Body Moisturisers

By Garnier

Price: £6.12

Stockist: Boots

Best for: an effective, but basic cream

Garnier’s Body Repair cream is the perfect everyday product. The cream has a light consistency, which I wasn’t sure would be concentrated enough for my dry skin, but it was. Don’t expect any frills though, this is a practical cream. It doesn’t give the skin a sheen or gloss, but it does offer hydration in abundance, which is the most important thing for me. A little goes a long way and the fast absorption meant I could dress straight away. The cream smelt like cocoa butter which was lovely and comforting on cold mornings.

By Paul & Joe

Price: £36

Stockist: Fenwicks

Best for: pretty packaging

I’m a sucker for pretty packaging, and this Paul & Joe oil didn’t disappoint. The packaging is luxurious and expensive looking... but did it work?
Thanks to the handy pump application and the consistency of the oil - much thicker than others I have used - it was surprisingly fuss-free to use. Although thick, it absorbed into my skin quickly and left even my driest areas, elbows and knees, hydrated all day. It smelt amazing, a subtle hint of orange which was uplifting and comforting all at the same time. It’s not cheap, but a little goes a long way. For me it’s a winner.

By Clinique

Price: £27

Stockist: Clinique

Best for: dry, sensitive skin

Clinique’s simple packaging and easy-to-use pump applicator is an instant attraction for me. I have dry, sensitive skin and Clinique touts itself as a brand for all skins, so I was keen to put this body lotion to the test. There was no fragrance, which was a good sign. I didn’t need to use too much to get a good coverage, and the cream absorbed quickly so there was no hanging around. My skin felt smooth, silky and looked much better after just a couple of applications. The only downside was the slightly oily consistency, but it wouldn’t put me off buying this lotion again.

By Molton Brown

Price: £18

Stockist: Molton Brown

Best for: a treat

This Body Balm is light and creamy in consistency and a little went a very long way. The bottle looks lovely in my bathroom, which is a bonus. My skin instantly felt hydrated and the feeling lasted all day. I don’t have overly dry skin, so rather than using it everyday, I treated myself to this balm after having a bath. The subtle floral fragrance (templetree also goes by the name of frangipani, FYI) made this a joy to use and I would definitely invest in this again. It is well worth the money and would make a great gift too.

By The Organic Pharmacy

Price: £41

Stockist: The Organic Pharmacy

Best for: a robust cream

Frankly, I’m addicted to this body cream. The fragrance is strong and herbal, which reminded me of being in a spa. Thick and waxy in consistency, I needed to rub quite hard for it to absorb. But on the plus side I only needed the tiniest amount to cover my skin. Instantly my skin was soft, revitalized and looking better and it still felt comfortable at the end of the day. If you have normal skin, you may not like the cold cream consistency but for me and my dry skin, this lotion is perfect.

By Gatineau

Price: £31

Stockist: Salon Skincare

Best for: dual purpose buy

With a subtle, soothing fragrance, this light lotion is my new favourite beauty product. In winter my skin suddenly alters from soft and glowing to scaly and itchy. This lotion contains AHAs, which slough away dead skin cells, making this an exfoliator and moisturiser in one - genius. After just two days all itching had gone and my skin looked brighter. It worked really effectively on knees, elbows and heels too.

By Bliss

Price: £20.50

Stockist: John Lewis

Best for: a great scent and result

This creamy, thick body butter, has fast become a permanent addition to my beauty arsenal.
The orange scent is intoxicating (in a good way) and stayed on my body for a long time after application. The hint of white pepper gave it a spicy edge which prevented it being too sweet and sickly. The tube was really handy and the rich butter was easily and quickly absorbed - a little went a long way. The smell and hydrated feeling lasted all day and my skin also had a flattering sheen. I would definitely recommend this product.

By Madara

Price: £15.32

Stockist: Free To Explore Beauty

Best for: eco fans

This eco brand should be top of any ‘green’ beauty fan’s list. The packing is green (of course) and looks unfussy enough to be expensive. The cream smells fresh and feels light, and almost frothy. It did take a while to absorb into the skin, feeling slightly greasy at first but after a couple of minutes it made my skin smooth and glowing, without any residue. At the end of the day my skin felt softer still - this is one hardworking body cream.