We Scored All the Viral Body Lotions of 2025 Based on How Good They Smell
Ranked from least-favorite to can't-live-without.
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Apologies to the many who've come before me, but I used to think that a body lotion had to smell like nothing to be good. I mean, think about what you put on your face. The best face moisturizer is usually unscented. Maybe there is a light scent, but nothing meant to overpower or linger. Why would I think it could be different for your body? But as body skincare routines have become the new norm, and self-care is embracing perfumes, body mists, and candles—scented body lotions and creams have gotten a lot better.
Now, I'd go as far as to say you're totally missing out if you're still slathering on a basic cream. Don't you wanna smell yummy??? The best-smelling body lotions, of course, are fully subjective. Maybe you're a gourmand-perfume lover (hi, it me, we're in the same club). So you look for things that smell like chocolate, caramel, and vanilla. Or perhaps that's not your speed. Sandalwood scents that evoke richness and feel warm and cozy when you swipe 'em on feel more your vibe. Like perfumes, there are countless options: Floral, citrus, powder, vanilla, warm, fresh, spicy.
As you can tell, there's a lot to choose from. As a beauty editor, I've tested hundreds of scented body lotions over the years, and even polled fellow Cosmopolitan editors for their faves. Ready to level up your scent game? Keep scrolling for the crème de la crème.
Our top picks for the best-smelling body lotions of 2025:
Keep reading for my full list, ranked from my least-favorite to favorite. You may have to kiss a few frogs before finding your prince, but once you find the scented lotion that's right for you, you'll wonder how you ever managed life without it.
Rating: 4/5
Smells like: Banana and floral notes
Tester notes:
- Has a nostalgic, sunscreen-like scent that feels like summertime
- So many soothing ingredients (vitamin E, hemp seed oil, cucumber extract) in the formula, so it's great to layer on after a day in the sun
- Not the most complex or "chic" fragrance profile (but, hey, sometimes that's what hits)
Rating: 4/5
Smells like: Pink guava, coconut water, dewy gardenia
Tester notes:
- Sweet guava scent is unique compared to so many other body lotions I tested
- Silky, smooth application that feels more lightweight than other body butters
- Can feel slightly sticky on skin for a few minutes before it absorbs
Rating: 4/5
Smells like: Vetiver, vanilla orchid, bergamot
Tester notes:
- Smells exactly like fresh figs
- Can purchase refillable tubes for when you start to run out
- More of a fresh fig scent (so it's not for you if you're looking for a sweet fig)
Rating: 4.5/5
Smells like: Fig, sandalwood, coconut milk, clary sage
Tester notes:
- Sandalwood notes aren't overwhelming; rather, they take on musky warmth
- Lotion is super lightweight, so it doesn't get stuck to your clothes when you get dressed
- Pairs really well with other Glossier products (like You perfume or the body mists)
Rating: 4.5/5
Smells like: Kenyan hibiscus, Moroccan rose, pear
Tester notes:
- Hibiscus and pear tone down any of the usual powderiness you get from rose notes
- Subdued scent that doesn't compete too much with my perfume
- Ultra-thick shea butter-based cream that's majorly moisturizing without feeling heavy on my skin
Rating: 4.5/5
Smells like: Juicy peaches and fresh flower blossoms
Tester notes:
- I'm obsessed with the bouncy, gel texture—it absorbs instantly as I massage it into my skin
- Bright, citrus scent really wakes me up in the morning when I put it on
- I love how this scent pairs with many of my floral perfumes
Rating: 5/5
Smells like: Vanilla orchid, sugared violet, sheer sandalwood
Tester notes:
- One of the most subtle scents from Sol de Janeiro (complimentary–if their other body butters feel too intense for you, try this one)
- Violet, vanilla scent with woodsy notes is perfect before bedtime—I always put it on before sleep, and it's comforting and soothing
- Rich texture hydrates my skin for hours, but sinks in quickly
Rating: 5/5
Smells like: Bergamot, jasmine, sandalwood
Tester notes:
- Sweet and warm scent smells luxurious—I feel fancy and bougie just rubbing it on
- Fully absorbs as you rub it in, so it doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy
- Not irritating for sensitive skin (which is a common problem for scented body lotions)
Rating: 5/5
Smells like: Toasted pistachio, vanilla toffee, blonde woods
Tester notes:
- Smells just like pistachio gelato—creamy, sweet, and a teeny bit nutty
- Locks in hydration with shea butter and sunflower seed oil without feeling sticky on skin
- Easy to pick up at my local drugstore
Rating: 5/5
Smells like: Bergamot, vanilla, ambrette seed, amber, musk, tonka bean
Tester notes:
- You'd think this was a $$$$ perfume (on many occasions when I've been wearing this, people have asked what perfume I have on and have been shocked that it's just a body cream)
- Makes my skin feel so soft
- Holds onto the scent for a long time, especially when I lock it in with perfume
Rating: 4.5/5
Smells like: Vanilla, coconut, warm almond
Tester notes:
- Isn't too strong (especially for a gourmand)
- Has a tropical-esque vanilla fragrance versus a dessert-like scent
- If you don't like coconut, you probably won't like this
Rating: 5/5
Smells like: Salted caramel, pistachio, vanilla
Tester notes:
- Ultra-thick cream that really hydrates with cupuaçu butter and guaraná seed extract
- Scent really travels, even if I don't pair with any perfume
- Some might find the scent too overpowering
How to find the best-smelling lotion for you:
Look out for key ingredients.
Before you try a lotion, determine what you want to use it for. Do you want intense hydration and repair? Skin-smoothing and firming? Or something that just smells downright amazing? Not all body lotions contain strong, active ingredients like retinol or salicylic acid, but some do. If you want a body lotion to help promote collage and firm skin, try a retinol body lotion. If dryness is your main issue, try one without active ingredients that instead focuses on hydration.
Compare your favorite perfumes.
Perfume enthusiasts should consider what scents they like and wear before choosing a scented body lotion, as the two fragrances will have to co-exist. If you already have a signature fragrance, look for a lotion with a complimentary scent or one so lightly scented it won't interfere with your perfume.
Know your skin type.
Any body lotion with fragrance can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin types. If you're concerned, try a patch test—dab a little on the inside of your wrist or side of your neck and see how your skin reacts before putting it everywhere else.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from skin-tightening creams to ingrown-hair treatments. She regularly tests and analyzes body lotions and creams for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan with 10 years of experience writing about culture and beauty. She is a makeup lover who can be found writing about everything from the best mild shampoos to UV nail lamps. She loves trying out new fragrances and is currently dabbling in layering different perfumes to find her signature scent.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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