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A plethora of body-care products promise to deliver smoother, firmer, and overall tauter skin below the neck—but the best retinol body lotions actually deliver on these claims. Retinol is a mainstay in the skin-care realm for its ability to rejuvenate skin; however, it’s typically intended for the face, as “it promotes cell turnover, which helps in reducing the appearance of rough patches, fine lines, and uneven pigmentation,” says Navin S. Arora, DO, a board-certified dermatologist in Long Island, NY. “Additionally, retinol can enhance collagen production, leading to firmer, more youthful-looking skin.”
But there’s no reason to reserve these benefits for the face. In fact, applied below the neck, retinol-infused body lotions can even out tone, firm skin, and dispatch concerns like 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
In This Story:
- Does retinol body lotion really work?
- What percentage of retinol do you need in a body cream for it to be effective?
- What to Look for in a Body Cream with Retinol
- Who should use retinol in body cream?
- How often can you use a retinol body cream?
- Meet the Experts
But as with most skincare formulations, retinol body lotions too are not created equal. You can find retinol paired with niacinamide for extra brightening benefits, or alongside exfoliating acids to smooth skin almost instantly. And many stay true to their inherent function as body lotions, harnessing hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to smooth and soften skin. With so many to choose from, scroll on for dermatologist-backed options for every skin type, concern, and preference.
Best Overall: Nécessaire The Body Retinol
- Why We Love It: Nécessaire is known for its thoughtful hair and body products, so it s little surprise that the brand would offer an excellent retinol cream for below the neck. It “works well for anyone who is looking for a higher concentration of retinol and wants an overnight body treatment,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, AL. “It provides the benefits of a retinol with an additional exfoliation boost from mandelic and glycolic acids for smoother skin.” Worth keeping in mind: Its smell may be polarizing, but it’s because the formula is fragrance-free, making it all the more suitable for people with sensitive skin.
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, glycolic acid, mandelic acid
- Retinol Concentration: 0.1%
- Size: 5.1 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| It has a rich, comforting texture | Some find the scent off-putting |
| Offers both immediate and long-term effects | Not nourishing enough to work as a standalone body lotion |
Best Beginner: Versed Press Restart Retinol Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: For those seeking the bare minimum of retinol to yield firmer, brighter skin, this lotion offers a very low concentration to do just that. “It uses encapsulated retinol and squalane to deliver results with minimal irritation,” says Dr. Arora, who calls it gentle yet effective. Cocoa butter and squalane serve as the primary headliners; they deeply replenish moisture in skin, proving that it’s possible to get the best of both worlds.
- Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, squalane, vitamin E
- Retinol Concentration: 0.01%
- Size: 6 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Absorbs quickly and without a residue | Can take longer to see results |
| Gentle enough for sensitive skin | The scent can linger |
Best Intensive: Soft Services Software Update Retinol Body Serum
- Why We Love It: This fast-absorbing serum prioritizes performance, with a blend of 0.25% retinol—one of the higher concentrations on the shelf—as well as 5% niacinamide and 3% glycerin. While niacinamide has natural anti-inflammatory properties, making the retinol more tolerable, the formula is best for those who ve used retinol in their body routine to some extent—or who are patient enough to use it every few days. While the glycerin does supply hydration, it s not enough to replace a separate body moisturizer.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, grape seed oil
- Retinol Concentration: 0.25%
- Size: 2.5 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Doesn’t pill when layered with a separate body cream | Ideal for those without sensitive skin |
| Doesn’t have a noticeable scent | May require an acclimation period |
Best for Face Body: Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body Face Lotion
- Why We Love It: Retinol-infused body lotions can be hard to come by in the skin-care aisle of your local drugstore, which makes this particular lotion unique. It pairs retinol with peptides, which together help improve skin texture and tone, and it s gentle enough that you can use it on your face and neck. The blend of jojoba oil, vitamin E, and cocoa and shea butters delivers deep moisture, while niacinamide works to even tone over time. It s also free of parabens and fragrances, making it suitable for those with sensitivities.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, shea butter, peptides
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 7 fl. oz., 13 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Has a thick, rich texture but doesn’t feel greasy | Concentration of retinol isn’t disclosed |
| Hydrating enough to work as a moisturizer for some |
Best for Sensitive Skin: Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment
- Why We Love It: If you want to keep your routine streamlined, consider this multitasking formula. “It pairs retinol with antioxidants—vitamins C and E—to fight fine lines and wrinkles, plus shea butter for moisture,” says Dr. Hartman, who notes that his patients with sensitive skin tend to tolerate this well. Despite its robust ingredients, its texture is silky and quick to absorb, making for a more seamless application, too.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, shea butter
- Retinol Concentration: 0.1%
- Size: 4 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Has a lightweight texture that sinks in quickly | Can take time to see results |
| Doesn’t have a particularly strong scent |
Best for Mature Skin: Chantecaille Rose de Mai Body Cream with Retinol
- Why We Love It: Retinol can seem like a utilitarian ingredient, but this houses the results-driven active in a luxurious, velvety cream. It deploys an encapsulated retinol, which allows for a more gradual and therefore longer-lasting release, to work alongside avocado and marine extracts; these help tone skin. As with the rest of the brand s Rose de Mai line, it harnesses the rose extract to soften and smooth skin.
- Key Ingredients: Avocado extract, shea butter, jojoba esters
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 5.1 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Has a subtle floral fragrance | The jar doesn’t last very long |
| Formula feels very nourishing | Concentration of retinol not disclosed |
Best for Dry Skin: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: Retinol can leave skin dry and flaky, which is why Dr. Arora likes this formula: It “blends retinol with soothing ingredients like allantoin and shea butter, making it ideal for sensitive or dry skin,” he says. This fragrance-free cream pairs those ingredients with sodium PCA, which work together to calm redness and bolster the moisture barrier. Better yet, it s even been carefully formulated to be at a slightly acidic pH that doesn t disturb that of skin.
- Key Ingredients: Allantoin, shea butter, sodium PCA
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 8 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Has a lightweight texture that doesn’t feel sticky | Some may not like the smell |
| Actively supports the skin barrier | Concentration of retinol not disclosed |
Best Firming: African Botanics Advanced Retinol Body Treatment Cream
- Why We Love It: Caffeine is a frequent active among body creams, since it can boost circulation and may smooth uneven skin texture. It s even more powerful in this body cream, where it works alongside retinol to firm skin on the arms and legs. It does contain a blend of alpha hydroxy acids—glycolic, mandelic, and lactic acids among them—but the addition of soothing niacinamide and allantoin help keep skin comfortable despite its potent ingredients. It also has a fresh, herbaceous scent, thanks to a thoughtful blend of essential oils.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, caffeine, polyglutamic acid
- Retinol Concentration: 0.2%
- Size: 3.4 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Works to brighten skin | Nothing to note |
| Has a refreshing scent |
Best for Body Acne: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum
- Why We Love It: While it s not billed as a body-acne treatment, this serum-like formula is able to clear pores with a blend of encapsulated retinol, lactic acid, and urea—a trio that helps clear dead skin cells and prevents clogs from occurring. Its milky texture is easy to spread into skin, and a little goes a long way. While the squalane isn t enough to replace a standard body moisturizer, it does help offset any potential dryness.
- Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, urea, squalane
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 5 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Especially effective for body acne | Needs to be followed with a body moisturizer |
| Creamy texture is easy to apply | Concentration of retinol not disclosed |
Best Smoothing: U Beauty Resurfacing Body Compound
- Why We Love It: U Beauty is a brand anchored in science—using technology that merited a white paper in the Journal for Cosmetic Dermatology—so it’s little surprise that its body resurfacing serum is, in a word, excellent. Makeup scion Bobbi Brown swears by this formula, which is packed with retinol, AHAs, and a peeling peptide, for preparing her skin for spring and summer after a long winter. Together, they make quick work of rough, flaky skin.
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, glycolic acid, lactic acid
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Serum-like texture layers well | Needs to be layered with a separate body moisturizer |
| Quick to show results | Concentration of retinol not disclosed |
Best for Keratosis Pilaris: Shani Darden Body Reform Treatment Serum
- Why We Love It: Los Angeles esthetician Shani Darden, whose roster of clients includes Jennifer Aniston, had a hit on her hands with her Retinol Reform, a retinol serum that paired the anti-aging powerhouse with alpha hydroxy acids to soften fine lines and wrinkles on the face. This version for the body uses a granactive retinoid—a gentler form than retinol—to trigger skin cell turnover, as well as a patented ingredient to target the bumps associated with keratosis pilaris.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, amino acids, shea butter
- Retinol Concentration: 2%
- Size: 4 oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Can tackle keratosis pilaris and other textural irregularities with ease | The smell is off-putting |
| Absorbs quickly and without residue |
Best for Cellulite: Replenix Retinol Smooth + Tighten Body Lotion
- Why We Love It: Instead of your average retinol, this body treatment uses a version called all-trans retinol, which is more potent than the former. Along with antioxidants and ceramides, that gives this formula the ability to address wrinkled, sagging, or bumpy skin, helping it look firmer and smoother over time. The ceramides—which are designed to mimic those naturally found in the skin barrier—enable it to double as your daily moisturizer.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, caffeine, green tea extract
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Quick absorbing | Concentration of retinol not disclosed |
| Doubles as body moisturizer |
Best for Dark Spots: Fig.1 Retinol Renewal Body Serum
- Why We Love It: Co-founded by a board-certified dermatologist, Fig.1’s body serum uses an encapsulated retinol for a slow release and reduced side effects. What’s equally important, however, is its lineup of antioxidants—namely, niacinamide and vitamins C and E. These help in their own right to brighten and repair skin, while squalane and meadowfoam seed oil help support the skin barrier, making for a product that’s more than the sum of its parts.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C, vitamin E
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 3.4 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Practically melts into skin | Concentration of retinol not disclosed |
| Gentle enough for beginners | Tube can be finicky to use |
Best Drugstore: Olay Retinol24 Body Lotion
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- Why We Love It: Olay is a favorite in the drugstore aisle, and for good reason—it works. This "stands out for its combination of retinol, niacinamide, and vitamin E, which helps smooth and brighten over time," says Dr. Arora. It also delivers long-lasting moisture with glycerin and panthenol, so skin feels comfortable throughout the night (and day).
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide, vitamin E
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 17 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Generous size | Concentration of retinol not disclosed |
| Silky formula sinks in quickly |
Best Retinol Alternative: Tronque Everyday Revelation Exfoliating Refining Serum
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- Why We Love It: As some can t use or tolerate retinol in skin-care products—like those with very sensitive skin or people who are pregnant or nursing—it s worth seeking out a good retinol alternative. And that s found in this serum, which pairs alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids with bakuchiol, the plant extract known for mimicking retinol without the requisite side effects. The exfoliating acids are similarly derived from natural sources, but are powerful enough to tackle body acne, keratosis pilaris, and ingrown hairs alike. Meanwhile, aloe leaf juice, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid provide welcome hydration for crepey skin.
- Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, citrus extract, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid
- Retinol Concentration: Not listed
- Size: 4.1 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| It’s powered by botanical ingredients | May not be hydrating enough for some |
| Safe for all to use |
Does retinol body lotion really work?
Yes, retinol can be powerful in a body-care product. “If you use a body lotion with retinol, you can count on it being one of the most powerful ingredients with its potential to change the appearance, tone, and texture of the skin,” Dr. Hartman says. It can help firm areas of the body prone to sagging, like around the knees and arms, and can help smooth skin and fade dark spots.
What percentage of retinol do you need in a body cream for it to be effective?
For the body, “a concentration between 0.5% and 1% retinol is typically effective and well tolerated,” says Dr. Arora. However, it’s possible to see concentrations as low as 0.01%, which is preferable for those with very sensitive skin or those just starting out.
What to Look for in a Body Cream with Retinol
Hydrating ingredients
Dr. Arora recommends seeking out hydrating ingredients, especially if you want it to do double-duty to nourish skin. Hyaluronic acid or ceramides can help counteract potential dryness, while “formulations that incorporate soothing agents such as aloe or chamomile can help calm the skin and minimize irritation,” he says.
A bonus of hydrating ingredients is that their effects tend to be immediate, whereas retinol can take a few weeks to reveal results, depending on the concentration and your frequency of application. “Adding hydration to the skin will also help smooth superficial fine lines by plumping the skin and evening out shallow lines,” says Dr. Hartman.
Occlusive ingredients
Next, consider occlusives. “Once you’ve added hydration to the skin, you want to make sure you are using an occlusive ingredient, like a mineral oil, to ‘seal’ the top layer of skin and help reduce water loss,” he says. “It will also help protect and restore the skin barrier, which ultimately leads to healthier skin.” You may need to find this in a separate formula, however, in which case a two-pronged body-care routine might be necessary.
Product texture
The texture is primarily a matter of your own personal preference. Some might prefer a serum-like formulation that sinks into skin quickly, allowing you to get dressed or follow with a layer of body cream. Others might like the streamlined approach of a retinol-infused body lotion, which doubles as your moisturizer.
Retinol concentration
The right concentration depends on your skin’s tolerance, the type of retinoid, and whether you’ve used a retinol before. A lower concentration (below 0.5%) may be a good idea for beginners. “Higher concentrations might be too intense for larger body areas, so starting with a lower concentration is often recommended,” says Dr. Arora. Once you’re comfortable using it, you can work your way up to a higher concentration.
Who should use retinol in body cream?
Anyone who wants to address signs of aging, sun damage, or textural irregularities, such as keratosis pilaris or body acne, can benefit from a retinol body lotion. However, retinoids—retinol included—aren’t recommended if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, so they may be best avoided in those cases.
How often can you use a retinol body cream?
As with the skin on your face, a gradual acclimation—in which you start using it once or twice a week and increase the frequency as your skin adjusts—may be helpful. “While the skin on the body is generally less sensitive than facial skin, it’s still important to gradually increase use to minimize potential irritation,” says Dr. Arora. “This approach helps the skin build tolerance and reduces the risk of dryness or redness.” While it may not be necessary if you’re using a product with a very low concentration, it can still help you avoid any unexpected discomfort.
Also, reserve retinol body lotions for evenings only. “Using retinol can increase sun sensitivity,” he says. “Many experts recommend using retinol at night to avoid this issue and to allow the product to work effectively without interference from sunlight.” On the same note, although using a sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher is recommended no matter what for daytime, it’s especially important when using retinol for this reason.
Meet the Experts
- Navin S. Aurora, D.O., is a board-certified dermatologist at Borealis Dermatology in Long Island, NY and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Corey L. Hartman, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.