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8 Best Body Spray Moisturizers for Lightweight Hydration
If slathering on body lotion feels like a chore, the best body spray moisturizers might just be your new favorite shortcut to soft, hydrated skin. “Sprays are lighter than typical creams and lotions because the formula has to go through the mechanism of a spray bottle,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Memphis, Tennessee. That airy feel makes them quick, mess-free, and ideal for busy mornings, post-workout touch-ups, or refreshing dry skin without getting your hands greasy. And they’re also helpful for skipping the awkward body contortion when applying body moisturizer—these ultra-fine mists effortlessly deliver hydrating humectants and emollients to tricky spots like your mid-back.
Our Top Body Spray Moisturizers
Ahead, you’ll find our top picks, from dermatologist-approved drugstore staples to editor favorites that smell as amazing as they feel on your skin. Just spritz, swipe (if you want), and go. All-over hydration has never been easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Flamingo Light Hydrating Spray
Why it’s worth it: Is it a fragrance? Is it a moisturizer? Flamingo Light Hydrating Spray is equal parts both, which makes it so addictive. This mist delivers a hit of hydration with squalane and apple extract to soften and smooth dryness, while white willow bark gently exfoliates to keep skin clear and glowing. Once it quickly dries down, your skin feels dewy, hydrated, and ready for whatever’s next. All of Flamingo’s body moisturizers, including this one, feature the brand’s signature scent: a subtle blend of vetiver, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, and Asian pear. It’s not too floral, not too sweet—just soft, clean skin that smells incredible.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Body mists aren’t a must for me, but I like how subtly Flamingo’s Light Hydrating Spray is scented. As someone who loves face mist, this less traditional body mist is right up my alley. It gives my dull skin an instant boost, thanks to squalane, while gently coating my skin with a lightweight, mood-boosting veil of vetiver, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, and Asian pear. It’s the perfect option for these darn dog days of summer when just thinking about body lotions makes me want to hop into the shower.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: squalane (plant-derived), white willowbark, papaya extract, apple extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Spray Serum: Sidia The Body Serum
Why it’s worth it: When Sidia created The Body Serum, the goal was simple: Stop saving the best skin-care ingredients for just your face. This fast-absorbing spray delivers serious hydration and nourishment from the neck down. Packed with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera juice, it quenches and soothes dry skin, while avocado oil and squalane help lock in moisture and restore suppleness. Plant-powered ingredients like prickly pear, cactus extract, and rambutan peel calm irritation and support the skin barrier. Plus, bakuchiol (a gentle, plant-based retinol alternative) works to firm and smooth the look of loose or aging skin.
“This is the kind of product you love so much, you can’t help but use it whenever you pass your vanity. I am the queen of excuses when it comes to lathering my desperately dry skin, but this genius serum is a real no-excuses way to stay hydrated. It was a new experience to straight Windex my body after the shower, but that in itself is truly a game-changer. You’re done in mere seconds, smell great, and have already primed your skin with moisture before you’re even fully dry. I love it as a hydration replenisher throughout the day, and the fragrance is so long-lasting I don’t need to layer anything over it.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, avocado oil, squalane, prickly pear, bakuchiol, aloe vera
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Spray Balm: Hanni Water Balm
Why it’s worth it: At first spritz, you might assume Hanni Water Balm is just, well, water, but your skin will think differently. This ultra-lightweight spray delivers a burst of moisture from hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while red algae extract helps soothe and smooth dry, thirsty skin. It absorbs in a jiff, leaving your body feeling soft, dewy, and rejuvenated. And we can’t help but give a shout-out to the light floral scent, which adds a fresh, feel-good finish, making it just as much a treat for your senses as it is for your skin. Use it post-shave, post-shower, or any time your skin needs a quick hit of hydration.
“I admittedly get pretty damn lazy with body care, and in order to be motivated to do it at all, it needs to be easy, fast, and smell really good. Water Balm checks all of those boxes. It smells delish, like a peppery floral situation, and goes on so light. I like using it post-shower on days when I don’t shave because my legs are extremely sensitive otherwise, and I’m always glad I whipped it out.” —Annie Blackman, contributing commerce writer
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, red algae extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Dry Oil: Glossier Body Hero Dry-Touch Nourishing Oil Mist
Why it’s worth it: If you’re the type who hates standing around naked and cold post-shower waiting for your lotion to sink in, Glossier Body Hero Dry-Touch Nourishing Oil Mist is about to change your routine. This fine, fast-absorbing mist is packed with nourishing oils—like sunflower seed, grapeseed, and oat—to deeply hydrate and soften skin. The non-greasy, “dry-touch” finish means you can spritz, rub it in, and get dressed ASAP. Plus, it smells amazing, thanks to the subtle orange blossom neroli scent that lingers just enough.
Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
“I have super sensitive skin (I suffer from contact dermatitis), so I’m wary about trying new body lotions and sprays. But I was pleasantly surprised that my skin not only liked this spray. Just a few spritzes were enough to hydrate my skin and get rid of any ashiness. What I loved the most, though, was its lightweight formula. It’s rare for a spray or oil not to feel too heavy, but this one is light enough not to clog my skin and weigh it down.” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
- Key ingredients: sea fennel extract, sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil, oat oil
- Fragrance-free:
Best for Dry Skin: Nerrā The Dry Body Oil
Why it’s worth it: When you want to smell really, really good but also be moisturized, that’s when you turn to Nerrā The Dry Body Oil for the perfect pick-me-up. Inspired by ancient Mediterranean bathhouse rituals, this quick-absorbing, floral-scented formula brings a touch of spa-like luxury to your daily routine. A nourishing blend of sunflower, grapeseed, and jojoba oils deeply hydrates and softens, while antioxidant-rich vitamin E helps support the skin’s barrier. While it’s a spray, because of the oil-based formula, you’ll still want to rub it in to evenly distribute that glow-inducing moisture (a little goes a long way).
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I switch from body lotion to body oil when my skin needs extra TLC, and found a match in this spray-on version. The mist makes it easy to apply a light amount—just enough to moisturize but not so much that there’s a greasy residue—without making a mess of my bathroom. It also sinks in quickly, so I don’t have to worry about staining my clothes, and the scent is subtle but also kind of addictive.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, macadamia oil, rose hip oil
- Fragrance-free: no
More body spray moisturizers we love
Best Lightweight: Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray
Why it’s worth it: Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray delivers “the same occlusive, barrier‑protecting benefits of the classic Aquaphor Healing Ointment, but in a more lightweight mist format that’s easier to apply to large areas,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic based in New York City. Featuring a simple ingredient list with hydrating glycerin and petrolatum, “the fine spray creates a breathable layer that locks in moisture and supports healing for dry or compromised skin,” she says. It even sprays upside down, so you can easily target spots like the middle of your back, ankles, or behind your legs. If you have eczema, New York-based board-certified dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, recommends focusing it on areas that are especially rough or scaly.
- Key ingredients: butane, petrolatum, paraffinum liquidum, glycerin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Oily Skin: Curél Deep Moisture Spray
Curél
Deep Moisture Spray
Why it’s worth it: When your skin is low on ceramides, that dry, tight, itchy skin feeling can hit hard, especially if you’re prone to sensitivity. Enter Curél Deep Moisture Spray, a Best of Beauty Award winner that delivers a refreshing surge of ceramides to help restore your skin and bring instant relief. “Ceramides are powerful lipids that help protect and repair the skin’s hydration barrier,” says Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Plymouth Meeting Dermatology, based in East Norriton, PA. The alcohol- and fragrance-free formula makes it suitable for all skin types, particularly sensitive skin, and it’s surprisingly versatile, too. “You may have picked this up as a moisturizing mist for your face, but it’s really great for your body as well,” Dr. Saedi adds. Plus, the slightly smaller size makes it easy to toss in a bag and take on the go.
- Key ingredients: glycerin, ceramides, eucalyptus
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Drugstore: Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Spray
Vaseline
Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Spray
Why it’s worth it: When you combine two tried-and-true moisturizers—cocoa butter and the iconic Vaseline jelly—you get a simple, ultra-effective formula that dermatologists actually use themselves. “I tried Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Spray a few years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since,” says Dr. Saedi. “The cocoa butter helps deeply moisturize and soften the skin, glycerin pulls in moisture, and micro-droplets of Vaseline jelly to lock it all in.”The continuous spray delivers instant hydration, and she notes it’s especially great for tackling dry, ashy skin. “However, if you’re prone to body acne or bacne, the occlusive jelly might clog pores,” she says.
- Key ingredients: petrolatum, cocoa butter
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
Do body spray moisturizers work?
Body spray moisturizers absolutely work, especially if you’re after lightweight, fast-absorbing hydration that’s convenient to your routine. “What I love most about body spray moisturizers is how weightless and revitalizing they feel on the skin,” says Dr. Engelman. “They soak in almost instantly, leaving a soft, hydrated finish without any stickiness or heavy residue. It feels like a quick burst of moisture that your skin soaks in, which makes the experience both effortless and luxurious.” While they may not deliver the long-lasting hydration of thicker creams or balms, they’re perfect for everyday use, post-shower spritzes, or touch-ups throughout the day.
Are body spray moisturizers better than regular body lotions?
Spray lotion isn’t necessarily “better” than traditional body lotion, but it might be better for your lifestyle, especially if you prefer low-maintenance skin-care products. “Spray moisturizers are ideal for busy regimens because they allow for quick, even application without the need to rub in a thick cream,” says Dr. Engelman. They’re especially great for hard-to-reach spots like the back and shoulders, and for minimizing friction on sensitive or compromised skin. “Because it spreads so evenly, the skin gets uniform coverage,” she adds. While spray lotions may feel lighter than body creams or butters, Dr. Engelman notes they still deliver effective hydration, and their ease of use often makes people more consistent with moisturizing, which is key for any good skin-care routine.
Meet the experts
- Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic based in New York City
- Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, based in Memphis, Tennessee
- Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Plymouth Meeting Dermatology, based in East Norriton, PA
- Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City at SmarterSkin Dermatology
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best-smelling body lotions, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
