I have religiously applied body lotion every day from the age of about 14. Really. I’m not exaggerating. My skin is super dry, sensitive and eczema prone and the transformation to a smooth non flaky epidermis from that very first application of silky cream had me hooked for life.
Over the (many) years since I have tried literally dozens of different varieties of top to toe moisturisers, maybe even a hundred. I have my hardcore go-to bottle of Eucerin 10% Urea lotion on hand for when I have a particularly unpleasant flare up but aside from that I invariably have several bottles on the go at any one time. Sometimes after a shower I will apply more than one, not all limbs require the same treatment I find. My lower legs are always more on the scaly side for example where as my forearms are not in the least bit dehydrated, therefore I may decide to use something heavier on the former and something far lighter on the latter.
Also (and maybe it’s just me?) I do notice that certain parts of my anatomy are far less prone to weird rashes and therefore I can use more exotic (read fragranced/contains fancy ingredients) goop on those bits. These are my current top five under-a-fiver favourites, please do share yours in the comments box below.
Palmers Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion £3.19
The original cocoa butter has been around forever and is a celebrity cult favourite apparently, I have used the old version on and off but thought it took an age to absorb, plus the bottle was a useless design and you used to end up with a considerable amount of wastage.
I tried this specific stretch mark prevention option whilst I was expecting and it was far superior, it has a less greasy texture, a more subtle scent and the pump dispenser is a winner. I didn’t get stretch marks but can’t vouch for this being the reason, I have carried on using it post pregnancy however and rate it’s moisturising abilities very highly indeed.
Garnier Oil Beauty £4.66
This is a relatively new find, I was perusing the aisle of Boots (a fairly regular occurrence) and it had a rather spiffy advertising campaign. Clearly believing I would transform into the glowy lithe model with the endless legs upon application (two words, Marketers. Dream.) I thought I’d give it a whirl.
No, I did not suddenly become a clone of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley but it does smell lush. Maybe even a bit like the aforementioned glowy lithe model might do after a day partaking in posh spa treatments whilst holidaying in Hawaii. For something so highly fragranced it also doesn’t bring me out in hives. Result.
Aveeno Lotion £5.10
Ok Ok it’s ten pence more than a fiver and it is, let’s face it, a bit boring. But oh it’s so very reliable in terms of dryness relief. Plus it allows you to get dressed pretty much straight after you’ve slathered in on without any rubbing off and leaving those unsightly oily stripes on your most treasured garments.
I don’t notice any kind of scent which is a plus should you want something that doesn’t interfere with your usual perfume. You can purchase Aveeno lotion from Boots.
Wilko Dry Skin Lotion £0.80p
Yes you read that correctly, EIGHTY PENCE. I won’t lie, it’s not one of my bargain finds, it was my Mum that recommended it (she read about it in a magazine and they sell out of it at Wilkinsons frequently due to its popularity)
It smells a bit like….glue. But it’s effectiveness is on par with far pricier alternatives and the pritt stick-esque aroma dissipates after a few minutes. You could make it fancier (and decidedly more sexy smelling) by adding a few drops of your favourite essential oil/s.
Vaseline Essential Moisture Clean Feeling £2.49
This is in fact very much as per the name description clean feeling, I’m reaching for it more and more as the days become decidedly warmer. This one has extract of oat and oats are VERY good for sensitive and reactive skin types.
James says it smells like “fruity biscuits”, I’m not sure whether this is a positive thing or not. Although I guess it is an improvement on say a chocolate hobnob, in which case I may be tempted to eat my own arm.
Have you tried the new Vaseline spray moisturiser? I’m also a marketers dream so bought it mainly because it was new, but I do like the novelty! I’ve got the cocoa one which also leaves a nice sheen.
Yes I have! I like it 🙂 although I probably get through too much too quickly but it would be very useful for taking away on holiday x
I like the sound of the Garnier one but does it properly moisturise? I’m using some random left over from christmas set (!) Tesco spa body lotion but nearly run out. I’ve a few random ones to use up before I can treat myself to my favourite non budget Molton Brown Templetree.
Hi Victoria, yes it does moisturise well, it;s got quite a few fancy oils in it such as rose and argan, it leaves a nice radiant sort of shine as well x
I also have dry, eczema-prone skin and following advice from my Mum’s ex-boss (she was secretary to a dermatology consultant for 25 years) I used E45 as a day-to-day moisturiser, with steroid cream when I had a flare-up. I have stuck with E45 as it suits me well, but have graduated to the ‘Touchably Smooth’ variant as it smells so good! I even put it on on the morning of my wedding! And Santa put some in my stocking at Crimbo as I’m such a fan! How did he know?!
http://www.boots.com/en/E45-Touchably-Smooth-Body-Lotion-Lightly-Fragranced-250ml_1249997/
This sounds interesting Jane, I use E45 on Mabel as she gets little dry patches on her face and arms. I don’t think I’ve seen the touchable smooth version though, sounds fab!
I should say, he obviously prescribed the steroid cream – you can’t just buy that off the shelf! 🙂
I love love love the Nivea in shower moisturiser! I have eczema prone super dry skin, I cannot come into contact with water without needing to mositurise afterwards!! But this stuff is bloody amazing, have a shower then smear it all over, quick rinse and out. I dry off and on very good days I don’t need a body lotion or if I’m suncreaming up then I’m good to go. I think the big bottle is £4 ( I use the dark blue bottle)
I’ve used prescription versions (oilatum gel) which smell rank and aren’t anywhere near as good! If they ever discontinue it I will protest outisde Nivea…. or just sulk…
Ha Vicky you should be a sales woman!!! I am so going to try this, I use a very dull fragrance free Boots own shower gel as I know I won’t react to it, I’m sure I have a sample of this Nivea somewhere so I’ll hunt it down and give it a go!
Oilatum gel is officially ming, the smell makes me feel funny.
I think I’m more a marketers dream!!! The nivea stuff is great as you use it after shower gel then smear all over and quick rinse.
Oilatum is minging,even the fragrance free one is dubious, I use it in emergencies as I have a stash.
x
Ugh, Oilatum is rank. End of story
I adore Palmers – and their gradual tanner is simply brilliant – a really good colour (not orange) and it doesn’t streak what more can you ask for – and it even smells amazing
Sara, gradual tanner you say…? I am a fan of the gradual tanner, last year I used the Dove one for fair skin, didn’t even know Palmers did one, thanks for the tip 🙂
I love baby lotion. I always used it after shaving my legs when I was a student as I found it was gentle enough for irritated skin, and have just rediscovered it after buying some to boost the effectiveness of baby wipes when doing my son’s nappies (especially good after he has eaten seeded bread!!! Use your imagination – or not). The bonus is that my son loves having the lotion on and he has been trained to rub it into my back for me. I buy the Boots own brand lotion. You can use it to remove make up as well.
Kathryn I used to use baby lotion to remove make-up some years ago actually, I used to love the smell! points for training your son 🙂
I used to be completely loyal to the Vaseline Aloe Vera moisturisers (the lotion not the spray) but, while I find that one to be one of the best ‘non greasy’ ones, it doesn’t always hit the spot when you need something thicker.
My Mum has started by the Nivea Soft Moisture cream (http://www.boots.com/en/Nivea-Soft-Moisture-Cream-Pot-300ml_31540/) which comes in a pot and I really love it (obviously I ‘borrowed’ hers and never gave it back!). It’s thick, smells lovely and isn’t greasy. My skin has gone quite dry in the last few years and this stuff is great.
I do really like Palmers and the way it feels but – and I know this is a bit weird – but I don’t like the smell! I like my food to smell edible, not my skin. 😉
Kate it was too strong for me too, I used to find the entire bed smelt of it (!)
I prefer the stretch mark version as it’s considerably lighter and fresher in scent. I have a big tub of the Nivea soft, I should really dip into it more often x
Ooh thanks Charlotte, I assumed that the stretch mark version was the same – will pop out to Boots soon and pick some up!
Aveeno Aveeno Aveeno! Agree with you its pretty boring, but its the only thing that calms my eczema – even over the numerous steroid creams that the doctor has prescribed. Wouldn’t be without it in my cupboard!
Do you use the face cream version? I do every day, I also use it on my eyelids (!) it really soothes redness x
Yes! I use it on my eyelids too – they do an actual eye cream but that did nothing for me weirdly!
Johnson’s Baby Oil is THE best body moisturiser ever! You have to use it when you’re still wet after a shower, then you towel dry. I love it and it really doesn’t hurt the pocket. Which is great cause it helps my Laura Mercier to last longer…
Ooh, I’ve not tried this, sounds great! Ignorant question alert – if you towel dry after putting it on, doesn’t it just come off on the towel?
Kate, it doesn’t come off on the towel – at least not that I’ve noticed. You’re meant to pay dry, but I just do it normally and it seems to soak in and stay on my skin. If you rub it in well I think that helps. 🙂
That’s supposed to say ‘pat’ dry – flipping autocorrect!
Thanks Tracy, I’ll try it!
It has to be Aveeno all the way. I started using it after the doctor prescribed it for my baby nephew as he had some dry eczema patches – it worked for his delicate baby skin so I thought I’d give it a try and I’ve never looked back or used anything else. I use the shower gel and the moisturiser every day and I have had no flare-ups ever since and my skin is so soft and looks great (If I do say so myself!). Maybe give it a try with Mabel’s dry patches Charlotte?
Hi Georgina, I think I will actually, particularly on her little face, as our GP prescribed E45 and diprobase I have been using those but actually, it was a dermatologist who prescribed Aveeno to me, it’s probably a lot more effective – especially as you say it worked so well for your nephew x
you should be able to get aveeno on prescription for Mabel, a few of my friends managed to get it to sort out eczema on their babies. You may have to fight a bit as I think its quite expensive, I never liked diprobase and managed to get my prescription cahnge to doublebase which is easier to rub in and smells less ‘medical’ than diprobase.
Thanks for the tip Vicky, I did at one time have Eucerin on prescription (they used to give me two big bottles, it’s about £11 per one in Boots I think!) x
Doesn’t strictly fall into budget category unless you buy it when on offer/with a voucher code but I simply cannot ween myself off Body Shop Coconut Body Butter! I love it. Just can’t do without it. Plus, I credit it with my body moisturising addiction also from a young age… Coconut scent is just timeless and I never tire of it, ever since the days when I would enter the Body Shop for White Musk perfume alone! I think full price now it costs £12 but I remember back in the day it used to be £4.50 which I always love to tell the poor souls working at the tils. Ha ha.
Maddy, I use this in summer and ALWAYS take a tub on holiday, it’s my fave 🙂
I still adore baby lotion, I think it’s a childhood hangover, it’s the only thing my mum ever uses to this day! The bedtime baby range is ace as well and smells absolutely dreamy. Husband initially thought I was mental using baby products, now can’t get enough. Typical!
I’ve seen some lovely baby ranges in Boots Hannah, I might have to check them out, there are so many though I wouldn’t know where to start! Lots of stuff brandishing “natural” ingredients and whatnot so worth a butchers x