The 16 Best-Smelling Body Lotions, Vetted by Editors and Experts

This body cream is like vacation in a tub. The blend of warm and sweet notes (aka vanilla, salted caramel and pistachio) has me wishing we were on a Caribbean Island. And the benefits don’t just stop at the heavenly scent—just look at the stacked ingredients list. Mixed with guaraná, a native Brazilian plant loaded with antioxidants to tighten and smooth skin, it also contains cupuaçu butter to lock in moisture and improve elasticity, as well as, açai oil to brighten. Plus, it adds a touch of shimmer to your skin, so you can glow all day long. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: vanilla, salted caramel, pistachio
• Benefits: smoothing, tightening 
• Standout Review: “I've been a fan of the Brazilian bum bum body cream for years! It's rich, thick and nourishing, plus it claims to help firm skin and maintain elasticity. But the real reason I love it is the *unreal* scent, which has notes of pistachio, vanilla and salted caramel. It smells like a tropical vacation.” — Stephanie Maida, Senior Commerce Editor 

If you’re a fan of sunscreen sprays then you’re going to enjoy this body lotion by Flamingo. The hydrating spray is praised for its easy application, which offers ample coverage and quick absorption. The brand claims it can provide up to 24 hours of hydration, thanks to squalane, an emollient derived from sugar cane that boosts moisture, along with white willow bark for exfoliation and apple extract for even more moisture and an instant glow. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: vetiver, bergamot 
• Benefits: hydrating, refreshing 
• Standout Review: “It's fresh and lightly citrusy but isn't overpowering at all. I also like that it's in a spray form, so it's really easy to apply.” — Katherine Gillen, former Senior Food Editor

Packed with ultra-hydrating ingredients such as seaweed extracts and niacinamide, this pick from Salt & Stone checks all of the boxes in terms of what to look for in a quality body lotion. Our Senior Director, SEO & Product, Sally Herrod, who tested the "Santal & Vetiver" scent, gave it her stamp of approval. "The best thing about this lotion is the smell. Please find me someone who doesn't like santal!," she notes, adding, "The second best thing is how fast it absorbs. You can definitely use this and not worry about it transferring onto clothes afterwards. It feels lightweight and silky when you apply it, you'll want to buy the hand cream too."

Aside from "Santal and Vetiver," there are three other dreamy fragrances to choose from, as well as a smaller, 14-ounce tube if you'd prefer an on-the-go option at a lower price point. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: santal, vetiver
• Benefits: hydrating, fast absorption, long-lasting
• Standout Review: “The texture is so smooth and hydrates skin without leaving it oily. The scent stays on all day long without having to be reapplied." - Kelly D, Salt & Stone Customer

This body cream packs a punch when it comes to hydration, but it's the light floral scent that give it an edge over some of its competitors. Shoppers say it leaves a rosy scent with a hint of pomegranate—making it deliciously pleasing on the skin. Scent aside, the formula also features pomegranate and cupuaçu butter, which are both rich in antioxidants that soften, protect and hydrate the skin. As one reviewer says, “As someone who typically uses body oil (which can only really be applied to damp skin), being able to use this cream anywhere at any time has been such a luxury. I can't believe how soft and not tacky my skin feels. I couldn't recommend it more!”

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: floral 
• Benefits: hydrating, firming 
• Standout Review: “This Grown Alchemist body cream, which is rose-scented (but in an earthy, non-powdery way) is very splurgy but it smells AMAZING.” — Katherine Gillen, former Senior Food Editor

If you love the smell of candy, this classic lotion should be in your cart. While it might be too strong for some, others love the blend of fruity and floral notes (like sweet banana). The formula contains 100 percent hemp seed oil, which promises intense hydration, controls oil production and reduces the appearance of fine lines. You’ll also find sunflower seed oil to help retain moisture, shea butter to soften and hydrate the skin, as well as ginger to soothe irritation. For Curtis, the body lotion has been a godsend for their skin: “It does wonders on my legs, which are always prone to those strawberry patches of bumps and irritation.” 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: fruity, sweet banana, floral
• Benefits: hydrating, soothing 
• Standout Review: “I’ve been using this body lotion since high school. For context, I’m 26 years old and I've rarely strayed [away]. It smells like those long, twisted lollipops that you get at amusement parks. It’s very sweet, but tangy and refreshing and has a warmth to it. Every time I wear it someone asks me what I have on.” — Delia Curtis, Assistant Editor

Love the smell of fresh laundry? Well, here it is in lotion form. Its blend of clean notes, like water lily, leafy green and frosted musk, is a light delight for your skin. While the scent is what draws people in, the formula holds its own, too. You’ll find ingredients such as vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects against environmental aggressors and aloe vera to soothe, hydrate and protect the skin. For one buyer it's the best-smelling body lotion they’ve ever tried: “I love the smell of this lotion. It smells like freshly dried laundry that's been hanging on a line outside. It's very subtle and smells clean—not like so many scents that are so obviously fake. The lotion itself is also really good and moisturizes my dry skin even in the depths of winter.”

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: water lily, leafy greens, frosted musk
• Benefits: refreshing, hydrating 
• Standout Review: “I will forever be a fan of Philosophy's Pure Grace. I use it on my face because I find that it gives me the perfect amount of dewiness, but it's actually for the body. It smells clean, like freshly washed laundry that’s not too overpowering.” — Destinee Scott, Associate Editor of Sales & Deals 

A fruity body lotion that doesn’t overpower our senses? Yes please. This one has over 1,200 5-star reviews so you know it’s good. Shoppers rave about the lightweight formula and delicious scent (aka sweet pomegranate and tart raspberries) and how it doesn’t leave your skin greasy or sticky. Thanks to shea butter and shea oil, the blend promises to soothe dry skin and offer lasting hydration for up to 24-hours without having to reapply during the day. For one shopper, they couldn’t believe this body lotion held up on its claim: “Reading the reviews I figured the lotion would be smooth, but I did not expect my skin to feel as smooth as it did for as long as it did!! [It has a] great formula that isn't too oily or sticky [and it] works for my textural issues.”

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: sweet pomegranate, tart raspberries, lotus blossom 
• Benefits: moisturizing, absorbs quickly 
• Standout Review: “This eos lotion, [specifically] the pomegranate raspberry scent, smells sooooo sweet. It reminds me of a fruity candy or gum! It's lightweight, but super hydrating and it makes my body feel so moisturized whenever I apply it.” — Karelle McKay, former Assistant Editor of News & Entertainment 

If you’ve ever stepped into an Anthropologie store, you’ll know the distinct scent it has. The signature volcanic scent features tropical sugary fruits (like orange, lemon and lime) and woodsy mountain greens. It’s also formulated with coconut oil and shea butter, which are both rich ingredients that can leave the skin looking and feeling silky smooth. Although it’s technically made for your hands, shoppers enjoy applying it all over. One happy reviewer said it best: “Quintessential Anthro scent in a lotion, what’s not to love?”

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: fruity, lightly exotic mountain greens 
• Benefits: nourishing, silky smooth 
• Standout Review: “The scent that Anthro is famous for (aka Capri Blue Volcano) is also a lotion and an ultra-rich hand cream. It's got an awesome-yet-unexpected sugared citrus scent that really lingers [on the skin].” — Candace Davison, PureWow’s VP of Editorial  

Fans flock to Summer Friday for their moisturizing lip balms and face masks, so it’s no surprise their body lotion is a heavy hitter, too. Loaded with a blend of cocoa and shea butters and natural oils (grapeseed, argan, rosehip, to name a few), this creamy formula offers endless moisture. You’ll also find ceramides, lipids that help strengthen and support the skin’s natural barrier, in the ingredients panel. Shoppers love its non-greasy texture and subtle scent (of vanilla blossom, warm almond and coconut) as it wears nicely on the skin in every way. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: coconut, vanilla blossom, warm almond 
• Benefits: nourishing, strengthening 
• Standout Review: “It has a distinct enough scent (coconut, vanilla and almond) that I can wear it on its own, but it also somehow goes with any perfume—plus, the thickness is amazing for my always super-dry skin.” — Natalie LaBarbera, Assistant Commerce Editor 

This nourishing cream by St. Ives has been around for years, cementing its place as a classic body lotion people can rely on (as the more than 1,800 5-star reviews on Amazon attest). Its key ingredients are oatmeal and shea butter, which come together to nourish and soothe dry skin. The rich blend is lightened up with glycerin and soybean oil, which fans say help the product absorb instantly, while offering a smooth, non-greasy finish. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: shea butter 
• Benefits: moisturizing, absorbs quickly 
• Standout Review: “I swear by St. Ives. My pet peeve with lotions is when they're excessively oily, but this one is 100 percent moisturizing [on my skin]. Also, it has a gentle scent, absorbs quickly and is not slick at all!” — Marissa Wu, Associate SEO Editor

This body butter is loved and praised by reviewers (especially mamas-to-be) for its rich formula. Formulated with 100 percent natural ingredients, it offers moisture from head-to-toe. It starts with shea butter, which is known for nourishing and soothing dry skin. Next, there’s cocoa butter, an ingredient high in fatty acids that improve elasticity. Last but not least, it has mango butter, which improves skin tone and softens stretch marks. The lightweight blend also contains vitamin A and E to add even more moisture, and the subtle citrus fragrance is gentle and calming.

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: citrus 
• Benefits: moisturizing, firming 
• Standout Review: “I usually opt for scentless body lotions because I'm boring like that, but I loved thick body butters during my pregnancy, especially the Mutha Body Butter. It's incredibly hydrating and nourishing and has a very light citrusy scent that's so refreshing for summertime.” — Olivia Dubyak, former Commerce Editor

Spent all day basking in the sun? You might want to keep this post-sun lotion nearby. This body moisturizer promises to enhance and protect your fresh tan. The main ingredient, aloe vera, has been clinically proven to soothe burns and minimize redness (in case you accidentally fell asleep on the beach). Along with purified Hawaiian water and macadamia nut oil, it provides deep hydration, while preventing any potential peeling from sunburn. Plus, the coconut scent transports us back to vacay mode every single time. The brand recommends reapplying as often as you like to protect your skin, especially after swimming. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: light coconut 
• Benefits: nourishing, soothing 
• Standout Review: “I’m usually not one for scent, but my Maui Babe After Browning Lotion has a very subtle, slightly tropical scent profile that smells more natural versus too fruit/floral forward. The addition of aloe vera smells calming to me (and does wonders for my skin).” — Stephanie Meraz, Associate Fashion Commerce Editor 

This body butter looks to replenish and smooth parched skin over time. A quick peek at the ingredients list shows undaria seaweed, a superfood that balances moisture levels in your skin and shea butter to soften and smooth over rough patches. There’s also dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline (DPHP), which is known to repair and firm skin, in addition to ceramides, which support the skin barrier. The brand claims it can hydrate for up to 72 hours, which reviewers are backing up in Ulta’s comment section, along with praise for its fast-absorption, moisturizing finish and clean scent that’s not too strong. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: clean, fresh
• Benefits: hydrating, absorbs quickly 
• Standout Review: “I grab this body butter once a week or whenever I need more moisture. The smell is divine and oh-so refreshing. It has grapefruit, lime and cypress with a hint of mango mandarin. It brings me back to my childhood—eating grapefruits at my grandma’s house by the spoonful. As citrusy-forward as the profile is, I’d say that overall, it smells like a bottled up burst of fresh air by the sea.” — Stephanie Meraz, Associate Fashion Commerce Editor 

If you’re curious about trying a body lotion to help you sleep, we recommend this one by Dr. Teal’s. It’s packed with melatonin, a naturally-occurring hormone that can help promote better sleep. You’ll also find key players like shea butter, cocoa butter and vitamin E in the formula, which help moisturize and soften your skin while you fall into dreamland. The soothing lavender and chamomile scent certainly don’t hurt either. 

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: lavender, chamomile 
• Benefits: moisturizing, nourishing 
• Standout Review: “I can write a love letter about this body lotion. Now, I don’t know if my mind is playing tricks on me, but it really does help me knock out after a long day. The lavender and chamomile blend has such a relaxing and inviting scent. I swear (and I don’t swear on just anything), it’s a game changer for my nighttime routine.” — Chelsea Candelario, Associate Editor 

Dr. Garshick recommends this body butter for its delicious scent and moisturizing formula. Formulated with magnesium and shea butter, it helps lock in moisture, preventing dryness and adding softness to your skin. Plus, with notes of orange blossom and bergamot, it adds another level of freshness to your bodycare routine. Just one thing: It might take a while to absorb into the skin (it's a body butter, after all), so make sure to work the product in for the best results.

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: orange-blossom, bergot
• Benefits: moisturizing
• Standout Review: "I recommend this for its rich, deeply moisturizing formula and sophisticated scent. It truly stands out with its creamy, nourishing texture that leaves skin feeling very soft." — Dr. Marisa Garshick

If you love a citrus-forward lotion, Dr. Farhang recommends grabbing this crisp concoction from Bliss. Packed with shea butter and coconut oil, the formula restores dry skin, while leaving a pleasant scent behind. Shoppers say it has a creamy texture that spreads evenly and absorbs nicely on the skin. Plus, the lemon and sage fragrance isn't overpowering in the slightest—a bonus for those with sensitive noses.

Fast Facts

• Scent Notes: lemon, sage
• Benefits: moisturizing, absorbs quickly
• Standout Review: "I personally love an energizing scent such as citrus (i.e., lemon, lime or orange) in the morning and afternoons. This lotion is a super popular one that really moisturizes and soothes the skin. The lotion is also scented with sage, which is refreshing and calming. — Dr. Sheila Farhang