The best in-shower body lotions for when you’re in a rush

As someone who uses lotion daily and is extremely serious about avoiding ashy knees and elbows, I’m intrigued by in-shower body lotion. The concept is simple — it’s a moisturizer designed to be applied on wet skin at the end of a shower, rather than on dry skin after toweling off, says Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York.

While some of our editors swear by them, I was a bit more skeptical on how (and how well) they work. To get the scoop on all things in-shower moisturizing, I spoke to Green to find out more — below, a list of products to consider trying and what to keep in mind as you explore your options.

Selected.Our top picks

• 

  Best overall

  $undefined

  $29.00

  Learn more

• 

  Editor’s pick

  $undefined

  $37.00

  Learn more

• 

  Best for sensitive skin

  $undefined

  $20.98

  Learn more

Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.

Below are the best in-shower body moisturizers, including recommendations from Green and favorites of NBC Selected staff.

NBC Selected senior editor Nikki Brown tested Cyklar’s in-shower body balm, and says it quickly became a body care favorite of hers. “It really comes down to the application: It’s uncomplicated, and I simply rub it all over my damp skin and let it dry down,” she says. It also dries down quickly enough to layer with a lotion for extra moisture, however, Brown says it’s moisturizing enough to wear alone (helpful if you’re in a rush). The formula includes a moisturizing lipid complex, along with ceramides and coconut seed butter.

Green recommends Curel’s in-shower moisturizer if you want to reinforce your skin’s moisture barrier. The formula combines moisturizing ceramides with soothing vitamin E, and has a gentle formula that’s safe for sensitive skin, according to the brand. “Ceramides are lipids that naturally hold skin cells together and keep moisture in, so replenishing them on damp skin helps restore the barrier while locking in hydration,” she says. “Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly, making it a reliable everyday option for dry to normal skin.”

Brown has repurchased Hanni’s Splash Salve multiple times since testing it for a previous NBC Selected Wellness Awards. “I love using this after swimming laps when I’m tired and want to just get everything done in the shower,” she says. “And I’ve gotten many compliments on how soft my skin feels.” The salve is water-activated and transitions to a silky texture that spreads easily over the body, and includes hydrating glycerin, along with jojoba and coconut oils for healing dry skin, according to the brand.

BETA

We can help you find

This lotion has a rich, creamy texture that Green says is ideal for those who prefer “a more indulgent feel.” The formula includes hydrating glycerin, along with cocoa butter to nourish the skin, according to the brand. “Cocoa butter is a dense, nourishing emollient that forms a protective layer on the skin, making this product particularly helpful for rough, dry areas such as the elbows, knees, and shins,” says Green. For best results, apply the lotion in the shower to wet skin after cleaning and rinse off.

This body conditioner from Lush has moisturizing argan oil, along with Brazil nut oil to soften the skin, according to the brand. Shea butter also helps to seal the moisture into your skin, while damask rose soothes any irritation. It’s also loved by Lush customers — it has a 4.1-star average rating from over 370 reviews at Lush. To get the most out of the conditioner, while in the shower, spread the butter over your body after cleansing, rinse and pat dry, so the oils can absorb into your skin.

This moisturizer is made with shea butter oil to help soften and brighten skin, along with hyaluronic acid for plenty of hydration, according to the brand. It has a slight coconut fragrance, and reviewers, who gave the lotion a 4.7-star average from 4,950 ratings, call it the “easiest, most convenient way to moisturize every day.” Right after showering, apply the moisturizer to your skin while still wet, and pat dry for the best results.

Avene is one of our favorite French pharmacy brands, and this balm has a non-sticky formula that should be lightly massaged into the skin, according to the brand. It includes glycerin for hydration, along with shea and safflower seed oils, plus it absorbs quickly into the skin. The balm, which has a 4.7-star average from over 730 Amazon ratings, is also great for sensitive skin, with reviewers saying they experience all-day hydration with no irritation after using.

I made our list of in-shower body lotions with these factors in mind:

• Ingredients: The best in-shower lotions and balms contain one or more of three types of ingredients: emollients, humectants, and barrier-strengthening ingredients, says Green. Emollients, like shea butter, cocoa butter, squalane and other plant oils, help soften the skin and form a protective lipid layer that seals in moisture, she says. Humectants, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, draw water into the outer layers of the skin, helping to boost hydration. Lastly, barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides help repair and strengthen the moisture barrier and the skin’s natural protective layer, says Green.
• Texture: Since in-shower lotions need to be able to blend with water, they usually contain emulsifiers, which are ingredients that let water and oil mix, says Green. “When the balm is applied to wet skin, these emulsifiers cause the butters and oils to blend with the water on the skin’s surface,” she says. This transforms the balm into a lighter, usually milky texture that spreads and rinses off easily. However, a thin layer of oil/butter should still stay bonded to the skin after rinsing — which is why I made sure to include products with lightweight formulas that stay put post-shower without leaving a heavy or greasy residue.

Dryness, mainly. Emollients help form a layer to keep moisture in the skin, since it’s already been hydrated during your shower, says Green. “This lipid layer acts as a seal, slowing transepidermal water loss, or the evaporation of moisture from the skin,” she says. Meanwhile, humectants like glycerin hold water in the outer layers of the skin — when combined with the emollient barrier, it can keep skin “feeling soft and moisturized for hours after showering,” she says.

In-shower body balms can also address skin care concerns like dullness, texture and eczema by using targeted actives to tackle the issues. However, combining a balm with other body products like serums, toners and exfoliants can be most effective for targeting multiple issues at once. “For most people, the best results come from using these products together, applying a targeted serum or toner to areas of concern and relying on an in-shower balm or body cream to maintain overall hydration,” says Green.

The ingredients you look for in an in-shower body balm will depend on the issues you want to address. Usually, the formulas are already designed to address common dry skin concerns like dryness, flakiness, itchiness, post-shower tightness and more, along with helping to counter the skin-stripping effects of hot showers and cleansers, says Green. However, aside from general dryness, in-shower body balms can help with other skin concerns, including:

• If you’re struggling with irritation or flare-ups, Green suggests soothing additives like colloidal oatmeal and panthenol.
• Acne-prone or bumpy skin should reach for formulas with gentle, hydrating exfoliants like urea or lactic acid, which Green says can help smooth rougher skin patches and improve textural issues like keratosis pilaris.
• Sensitive or eczema-prone skin may need extra barrier support, which Green says ceramides and oatmeal-based formulas will help to reinforce.

Frequently asked questions

In-shower balms are best for people with dry and rough skin, or anyone whose skin may feel tight or uncomfortable after showers. “They are also ideal for anyone who finds traditional body lotions too heavy or greasy,” says Green. For those who struggle to keep up with a regular moisturizing routine, they hydrate the skin without adding an extra step, she says.

In-shower body balms and butters can be used during every shower, since they’re designed to be a daily moisturizing step in your routine, says Green. However, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, she suggests only using them a few times a week, or only applying it to dry patches/problem areas.

In-shower body balms aren’t exactly more or less effective than body serums or toners, since they serve a different purpose. While in-shower balms are designed to moisturize and soften the skin while sealing in hydration, body serums and toners are usually meant to target specific concerns with active ingredients, says Green. “Although some in-shower balms contain mild exfoliating ingredients, they generally will not provide the same exfoliating, brightening, or resurfacing benefits as a treatment-focused product,” she says.

At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.

I am an associate SEO reporter for NBC Selected, covering skin care, wellness, sales and more. For this story, I spoke to a board-certified dermatologist about everything you need to know about in-shower moisturizers and balms, including recommendations on the best ones to try.

Catch up on NBC Selected’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok to stay up to date.