A Tale of Two Body Lotions

From lip balms to face oils, hand lotions to body creams, this dry winter air has me moisturizing like a fiend. Lately I've been switching back and forth between two body lotions--one organic, one natural--both of which I like for very different reasons.

Readers of this blog know that I've been a fan of Eminence Organics products since being introduced to the line last fall. Their Coconut Firming Body Lotion ($36, available at Spa Boutique) is another winner, a lightweight, fast-absorbing lotion that restores plumpness and softness to dry skin on arms and legs. I'm not usually a fan of coconut-scented or flavoured anything, but the heady fragrance of this lotion won me over. (It helps that the scent probably comes from real coconut milk and coconut water, and fades away within half an hour.) Ingredients like bamboo, chicory root (a natural retinol alternative), and hyaluronic acid moisturize while fighting signs of aging on one's body. After a couple weeks of applying the Firming Body Lotion post-morning shower, I noticed a distinct improvement in my skin's texture.

Eminence's formula was fine for late autumn and easy to apply in the mornings because it absorbed so quickly. But for depths-of-winter, heavy-duty moisturization, it fell a little short. Cue Korres Yoghurt Body Butter ($33, available at Sephora). The star ingredient is edible Greek yogurt, which probably explains how thick and indulgently creamy this body butter feels when squeezed straight out of the tube. Shea butter and sunflower, avocado, and almond oils round out the 94.4% natural ingredient formula. I was impressed with how effectively the Yoghurt Body Butter softened my elbows, knees, calves, and tops of my feet (all tough areas), and I used it non-stop during the recent cold snap when the air felt colder and drier than usual. The only downsides: the smell (not a fan), and the fact that it takes a little longer to absorb.

Which body lotion would you be inclined to try? Any personal favourites to recommend?