5 Body Lotion Bars That Make Moisturizing a Breeze

When I was pregnant in Australia, my skin felt so dry, there were times I had to remind myself it's not appropriate (and rather wasteful) to dive in a tub full of lotion. I walked past a small shop one day and decided to pop inside. Sitting on the shelf, I spotted a beautifully wrapped bar of—what looked like—soap from a local small-batch producer. Only it wasn't soap, but a bar of body lotion. I quickly brought it to the register, and moments later, I was standing outside the store rubbing it on my arms, legs, and growing belly.

In a matter of seconds, I was a full-fledged bar-lotion devotee. Over a year later, I'm no longer pregnant or living in Australia, but I'm still committed to the bar lotion movement, and, given a chance, I think you will be too. Ahead I rounded up some of my favorites.

What is a Body Lotion Bar?

Body lotion bars are more concentrated than their pump and liquid counterparts. Unlike many traditional lotions, bars usually don't contain fillers and additives. The concise ingredient lists usually boast power-packed butters, nutrient-rich oils, essential oils, and most don't contain water. The result is a room-temperature bar that melts into warm skin. Of course, the solid no-mess factor makes lotion bars TSA-friendly and ideal for frequent fliers who don't want to transfer liquid lotion into tiny travel bottles before taking flight.

Body lotion sticks have also been popping up on shelves, and the main point of difference is the application and packaging. The latter comes in a tube, roller, or stick that resembles deodorant. Body lotion sticks are great for smaller areas, but if your goal is to relieve dryness all over, you might enjoy the larger surface provided by a lotion bar. The option is also more sustainable, thanks to a lack of plastic packaging. So, in the end, you're literally left with nothing (well, other than soft, supple skin). 

Scroll on for the best body lotion bars on the market—and why we love them.