Glossier’s Fan-Favorite ‘You’ Scent Is Now a Body Cream

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A true fragrance obsessive understands that scent layering is the key to a good day—and smelling good doesn’t end with a spritz of your favorite perfume. The best-smelling body washes are a great start, and the oldest fragrance trick in the book is to incorporate oils into your body-care routine to make a scent last longer. However, in between those two steps is one essential product: body lotion.

And we get it. Body lotion is perhaps the least sexy step in a routine, especially when dealing with acne-prone skin or chronic dryness. Sometimes, the last thing a person wants is to smell like a bed of roses upon waking up or douse themselves in sandalwood before bedtime. However, for those who enjoy a little luxury, scented body lotions can be a nice treat. It’s the little things that matter, like a comforting lotion infused with ashwagandha and citrus notes or a cream version of everyone’s favorite perfume.

Here at ELLE.com, we’re pros at finding the best fragrances in any category, whether fragrant deodorants, body washes, or perfumes. Thus, we personally tested a slew of formulas to land on this list of the 13 best-smelling body lotions your collection is missing.

Brazilian Bum Bum Visibly Firming Body Cream

Key notes: Pistachio, vanilla, caramel

Size: 8.1 fl oz

Technically designed to firm and plump everywhere not covered by your swimsuit, it’s easy to find people who purchase this cream simply for its heavenly scent. Enjoy supple, tighter-looking skin, all while smelling vanilla and caramel.

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “If you wanted to capture the essence of summer in a fragrance, it would be the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. Personally, I don’t think the summer ever lasts long enough, but this body lotion keeps the season’s vibrant energy alive throughout the year. This lotion slathers on smoothly, leaving a scent of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla. The rich and irresistible fragrance made this lotion my year-round staple and a cult favorite product.”—Tasha Nicole Smith, ELLE beauty assistant

Find Comfort Hydrating Body Lotion

Key notes: Lemon zest, violet, vetiver, jasmine, cashmere woods

Size: 8.45 fl oz

As the name suggests, this soothing body lotion is a burst of citrusy goodness that settles down with its woodier notes. To help keep you calm, this lotion also features ashwagandha and contains niacinamide and vitamins to nourish the skin.

Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I love to reach for this lotion because of how invigorating and refreshing it smells. Paired with the mist, the citrus-wood scent is exactly how my perfect skin scent would smell—soft and delicate with a tinge of depth.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Fenty Skin Butta Drop Hydrating Body Milk

Key notes: Shea, mango, cocoa butters

Size: 6.25 fl oz

The glow the OG Skin Butter imparts is likely why the cream gained a loyal fan base. Now, Fenty Beauty has packaged everything we love about the OG in a silky body milk that smells divine and is just as nourishing. A blend of oils and butters softly caresses the skin, leaving it hydrated, radiant, and moisturized.

Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “I loved this product! It smelled great and had a perfect milky texture. It absorbed into my skin easily and the ingredients didn’t irritate my sensitive skin.”

Crème de You

Key notes: Pink peppercorn, abrox

Size: 7.2 fl oz

As if you weren’t already obsessed with Glossier’s iconic You eau de parfum, the brand launched the body cream equivalent to extend your perfume’s life. What stands out most is the pink peppercorn, which easily elevates the soft-skin scent to something sexier and warmer. Shea butter and jojoba oil provide nourishment all day long.

Sephora rating: 4.9/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Glossier You was already in my scent rotation but adding the cream to the mix made me love the scent even more. When I say this scent lasts all day, I mean it—I couldn't stop sniffing my arm throughout my work shift.”—Nerisha Penrose

Beautifully Balanced Body Butter

Key notes: Vanilla, lavender, chamomile

Size: 7.77 fl oz

“Beautifully Balanced” was the perfect name for this body cream, which hydrates, soothes, and protects using ceramides, cica, and panthenol. It also has a delightfully delicate scent that feels like a comforting hug from the one you love most.

Sephora rating: 4.8/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Even hours after application, I found myself thinking about how unique the texture of this body butter was. I thought, ‘Wow, it feels just like real butter!’ but in the best way. I felt pampered when applying it. It was not sticky or greasy, but truly like a layer of silk. Plus, the hint of lavender mixed with the vanilla and cashmere scent is subtle and feels like an afternoon at the spa.”—Selena Schorken, ELLE.com social video coordinator

St. Barts Moisturizing Body Cream

Key notes: Orange blossom, tuberose, dragonfruit

Size: 7.5 fl oz

With this body cream in your arsenal, you won’t have to wait for your next vacation to feel relief. One whiff of this formula conjures images of sunny days, sweet cocktails, and wet sand, courtesy of bright notes like orange blossom, tuberose, and dragonfruit.

Sephora rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “This cream is SO GOOD! I am not kidding you when I say I bought one by itself then quickly ran back to the store for the bundle. I use this cream daily and it doesn't leave my skin feeling oily or sticky, it soaks right in and I have so many compliments throughout the day saying how wonderful I smell!”

Shea Body Butter

Key notes: Lavender, vanilla

Size: 8.43 fl oz

Even the driest of skin stands no chance against a Hanahana Beauty body butter. Whether you prefer a normal shea butter scent or want an elevated scent like the Lavender Vanilla iteration, each seeps into your skin to keep it nourished and radiant. Plus, a little goes a long way, so you won’t have to worry about dryness for the foreseeable future.

Ulta rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Having racked up a decent beauty stash over the years, I’m no stranger to friends coming to my house to try out new products. This body butter quickly became one of our favorites. The creamy shea butter is made with a blend of oils that keep the skin looking and feeling soft, hydrated, and smooth. But the lavender vanilla scent is why I’ve continued to repurchase this product repeatedly. Vanilla will always be one of my favorite fragrance notes, but combined with lavender, it creates a calming and captivating scent that is great for layering with perfumes.”—Tasha Nicole Smith

Superberry Firm + Glow Dream Body Butter

Key notes: Yuzu, green tea, eoods

Size: 8 fl oz

If fresh, energizing scents are what you prefer, look no further than Youth to the People’s body care range. This butter is lightweight and silky, and smells like a blend of citrus and deep woods.

Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer said: “I fell in love with it in the store. The first time I wore it, it gave off an intense scent that was noxious. Glad I gave it a second chance. It’s a nice cream that gives deep moisture w/out being too heavy. I didn’t notice any firming. Perfect for year round application.”

Shea Nourish Body Lotion

Key notes: Shea butter

Size: 16.9 fl oz

Found in the aisles of your favorite drugstore, this shea butter-enriched lotion provides the ultimate moisture for parched skin. The shea butter scent is faint but still noticeable and works as the perfect base for similar soft scents.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “This lotion is a great all over body moisturizer. I use it at night as a face and neck moisturizer to keep wrinkles away. It locks in moisture after a shower my skin is so soft and moist in the morning. The fragrance is a nice and clean smell. I like fragrant lotion, so this is just right for me. This bottle lasts me about two months. So, if you have very dry skin, you will see the difference right away.”

Topless Tangerine Body Butter

Key notes: Tangerine, grapefruit

Size: 13.5 fl oz

Tangy fruits are the main ingredients in this luxurious body butter, which is made with shea butter, argan oil, and avocado oil.

Sephora rating: 4.8/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I don’t typically gravitate to fruity scents, but I really like this lotion. It’s juicy, thanks to the tangerine and grapefruit notes, but brown sugar gives it a caramelized sweetness. I find that I get compliments on how I smell when I use it.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor

Missing Person Body Lotion

Key notes: skin musk, jasmine, neroli, orange flower, sandalwood, white musk

Size: 16 fl oz

Missing Person kisses the skin the way the one person you’re missing does. It’s soft but memorable, and leaves you wanting more. The skin scent combines musks, neroli, orange flower, and sandalwood to create a fruity-musk aroma you’ll want to reapply all day long.

Nordstrom rating: 4.3/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I wear Phlur’s Missing Person nearly every single day. No matter what other scents I layer on top, this one always comes first. I’ve said this before, but it smells like a warm hug from someone I love—or someone I’ve been missing for a long time. I’ve been burned by scented body lotions that smell nothing like their eponymous fragrances in the past, but I’m elated to report that Phlur managed to replicate their best-selling scent in the body lotion version.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com beauty e-commerce writer

Undaria Collagen Body Lotion

Key notes: Grapefruit, lime, mango

Size: 5 fl oz

Seaweed has often been linked to negative vacation memories, such as missing out on fun in the sea due to an abundance of algae. However, Osea’s body lotion is providing the positive publicity that the marine plant deserves. In this formula, it helps maintain and safeguard the skin’s moisture barrier. Additionally, it has a fruity scent with a tinge of nautical notes, making it the perfect companion for a vacation.

Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer said: “I am a creature of habit. When I find something I love I make it a routine. From the first time I tried Undaria collagen body lotion I have not used anything else. It is a staple in my morning after shower routine. My skin is nourished and feels soft and supple. Combining this lotion with the hyaluronic body serum gives it an extra charge of moisture. This product is a mainstay in my self care. Highly recommend it!”

Deepwater Hydrating & Soothing Body Crème

Key notes: Grapefruit, vanilla extracts

Size: 6.8 fl oz

Staying hydrated on vacation is a non-negotiable—and we’re not just talking about water. This body cream contains skin-loving niacinamide and sea moss to deeply treat dryness and dull-looking skin and brighten it over time.

Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “I’m obsessed with this body cream. I’ve tried so many different creams that leave me feeling like I need to reapply half way through the day. This lasts until I wash it off. Will continue to repurchase.”

How do you find the right scent?

Think of all your favorite smells. Do you enjoy the scent of freshly baked cookies or melted caramel or chocolate? Gourmands might be right up your alley. Or maybe you prefer long walks through a botanical garden. If so, allow us to point you toward our favorite rose or jasmine scents. Landing on the right scent requires a lot of trial and error. Read our extensive guide to all the fragrance terminology you should know when shopping for a new scent.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE editors tested dozens of body lotions to find the 13 best-smelling ones on the market.

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