looking for a clean, nourishing product with a lightweight feel that still delivers noticeable hydration.”
- Key Ingredients: Alaria seaweed, natural oils (coconut, acai, passionfruit, babassu)
- Size: 5 fl oz
Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
- Why We Love It: Infused with the French brand’s hero ingredient—thermal spring water that soothes the skin with minerals and antioxidants— La Roche-Posay’s body cream is a dermatologist-favorite. “This is one of the few creams I always keep next to my sink,” says Peter Bittar, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute. “It has a thick and luxurious feel without being greasy, and it has both ceramides and niacinamide to hydrate and soothe the skin.” Corey L. Hartman, MD, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, is also a fan of the French-pharmacy classic. “It’s especially effective for dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin,” he notes.
- Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal spring water, ceramide 3, shea butter
- Size: 13.52 fl oz
Best With Peptides: Nécessaire The Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: Like a supplement regimen for the skin, “This is a solid multi-vitamin lotion that has a great mix of niacinamide, vitamins C and E, and omega fatty acids,” Dr. Bittar says. “It also has shea butter and glycerin to hydrate and strengthen the skin.” The niacinamide in the formula supoprts the skin barrier to boost hydration; it also minimizes inflammation, redness, and dark spots. Meanwhile, the vitamins, delivered via skin-softening plant oils, help moisturize and firm the skin. With a seal of approval from the National Eczema Foundation, the dermatologist-tested lotion also has a microdose of peptides to stimulate collagen production. Available in a fragrance-free version—always Dr. Bittar’s pick for sensitive, aging skin—the body lotion also comes in Santal, Eucalyptus, and Hinoki scents.
- Key Ingredients: 2.5% niacinamide, peptides, plant butter and oils
- Size: 15.2 oz
Best Body Cream: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- Why We Love It: “This is a gold-standard moisturizer,” Dr. Hartman says. “It combines ceramides and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and reinforce the skin barrier.” Not to mention, the product can be found at nearly any drugstore. “It’s affordable, accessible, and great for daily use on aging or dry skin,” Dr. Hartman adds. The itch-and-flake-quelling cream is also a multitasker. It can be used on the face and the body, and can also step in as a hand cream; plus, it’s deemed safe for the whole family to use.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides
- Size: 19 oz
Best with Retinol: Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment
- Why We Love It: “This moisturizer is primarily shea-butter-based with a few great actives in it,” Dr. Bittar says. “It has vitamin C, vitamin E, and retinol all in the same bottle. There are not many products with all three of those ingredients.” When used together, the ingredients strengthen and protect the skin, combating fine lines and wrinkles while providing moisture and antioxidant protection. The treatment also has a silky texture. “It goes on very smoothly,” Dr. Bittar confirms.
- Key Ingredients: 0.1% retinol, shea butter, vitamins C and E, evening primrose oil
- Size: 4 fl oz
Best Moisturizing: Augustinus Bader The Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: By creating TFC-8—a patented ingredient that harnesses peptides, amino acids, and vitamins to support skin-cell renewal—biomedical scientist and physician Augustinus Bader became a skincare hero for legions of smooth-skinned fans. (Among them? Victoria Beckham and Sofia Coppola.) Made with the prized complex and moisture-locking technology, the brand’s body lotion sinks in quickly to hydrate and soften the skin. “This product is worth the splurge,” says Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and teledermatologist based in Coral Gables, Florida. “It is super hydrating and great for those with dry skin looking to moisturize and nourish the area. It will leave your skin feeling smooth with shea butter, which also helps with skin elasticity.” She adds that the product is “perfect” for those looking to minimize the appearance of stretch marks.
- Key Ingredients: TFC-8
- Size: 3.38 fl oz
Best for a Luminous Glow: La Mer The Reparative Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: There’s long been an ocean of buzz surrounding La Mer, with everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Kim Kardashian hooked on its Miracle Broth. The brand’s signature ingredient—a nutrient-rich blend of sustainably harvested sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals—also has approval from medical pros. “La Mer effectively uses the power of sea kelp and algae in its skincare products,” Dr. Rimtepathip confirms. “Sea kelp and algae contain powerful antioxidants, minerals, collagen, and peptides. Combined with other ingredients—such as hyaluronic acid—kelp and algae can soothe skin, increase moisture, and reduce dullness.” In the brand’s glow-boosting body lotion, Miracle Broth is combined with Deconstructed Waters, a patented technology that optimizes the molecular structure of water to help it deliver ingredients more effectively to the skin.
- Key Ingredients: Miracle Broth, Deconstructed Waters
- Size: 5.4 oz
Best Drugstore: Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion
- Why We Love It: “For the price, if you are looking for a retinol lotion, I think this is a hard one to beat,” Dr. Bittar says of this under-$20 gem. “It is fragrance-free with a mix of several different moisturizers, and it has niacinamide, vitamin E, and retinol, which can help smooth the skin.” Note: This isn’t just Dr. Bittar’s pick for an affordable product—he deems it one of the best overall. “In my opinion, your body lotion typically should not be the most expensive part of your skin routine. Simple is often better!” he says.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol and peptide complex
- Size: 7 oz
Best With SPF: Dr. Few Skin Tightening + SPF 30 with DermaTight
- Why We Love It: “The majority of what we see as signs of aging on the skin are, in fact, simply due to sun damage—think dark spots, thinning of the skin, wrinkles, and various growths, not to mention skin cancer,” Dr. Bittar says. “Even the bruising on older people’s forearms is ultimately due to UV light thinning out the collagen around our blood vessels, making them super delicate. I like to tell my patients that sunscreen is basically the fountain of youth in a bottle.” This iteration, created by the esteemed (and Gwyneth-Paltrow-adored) plastic surgeon Dr. Julius Few, pairs SPF 30 with the patented DermaTight. The complex was designed to smooth and firm lax or sagging skin in as little as 20 minutes. Its other patented ingredient, HP4, is a multi-peptide complex aimed at collagen production.
- Key Ingredients: DermaTight, HP4, antioxidant-rich botanicals (Sacred Lotus, Yerba Mate, green tea, chamomile, peppermint extract, caffeine)
- Size: 4.7 oz
Best for Cellulite: Tronque Triple Active Body Milk
- Why We Love It: Targeting cellulite and water retention, Tronque’s satiny body milk draws on caffeine, green coffee, curry tree, and other plant-based ingredients to lift and tone. “This lotion also includes niacinamide and natural oils, which help brighten and support the skin barrier,” Dr. Collins notes. “It’s an elegant choice for sensitive skin types who want a lightweight yet effective hydrator with added skin-evening benefits.” According to Dr. Chacon, “This smooths the skin upon application—it is super luxurious. The ingredients help lift and tone the skin and address any elasticity concerns. It’s perfect for those looking to target cellulite and any skin-sagging.” Dr. Chacon adds that the body milk is also “super hydrating,” thanks to its hyaluronic acid.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, green coffee, caffeine, curry tree, Arica Montana flower extract
- Size: 6.76 fl oz
Best for Crepey Skin: SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion for Body
- Why We Love It: Clinically proven to improve the appearance of crepey skin, “This formula goes beyond hydration by targeting firmness and elasticity with peptides and antioxidants,” says Dr. Hartman. “It’s designed for areas prone to laxity, like the thighs or abdomen, where patients often notice age-related changes.” The dermatologist-approved body lotion—which has a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture—can also help to even out the skin tone. One of Vogue’s favorite tightening lotions, the product is also approved by Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey. “[This lotion’s] technology targets five pathways involved in laxity and fat,” Lolis previously told Vogue. “It also has peptides and botanical extracts that help maintain natural levels of collagen and elastin.”
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, shitake mushroom, lemon balm, green microalgae
- Size: 6 fl oz
Best for Hydration: U Beauty The Super Hydrator Body
- Why We Love It: Developed with exclusive SIREN capsule technology, which intuitively delivers long-chain hyaluronic acid to the driest areas of the body, U Beauty’s Super Hydrator Body brings the benefits of its beloved face cream below the neck. (Of the latter, Casa Cipriani’s lead esthetician Samantha Susca has told Vogue: “It’s the ultimate rich cream.”) Also formulated with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, collagen, peptides, and niacinamide, the anti-aging powerhouse is as deeply hydrating as its name implies. It can also visibly smooth crepey skin.
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, hyaluronic acid, collagen, peptides, niacinamide
- Size: 6.7 fl oz
Best Collagen Cream: Sol de Janeiro Beija-Flor Elasti-Cream
- Why We Love It: The appeal of Sol de Janeiro’s elasticity-boosting cream goes beyond its pretty pink packaging—and its lychee, jasmine, and ocean-air-spiked scent. Made with the natural retinol alternative cacay oil, “This is a fan favorite, and for good reason,” Dr. Chacon says. “Collagen is a key ingredient here, and as we know, collagen will help firm and plump the skin and support skin elasticity.” She notes that the inclusion of coconut oil and glycerin gives the product a hydrating punch that makes it ideal for anyone looking to address fine lines. “It’s also perfect for those with dry skin looking to deeply hydrate,” she says. Plus, with a thick, ultra-creamy consistency akin to body butter, the product feels luxurious on the skin. Just note that some mature or sensitive skin types can be reactive to fragrances, so be sure to patch-test the fruity-floral salve if you have any doubts.
- Key Ingredients: Cacay oil, polypeptides, plant squalane
- Size: 8.1 fl oz
Everything You Need to Know
Do anti-aging body lotions work?
“The short answer is, anti-aging body lotions can work,” Dr. Bittar says. “After sun damage, dryness is one of the biggest things that can give our skin an older appearance. So a solid moisturizer can go a long way to giving our skin a smooth and youthful look.”
He notes that certain anti-aging ingredients, such as niacinamide and ammonium lactate, can help with dark spots and skin texture—but only to a certain degree. “If the damage is significant, then lotions will likely not be enough,” he says. “In these cases, in-office procedures such as laser treatments, bio-stimulatory injectables, or photodynamic therapy can help to turn back the clock.”
Which ingredients are best for aging skin?
“Sunscreen is the most important anti-aging ingredient and has the biggest payoff,” Dr. Rimtepathip says. “I recommend my patients use at least SPF 30 to block harmful sun rays, and I remind them to reapply frequently.” She and Dr. Bittar also recommend the following ingredients for mature patients:
- Vitamin C & Vitamin E: “These are antioxidants that reduce cellular damage, improve skin tone, and can prevent dark spots from forming.”
- Retinoids (retinol/tretinoin): “Retinoids are one of the best-studied and most widely recommended products to combat aging,” Dr. Rimtepathip says. “Retinoids stimulate collagen production, improve texture, and reduce wrinkles.”
- Peptides: “These help build collagen and elastin, which, in turn, help decrease sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles,” Dr. Rimtepathip says. “However, the effects are usually mild.”
- Hyaluronic acid: Dr. Rimtepathip calls this “a powerful humectant.” She explains that humectants can help increase water absorption and reduce moisture loss. In turn, “This reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, because hydrated skin is more plump,” she says.
- Niacinamide: This is a go-to anti-aging ingredient for many dermatologists, including Dr. Bittar. “Niacinamide has a host of helpful properties as it helps minimize inflammation and redness and can also help brighten dark spots,” he says. “It is not a hero ingredient that is going to make a huge impact by itself, but it plays a great supporting role.”
- Shea Butter: “It’s popular for a reason,” Dr. Bittar says. “It’s a fat derived from the shea tree, and is a simple and effective natural moisturizer. It hydrates the skin while feeling rich and soft.”
- Ceramides: “Ceramides are lipids, or fatty acids, that make up a large portion of your skin and are crucial to maintaining a healthy barrier,” Dr. Bittar says. “Moisturizers with ceramides can help support this barrier function and lock in moisture while keeping out irritants.”
- Peter Bittar, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute.
- Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and teledermatologist based in Coral Gables, Florida.
- Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon based in Austin.
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, is the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Pearl Rimtepathip, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MetroDerm in Hiram, Georgia.