13 Best Retinol Body Lotions for Firmer, Baby-Soft Skin

While you’re probably familiar with the benefits of retinol in your face moisturizers, investing in one of the best retinol body lotions is key in addressing uneven tone, sagging skin, and breakouts below the neck. "Retinol works exactly the same on all skin, whether it's on the face or body," says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto, Canada—however you'll typically find lower concentrations of retinol in body-care products versus their counterparts. Ahead, we listed every retinol-infused body lotion, cream, and serum derms (and our very own lot of beauty editors) swear by for skin that needs blemish-, dullness-, and crepe-reducing care.

Our Top Picks

• Best Retinol Body Lotion Overall: Nécessaire The Body Retinol, $55
• Best Prescription-Strength: Musely The Body Cream, $89
• Gentlest Retinol Body Lotion: Kopari Ultra Renewal Retinol Body Cream, $42
• Richest Cream: Chantecaille Rose de Mai Body Cream with Retinol, $150
• Most Lightweight: Soft Services Software Update Performance Retinol Serum, $44
• Best Exfoliating: iS Clinical Body Complex, $75
• Best Scented Retinol Body Lotion: Sol de Janeiro Flor Collagen-Boosting Elasti-Cream, $48

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the benefits of retinol body lotions?
• How and when should I use retinol body lotion?
• What other ingredients should I look for in a retinol body lotion?
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Retinol Body Lotion Overall: Nécessaire The Body Retinol

Why it's worth it: Not only is Nécessaire aesthetically pleasing—its chic, minimalist packaging will upgrade any bathroom situation—but the editor-approved The Body Retinol has the chops to earn a permanent, rightful place in your skin-care routine. The formula has one main mission: to reduce signs of aging on the body including the appearance of fine lines, crepiness, uneven texture, and hyperpigmentation. 0.1% pure encapsulated retinol works alongside other heavy hitters like mandelic and glycolic acid (gentle chemical exfoliators) and vitamin C (a skin-brightening antioxidant) to leave behind undeniably smoother skin. Start by using it once a week before gradually increasing to every other night.

Editor's tip: The scent can be polarizing due to the high concentrations of actives, but know it wears off in a minute or so.

Key ingredients: 0.1% encapsulated retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C | Who it's for: people targeting scars, dark spots, and other concerns below the neck | Fragrance-free: no (rosewater-based fragrance)

Best Prescription-Strength: Musely The Body Cream

Why it's worth it: One of the star ingredients in Musely's The Body Cream is tretinoin, also known as retinoid acid—or, in other words, the fastest-acting vitamin A derivative, as it doesn't need to go through any conversions. This potent ingredient speeds up cell turnover to address wrinkles, breakouts, and more. Instead of making a costly trip to the dermatologist, Musely pairs you with an expert who'll prescribe a custom formula suited to your needs. Other familiar ingredients you might spot are vitamin C to brighten sun spots and hyaluronic acid for moisture retention.

Editor's tip: If the mention of hydroquinone (which isn't in every formula, necessarily) freaks you out, it is one of the most effective ingredients when it comes to curbing melanin production. If you have dry and sensitive skin or a deeper skin tone, you might want to stay away—but as always, consult with a board-certified dermatologist. Another tip? Don't use it for more than six months, or stop sooner once your hyperpigmentation fades.

Key ingredients: retinoic acid, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Who it's for: people targeting signs of aging below the neck | Fragrance-free: yes

Gentlest Retinol Body Lotion: Kopari Ultra Renewal Retinol Body Cream

Why it's worth it: Although it's gentle enough to be used twice a day—a rarity among retinol creams—the Kopari Ultra Renewal Retinol Body Cream still packs a respectable punch. What makes it so gentle is the encapsulated retinol, which allows for a prolonged release of retinol, as well as aminobutyric acid, a unique ingredient that encourages skin to create its own hyaluronic acid and collagen.

Editor Tip: If you're just starting out and want to build up your tolerance with retinol, alternate nights with Kopari's ultra-gentle Coconut Melt, the product that helped put the brand on the map.

Key ingredients: retinol, aminobutyric acid, pomegranate | Who it's for: people seeking firming or tightening benefits | Fragrance-free: yes

Richest Cream: Chantecaille Rose de Mai Body Cream with Retinol

Why it's worth it: It only takes one application to see that Chantecaille's Rose de Mai Body Cream with Retinol is well worth the price tag. This gloriously rich, custardy formula offers the same skin-softening benefits of a traditional body lotion but also acts as a true reparative cream, boasting encapsulated retinol—meaning it's released slowly over time to minimize irritation—to refine skin's texture. Also in the mix are moisturizing avocado and the brand’s red algae-based Toning Marine extracts to leave skin feeling supple and smooth to the touch.

Editor's tip: If you have a sensitive nose, this cream has a light rosewater-based scent to offset the usually pungent smell of retinol.

Key ingredients: encapsulated retinol, avocado extract, Toning Marine extract (red algae) | Who it's for: those seeking the efficacy of retinol with the luxurious feel of a traditional body cream | Fragrance-free: no

Most Lightweight: Soft Services Software Update Performance Retinol Serum

Why it's worth it: If you want a retinol treatment that’s light enough to layer under your favorite hydrating body lotion, you’ll love the Soft Services Software Update Performance Retinol Serum just as much as we do. This weightless, fast-absorbing formula treats your skin with a max-strength combination of 0.25% pure retinol, 5% niacinamide, and 3% glycerin that’ll lead to clearer, firmer days for your skin. Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein says it’s a non-negotiable in her body care regimen for its blemish- and discoloration-reducing abilities. “I slather this serum all over my body nightly and it’s seriously transformed my skin,” she says. “After nearly two decades of battling body acne and painful ingrown hairs, I finally have clear shoulders that aren’t spotted with post-acne hyperpigmentation.”

Editor's tip: Hussein loves to follow this intensive formula with a cushiony, hydrating body lotion. Her current lotion of choice: First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Body Lotion, a thick cream spiked with colloidal oatmeal that soothes any retinol-related irritation she sometimes experiences.

Key ingredients: 0.25% pure retinol, 5% niacinamide, 3% glycerin | Who it's for: those seeking a lightweight, layering-friendly treatment | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Exfoliating: iS Clinical Body Complex

Why it's worth it: While all retinol exfoliates to some extent—in enhancing skin cell turnover, it keeps dead cells from piling up on the skin's surface—the iS Clinical Body Complex amplifies that effect with fruit-derived acids and plant-based beta hydroxy acid, which gently resurface the skin and leave it glowing. To offset any dryness, it also has a combination of aloe and hyaluronic acid. The payoff? Skin that's ready to show off.

Editor's tip: Despite its results-driven lineup of ingredients, it's gentle enough for even the most sensitive or compromised skin. Retinyl palmitate, also known as pro-retinol, is milder than its counterparts because it has to undergo multiple conversions to get to retinoic acid, the active form of retinol. So, know it'll take longer to see results than if you were using pure retinol, but you'll see them nonetheless.

Key ingredients: aloe, glycerin, willow bark extract, retinyl palmitate | Who it's for: people who want extra smoothing without risking redness | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Scented Retinol Body Lotion: Sol de Janeiro Flor Collagen-Boosting Elasti-Cream

Why it's worth it: Sol de Janeiro's Flor Collagen-Boosting Elasti-Cream boosts collagen with a gentle retinol alternative called cacay oil, which mimics what retinol does without causing side effects or sensitivity to sunlight. Alongside that is vegan collagen, which helps maintain skin's natural collagen content, as well as squalane, an emollient that smooths skin.

Editor's tip: The brand is known for the fragrances in its skin-care products; this formula has an uplifting fruity-floral scent with notes of dragonfruit, lychee, and hibiscus.

Key ingredients: cacay oil, plant collagen, squalane | Who it's for: people who spend a lot of time outdoors | Fragrance-free: no

Best Unscented Retinol Body Lotion: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion

Why it's worth it: Itching to reap the benefits of retinol products but afraid your sensitive skin may react? Not an issue with the Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion, which is free of potentially aggravating ingredients like fragrance, AHAs, and BHAs. Instead, it features sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients like moisturizing glycerin, calming allantoin, and conditioning shea butter. On top of that, it's made with encapsulated retinol, which slows down absorption and is, therefore, less likely to irritate skin.

Editor's tip: The texture is lightweight and quick to absorb, making it a good summertime option (beneath sunscreen with at least SPF 30, of course).

Key ingredients: shea butter, allantoin, encapsulated retinol | Who it's for: people who can't typically tolerate too much exfoliation | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Sun-Damaged Skin: Beauty Pie Youthbomb Body 360° Repair Concentrate

Why it's worth it: If you've spent a little too much time outdoors and your skin is paying for it in the form of sun spots, try the Beauty Pie Youthbomb Body 360° Repair Concentrate. The retinol-laced lotion works hard to brighten the discoloration, courtesy of niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) and glycolic acid, and it never feels tacky or greasy. Granactive retinoid is a synthetic retinoic acid that's less irritating and more stable (less likely to break down when exposed to light or air) than traditional retinol. However, like retinol, it stimulates collagen production and curbs the formation of wrinkles.

Editor's tip: It has a proprietary retinol complex that's bioavailable, meaning skin readily absorbs it.

Key ingredients: 2% granactive retinoid, niacinamide, glycolic acid | Who it's for: people with dark stubborn spots or discoloration | Fragrance-free: no

Best for Bumps and Body Acne: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum

Why it's worth it: If your skin can handle it, Dr. Yadav recommends an exfoliating body lotion like the Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum, which contains a winning combination of retinol and glycolic and lactic acids, which are alpha hydroxy acids that help to "reduce fine lines and discoloration as well as remove dead skin cells on the surface," says Dr. Yadav. This allows the retinol to better penetrate the skin for deeper treatment—especially helpful if you're trying to combat rough texture or a skin condition like keratosis pilaris.

Editor's tip: Talia Gutierrez, associate manager of special projects, says this lotion is a must in her body-care routine for its ability to tackle blemishes on her body and keratosis pilaris. "The texture is more like a lightweight body lotion that dispenses white, but after slathering a generous dollop onto my palm and rubbing along my arms and chest, the product fully absorbs into my brown skin," she explains. "And since this body serum's formulated with exfoliating ingredients like lactic and glycolic acid, along with retinol, I have no hesitancy applying it twice a day, both morning and night, for smoother, bump-free arms."

Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, retinol | Who it's for: people with body breakouts, strawberry skin, or keratosis pilaris | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Paula's Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment

Why it's worth it: If you're looking for a dose of lightweight moisture, Paula's Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment won't disappoint. Yes, the star of the show is 0.1% retinol, which improves the skin's firmness, but we couldn't gloss over the fact that it manages to make rich emollients like shea butter and grapeseed oil feel virtually weightless on the skin.

Editor's tip: A 0.1% concentration of retinol is considered mid-strength and best for those who've used retinol before, or, for beginners, those who are comfortable with a longer acclimation period.

Key ingredients: 0.1% retinol, shea butter, grapeseed oil | Who it's for: people who are familiar with retinol | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Retinol Alternative: True Botanicals Phyto-Retinol Body Lotion

Why it's worth it: Those with easily irritated skin may not be able to handle an intensive active ingredient like retinol. However, they still have options for easing the look of fine lines and creping, like the True Botanicals Phyto-Retinol Body Lotion. Instead of a vitamin A derivative, True Botanicals spikes this fast-drying body lotion with peptilium, a peptide-based complex that boosts skin elasticity and suppleness. This hard-working cream also contains antioxidant-rich seabuckthorn extract for its dullness-defying properties and conditioning rosehip oil.

Editor's tip: Since this formula is free of harsh actives, those of you with more resilient skin can layer it with more intensive formulas to check multiple skin-care concerns off your list.

Key ingredients: peptilium (peptide complex), seabuckthorn extract, rosehip oil | Who it's for: anyone, including sensitive skin | Fragrance-free: no

Frequently Asked Questions

Retinol body lotions can help address a variety of skin-care concerns, the most common one being signs of aging. "As we age, our collagen production naturally deteriorates, which leads to skin laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles," says Dr. Yadav. "Retinol stimulates skin's fibroblasts, the cells that create collagen, to help create firmer, tauter skin." This can aid in tackling neck and chest creases, which Dr. Yadav says can be notoriously challenging to treat, as well as sagging, crepey skin on areas like the thighs and arms.

In addition to doing away with wrinkles, retinol can also help keep body acne and breakouts at bay by balancing sebum production and promoting faster cell turnover. "Excess oil and dead skin cells can contribute to the formation of acne, but with retinol's ability to slough away dead skin cells and regulate oil production, pores are less likely to become congested," explains Dr. Yadav.

Finally, if you're dealing with discoloration or dark spots, you guessed it—retinol can help. "Retinol is what's known as a tyrosinase inhibitor, tyrosinase being the enzyme in the body that triggers the production of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin color," says Dr. Yadav. "Sun exposure, age, and skin injury (such as a blemish or scar) can cause hyperpigmentation." Retinol can help combat this process by helping to fade existing discoloration, whether that's sun spots on the shoulders or darker patches of skin on areas like the armpits or elbows.

While most retinol body lotions tend to be milder than face treatments (with lower concentrations of retinol), Dr. Yadav still recommends starting slowly, especially if you have sensitive skin. "Retinol can be a little irritating, so I'd suggest applying once a week for a few weeks to start," she says. "Then once you've confirmed your skin can tolerate it, increase your application cadence, following the same method until you've worked your way up to daily application."

Like the retinol you use on your face, retinol in a body lotion can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it's best to use it at night. (It's pretty much a given at this point, but it bears repeating that you should also be applying sunscreen on your body during the day to protect your skin against damage—after all, sun damage is what many of us are trying to correct with retinol, says Dr. Yadav.)

Using your retinol-infused facial moisturizer on your body may have crossed your mind, and while we appreciate the desire to be efficient, this may not be the best idea. For one, the retinol moisturizer you use on your face is likely more potent than a retinol lotion formulated for your body, so the facial moisturizer is likely more irritating. Also, facial moisturizers are housed in smaller packaging, which means you'd go through them too quickly if you were to use them for your entire body. Finally, retinol body lotions are often formulated alongside other more moisturizing ingredients, so you'll still be getting the smooth, moisturizing benefits of a traditional body lotion (unlike a facial cream that may not provide ample hydration for the body).

That being said, if you're looking for retinol creams for the face, we recommend the following:

As much as we sing retinol's praises, the ingredient doesn't come without its fair share of side effects, like how it can disrupt the skin barrier and strip it of natural lipids like ceramides. "Ceramides act like the 'grout' between your skin cells' 'bricks' and help prevent moisture from escaping," explains Dr. Yadav. "Using a body lotion with ceramides can inhibit transepidermal moisture loss and keep skin comfortable and balanced." Aside from ceramides, seek out moisturizing plant butters like shea and cocoa, which can help "counteract the dehydrating effects of retinol, helping skin look moisturized, soft, and conditioned," says Dr. Yadav.

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best retinol body lotions, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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