Countless body-care products claim to give you smoother, firmer skin—but only the best retinol body lotions actually work. Retinol is a skincare staple known for renewing skin, though it’s usually recommended for facial use. “Retinol boosts cell turnover, helping reduce rough patches, fine lines, and uneven skin tone,” explains Dr. Navin S. Arora, a board-certified dermatologist in Long Island, NY. “It also stimulates collagen production for firmer, younger-looking skin.”
But why limit these benefits to just your face? Retinol body lotions can improve skin texture, even out tone, and even help with body acne.
### Vogue’s Top Retinol Body Lotion Picks:
– Best Overall: NÉcessaire The Body Retinol ($55)
– Best Beginner: Versed Press Restart Retinol Body Lotion ($19)
– Best Intensive: Soft Services Software Update Retinol Body Serum ($44)
– Best for Face & Body: Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion ($17)
– Best for Sensitive Skin: Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment ($32)
– Best for Mature Skin: Chantecaille Rose de Mai Body Cream with Retinol ($150)
– Best for Dry Skin: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion ($28)
– Best Drugstore: Olay Retinol24 Body Lotion ($10)
– Best Retinol Alternative: Tronque Everyday Revelation Exfoliating Refining Serum ($145)
### What to Know About Retinol Body Lotions:
– Do they work? Yes, when formulated correctly.
– What retinol percentage is effective? Typically 0.1% or higher, though beginners should start lower.
– Who should use them? Anyone looking to improve skin texture, firmness, or acne—but patch-test first.
– How often can you use them? Start with 2-3 times a week, increasing as your skin adjusts.
Not all retinol body lotions are the same. Some combine retinol with niacinamide for brightening or exfoliating acids for instant smoothness. Others include hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Below, dermatologist-approved picks for every skin type.
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### Best Overall: NÉcessaire The Body Retinol
Price: $55
Why We Love It: NÉcessaire is known for high-quality body care, and this retinol cream is no exception. “Great for those who want a higher retinol concentration and an overnight treatment,” says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a dermatologist in Birmingham, AL. “It includes glycolic and mandelic acids for extra exfoliation.” Fragrance-free, though some may find the natural scent strong.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, glycolic acid, mandelic acid
Retinol Concentration: 0.1%
Size: 5.1 oz.
Pros:
✔ Rich, comforting texture
✔ Delivers immediate and long-term results
Cons:
✖ Scent may be off-putting to some
✖ Not hydrating enough to use alone
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### Best Beginner: Versed Press Restart Retinol Body Lotion
Price: $19
Why We Love It: Ideal for first-time retinol users, this lotion has a low concentration for gentle yet effective results. “Encapsulated retinol and squalane minimize irritation,” says Dr. Arora. Cocoa butter and squalane provide deep hydration.
Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, squalane, vitamin E
Retinol Concentration: 0.01%
Size: 6 fl. oz.
Pros:
✔ Absorbs quickly without residue
Cons:
✖ Results may take longer to appearHere’s a more natural and fluent rewrite of your text while keeping the original meaning intact:
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### Gentle on Sensitive Skin
The scent may linger.
#### Best Intensive: Soft Services Software Update Retinol Body Serum
Brand: Soft Services
Price: $44 (available at Sephora)
Why We Love It:
This fast-absorbing serum packs a punch with 0.25% retinol—one of the highest concentrations available—alongside 5% niacinamide and 3% glycerin. The niacinamide helps soothe irritation, making the retinol easier to tolerate, but it’s best suited for those already familiar with retinol or willing to ease into it by using it every few days. While the glycerin adds hydration, you’ll still need a separate moisturizer.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, grape seed oil
Retinol Concentration: 0.25%
Size: 2.5 fl. oz.
Pros:
✔ Doesn’t pill when layered with body cream
✔ No strong scent
Cons:
✖ Best for non-sensitive skin
✖ May require an adjustment period
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#### Best for Face & Body: Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Lotion
Brand: Gold Bond
Price: $17 (Amazon)
Why We Love It:
Retinol body lotions are rare in drugstores, making this a standout. It combines retinol with peptides to improve texture and tone, and it’s gentle enough for face and neck use. Jojoba oil, vitamin E, and shea butter provide deep hydration, while niacinamide helps even skin tone. Free of parabens and fragrances, it’s great for sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, shea butter, peptides
Retinol Concentration: Not specified
Size: 7 fl. oz. or 13 fl. oz.
Pros:
✔ Rich texture without greasiness
✔ Deeply hydrating
Cons:
✖ Retinol concentration isn’t listed
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#### Best for Sensitive Skin: Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment
Brand: Paula’s Choice
Price: $32 (Amazon, Dermstore)
Why We Love It:
This multitasking formula blends retinol with vitamins C and E to fight wrinkles, plus shea butter for moisture. Dermatologists recommend it for sensitive skin due to its gentle yet effective formula. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, shea butter
Retinol Concentration: 0.1%
Size: 4 fl. oz.
Pros:
✔ Lightweight and fast-absorbing
✔ No strong scent
Cons:
✖ Results may take time
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#### Best for Mature Skin: Chantecaille Rose de Mai Body Cream with Retinol
Brand: Chantecaille
Price: $150 (Chantecaille, BlueMercury)
Why We Love It:
This luxurious cream uses encapsulated retinol for gradual release, paired with avocado and marine extracts to firm skin. Infused with rose extract, it leaves skin soft and smooth.
Key Ingredients: Avocado extract, shea butter, jojoba esters
Retinol Concentration: Not specified
Size: 5.1 fl. oz.
Pros:
✔ Subtle floral fragrance
✔ Ultra-nourishing
Cons:
✖ Jar doesn’t last long
✖ Retinol concentration not listed
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#### Best for Dry Skin: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
Brand: Naturium
Price: $25–$28 (Amazon)
Why We Love It:
This fragrance-free lotion combines retinol with soothing allantoin and shea butter, making it ideal for dry or sensitive skin. Sodium PCA helps calm redness and strengthen the skin barrier.
Key Ingredients: Allantoin, shea butter, sodium PCA
Retinol Concentration: Not specified
Pros:
✔ Gentle and hydrating
✔ Reduces irritation
Cons:
✖ Retinol strength not disclosed
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### Best Firming: African Botanics Advanced Retinol Body Treatment Cream
Price: $90 (Dermstore)
Why We Love It: This body cream combines caffeine and retinol to firm the skin on your arms and legs. Caffeine boosts circulation and helps smooth uneven texture, while retinol works to tighten. It also contains alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, mandelic, and lactic acids) but balances them with soothing niacinamide and allantoin to prevent irritation. The fresh, herbaceous scent comes from a blend of essential oils.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, polyglutamic acid
Retinol Concentration: 0.2%
Size: 3.4 fl. oz.
Love It
✔ Firms and brightens skin
✔ Refreshing scent
Leave It
– Nothing major to note
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### Best for Body Acne: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum
Price: $30 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Though not marketed specifically for body acne, this serum helps clear pores with encapsulated retinol, lactic acid, and urea—ingredients that remove dead skin cells and prevent clogging. The milky texture spreads easily, and squalane helps prevent dryness.
Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, urea, squalane
Retinol Concentration: Not listed
Size: 5 oz.
Love It
✔ Great for body acne
✔ Creamy, easy-to-apply texture
Leave It
✖ Needs a moisturizer afterward
✖ Retinol concentration not specified
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### Best Smoothing: U Beauty Resurfacing Body Compound
Price: $128 (Nordstrom, Violet Grey)
Why We Love It: U Beauty’s scientifically backed formula includes retinol, AHAs, and a peeling peptide to quickly smooth rough, flaky skin. Even makeup legend Bobbi Brown swears by it for prepping her skin after winter.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, glycolic acid, lactic acid
Retinol Concentration: Not listed
Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
Love It
✔ Serum-like texture layers well
✔ Fast results
Leave It
✖ Requires a separate moisturizer
✖ Retinol concentration not disclosed
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### Best for Keratosis Pilaris: Shani Darden Body Reform Treatment Serum
Price: $72 (Violet Grey)
Why We Love It: Celebrity esthetician Shani Darden’s body serum uses a gentle granactive retinoid (instead of traditional retinol) to boost cell turnover and smooth KP bumps. It also contains vitamin C and amino acids for added benefits.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, amino acids, shea butter
Retinol Concentration: 2%
Size: 4 oz.
Love It
✔ Effectively treats KP and texture issues
✔ Absorbs quickly without residue
Leave It
✖ Unpleasant smell
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### Best for Cellulite: Replenix Retinol Smooth + Tighten Body Lotion
Price: $94 (Amazon, Dermstore)
Why We Love It: This lotion uses all-trans retinol (a stronger form of retinol) along with antioxidants and ceramides to improve skin texture and reduce cellulite.
Key Ingredients: All-trans retinol, antioxidants, ceramides
Retinol Concentration: Not listed
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Love It
✔ Lightweight, non-sticky texture
✔ Supports the skin barrier
Leave It
✖ Some may dislike the scent
✖ Retinol concentration not disclosed
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Helps with wrinkled, sagging, or bumpy skin, making it look firmer and smoother over time. The ceramides—designed to match those naturally found in the skin barrier—also allow it to work as a daily moisturizer.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, caffeine, green tea extract
Retinol Concentration: Not listed
Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
Love It
– Absorbs quickly
– Doubles as a body moisturizer
Leave It
– Retinol concentration not disclosed
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### Best for Dark Spots: Fig.1 Retinol Renewal Body Serum
Price: $38 (FIG.1)
Why We Love It: Co-founded by a dermatologist, Fig.1’s serum uses encapsulated retinol for slow release and fewer side effects. It also includes antioxidants like niacinamide and vitamins C and E to brighten and repair skin, while squalane and meadowfoam seed oil strengthen the skin barrier—making it more effective overall.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C, vitamin E
Retinol Concentration: Not listed
Size: 3.4 fl. oz.
Love It
– Absorbs easily
– Gentle for beginners
Leave It
– Retinol concentration not disclosed
– Tube can be tricky to use
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### Best Drugstore: Olay Retinol24 Body Lotion
Price: $10 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: A drugstore favorite, this lotion combines retinol, niacinamide, and vitamin E to smooth and brighten skin over time. It also includes glycerin and panthenol for long-lasting moisture, keeping skin hydrated day and night.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide, vitamin E
Retinol Concentration: Not listed
Size: 17 fl. oz.
Love It
– Large size
– Silky, fast-absorbing formula
Leave It
– Retinol concentration not disclosed
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### Best Retinol Alternative: Tronque Everyday Revelation Exfoliating Refining Serum
Price: $145 (Blue Mercury)
Why We Love It: For those who can’t use retinol (like people with sensitive skin or who are pregnant/nursing), this serum offers a great alternative. It combines alpha and beta hydroxy acids with bakuchiol—a plant extract that mimics retinol without the side effects—to treat body acne, keratosis pilaris, and ingrown hairs. Aloe, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid provide extra hydration.
Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, citrus extract, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid
Retinol Concentration: Not listed
Size: 4.1 fl. oz.
Love It
– Plant-based ingredients
– Safe for all skin types
Leave It
– May not be hydrating enough for some
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### Does retinol body lotion really work?
Yes! Retinol is powerful in body care. Dr. Hartman explains that it can improve skin tone, texture, and firmness—especially in areas prone to sagging (like knees and arms)—while also fading dark spots.
### What percentage of retinol is effective in body creams?
Dr. Arora recommends 0.5% to 1% retinol for best results, though 0.01% is better for sensitive skin or beginners.
### What to Look for in a Retinol Body Cream
– Hydrating ingredients (hyaluronic acid, ceramides) to prevent dryness.
– Soothing agents (aloe, chamomile) for sensitive skin.
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Hydrating Ingredients
“These can help calm the skin and reduce irritation,” he explains. A key benefit of hydrating ingredients is their instant effect, unlike retinol, which may take weeks to show results depending on concentration and how often you use it. “Hydration also plumps the skin, smoothing out fine lines,” adds Dr. Hartman.
Occlusive Ingredients
After hydrating, consider occlusives. “Ingredients like mineral oil help seal moisture into the skin’s top layer, preventing water loss,” he says. “They also protect and repair the skin barrier, leading to healthier skin.” You might need a separate product for this, meaning a two-step routine could work best.
Product Texture
Texture comes down to personal preference. Some prefer lightweight serums that absorb quickly, while others like retinol-infused body lotions that also moisturize.
Retinol Concentration
The right strength depends on your skin’s tolerance, the retinoid type, and your experience level. Beginners should start with a low concentration (under 0.5%). “Higher strengths can be too harsh for larger body areas,” says Dr. Arora. Once your skin adjusts, you can gradually increase the concentration.
Who Should Use Retinol Body Cream?
It’s great for aging, sun damage, or texture issues like keratosis pilaris or body acne. However, avoid retinol if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
How Often Should You Use It?
Start slowly—once or twice a week—then increase frequency as your skin adapts. “Body skin is less sensitive than facial skin, but gradual use helps prevent irritation,” explains Dr. Arora. This reduces dryness and redness, especially with higher concentrations.
Always use retinol body creams at night. “Retinol increases sun sensitivity,” he notes. “Nighttime application avoids this issue and lets the product work effectively.” Daily sunscreen (SPF 30+) is a must, especially when using retinol.
Meet the Experts
– Dr. Navin S. Arora, board-certified dermatologist at Borealis Dermatology (NY) and AAD fellow.
– Dr. Corey L. Hartman, board-certified dermatologist at Skin Wellness Dermatology (AL) and AAD/ASDS fellow.
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