Best body moisturizer for sensitive skin
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion is the most effective pick for sensitive skin on the body because it keeps the formula simple and focuses on calming dryness. It is fragrance free and combines colloidal oatmeal, which soothes itchy, irritated skin, with shea butter, glycerin and petrolatum to draw water in and seal it there. Its active ingredient, dimethicone, works as a skin protectant, forming a light barrier that helps reduce moisture loss. It is also easy to use generously every day, which matters, because a moisturizer only helps when you apply it consistently. For the best results, smooth it on within a few minutes of bathing while your skin is still slightly damp, and patch test a small area first if your skin reacts easily to new products.
| Option | Product | Price | Price per use | Days to results | Compared with most effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most effective | Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion | US$11.90 (60 mL) | 2 |
Why it works
Colloidal oatmeal and soothing ingredients
Colloidal oatmeal is finely milled oat used in lotions, washes and baths to soothe dry, itchy skin, and dermatology references list oatmeal among anti-itch moisturizer ingredients. Lab studies show oat extracts reduce inflammatory signals and act as antioxidants. In a study of 29 women with dry, itchy lower legs, an oatmeal lotion improved dryness, scaling, roughness and itch, but there was no comparison group. Patch testing in more than 2,000 people found very low rates of irritation and no confirmed allergy. Much of this research was done by product makers, so the evidence is modest. Any moisturizer can sting sensitive or broken skin, so stop if a rash develops.
Plant oils, butters and squalane (emollients)
Emollients are the oily part of a moisturizer. Plant oils, butters and squalane soften rough skin and leave a film that slows water loss. Evidence for individual oils is limited, mostly small human studies plus animal and lab work. A research review found sunflower seed and coconut oil supported the skin barrier in small studies, while olive oil, which is high in oleic acid, increased water loss. Dermatologists list jojoba oil and shea butter among useful dry-skin ingredients, but shea butter and squalane have little published barrier research. Heavy, occlusive products can aggravate acne and folliculitis, and any emollient can occasionally cause an allergic rash.
Hyaluronic acid and glycerin (humectants)
Humectants are moisturizer ingredients that draw water into the outer layer of skin and hold it there. Glycerin is regarded as the most effective humectant for hydrating the skin surface. Hyaluronic acid, a molecule the skin also makes naturally, is another humectant that dermatologists list for dry skin. Used on their own, humectants can pull water out of the skin into dry air and may even increase water loss, which is why well-made moisturizers pair them with occlusive ingredients that seal water in. They work best applied to damp skin after bathing.
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Sources
- Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin
- Safety and efficacy of personal care products containing colloidal oatmeal
- Emollients and Moisturizers (Moisturisers)
- Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils
- Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin
- Xeroderma
- Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents?
Reviewed by Emilie Sydney-Smith