There's a growing emphasis on facial skincare in 2021 (which is great!), but the enthusiasm for skincare for the body is oddly not on parity. Keeping your body feeling and looking velvety smooth doesn't have to be a mundane endeavour; in fact, French pharmacy and designer skincare brands offer the ultimate spa-like experiences.
We've already covered our picks for the best French body wash, so we thought it was about time we followed up with the best French body lotions to give yourself a well-deserved treat with!
Deciding which one is best for you depends entirely on your skin type, budget, and fragrance preference. Our top 10 picks narrow down the best French body lotion based on each of these factors. Enjoy!
Pros
Used in luxury hotels- Orange blossom scent
Cons
Very high price- Limited availability
What makes it special? Now, this is rather anecdotal, but Diptyque's luxurious body lotions are given to guests of the world's fanciest hotels, and by fancy, we're talking The Ritz and The Langham fancy. This is because they are unequivocally the *best* body lotions available in the world—especially the Fresh Body Lotion. Its lightweight formula ensures your skin remains nourished and moisturised all day long, and the combination of hydrating waters and essential fatty acids soothes and softens the skin, leaving it with the energising yet soft scent of orange blossoms. Divine, and worth every penny.
Pros
- Citrus extracts scented
- Non-greasy finish
Cons
- Limited availability
- May be too light
What makes it special? This best-selling, beautifully smooth, and incredibly popular Body Milk instantly smooths and refines the appearance of the skin. It works to revive and replenish dry, flaky skin whilst restoring its protective barrier to improve suppleness and elasticity. The super fresh formula is lightly scented with citrus extracts and absorbs easily into the skin for a non-sticky, non-greasy finish.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Body Lotion Daily Repair Moisturizing Cream
The best French body lotion for damaged and sensitive skin.
Pros
- Fragrance free formula
- Baby safe
Cons
- Basic moisturizing only
- No special features
What makes it special? This lightweight, fast-absorbing daily repair body lotion for normal to dry skin is formulated with nourishing shea butter, glycerin and niacinamide. It helps replenish the skin's essential lipids and provides all-day hydration for skin that is suffering from damage or sensitivity, making it perfect for the winter. It is paraben-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and even suitable for babies.
Pros
- 88% natural ingredients
- 100% recyclable tube
Cons
- Higher price point
- Rich heavy texture
What makes it special? An expert in body care for more than 65 years, Clarins has relaunched its iconic Moisture-Rich Body Lotion with its most natural and comforting formula to date. Enriched with a high concentration of Shea Butter and a blend of organic plant extracts, this luxurious, silky smooth lotion provides the skin with ultimate comfort and boosts hydration of even the driest skin. The new formula is greener and made from 88% natural ingredients, and the tube is 100% recyclable!
Pros
- 24-hour hydration guarantee
- Antioxidant protection
Cons
- May be too rich
- French pharmacy pricing
What makes it special? If you're a FEMMENORDIC subscriber, you'll know our stance on French pharmacy skincare products; their elegant simplicity and inimitable efficacy are unbeatable dollar-for-dollar, and this body lotion by Avene is no exception. Its rich, whipped texture envelops the skin for maximum suppleness and comfort while providing antioxidant protection, and its non-greasy, non-sticky formula quickly absorbs into the skin to provide 24-hour hydration.
Sisley Paris Eau du Soir Moisturizing Perfumed Body Cream
The best perfumed French body lotion.
Pros
- Eau du Soir fragrance
- Jioh and Licorice extracts
Cons
- Very expensive
- Strong fragrance commitment
What makes it special? Having covered and loved Sisley's Eau du Soir perfume from our best French perfumes article, I was incredibly pleased to discover they offered a body lotion in the same range. The Eau du Soir moisturising body cream is a delicate cream that provides instant and long-lasting hydration. It leaves the skin soft, velvety and comfortable (Jioh and Licorice extracts) and subtly perfumes with the notes of Eau du Soir. It is easily absorbed into the skin, allowing to dress immediately. Simply delightful.
Pros
- Antioxidant grape polyphenols
- White musk fragrance
Cons
- Limited availability
- May be too light
What makes it special? Caudalie made it on our best French skincare brands list thanks to their proclivity for natural products, and their body lotion is a perfect ambassador for this. Enriched with nourishing grape seed oil and anti-oxidant grape Polyphenols, this lightweight and easily-absorbed body lotion leaves skin feeling soft, moisturised and firmed. It is lightly fragranced with notes of white musk, neroli and ginger, for the ultimate sensorial experience.
Pros
- 24-hour hydration
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Not traditional lotion
- Glow enhancing only
What makes it special? It's time to skip the snooze button and wake up your skin with a luminous, radiant glow without breaking the bank. This natural glow-enhancing lotion is infused with hydrating watermelon for an all-over fresh, natural radiance. It plumps and protects your skin with up to 24-hour hydration, and skin instantly appears healthier and glowing whilst covering imperfections.
Pros
- Luxury brand heritage
- Macadamia nut oils
Cons
- Premium price point
- Rich heavy formula
What makes it special? Based on Lancôme's extensive experience treating dry skin and their penchant for luxury products, they created Nutrix Royal: a luxurious cream that leaves skin feeling soft, comfortable and supple. Dry skin is left feeling richly nourished with moisture, and left looking and feeling smoother. For best results, apply it to your body when the skin is still damp (i.e. just after a bath or shower). Give your skin a daily treat with this hidden gem of a product.
Calum Torrington is the founder of FEMMENORDIC. He has worked as a beauty editor since 2020 and employs his analytical background in mathematics to thoroughly scrutinize complex INCI lists. Now, he helps over 1 million people per year to find the best beauty products.
