Talk to a dermatologist or scroll through your #BeautyTok feed and you’ll be hard-pressed to avoid encountering the famous R-word. Yes, we’re talking about retinol. “A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is one of the best skincare ingredients for improving skin texture and pigmentation,” says dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali. “It exfoliates and boosts collagen synthesis, which tightens, brightens, smoothes, and thickens the epidermis. That’s only a problem since retinol eye creams, face creams, serums, and oils now claim to be the best acne and Botox products.” It’s been a while since the dynamo ingredient became our favorite. These formulas deliver the hydration you need while fighting stubborn breakouts, plumping up fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing strawberry-toned skin, and lightening the appearance of hyperpigmentation and age spots below the neck. The best retinol body lotions can even help reduce the appearance of unwanted cellulite on your thighs and butt. (It’s bikini season, which is a blessing.)
The only downside to this versatile ingredient is that it can irritate sensitive skin, but don’t worry, there are plenty of top retinol moisturizers that are gentle on sensitive skin.
If you haven’t invested yet, we’ve got you covered. Buying the 11 best retinol body lotions below will make you happier, according to dermatologists, ELLE editors, and thousands of customers who’ve tried them will leave you with the best-cared-for, glowing skin.
1. NatureWell Clinical Retinol Advanced Moisturizer: With more than 9,000 positive reviews, dozens of shoppers rave about this retinol body lotion for mature skin.
Customers love its lightweight texture and note that it effectively reduces fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and age spots without causing irritation.
The key to its magical powers is microencapsulated retinyl palmitate (a slow-release, gentle retinol), brightening grapeseed oil, and a variety of juice-rich moisturizers like coconut oil and glycerin.
One Amazon reviewer says, “I used it every night for about a month. I’m 72. My skin has become smoother and it has helped fade my dark spots until they are no longer visible.
Skin has also tightened a bit, but it doesn’t look like plastic surgery. It looks natural. I will continue to use this product. It’s a great value.” Key Ingredients: Retinyl Palmitate, Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil,
Glycerin
2. Advanced Clinicals Retinol Moisturizer: More than 46,000 customers give this firming lotion 5 stars, especially for its cellulite-fighting benefits. This fragrance-free cream combines powerful retinol and caffeine to firm skin, while adding aloe, chamomile, glycerin, and green tea to plump and hydrate.
One Amazon reviewer said, “I’m 24 and bought this product for stretch marks. They were much less in a week!! Then I used it for cellulite and wow my skin is so smooth, bouncy and smooth now. Best of all: I had an old scar that was purple and ugly and it was gone in four applications!
This recipe is a godsend!!! It’s that good! I will use this for life. Key ingredients: Retinol, caffeine, aloe, chamomile, glycerin, green tea and ferulic acid.
3. Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Night Body and Face Lotion: This night lotion from classic drugstore brand Gold Bond is another affordable option that tones and firms your skin while you sleep.
In addition to retinol, it contains a blend of seven hydrating ingredients, three vitamins and plumping peptides to keep skin supple and hydrated. The proof is in the pudding. In a clinical study, 93% of users saw noticeably smoother skin after just three days.
“It’s a thick cream, so I sometimes use it with a urea lotion in the summer, which makes it easier to apply,” says one Amazon reviewer. “After a few weeks, I noticed a difference in my skin texture. It improved, and the dark spots on my arms and legs disappeared. No irritation issues. I recommend it.”
Key Ingredients: Peptides, Glycerin, Squalane, Shea Butter, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Urea. 4. Press Reboot when you’re done. Dr. Bhanusali loves this affordable retinol body lotion because it’s packed with the highly nourishing ingredients squalane and cocoa butter.
It’s also a favorite of ELLE beauty editor Margaux Anbouba, who adds that it’s a great entry-level option. “When the first retinol body lotion came out, I was hesitant,” she says.
“When I started using retinol to reduce wrinkles, my face was getting a thorough exfoliation and cleansing treatment, and I didn’t want that to happen to my entire body. But this moisturizer with 0.1% Retinol Body Lotion doesn’t cause any of those unpleasant side effects.
Instead, it leaves you feeling soft and hydrated while providing all the firming and smoothing benefits you want.” Key Ingredients: Retinol, Cocoa Butter, Squalane, Vitamin E 5. Medix 5.5 Retinol Body Lotion
This retinol body lotion costs less than $16 and is high quality. It has more than 14,500 four- and five-star reviews on Amazon. Shoppers say the product “really works” to address issues like wrinkles, dark spots, and bumps associated with keratosis pilaris. The addition of ferulic acid and vitamin E makes it an effective blend for fighting hyperpigmentation and signs of aging.
Additionally, green tea, shea butter, and chamomile moisturize and reduce redness. One Amazon reviewer said, “I had dry skin and keratosis pilaris on the back of my arms and thighs…but it wasn’t until I started using this retinol cream that I was able to get rid of it. I have expensive oils, concentrates, body mousses, scrubs. I have tried countless brands of cleansers and face washes but this cream is the best.”With this product, the backs of my arms and legs are smooth and the tops of my thighs, which had been dry for some reason, are now soft and supple. It has now become a staple in my skincare. Key Ingredients: Retinol, Ferulic Acid, Vitamin E, Green Tea, Shea Butter and Chamomile 6. Beauty Pie Youthbomb Body 360° Repair Concentrate If you want to get the most out of your skin
If you want to get the most out of a retinol body lotion, look no further than Beauty Pie’s Youthbomb Concentrate. It was actually designed by a world-renowned London dermatologist, Dr. Marcus, who developed it.
This multi-benefit formula contains a unique complex of 2% granulated active retinol (proven to be as effective as retinol, but less irritating) and niacinamide to brighten, plump and strengthen the skin barrier. Trash
It also contains chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid, as well as nourishing shea butter and glycerin and soothing allantoin to promote a smooth and balanced complexion. Main ingredients: Granular active retinol, niacinamide, shea butter, glycerin, glycolic acid
