If you are coming out the other side of summer with parched, scaly limbs in need of a hefty dose of hydration, but without the hefty price tag, we’ve put together a serious haul of budget moisturisers to nourish, repair and quench dry summer skin back to its former, glowing glory. Whether you prefer a lightweight milk or a rich butter texture, we have picks from eco brands, high-street staples and cult French pharmacy buys to choose from.

Cocoa Butter Body Lotion, Palmers, £5.99


Cocoa Butter Body Lotion, Palmers, £5.99

A love it or loathe it chocolatey scent, the deeply skin-softening results are undeniable. Buy it.


10-ingredient Body Moisturiser, Typology, £16.30


10-ingredient Body Moisturiser, Typology, £16.30

10 simple ingredients for sensitive skin in an 100 per cent recyclable aluminium tube. Buy it.


Repairing Body Lotion, Mixa, £5.30


Repairing Body Lotion, Mixa, £5.30

It may be hard to find in the UK, but this intense repairing lotion from French brand Mixa is amazing for the driest skins. Buy it.


Transforming Body Lotion, Ameliorate, £9


Transforming Body Lotion, Ameliorate, £9 Copy

A patent-pending formula with lactic acid to exfoliate dull, dead skin cells for brighter, smoother skin. Buy it.


Daily Moisturising Lotion, Aveeno, £7.99


Daily Moisturising Lotion, Aveeno, £7.99

Gentle and fast-absorbing with prebiotic colloidal oatmeal to strength the skin’s natural barrier. Buy it.


Rebel Rosebud Body Butter, Body Shop, £18


Rebel Rosebud Body Butter, Body Shop, £18

A bold blend of amber, rose absolute and saffron to enrobe skin in heady, velvety notes. Buy it.


Lipikar Moisturising Balm, La Roche Posay, £20


Lipikar Moisturising Balm, La Roche Posay, £20

Suitable for babies and eczema-prone skin, this lightweight lotion instantly soothes, while repairing and restoring irritated skin long-term. Buy it.


Sugar Crush Body Lotion, Soap & Glory, £10


Sugar Crush Body Lotion, Soap & Glory, £10

The juicy mix of sweet lime, vanilla and sea salt with almond and macadamia oils this energising lotion is a great morning scent. Buy it.


Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream, Neutrogena, £5.99


Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream, Neutrogena, £5.99

Perfect for those who want a super hydrating, non-greasy formula. It is rich in hyaluronic acid to quench skin with zero drying time. Buy it.


Dry Itchy Skin Moisturising Lotion, Cetaphil, £15


Dry Itchy Skin Moisturising Lotion, Cetaphil, £15

Instant relief for dry, itchy, sensitive skins, this lotion is formulated to replenish protective lipids and offer 24-hour hydration. Buy it.


Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream, Glossier, £18


Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream, Glossier, £18 Copy

An antioxidant-rich body cream with brightening plant extracts and light-reflecting particles to deliver serious glow. Buy it.


Sili Body Lotion, Drunk Elephant, £18


Sili Body Lotion, Drunk Elephant, £18 Copy

A supercharged almond-scented lotion, with a reparative five-ceramide blend and plant oils and butters to nourish. Buy it.


Moisturising Lotion, Cerave, £15


Moisturising Lotion, Cerave, £15

Rich in three essential ceramides to strengthen skin’s moisture barrier over time and hyaluronic acid to hydrate instantly. Buy it.


Intensive 7 Days Nourishing Lotion, Garnier, £5.95


Intensive 7 Days Nourishing Lotion, Garnier, £5.95

A brilliant budget buy packed with skin-softening shea butter and probiotics to feed the skin’s microbiome for long-term health. Buy it.


Skin Food, Weleda, £12.50


Skin Food, Weleda, £12.50

A serious skin treatment to be applied topically to the driest areas for instant relief. Buy it.


Atoderm Cream, Bioderma, £18.50


Atoderm Cream, Bioderma, £18.50

An ultra-rich, fragrance-free cream designed to be applied to damp skin to improve skin’s suppleness and help boost skin’s health and resilience. Buy it.


The Des Vignes Nourishing Body Lotion, Caudalie, £17


The Des Vignes Nourishing Body Lotion, Caudalie, £17 Copy

Packed with antioxidants and a fresh neroli and ginger scent, this milk texture lotion is a joy to apply, leaving skin brighter and softer. Buy it.


Completely Quenched Body Milk, No. 7, £12.95


Completely Quenched Body Milk, No. 7, £12.95

With antioxidant Vitamin E and nourishing shea butter, this body milk is great for thirsty skins that need some post-summer TLC. Buy it.


Sweet Orange and Vanilla Body Butter Stick, Ethique, £11


Sweet Orange And Vanilla Body Butter Stick, Ethique, £11 Copy

If you’re looking for a 100 per cent plastic-free option, this push-up solid body butter stick in sweet orange and vanilla is blended with cocoa butter that melts on contact with skin to soften parched limbs. Buy it.


Sleepy Body Lotion, Lush, £18


Sleepy Body Lotion, Lush, £18

The perfect skin-softening addition to your night-time routine, with soothing lavender, tonka bean and ylang ylang to invite sleep. Buy it.

By Lydia Mansi
August 2022