Before I start talking about the best smelling lotions for men, I need to get something off my chest. And I’m fully aware I sound like a nostalgic mother. But she was right: things were simply better in the ‘olden days.’ Remember when WrestleMania was the highlight of the year? Now we’re forced to watch YouTuber KSI being blasted through a table by Logan Paul (while dressed up as a bottle of Prime).
However, not all is lost (and this is where I get back to those sweet-smelling lotions). One thing that has improved over the years is our beauty cabinet. Thanks to the realization that guys want to look (and smell) good too, the gentleman’s grooming roster has expanded exponentially.
In order to wade your way through the overwhelming options on the market, I’ve pulled together a selection of the finest lotions that will please your nose as well as your dry skin. Keep reading for my top recommendations for every kind of budget.
Key Takeaways
Buying grooming products was much simpler when all you needed was a razor, shaving foam, and body wash. But times have changed and your body is eternally grateful. The only problem now is handpicking your favorites from the plethora of options ready to bless you with smooth, great-smelling skin.
To save you from frantically pacing up and down the drugstore aisle, you can check out this list of the best smelling lotions for men. From Nivea’s maximum hydration 3 in 1 to Malin + Goetz’s Vitamin B5, these are the hard-working products that’ll lock in moisture and quickly become your post-shower savior.
Our Top Picks
For most guys, a skincare routine was once a chore completed if you could muster up the energy. Nowadays, it’s regarded as an essential (and enjoyable) part of day-to-day life. And we’re not just settling for moisturized skin—the most popular products are those that give off a refreshing aroma that we wear like a badge of honor. Which is why it’s important to invest in the very best smelling men’s lotion.
This one from Nivea can be used on the body, face, and hands—leaving behind a subtle scent that makes you feel super clean and rejuvenated. Better yet, it costs under $10 and will boost the moisture level in the skin without leaving behind any sticky residue or greasiness.
Skin Type: All | Scent: Aloe Vera | Size: 16.9oz | Cruelty-Free: Unknown
With a cost-of-living crisis in full swing and your summer wardrobe in dire need of an upgrade, spending big on your moisturizer is probably going to be low down on your priority list. Thankfully, looking after your skin doesn’t have to be expensive.
Palmer’s 48-hour cocoa butter lets you cut back without compromising on quality. Fast absorbing and ultra-hydrating, it’s made from natural, raw ingredients and can be applied to your body and face. The scent is light, with warm notes of bergamot, cocoa, and sandalwood (just like your favorite cologne).
Skin Type: All | Scent: Cocoa | Size: 8.5oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’ve not heard about MALIN+GOETZ, you would have seen their candles on the mantelpiece belonging to your most stylish friend. Founded in New York City in 2004, the label combines natural ingredients with advanced technology to produce luxury skincare and fragrance for the modern, design-conscious individual.
Alongside the likes of face washes and shampoos, they also offer some of the best smelling lotions for men—including the Vitamin B5. Lightweight, quick-drying, and long-lasting, it’s a deep nourishing cream that provides a light scent with all-over hydration. Rub it in after your morning shower, and you’ll leave the house with super soft skin that feels refreshed and hydrated.
Skin Type: All | Scent: Fresh | Size: 8.5oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Body lotions play an essential role in keeping your skin hydrated. Whether you’re a surfer or computer programmer, they’re a must-have in every self-care collection. But before you go buying any old cream, this one from Marlowe is worth your consideration.
Made from natural ingredients and suitable for all skin types, the non-greasy formula comes in a large pump top bottle for easy application and long-lasting nourishment. It’s light and absorbs quickly into skin, leaving behind a subtle, fresh scent that sets you up for the busy day ahead.
Skin Type: All | Scent: Fresh | Size: 15oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
From getting rid of tired eyes to tightening wrinkles and smoothing blemishes, there are all kinds of creams ready to try. But when it comes to the best smelling men’s lotions, Outlaw Soaps is certainly setting the standard.
Inspired by the famous frontierswoman and sharpshooter, Calamity Jane is a rich and creamy lotion that fills your nose with hints of clove, orange, cinnamon, and a kick of whiskey. It actually smells so good you’ll probably want to eat it (but I highly recommend you don’t).
Skin Type: All | Scent: Clove, Orange, Cinnamon, Whiskey | Size: 8oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
You’ve heard of Diptyque, right? At the very least, you know about their candles. Basically, if the brand was to fall into a bucket of excrement, they’d still come out smelling like roses. The Parisian parfumerie can do no wrong, and it’s one of the hottest properties on the lotion-selling market.
A rich, fresh, and moisturizing cream, Art of Body is formulated with orange blossom water and macadamia nuts to deliver unrivaled hydration and the sweet smell of orange blossoms. It’s a little on the expensive side. But I guess that’s the price you have to pay for something in such high demand.
Skin Type: All | Scent: Almond, Orange | Size: 6.8 Fl Oz | Cruelty-Free: Unknown
Having a reliable moisturizer in your grooming roster is a no-brainer. But finding the best smelling lotions for men can involve a lengthy game of trial and error. Especially when you’re looking for a product that nourishes as well as pleases the senses.
Save yourself some time by putting your trust in this version from Bath & Body Works. An excellent option for every day, it’ll seal, support, and protect the top layers of your skin—stopping the bad stuff getting in and keeping the goodness exactly where it should be. It gives off a masculine aroma that’s not overpowering or too sweet.
Skin Type: All | Scent: Bourbon | Size: 8oz | Cruelty-Free: Unknown
Having sensitive skin can prove a bit of a nightmare when it comes to finding your perfect lotion. It’s often a case of testing out multiple products while anxiously waiting to see if you break out in a rash.
Thankfully, brands like Hemp have got your back (saving you money and a whole lot of scratching). The herbal body moisturizer helps comfort and soothe dry skin by using a blend of 100% natural hemp seed oil with chamomile and avocado to fight irritation. It contains no perfume, but there’s a light, pleasing smell of vanilla and oatmeal.
Skin Type: Sensitive | Scent: Vanilla, Oatmeal | Size: 17oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For guys with extra dry skin, slavering on layers of lotion is not always the answer. Instead, it’s about the type of cream you choose and how good it is at revitalizing (especially around those problem areas such as your elbows and knees).
Vaseline’s extra strength formula is not only one of the best smelling lotions for men, but it’ll get to work fast—quenching your thirsty skin and leaving it hydrated without sticking to your clothes. Using vitamin B3 and micro droplets of vaseline jelly, it’s designed to keep dry skin healed for around three weeks. I find it’s best applied after giving your body a good scrub in the shower using a loofah.
Skin Type: All | Scent: Fresh | Size: 10oz | Cruelty-Free: Unknown
What To Look For In The Best Smelling Lotions For Men
Scent
The scent you choose will be determined by personal preference and when you’ll be moisturizing. For day-to-day, you’ll want to choose something subtle and refreshing. During the summer, you may like to opt for a fruitier aroma, while the winter could call for a less sweet smell.
Skin Type
Many of the best smelling lotions for men will be suitable for all skin types, but you will also come across specialist creams that are designed to tackle specific conditions. Look out for these if you have particularly dry, oily, or acne-prone skin.
Ingredients
As the name suggests, body lotions are applied from head to toe, so it’s important to know what they are made from. This rings particularly true if you have a skin condition. Always read the bottle and watch out for toxic ingredients that may cause irritation (such as DMDM hydantoin).
Final Verdict
Thanks to the ever-growing options on the market, there are now countless remedies available for dry skin. However, not all of them smell as good as they hydrate. This collection of the best smelling lotions gives you the best of both worlds—so you’d be wise to add a few to your bathroom cabinet.
If you want to start with only one, there’s not much better than Nivea’s affordable 3-in-1. You can use it on your body, face, and hands, while it leaves behind a subtle and refreshing scent. There’s no sticky residue or greasiness, and at under $10 a bottle, you can stock up without breaking the bank.
FAQ
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Moisturizing all year round is a non-negotiable. Your skin needs looking after just as much in the winter as it does during summer. But when it comes to an evergreen scent, pick something fresh and subtle. It should be one only you can smell, not everybody else.
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Just like women, men should moisturize too. It’s the best way to keep your skin hydrated—ensuring it looks and feels its best. Body lotion is particularly important for guys with dry skin.
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