These Body Balms Will Keep Your Skin Baby-Soft All Winter Long
Say goodbye to painful cracks and itchy patches and hello to softer, smoother skin.
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Colder weather is on its way, which means hot drinks, cozy sweaters, and for lots of us, dry, itchy skin. While the latter is not something we look forward to, there are some things you can do to keep dry skin at bay. One of the most important things you can do is remain hydrated and protect your skin externally, too—we suggest investing in a good humidifier, hand cream, and gloves, as well as a rich and hydrating body balm. Many balms can be used not only on your body but also on hands, feet, lips, and anywhere else that can get severely dry.
Though there are a lot of balms out there that claim to help dry skin, we saved you the trouble of trial and error and picked our favorites that will actually get you feeling baby-smooth on the coldest days of the year.
The Best Body Balms
How to Choose a Body Balm
Balm Versus Lotion or Cream
While balms, lotions, and creams will all help moisturize your skin, they are not the same thing. Lotions will offer the lightest coverage. They typically have the highest water content, which means they hydrate your skin but don't really create a barrier. Creams will be a bit thicker, but some still include water. They are most often used on your hands, feet, and face, though you can find full-body creams as well. Balms will be the thickest of all with little to no water content and often an oily, waxy residue. This helps them lock in moisture, and they work best after a bath or shower when your skin already is already moist.
Irritants
If you have sensitive skin, you will want to make sure that your balm is free of common irritants like fragrances, dyes, and parabens. There are many options out there—including those listed in this article—that are sensitive-skin-friendly, but a good rule of thumb is the fewer ingredients, the better.
How We Selected
To find the best options among the many body balms on the market, we picked s0me top sellers and customer favorites for all different types of skin. We then took into account ingredients, feel, efficacy, scent, and price, as well as researching customer reviews to settle on the body balms you'll find below.
Part of keeping your skin soft is investing in proper cold-weather clothing. Check out our top picks for hats, gaiters, and winter socks.
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Affordable
Cons
- Can be a bit oily
Eucerin is a staple for individuals with sensitive skin, and this balm is specifically designed to help repair dry and damaged skin. The main ingredients are shea butter and sunflower seed oil, and the formula also packs vitamin C, which makes it very effective at moisturizing while leaving behind a body-oil-like sheen. It is also free of skin irritants like fragrances, parabens, and dyes.
Key Specs
| Size | 7 ounces |
| Active Ingredients | Shea butter, sunflower seed oil, vitamin C |
| Fragrance | None |
Pros
- Simple ingredients
- Affordable
Cons
- Some may not like the scent of shea butter
Shea butter is one of the best natural oils for your skin, and while you can use it on its own, it is also a great addition to balms as it helps alongside other ingredients to soften and hydrate skin. This balm helps to keep your skin moisturized for up to 48 hours, and won't melt in the heat like solid shea butter can.
Key Specs
| Size | 7.25 ounces |
| Active Ingredients | Shea butter |
| Fragrance | None |
Eau Thermale Avène Moisturizing Melt-In Balm
Pros
- Creamy, luxurious texture
- Large container
Cons
- Pricey
If you have sensitive skin, you will want to opt for something fragrance- and dye-free like this body balm by Avène. It has a super thick and buttery texture and protects skin for up to 24 hours after application. It uses natural oils like shea, camelina, and safflower oils to help hydrate and restore your skin barrier.
Key Specs
| Size | 8.4 ounces |
| Active Ingredients | Shea, camelina, and safflower oil |
| Fragrance | None |
Pros
- Great scent
- Thick, buttery texture
Cons
- Some may not feel or enjoy effects of CBD
Soft and buttery-smooth, this balm will have you wanting to re-apply over and over—but luckily, you only need to use a little to get baby-soft skin. This balm is vegan, clean, and cruelty-free, and it uses ingredients like jojoba oil and vitamin E to help smooth and firm the skin. It also has 200mg of CBD in it, which can help alleviate stress, tension, and pain as you massage it in.
Key Specs
| Size | 4 ounces |
| Active Ingredients | Vitamin E, Jojoba oil, CBD |
| Fragrance | Artificial fragrance |
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Pros
- Incredible smell
- Makes skin soft and plump
Cons
- Expensive
Though technically a cream and not a balm, this formula has a thick, balm-like texture, and makes skin feel incredibly soft and smooth. The cream helps to both hydrate and plump the skin, giving it a soft, youthful glow, and it has a delicious, long-lasting scent that incorporates notes of vanilla, salted caramel, and pistachio.
Key Specs
| Size | 8.1 ounces |
| Active Ingredients | Cupuaçu butter, Açaí oil, Coconut Oil |
| Fragrance | Artificial fragrance |
Pros
- Very effective
- Simple ingredients
Cons
- Very thick consistency
If you have severely dry, chapped, or cracked skin, you will want to opt for a balm that can help lock in moisture and protect your skin from further damage. Bag balm was originally designed—and is still used—to treat dry and cracked udders on cows. It is gentle on the skin and has a texture similar to petroleum jelly; customers say that it is incredibly effective in a short period of time—especially for those with skin conditions like eczema.
Key Specs
| Size | 16 ounces (two 8-ounce tins) |
| Active Ingredients | Lanolin, petroleum |
| Fragrance | None |
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
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