It's well known that in-shower moisturisers do a world of good for dehydrated skin. Also known as water-activated moisturisers or body conditioners, warm water from the shower opens up your pores, allowing the product to thoroughly hydrate dry patches for smooth and supple skin.
These water soluble lotions and creams contain humectants, emollients, and nourishing plant-based butters and oils to replenish and repair your skin. But which one should you pick? With softening and soothing in-shower moisturisers from leading brands including Nivea, Lush and Soap & Glory, in this article, we've compiled a list of the top 10 best in the UK available on Amazon and Boots to help you choose!
Quick List - Top In-Shower Moisturisers
Sanctuary Spa
Delicately Floral-Scented and Powerfully Hydrating
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
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Felipe Partarrieu is a final year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
Jojoba oil is a commonly used ingredient in skincare and cosmetics thanks to its antioxidant properties. It helps your body to fight the oxidative stress caused by daily exposure to pollution and air toxins, and it's one of the most effective ingredients for building up a moisturising barrier, much like argan oil.
Argan oil is a healthy fat, pumped full of Vitamin E to improve elasticity and repair damaged skin. In comparison to jojoba oil, argan oil contains more natural exfoliants to help remove dead skin cells. Although, this means jojoba oil will be more suitable for sensitive skin.
Last but not least, mineral oils are also good ingredients to look out for. These are highly purified oils with a lightweight texture, that are used to improve the skin's ability to retain water and to keep your skin soft all day long.
For an even oilier affair, check out our top 10 body oils.
Several studies have shown topically applied lipids ("oils") not only coat but also penetrate the skin and are postulated to have anti-inflammatory activity. Oils high in short-chain and polyunsaturated components (such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid) are superior as moisturising agents.
Argan oil deserves a special mention for several reasons: Its high oleic acid content in this oil is found to regulate sebum secretion; the high linoleic acid content gives it anti-inflammatory properties, and its extremely high content of tocopherol (vitamin E, almost double than that of olive oil) gives it strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties, which translate into a possible anti-aging product benefit.
Shea butter has such a long list of benefits, it's almost impossible to know where to begin. It can be used to treat back acne and blemishes, restore elasticity in the skin, and has even been know to drastically improve the appearance of deep coloured stretch marks!
In addition, it soothes and prevents razor bumps and shaving rashes. So you might want to consider using a shea butter in-shower moisturiser on the days that you want to shave. Diving into the specifics, shea butter is such a highly effective ingredient because it contains Vitamins A, E, and F. This also makes it beneficial for people struggling with eczema or dermatitis.
Shea butter contains a mix of fatty acids that have been shown to improve the skin barrier. It also contains vitamins E, A, and D, which have been shown to improve the skin's protecting function, helping to hydrate, plump, and protect the skin. It also contains other compounds known as "phenolic" that offer anti-oxidant effects to shea butter.
It goes without saying that aloe vera is an all-round skin saviour. With its soothing and healing properties, and its ability to cool a sunburn, there's no doubt that having aloe vera in your in-shower moisturiser is nothing but a positive. It also has extremely high water content, making it super easy for your skin to absorb the powerful anti-inflammatory, Vitamin E .
Another superb ingredient for dry skin is coconut extract. Full of nourishing vitamins and minerals, it's especially useful for reinvigorating tired skin. Plus, coconut extract is a natural humectant, a type of ingredient that helps your skin to absorb moisture by drawing in water molecules from the environment.
Don't forget to supply your hair with moisture too - discover the best hair masks in the UK.
Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active constituents, including vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, salicylic acid and amino acids. Although evidence is not conclusive, research suggests that the combination and synergism of these ingredients, rather than a single one, exerts its effects on the skin from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.
Coconut oil has proven emollient ("softening") effect in people with atopic dermatitis ("chronic eczema") and dry skin in general. In addition, coconut oil has been shown to destroy free radicals, which might have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
When buying an in-shower moisturiser, the trick is to get the consistency just right. Lotions are a popular choice during the warmer summer months because of their lightweight feel. Thanks to the low viscosity, lotions can be easily absorbed by the skin, which is especially useful for normal to oily skin to avoid over-moisturising.
That said, lotions can absorb too quickly after your shower, leaving you with an oily residue that's tricky to get rid of. Cream, on the other hand, is designed to treat and prevent dry, irritated skin. The thickness of a shower cream helps to create a barrier that locks in a moisture and keeps your skin looking supple all day long - which is perfect for cold, harsh winter weather!
Explore our picks for the best body lotions in the UK!
It's important to remember that not all moisturisers suit everyone, and the skin type is the determinant factor that should lead your choice. Also, the consistency should be comfortable enough for people to apply it every day without hesitation.
People with normal-to-oily skin are advised to stick to lotions with low thickness and ones that offer a lightweight feel that makes them comfortable to use daily. People with skin on the drier side might prefer creams due to their thicker consistency and intrinsically higher moisturising power, and ability to lock in moisture compared to lotions.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nivea Nourishing In-Shower Body Moisturiser | ![]() | A Thorough Moisturiser for Dry and Sore Skin | |
2 | LUSH Ro's Argan | ![]() | The Best Moisturiser for Dry, Sensitive Skin | |
3 | Nivea In-Shower Cocoa Butter Body Lotion | ![]() | 24 Hour Moisture With Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E | |
4 | Sanctuary Spa Ultra Rich Wet Skin Moisture Miracle Body Moisturiser | ![]() | Delicately Floral-Scented and Powerfully Hydrating | |
5 | LUSH Tingle | ![]() | A Tub of Minty Fresh Tingly Goodness | |
6 | frank body Everyday in shower moisturiser | ![]() | Extra Dose of Moisture for Those Who Are Always In A Hurry | |
7 | Soap & Glory All The Right Smoothes In Shower Moisturiser | ![]() | A Strong-Scented Shower Smoothie Loaded With Nourishing Oils | |
8 | Sanctuary Spa Wet Skin Moisture Miracle Body Moisturiser | ![]() | An Ultra-Fast Absorbing Body Lotion | |
9 | Garnier In-Shower Body Lotion for Dry Skin|Pack of 6 | ![]() | Delightfully Fragrant In-Shower Body Lotion That Provides Intense Moisture | |
10 | Olay Moisturinse In Shower Body Lotion | ![]() | Improve Dry Skin in 5 Days With This Hydrating In-Shower Lotion |
This is the classic Nivea product that should always be in your bathroom cupboard. This nourishing 24-hour care moisturiser contains almond oil and coconut extracts to soften your skin for any occasion.
It's especially beneficial for those with dry skin as it provides instant hydration from the second you apply it. Although, the neutral almond scent is likely to fade away after a few hours, which could be a good thing as it won't clash with your favourite perfume.
This scrumptious in-shower body conditioner is an essential for anyone with dry or itchy skin. To combat irritation, this creamy moisturiser nourishes the skin with extracts of argan oil and shea butter.
A great number of happy customers have reported that their skin felt amazing after using this product, with many claiming to have seen a noticeable improvement in the condition of their skin. That's why you can always rely on Lush to sweep the floor when it comes to body care moisturisers!
This hydrating body conditioner is packed full of nourishing ingredients mainly cocoa butter and vitamin E. Smelling super comforting, this is the ideal in-shower moisturiser to use during winter to soothe very dry skin.
Your skin will be instantly hydrated without leaving any uncomfortable, sticky feeling. Coming in a huge bottle, we highly recommend this water-activated moisturiser to ensure your skin feels great all day and night.
In comparison to the other Sanctuary Spa moisturiser further up our list, this product takes hydration to the next level with a rich shea butter base. Clinically proven to lock in up to 5x the hydration, the formula includes hyaluronic acid, which is one of the best moisturising ingredients for dry skin!
If you have very dry or sensitive skin, this will quench parched patches and protect it from the harsh environmental aggressors that we are exposed to each day. Best of all, it'll leave you smelling like a rose garden - what a way to start your day!
For an invigorating morning wash, this in-shower body conditioner by Lush is exactly what you need. It's designed to help soothe sore muscles, lock in moisture, and soften dry patches, all while providing a refreshingly minty tingle.
Lush is renowned for its powerful, natural ingredients and that's exactly what this product delivers. With menthol crystals to stimulate blood circulation and bring your skin to life, we can't think of a better way to start your day than with this creamy in-shower moisturiser.
For those who are always in a hurry and in desperate need of moisture, this antioxidant-rich in-shower moisturiser will be your saviour. The non-sticky, clean formula, infused with intensely moisturising shea butter and protective vitamin E, instantly penetrates into skin and seals in moisture.
During colder months, this moisturiser lets you stay warm under the water while the fatty acids leave your skin silky smooth. After cleansing, simply apply to damp skin, rinse, pat dry, and you're all set. There is no need to for any more lotions or creams after – talk about convenience!
Making products loaded with nutritious oils and sweet fragrances is exactly what Soap and Glory specialise in. It's no surprise that this is a trending product, thanks to its fruity, citrusy scent and its thick shea butter texture.
On the downside, this product isn't too good for dry skin as it has a high perfume content, which can often irritate itchy or cracked skin. However, this only affects a small percentage of users, so if you have 'normal' skin and this isn't usually a concern, then you should definitely give it a go!
If you're short for time in the mornings, this is the best in-shower moisturiser for you. It's fast-working, super hydrating, and packed full of nourishing mineral oils that will leave you smelling sweet like apricots.
This lotion will keep your skin soft and supple for up to 12 hours, which is just enough time to stay fresh for after-college meet-ups or work dinners. Additionally, the ultra-light, non-greasy texture makes it the perfect addition to your summer shower routine.
This showering lotion is filled with three pleasant fragrances: cucumber, ylang-ylang, and monoi to calm your sense, just what you want after a long day. It works similarly to a hair conditioning treatment for your skin - use after cleansing and rinse out, no waiting time needed.
Formulated with 20% nourishing oil & cucumber extract, your skin will be penetrated with intensive moisture that will leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated all day. It also won't leave any residue that will cause any uncomfortableness or rub off on your clothing.
This in-shower lotion will provide your skin with 24-hour care and moisture with a water-activated formula enriched with shea butter to deeply infuse the skin with moisture. It also has a wonderfully light fragrance.
Users report that daily usage can improve hydration of dry skin, leaving the skin up to 60% softer, smoother, and healthier-looking in five days when compared to untreated skin. On the downside, this product is one of the more pricier items on our list.
Written and researched by Annie Speight
No. 1: Nivea |Nourishing In-Shower Body Moisturiser
No. 2: LUSH|Ro's Argan
No. 3: Nivea|In-Shower Cocoa Butter Body Lotion
No. 4: Sanctuary Spa | Ultra Rich Wet Skin Moisture Miracle Body Moisturiser
No. 5: LUSH|Tingle
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