Beauty Editors and Derms Agree—These 15 Rich Body Creams Deliver Smooth, Youthful Skin

If there's one thing I know to be true from my career as a beauty editor, it's that all good body care routines can be further elevated with the addition of a decadent and velvety-smooth body cream that may border on being slightly oily to the touch. In fact, the simple act of slathering a body cream onto the skin can transform its look, feel, and overall health. Did you know that by using a thick body creams, you can even lock more moisture into the skin than with lighter formulas? It's truly one of the best ways you can keep your skin smooth, plump, and and soft.

I recently asked my fellow Who What Wear beauty editors which rich body creams they like to use for year-round hydration, and quickly realized how many of their top product picks featured similar luscious, whipped cream-like textures and gentle ingredients. To fully understand why body creams that happen to be thicker work so well, I also tapped a dermatologist who broke things down for me. Below, I'm sharing what she said, plus 16 body creams the dermatologist and beauty editors have ID'd as being the best of the best.

Finding the Perfect Thick Body Cream

While it's a well known fact that full-body moisturizers should be used to deliver hydration back into the skin, knowing what keep an eye out for while on the hunt for a thick body cream can post quite the challenge without some guidance. It's no secret that having so many products on the market available to us at all times can be overwhelming. To help you land on your perfect product match, we reached out to board-certified dermatologist Tia Paul, MD, to provide some helpful insight.

Shopping for a body cream may seem daunting, but Paul assures us that all it takes is paying attention to how formulas can support the health of your skin and which ingredients are behind them. "I look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture, ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier, and occlusives like shea butter or coconut oil to seal in hydration," explains Paul. So, the next time your searching for a body cream in-person or online, consider taking a closer look at the list of ingredients and doing some research before making a final decision.

Getting the Most Out Of Using a Body Cream

While thick body creams can help boost the health of your skin barrier by adding instant hydration, plumping qualities, and much more, you should always take your skin type into consideration. If you have sensitive skin, for example, Paul warns against using any products using fragrances, dyes, and potential irritants such as alcohol or harsh surfactants. She also shares that those with acne-prone skin should avoid heavy, comedogenic oils that can clog pores. A patch test can help reveal which products will work for or against you.

To get the most out of using body cream as part of your beauty routine, apply it immediately after taking a shower while your skin is still damp as body cream will help lock in moisture and prevent dryness. Unsure of if you should be using a body lotion or body cream? Paul has the answer to that too. "Body lotions are typically lighter and water-based, making them ideal for normal to oily skin or warmer climates," Paul says. "Body creams, on the other hand, are thicker and oil-based, providing deeper hydration for dry to very dry skin or colder weather."

No matter which thick body cream you land on, however, remember it's all a matter of personal preference. Keep scrolling to see which luxe body creams dermatologists and beauty editors agree are worth trying.

Our Beauty Director Erin Jahns highlighted the Firming Butter as a must for anyone who's looking to add hydration while further smoothing and firming their skin. Its crafted with a cocktail of 22 skin-loving ingredients (including Atlantic Ocean Kelp, New Zealand Red Seaweed, and red maple bark), to keep your skin looking youthful. It also helps repair brighten the skin tone and combat hyperpigmentation.

Customer Review: "This is not your normal body butter, this is magic! The application of this butter after a shower everyday has caused my skin to be so incredibly soft, I cannot stop feeling it! No more neglected body skin for me I have found my lifetime companion—divine."

Product Details: 6.8 ounce jar