The Best Body Lotions for Men

Here's what we learned while testing over a dozen different body moisturizers: having hydrated skin can come with some surprising secret side effects. Maybe it's because you know you took an extra step getting ready and your body is better off for it. Maybe it's because your skin just feels better or because your arms look a little more toned when they're moisturized. In any case, healthy skin is one of the central tenets of looking and feeling your best. And your skin can't be healthy if it's deprived of necessary moisture—especially going into the cooler months, when skin gets dry and itchy. A good body lotion can balance the skin's pH levels and prevent scratchiness all while locking moisture into parched skin and softening rough patches.

But you've got to know what you're looking for. We reached out to grooming expert and co-founder of The Motley, Madison Ruggieri, for some help. "You want to avoid petrolatum and mineral oil in lotions because they are sitting on top of the skin and don't absorb well or allow moisture from the air to be absorbed," she warns. "Natural moisturizers like shea butter, coconut or jojoba oil are way better for you." She also noted that there are different types of alcohols that are used in skincare, so you need to read the labels of your lotions carefully. "If you see ethanol, ethyl alcohol or methanol—these types can be drying and even irritating to the skin," she says. "On the flip side, fatty alcohols like glycol, cetyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol actually help moisturize." We took her advice and tested a wide range of options for you. Here are the best ones worth your time and money.