Staff-tested: The best intense moisturizers and body lotions

1. Consonant Body Ultra Moisturizing Organic Face Cream

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) provides anti-aging benefits in this Canadian organic face cream. 

“My dehydrated skin sopped up this day/night face cream. I’m prone to breakouts, but didn’t notice any congestion, and the cream has only a subtle scent. To me, it’s worth the luxe price.”

-Jennifer Walker, Senior Content Editor

$54, 60 mL, at select Bay and Sears stores; consonantbody.com

2. Vichy Lipidiose Nutritive Concentrate for Body

Strictly for tough spots like hands, elbows and heels, this is also designed to gently exfoliate.

“My skin is very dry, so I’m careful about what I use. This made my knees and elbows noticeably softer and smoother after just one day. And it has a pleasant scent of talc. The only drawback: I still need another moisturizer for the rest of my body. “

-Ruth Hanley, Copy Chief

$21, 100 mL, at drugstores

3. Lush Coco Lotion Hand and Body Lotion

Lush says key ingredient extra-virgin coconut oil is ideal for soothing skin in harsh weather.

“This quickly relieved dry skin on my legs, and absorbs well enough to use on my hands without turning my computer keyboard into a greasy mess. Plus, my boyfriend loved the slightly nutty scent. Bonus! “

-Jennifer Goldberg, Associate Web Editor

$20, 225 g, at Lush stores and lush.ca, 1-888-733-5874

4. Vaseline Intensive Rescue Clinical Therapy Skin Protectant Body Lotion

This combination of glycerin, petrolatum and emollients is formulated for extreme dryness.

“I found this worked best after a shower-and it’s really helped my heels and cuticles, which get super dry in winter. I found it had a bit of a sticky residue, so I learned to use it sparingly; a little goes a long way.”

-Sun Ngo, Acting Art Director

$8, 200 mL, at drugstores and mass retailers

5. St. Ives Intensive Healing Advanced Body Moisturizer

This paraben-free salve for extra-dry skin promises to lock in moisture for up to 24 hours.

“Smoothing this on my legs and arms each day quickly cleared up flaky patches. I like that it’s fragrance-free, and has natural ingredients, including olive leaf extract and grapeseed oil.”

-Margaret Nearing, Senior Editor

$7, 600 mL, at drugstores and mass retailers

6. Crabtree & Evelyn Citron Honey & Coriander Hand Therapy

Shea butter, natural oils and antioxidants help keep hands in prime condition.

“I know you’re supposed to wear gloves when washing dishes, but I just don’t do it. So I keep this beside the kitchen sink, and moisturize when I finish. I love this stuff-so rich, and with a lovely lemony-sweet scent.”

-Bonnie Munday, Editor

$17, 100 g, crabtree-evelyn.com, 1-800-955-2757

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