Spray Moisturizers Are My Secret to Silky Soft Skin—Even in the Winter
I never skip body care.
Spray moisturizers used to feel like an unnecessary section of the beauty market to me: convenient, yes, but not exactly essential when products like body butters, body oils, and body lotions exist. Then I realized how often I was skipping body care altogether simply because I didn't want to deal with how long an oil took to sink in, or how slippery and messy my hands felt. That's when spray moisturizers stopped feeling like an afterthought and became a smart addition to my total body skincare routine.
A good lotion spray delivers real hydration without the greasy finish or the waiting around. I reach for them most on busy mornings, post-shower when I'm short on time, or right before bed when I want an abbreviated routine. The category has quietly evolved; today's formulas are lighter, more elegant, and jam-packed with moisture.
As a beauty editor, I've tested plenty that miss the mark, including ones that cling to clothing or feel like a greasy mess. But the good ones? They make body care feel effortless. Here are the spray moisturizers that have my stamp of approval.
Drugstore MVPs
I will forever be a stan of drugstore beauty. Some of the best brands—hi, Vaseline and Aquaphor—hail from the aisles. With an affordable price tag and legit ingredients, these are the best place to start if you're new to the concept.
There hasn't been a time in my life when Aquaphor hasn't healed my dry, chapped skin. It's a no-brainer pick.
Vaseline's cocoa butter line has one of the dreamiest, richest, most classic scents. I've relied on the original Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion for years, and a spray version makes it that much more convenient.
Oil Sprays Sans the Grease
Oil sprays are my go-to, especially in the winter months when I want an extra dose of moisture. The best ones lock in hydration and add glow without feeling greasy or transferring onto clothes.
Orboils is my newest beauty find. The brand hails from Australia and makes bespoke oil blends. This product, in particular, comes in a range of fragrance oil scents that you add to either an AM or PM body oil spray. The result is a unique concoction that leaves your skin ultra-moisturized and with a gorgeous fragrance sillage.
No one does beauty like Glossier, and this dry-touch oil is no exception. The classic Orange Blossom Neroli fragrance is paired with a slew of antioxidants for a luxurious, skin-effective body experience.
Post-Shower Shortcuts
Master esthetician, Danuta Mieloch, taught me that moisturizer and oil is best applied when the skin is slightly damp to better lock in hydration. These are the ones I reach for as soon as I step out of the shower.
Hanni's Water Balm is a game-changing formulation that feels, as the name suggests, like water, yet packs the punch of a heavy-duty moisturizer. It's basically magic.
Squalane powers this spray with its emollient properties that soften and smooth skin, as well as its occlusive benefits that seal in moisture. This is my favorite product to apply after shaving.
Glow Boosters
I'm a sucker for glowing, radiant skin. These formulas add a dewy sheen, smooth the appearance of dryness, and give that light-catching finish—both with and without a touch of shimmer.
Sidia's gorgeous Body Serum Spray is filled with the most luxuriously moisturizing and hydrating ingredients that it gives my skin an immediate radiance.
Don't sleep on the OG brand, Hempz. Last year, I was sent this body spray that's filled with the yummiest, warm gourmand vanilla scent, and it's become my go-to for bare legs, arms, and collarbones when I want a bit of glow on a night out.
Don't Forget the Face
Yes, body care is the name of the game when it comes to moisturizing sprays, but some facial lotion mists are just as convenient and effective. Low on time in the morning? Pick up one of my favorite picks, below.
This peptide- and ceramide-powered formula makes my skin barrier glow and feel happy. Purchase the separate mist pump to transform it into a spray.
Another K-beauty pick, this mist is filled with skin-loving ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol that will keep your complexion moisturized and healthy.
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