The 6 Best Retinol Body Lotions for Smoother, Firmer, Glowing Skin
25 October 2024
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 aloe, chamomile, glycerin, and green tea 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
Won’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 over 14,500 four- and five-star reviews on Amazon. Shoppers say the product “really works” on issues like wrinkles, dark spots, and bumps associated with keratosis pilaris. The addition of ferulic acid and vitamin E makes it an effective cocktail for fighting hyperpigmentation and signs of aging.
Plus, green tea, shea butter, and chamomile moisturize and reduce redness. One Amazon reviewer says, “I had dry skin on the back of my arms and thighs with keratosis pilaris…but it wasn’t until I started using this retinol cream that I was able to get rid of it.” “I have expensive oils, cream 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, one of Dr. Markus, Developed.
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
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.