The third annual Shop TODAY Beauty Awards is finally here! After numerous tests, makeup applications and trials, from a list of more than 500 products, we've compiled a list of the best in body care, skin care, makeup and much more. This list encompasses the top formulas that help give your skin a radiant glow, including body moisturizers, exfoliators, oils and more.
We've collected budget-friendly products and the best in body across eight categories. After weeks of testing, our Shop TODAY team and a panel of beauty experts and dermatologists collected their findings to pull the winners. Whether you need a bit of TLC or are craving a major beauty overhaul, read below to discover the most-favored body care products. Also, click here for a complete list of award-winning products.
Shop TODAY Beauty Awards: Best body products 2025
Best body SPFs
The most viral SPF product is from Vacation and will make sure you always feel out of office. Senior editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil says this formula offers a fun format. "The applicator nozzle reminds me of the kind on a whipped cream canister," she says. While it's not as practical for everyday use, this formula is great for those who enjoy the experience.
Editor Vivien Moon also loves the product and adds, "This might be the greatest skin care launch of the last few years because it's just perfect. I've used it a handful of times for my body and I'm thrilled by how much product you get considering you aren't sure if it'll actually last multiple applications."
This newly launched product from Banana Boat feels non-greasy and is easy to apply.
"A classic sunscreen that gets the job done and keeps you protected even through a bit of sweating. I prefer spray-on sunscreen to lotions because it makes application so much faster, easier and cleaner. This is a great option that would work for the whole family (no glitter, greasiness or polarizing scents here)," shares production associate Audrey Ekman.
This OneSkin sunscreen wins the best overall SPF formula for its high SPF value and light texture. "[This is a] fantastic body sunscreen. It's thin without being watery and blends in quickly. It's light and comfortable and I look forward to applying it every morning. Some people noted that it was greasy, but I didn't find that to be the case," says editor Rebecca Brown.
Best body moisturizers and lotions
TODAY producer Christine Morea rates this product five stars and says that she absolutely loves it. "It's a great basic body lotion, and I mean "basic" in a good way! It goes on smoothly and leaves you moisturized."
Not only is this a great product for sensitive skin, but it also provides ultra-hydration and relieves the skin from dryness.
"This daily lotion is non-greasy and truly leaves your skin feeling hydrated all day long. My skin still felt hydrated even after a sweaty workout," says Crissy Siragusa, Mom Squad member (and mother of editorial assistant Madison San Miguel). This award-winning product is the best fragrance-free formula for all skin types, especially for those who have sensitive skin. The formula combines pro-ceramide and shea butter for complete hydration that feels lightweight and smooth.
Associate editor Shannon Garlin rates this moisturizing cream as the best 2-in-1 formula for its non-scented texture.
"You can never go wrong with Cetaphil. Since I've been maturing, my skin has become super sensitive, so I can't really use fragrant lotions on my body. This cream is perfect for sensitive skin. It's super thick, so a little goes a long way, and it's so moisturizing. My skin feels moisturized throughout the night and day," shares Garlin.
If you're looking for immediate results, this is the best formula for you. Social media editor Kara Quill loves this one because it's lightweight and cold to the touch.
"It's a little more oily than other body moisturizers that I've tried, but it made it less heavy and the formula easily absorbed into my skin. While the product was oily, I was applying it before bed and never had an issue with it transferring to sheets or feeling sticky," says Quill.
She also notes that the product helps with razor bumps. "I also noticed that the second I applied the product to my legs, the little red dots from shaving literally went away — I was stunned!"
Best body washes
Looking for a scented body wash that wakes up your senses? This award-winning product has vanilla and locks in moisture.
"The product felt extremely soft on my skin. The vanilla scent is rich without being overpowering and it is long-lasting. That first use felt like putting on a cozy sweater you hadn't seen in a while — comforting, reliable and still so, so pleasant," shares TODAY social media video producer Nicole Collazo Santana.
Dial wins best overall body wash for its reliable formula that contains moisturizing ingredients like shea butter extract and vitamin E.
"I use Dial soap, but this liquid hydration is a game changer. You don't need a lot, and the foamy texture made my skin feel hydrated and smooth, and the shea butter coconut fragrance is a perfect combo. It made me feel like I was at the beach," says Jackie Fama, mother of former commerce editor Amanda Fama.
Best body exfoliators
But for those who are not into liquid shower gels and prefer a good ol' soap, this award-winning bar will do wonders for their skin. Editorial assistant Erica Marrison says she really likes this option and her skin feels great after every use.
"Ahead of summer, I was thrilled to try this in an effort to smooth my skin. I'm a regular body bar user and this one met my high expectations. Additionally, I'm scent sensitive but this scent didn't bother me at all. It's very gentle and doesn't smell artificial," she says.
San Miguel gives this body scrub a thumbs up for its post-shower results. "LOVE this scrub. It's super fine, so you don't get pesky crumbs in your shower since they melt away. Plus, they are very gentle and not harsh on the skin. The scent is what steals the show! It's the classic Sol de Janeiro scent — a must-have for summer. I love that it isn't overpowering in this scrub, and that it lingers on the skin post-shower," she adds.
Best body serums
Looking for a great value serum that leaves your skin hydrated? Jude Bender, mom of senior editor Jess Bender, approves this one for the level of hydration it offers. "It's gluten-free and a vegan product that many consumers look for."
As for associate editor Kamari Stewart, this one is a no-brainer. "I'm a big fan of Naturium's other products and proud to say that this one doesn't disappoint! My fiancé has mentioned no less than 5 times how soft my skin feels since I started using this product. I really notice the difference using it on my feet. It's kept the skin down there the softest it's ever been between pedicures. It feels really light when applied and doesn't leave you feeling sticky or greasy," says Stewart.
"I've never been more committed to applying a product as I was with this. Hyaluronic lotions and serums are notoriously sticky. This just isn't sticky. I leave it in my closet and apply it after the shower, before bed, and before getting dressed in the morning. It feels wonderful on my skin," says Brown, who also tested this body care product.
The formula contains hyaluronic acid, which adds to that feeling of hydration. Plus, its lightweight formula absorbs quickly into the skin without feeling muggy afterward.
Best face tanning
Congratulations to the best tanning serum! This one will give your skin that sun-kissed glow you crave. "I liked the price of this product a lot. A little went a long way. I wasn’t crazy about the texture of the product (the way it feels sitting on my skin, like I was “wearing” something), but I would definitely buy it again because it looks nice," says TODAY.com parenting reporter Elise Sole.
These are the best bronzing drops if you're looking for a soft tan that feels hydrating.
"I will be purchasing this product over and over again! It is a must-have year-round," says meteorologist Angie Lassman.
It delivers key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, coconut water and passion fruit oil for a natural look.
Best body tanning
"I was scared when I first saw how dark the self-tanner was, but it ended up suiting my skin tone and I am pretty fair. The shade I used was “Classic.” The mousse didn’t smell at all (it seems to have no scent), and it was not sticky," adds Sole.
"Usually, I am afraid to move around or wear clothes right after applying self-tanner, but not with this product," she adds.
Best hand cream
It's important to protect and hydrate hands since we are consistently washing them. Associate editor Sierra Hoeger tired this one and says it wins major points.
"I kept this at my desk to use daily, and aside from the more masculine, sharp scent, I enjoyed this hand moisturizer! It works nearly immediately, and doesn't have a greasy feel like others tend to have," she says.
The award to the most viral hand cream goes to this brand — Soft Services. According to shoppers, this cream provides great results, leaving hands smoother after three days of use. It includes colloidal oatmeal, which helps to soothe irritated skin.
If you suffer from dry hands and cuticles, San Miguel recommends this one.
"I wash my hands pretty often, so my hands can get dry (which I despise the feeling of). I have tried many hand creams, and the ones that are lightweight, are not very hydrating. This hand cream feels lightweight on my hands, yet somehow is thick and creamy enough to soothe any dryness. I don't find myself whipping away any residue, which is huge. The tube is a great size, just isn't very travel-friendly. But a little goes a long way, so I know I'll have this tube for a long while," she adds.
Best nail products
Writer Emma Stessman says these nail tips are easy to customize and apply, and gave them a five-star rating for their reusable feature.
"I am truly such a press-on novice. The application process was easy and took around 15 minutes (though if you're not used to having long nails, it does get a little trickier to pick them up once you have the nails on). The thing I loved the most though, was how easy they were to customize! As someone who always has short nails, I was struggling to get used to going through my daily task with them on, so I cut and filed them and couldn't believe how easy it was to make them feel more comfortable for me," shares Stessman.
If you need hydration post manicure, this award-winning cuticle oil will keep your skin healthy. "I bought this at L'Occitane in Paris and don't leave the house without it now. It's the perfect size for keeping in any bag and is the perfect way to apply some cuticle oil on the go without the mess," says Stewart.
Aside from the small tube, social media video producer Meghan Murakami gave this a five-star rating for its travel-sized applicator. "I loved the small squeeze/brush applicator that made it easy to travel with. The product was lightweight and absorbed quickly!"
Production manager Colby Burdick says this product helps to reset the nails in between manicures, and this is why this product wins the best repair treatment award. "I have always struggled with the post-gel manicure nails that are brittle/sensitive and look really unhealthy and frankly ugly, but this really helps," she adds.
How we chose
Shop TODAY’s 2025 Beauty Awards is our third annual iteration of the franchise, where our team of editors and staffers across the entire TODAY team try and review more than 500 products to find the best items on the market. From retinols to lip products to cuticle oils and more, this list is everything that has earned the Shop TODAY stamp of approval.
We sorted through nearly 1,500 new launches, editor recommendations, trending and tried-and-true products to come up with 165 winners. We hosted in-office glam sessions and incorporated products into our everyday beauty routines to determine which picks would surpass our sky-high standards when it comes to value, satisfaction and quality. Over the course of five months, our team of editors and writers tried products in every beauty category — hair, body, skin and makeup — swatching and slathering what felt like endless formulas. Finally, our panel of experts reviewed some of our winners to give their sign-off based on ingredients and other factors.
Meet the experts
- Sara Hallajian is a certified trichologist and founder of âme. With over 13 years of experience in the hair industry, Sara specializes in non-surgical hair restoration and integrative scalp health.
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre is a celebrity makeup artist, educator and brand founder of D’Amelio Cosmetics and The Art of Enhancement.
- Dr. Michael Bassiri-Tehrani is a double board-certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon based in New York, specializing exclusively in the face, head and neck.
- Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist and the founder of The Second Floor Salon.
- Dr. Angela J. Lamb is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and the Dermatology System Vice Chair of Clinical Operations and Strategy at Mount Sinai. She also serves as the Medical Director of the Mount Sinai Doctors Patient Access Center and leads clinical access efforts across the entire Mount Sinai health system.
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