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The 7 Best Cooling Lotions to Keep You Feeling Refreshed on the Balmiest Summer Nights

Plus 7 more must-haves for scorching days

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What I love about summer: cute white dresses, breezy linen shorts and BBQ parties with family and friends. What I’m less excited about as the seasons change: overheating. Thankfully, cooling lotions and their gel, spray and serum counterparts exist, and are here to save the day. Cooling skin products come in many forms, but can be characterized by their formulations that bring a soothing sensation to the skin, leaving you feeling refreshed no matter the temps.

So what makes them such a powerful tool on sweltering days? “Cooling products work by using ingredients that trigger nerve endings in the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Corey L. Hartman, Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. “The ingredients don't lower the temperature of your skin; they instead work by creating a cellular response that sends a signal to your nerves responsible for regulating temperature that the skin is not hot, thus feeling cooler.”

The Best Cooling Lotions at a Glance

1

Best Overall Cooling Lotion

Gold Bond Medicated Extra Strength Body Lotion

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2

Best Cooling Lotion for Legs

Mama Mio Lucky Legs Cooling Leg Gel

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3

Best Cooling Lotion Primer

NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Cooling Hydration Moisturizer + Primer

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4

Best Color-Correcting Cooling Lotion

Dr Jart+ Cicapair™ Cooling Gel Moisturizer for Redness

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5

Best Cooling Lotion for Men

Jack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion

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How I Chose the Best Cooling Lotions

In an effort to find the best cooling lotions out there, I tapped Dr. Hartman to share his top picks, and I scoured the market to find the brands most beloved by shoppers online. All products included are highly reviewed, contain ingredients that will bring that refreshingly cool feeling to your toasty skin, and promise to provide your skin with the relief we all crave when summer heat becomes a little too much to take. So read on for the best cooling lotions, gels and sprays to ease any heat-related discomfort in the summer months to come.

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The 7 Best Cooling Lotions of 2024

Best Overall Cooling Lotion

1. Gold Bond Medicated Extra Strength Body Lotion

What I Like

  • strong cooling sensation
  • affordable

What I Don't Like

  • very fragranced

Gold Bond

Whether your need to scratch comes from bug bites, eczema or heat rash, having a lotion on hand to provide relief is a pro move. This lotion is formulated with vitamin E to soothe dry skin and has .5 percent menthol, one of Dr. Hartman’s can’t-miss ingredients for cooling. More than 7,800 Amazon shoppers rate this lotion 5 stars, and at under $10, it’s worth keeping a bottle in stock.

Best Cooling Lotion for Legs

2. Mama Mio Lucky Legs Cooling Leg Gel

What I Like

  • revitalizing sensation

What We Don't Like

  • not fragrance-free

Mama Mio

Summer days spent running around town, the beach or both can make lasting memories, but can also make for tired, achy feet and legs. This cooling product is specifically designed to soothe those puffy legs and ankles after a long day on your feet. Menthol and aloe are the primary cooling agents here, but the addition of ginger extract may provide a boost of energy to give you the second wind you need for that summer night out.

Best Cooling Lotion Primer

3. NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Cooling Hydration Moisturizer + Primer

What I Like

  • well-priced
  • thick texture

What I Don't Like

  • can be too hydrating for oily skin

NYX

If you’re looking for a double-duty product that’ll soothe your face while prepping for makeup, look no further. It has a “frozen sorbet” texture that’ll give your skin a wake-up call while you get ready for the day, and it’s filled with skin-soothing ingredients. Snow mushroom and niacinamide hydrate and tighten pores, and it’s silicone- and fragrance-free, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Best Color-Correcting Cooling Lotion

4. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Cooling Gel Moisturizer for Redness

What I Like

  • supports the skin barrier

What I Don't Like

  • some reviewers with sensitive skin reported breakouts

Dr. Jart

Redness-prone beauty lovers swear by the cream version of this product, but for summer, the gel moisturizer can’t be beat. It boasts CoolSonic technology that both speeds absorption of all the skin-loving ingredients (cica complex and allantoin for redness reduction and deep soothing, to name the primary actives) and provides that all-important cooling factor. Clinical testing says it improves hydration instantly by 27 percent, which could be a game-changer if you live in a dry climate.

Best Cooling Lotion for Men

5. Jack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion

What I Like

  • absorbs quickly

What I Don't Like

  • some reviews say the pump breaks easily

Jack Black

Men, you deserve to feel the freshness of cooling lotion in the heat of summer too! The menthol in this lotion will give a chilly effect during application, while the vitamin E and jojoba will impart lasting moisture. This lotion is formulated to be quick-absorbing, so you’ll go from applying it to getting out the door in a flash, all while staying cool as can be.

Best Cooling Lotion for Oily Skin

6. Dermalogica Cooling Aqua Jelly Moisturizer

What I Like

  • retinol-like capabilities

What I Don't Like

  • strong scent

Dermalogica

For those with oily skin, the heat of summer can mean an increase in oil production, and the last thing you’ll want to do is slather your skin with extra moisture. This gel moisturizer promises to deliver glow but not shine and is another one of Dr. Hartman’s top choices. “Even oily skin needs added moisture to regulate sebum production” says Dr. Hartman, and this “hyaluronic acid-based formula with a retinol-like bioflavonoid complex helps add moisture while reducing excess oil.”

Best Cooling Lotion for Ezcema

7. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Body Lotion Cooling Cucumber

What I Like

  • good value

What I Don't Like

  • may not be moisturizing enough for severely dry skin

First Aid Beauty

Heat can cause eczema flare-ups, so a cooling lotion can be an essential tool when temperatures climb. Colloidal oatmeal is the skin-saving ingredient in this lightweight lotion and is paired with cucumber to cool and refresh itchy skin. Oh, and it’s made of entirely clean ingredients to boot.

Other Great Cooling Beauty Products to Consider

Best Cooling Mask

1. SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask

What I Like

  • good choice for post-procedure treatment

What I Don't Like

  • expensive for the amount of product

SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals is a favorite of PureWow readers and editors alike, primarily for their cult-classic vitamin C serum, but Dr. Hartman urges us not to sleep on this ultra-hydrating mask, especially if you have dry skin. “Hyaluronic acid adds hydration to the skin, while cucumber, thyme and olive oil extracts soothe the skin and concurrently make it feel cooler. It’s also a good choice if you’re sunburned, as dipeptides will reduce some of the heat in the skin,” says Dr. Hartman.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

2. Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Mask

What I Like

  • helps to control surface oil for up to 8 hours

What I Don't Like

  • may be too mattifying (if you prefer a glowy complexion)

Ole Henriksen

Cold plunges are all the rage for health benefits, so it’s no surprise they’ve inspired a line of soothing skincare. Another one of Dr. Hartman’s picks, this mask is a winner for anyone with clogged pores (read: everyone in summer). “When applied to the skin, this mask feels cool, and it helps calm inflamed acne-prone skin with eucalyptus, green tea, algae and Irish moss extracts,” says Dr. Hartman. On top of these calming ingredients, salicylic acid and lactic acid loosen dead skin and sebum on the skin to clear out clogged pores.

Best Under-Eye Cooling Balm

3. Tula Rose Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm

What I Like

  • portable for on-the-go use

What I Don't Like

  • subtle pink color can be too light for some skin tones

Tula Skincare

With more than 3,500 5-star reviews on Ulta, this eye balm is a must-have for all seasons, but especially during hot summer months. Not only is this under-eye stick cooling, it also de-puffs instantly and promises to reduce fine lines and wrinkles over time. Aloe, one of Dr. Hartman’s cooling ingredients to look for, is the third ingredient in this product, and along with hydrating rosewater and firming caffeine, this balm will leave you looking and feeling more awake.

Best Cooling Face Mist

4. Stripes The Cool Factor Calming Face Mist for Sensitive Skin

What I Like

  • clean beauty

What I Don't Like

  • not fragrance free

Stripes

Sometimes the need for a cooling blast can come out of nowhere, and when that feeling hits, grab this mist. Not only does the formulation include aloe for that soothing, cooling factor, but it also has edelweiss extract that’ll help lift and tighten skin over time. The antioxidant mineral blend in this spritz is hormone-free, so is a great gift for anyone experiencing those dreaded menopausal hot flashes as well.

Best for After-Sun Use

5. KORRES Greek Yoghurt Calming + Cooling Gel

What I Like

  • reduces both inflammation and redness after sun exposure

What I Don't Like

  • no active cooling ingredients

Korres

With this product you won’t just be spooning greek yogurt into your breakfast bowl, but rubbing it into your sun kissed skin as well. After a day of a little too much sun exposure, this cream will be just what you need. Greek yogurt increases the water content in the top layers of your skin, bringing relief to a parched bod post-beach day.

Best Post-Workout Cooling Gel

6. Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel

What I Like

  • two cooling ingredients

What I Don't Like

  • on the expensive side per oz

Elemis

Working out in summer is a sweaty situation and can leave your muscles craving a cooldown that involves more than just stretching. Enter this muscle-reviving gel, packed with camphor and menthol for cooling and arnica for deep muscle healing. It’s not just for muscles, however, and can be used on the temples to ease a headache and is even safe for pregnancy.

Best Cooling Blush

7. Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint

What I Like

  • available in four bright and buildable colors

What I Don't Like

  • some say the stain sets quickly, making it hard to blend

Milk Makeup

These jiggly blushes broke the internet when they popped onto the scene recently, and not just because of their appealing, jelly-like texture. The sheer tint is buildable and fresh, like a summer popsicle, and the formula contains soothing aloe, vegan collagen to help firm the skin, and seawater for a refreshing sensation. I recommend tossing one into your bag for on the go lip and cheek touch-ups all summer long.

What Ingredients Should You Look for in a Cooling Lotion?

Dr. Hartman suggests keeping an eye out for products that include cucumber, peppermint, menthol, eucalyptus and aloe vera, as these will all bring that cooling sensation to the skin.

What’s the Best Overall Cooling Lotion?

Gold Bond Medicated Extra Strength Body Lotion is PureWow’s pick for best cooling lotion, based on how well it cools and revitalizes dry, itchy skin. Aloe and vitamin E make it soothing, it’s pretty affordable and it received our derm’s seal of approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Cooling Lotion?

A cooling lotion includes specific ingredients that trigger nerve endings in the skin, creating a chilling, refreshing sensation, even though their temperature isn’t icy cold. As Hartman mentioned, they don’t lower your body temperature either; it’s more of a sensation.

How Long Does Cooling Lotion Last?

The sensation will likely last less than half an hour or so—in most cases, as editors have tested these products, they’ve felt immediate relief  in the first few minutes, then after about 15 minutes, they didn’t notice it anymore. In terms of how long the lotion is good for, check the packaging for an expiration date. PureWow Beauty Director Jenny Jin recommends replacing tub-based moisturizers every six months, and replacing tubes or pump-applicator creams annually.


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Freelance Writer

Anna Vognsen received her B.A. in English Literature from Trinity College. She has been writing commerce content for PureWow since 2023 and is forever and always a deal hunter. She covers verticals including beauty, parenthood and fashion. Prior to covering shopping content, Anna worked in the fashion industry for 17 years in trend forecasting as a market analyst, womenswear and children’s apparel sales. Most recently, she managed the U.S. education program for Canada Goose.

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