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The Best In-Shower Body Lotions

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🕚 Updated April 2022

On top of all the other things in your morning routine, moisturizing can seem insignificant. However, using a high-quality moisturizer is one of the best things you can do for your skin! Make it easy with these in-shower lotions.

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  Top Choice Best with Self-Tanner Great for Itchy Skin Great Four-Pack Also Great
 
  NIVEA
Nourishing In Shower Lotion
Jergens
Natural Glow +FIRMING In-shower Self-Tanner for Fair to Medium Skin Tones
Curél
Hydra Therapy, Itch Defense Moisturizer
Olay
Ultra Moisture Shea Butter In-Shower Body Lotion
SheaMoisture
100% Virgin Coconut Oil In-Shower Body Conditioner
 
Our SummaryAlmond oil deeply moisturizes and keeps your skin smooth.Combine your list of wants for your skin, and take care of it all with this in-shower body lotion.Improve your skin’s ability to stay hydrated with this powerful yet non-greasy in-shower lotion.Stock up on what you love and what your skin craves with this value pack of luscious in-shower body lotion.Healthy hydration can come from natural ingredients with this in-shower body lotion.
ProsEnhanced with almond oil, moisture lasts for 24+ hours, popular choice.Collagen and elastin for firming, gradual self-tanner, no rinse required, just pat dry.Advanced ceramide complex to strengthen skin's moisture barrier, no rinse required, non-greasy, certified by National Eczema Association.Pleasant smell, shea butter for rich moisture, innovative bottle for convenient storage, bulk buy.Coconut oil, coconut milk, shea butter, acacia senegal, no parabens, coconut scent, trusted brand.
ConsResidue may make shower floor slippery, rinse after application.Not mean to be used every day.Clean shower floor to prevent a slick spot.Residue may make shower floor slippery, rinse after application.Requires more product than others, rinse after application.
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The Best In-Shower Body Lotions

A woman in a shower applies lotion and holds the bottle.
VGstockstudio/Shutterstock.com

Buying Guide for In-Shower Body Lotions

A woman holds a bottle of Jergens self tanning in-shower lotion next to her legs by a bathtub.
Jergens

Why buy an in-shower body lotion?

By moisturizing your skin, you’ll prevent premature aging, heal dry skin and rough patches, and rejuvenate dull skin. In-shower moisturizers are designed to be applied on wet skin, saving you from having to wait for the lotion to dry like traditional lotions. Also, the steam from a warm shower opens your pores, making it easier for the moisturizer to penetrate the layers of your skin and giving you the silky-soft, nourished skin of your dreams.

What should you consider when using an in-shower body lotion?

  • Ingredients: Because you’ll be applying it directly to your skin, you should make sure that the ingredients in your moisturizer are hypoallergenic and safe to use. Look for lotions with a fairly natural yet effective ingredient list; some great ingredients to look for are glycerin, shea butter, petrolatum, and almond oil.
  • Features: Whatever your skin care goals may be, there is a wide variety of in-shower lotions on the market that will suit your hydration needs. If you have itchy, irritated skin, you should look for an antioxidant-rich moisturizer that soothes skin and encourages new cell growth. Moisturizers with added ceramides are designed to increase your skin’s moisture retention, helping to prevent dry skin and rough patches.

What’s the order of application for in-shower body lotion?

In-shower body lotion should be one of the last things you do in the shower. You should first cleanse and rinse off your favorite soap or body wash. Then simply apply the shower lotion wherever you want to moisturize. Some formulas require a rinse-off, while others may skip that step and go straight to the last step of toweling dry as normal.

Our Picks for the Best In-Shower Body Lotions

Top Choice

NIVEA Nourishing In-Shower Lotion

Almond oil deeply moisturizes and keeps your skin smooth.

Pros: This favorite in-shower body lotion is enhanced with almond oil to deeply moisturize while keeping your skin smooth instead of sticky. Your warm shower opens your pores while activating the intense moisturizers of this lotion to give your skin hydration that lasts longer than 24 hours. Just lather it on, rinse it off, towel dry, and you’re good to go!

Cons: As you rinse off the moisturizer residue, it may make your shower floor extra slippery, so you’ll have to be sure to rinse the residue off your floor and down the drain. Be sure to rinse after application for the smoothest results.

Bottom Line: The decadent moisturizing feel of almond oil will leave your skin feeling smooth for 24 hours or longer. Your skin won’t have a greasy or tacky feeling, either. Just be extra careful of your step in the shower; your skin won’t be the only thing that feels slick.

 

Best with Self-Tanner

Jergens Natural Glow +FIRMING In-shower Self-Tanner

Combine your list of wants for your skin, and take care of it all with this in-shower body lotion.

Pros: If you want hydrated, firm skin with a healthy glow, check out this in-shower body lotion. Take care of your self-tanning and hydration in the shower. Plus, this self-tanner lotion is formulated with collagen and elastin to help improve your skin’s firmness. It doesn’t require a rinse, so you can just step out of the shower after application and pat yourself dry before getting dressed. In seven days, you can expect to see a gradual, natural-looking glow and the appearance of smoother skin without spending much time or money.

Cons: It’s not recommended to use this product daily because of the tanner. You’ll have to use another moisturizer in between this one to keep your self-tan looking natural instead of streaky.

Bottom Line: The price is hard to beat for a product that hydrates skin, adds a gradual tan, and enhances the appearance of skin all in one step. Be sure to use it according to the directions for the best results.

 

Great for Itchy Skin

Curél Hydra Therapy, Itch Defense Moisturizer

Improve your skin's ability to stay hydrated with this powerful yet non-greasy in-shower lotion.

Pros: For those with dry and itchy skin, some regular lotions may seem like they never get the job done. This lotion might change that. It’s developed with an advanced ceramide complex to actually rebuild the moisture barrier, creating healthier skin that can be better protected and stay hydrated. Once you’re done with your shower, simply turn off your water and apply it to wet skin to take advantage of the water-activated ingredients that can deeply hydrate your skin and repair your skin’s moisture barrier without greasy residue. Towel dry as normal and get on with the rest of your day. As a bonus, this product is recommended and certified by the National Eczema Association.

Cons: If some of this lotion drips onto the shower floor, it may create a slick spot, which could be hazardous. Make sure to clean residue from the shower floor.

Bottom Line: For many people with very dry skin, even those with eczema, this product has made them believe in moisturizers. Use it on wet skin, fresh from a shower when pores are opened and ready to be treated to the good stuff. It’s also formulated with an advanced ceramide complex that improves your skin’s moisture barrier, so not only will those open pores deliver hydration, but the lotion’s make-up can help lock it in. It’s also been approved for those with eczema and sensitive skin, who typically have a harder time finding success with mainstream products.

 

Great Four-Pack

Olay Ultra Moisture Shea Butter In-Shower Body Lotion

Stock up on what you love and what your skin craves with this value pack of luscious in-shower body lotion.

Pros: Save on what may be your favorite part of your shower routine with this four-pack of in-shower body lotion. Made with shea butter, the lotion is rich, and your skin soaks all the benefits when your pores are opened with the hot shower. The bottle has an innovative design with a hole in the top to hang it from a shower organizer. It can also stand on the bottom if that’s more convenient. Since it’s something you’ll use daily, stocking up is a great idea, and it saves you money.

Cons: This in-shower lotion needs to be rinsed after application, so don’t forget that crucial step to experience smooth and healthy skin.

Bottom Line: When moisturizing seems to take more time than you’re willing to carve out of your busy routine, this in-shower body lotion can deliver all the hydration your skin needs while saving time. Stocking up on this soon-to-be-favorite is a good call; you’ll use it daily, and your family members may decide to use it, too!

 

Also Great

SheaMoisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil In-Shower Body Conditioner

Healthy hydration can come from natural ingredients with this in-shower body lotion.

Pros: Formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, propylene glycol, or mineral oil, the moisturizing power of this in-shower body lotion comes from natural ingredients only. Coconut oil, shea butter, and coconut milk are the stars to help your skin get a boost of hydration while acacia senegal seals in moisture. Keep your moisturizing routine quick, effective, and natural with this in-shower body lotion.

Cons: It’s not as easy to spread as others, and it requires more than other brands. It does require a rinse after application, so don’t forget that step.

Bottom Line: If you want to be able to reap the moisturizing benefits of in-shower body lotions without some of the unnatural additives, this is a great option. This product’s hydration helpers are all-natural and include coconut oil, coconut milk, shea butter, and acacia senegal. Without some of the additives, you may have to use more of the product to cover your entire body and achieve the results you’re looking for.

Final Thoughts

Getting healthy, hydrated, and smooth skin may become an easy step that actually saves you time in your morning routine. Try out one of these in-shower body lotions to see if you love this convenient and more effective way to quench your skin with healthy hydration.

Michelle Carellas Michelle Carellas
Michelle Carellas has had a love for writing from as early as her primary school years. Her writing career took her to journalism, copy editing, and email and digital marketing, and for the past 11 years, she's kept writing a strong focus with freelancing for local businesses and national marketing agencies. When Michelle isn't writing, she's homeschooling her four kids and embracing the country life with her husband in a small Texas town. She and her husband own and operate a small garage gym, the perfect endeavor for a couple who met and fell in love at a gym! Read Full Bio »
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