The Best Retinol Body Lotions and Products to Smooth, Firm and Brighten Skin From Top to Toe

Retinol is without a doubt one of the most popular skincare ingredients of today, thanks to its amazing anti-aging and acne-fighting powers. Dermatologists have long recommended it for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles on our faces and boosting skin-firming collagen production. And while you may already be using it in your facial skincare routine, have you ever thought about using retinol on your body? If not, you absolutely should if you’re hoping to achieve smoother, softer and firmer skin. And, it’s not difficult to find a good quality retinol body product over-the-counter in today’s market, especially since using retinol for the body is especially buzzy right now. Keep reading for more on retinol for the body, the best retinol body lotions—plus, other products to try and more.

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What is retinol?

Before you start using retinol (whether on your face or body), it’s important to understand what exactly the ingredient is. “Retinol is a form of vitamin A used in skin care products to treat aging skin as well as acne and other skin issues,” says Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, an expert in medical and cosmetic dermatology. “Retinol can increase cell turnover, exfoliate and escalate skin’s collagen production.”

It’s important to note that the umbrella term for vitamin A derivatives is “retinoids,” which includes retinol and retinal (also known as retinaldehyde), both of which are available over-the-counter. Retinol is less potent than retinal, making it great for beginners looking to try vitamin A-infused skincare. There is also Retin-A, which you may know as tretinoin, and it’s available by prescription only and is about  20 times stronger than OTC retinol.

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Retinol is available in both face and body products and is commonly found in products marketed to treat the signs of aging. It typically comes in serum, cream or lotion form.

Benefits of using retinol body products

So, why try retinol for your body? Just like for your face, adding retinol to your body care routine can have many incredible benefits. For starters, it can help firm skin on the body that may be sagging or starting to sag. It does this by promoting collagen production which boosts the elasticity and firmness of our skin. It also promotes skin cell turnover, allowing dead skin cells to shed and new skin cells to form.

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Another one of the benefits of retinol for the body is that it can help skin appear brighter and less dull, since as mentioned above, it promotes skin cell turnover. You may notice duller skin in the winter, which makes retinol for the body a great pick for the season. However, retinol can be potentially irritating (especially for beginners), so make sure you’re using a body retinol that comes in cream or lotion form to add moisture and nourishment (especially during the dry winter months).

Retinol is especially beneficial for mature skin, as we start to lose collagen each year starting in our mid-20s to early 30s. We may notice our skin starting to sag or lose firmness, as well as form wrinkles, in our 40s and 50s. Using retinol can combat these changes without having to get a prescription.

The best retinol body lotions for mature skin

Keep reading for the best retinol body lotions and other products that are available over the counter and can transform the skin on your body—without breaking the bank.

Gold Bond Retinol Overnight Face and Body Lotion

There’s nothing like finding a high-quality drugstore product at a low price. Gold Bond Retinol Overnight Face and Body Lotion is just that. It works double-duty as it can be used on both the face and body, saving you money so you don’t have to buy multiple retinol products. It’s unscented and hypoallergenic, which makes it great for sensitive skin. Aside from retinol, it’s made with nourishing cocoa and shea butter.

NatureWell Clinical Retinol Advanced Moisture Cream

Reviewers rave about NatureWell Clinical Retinol Advanced Moisture Cream, an amazing find that’s less than $20 on Amazon. And don’t just take our word for it; take its over 10,000 5-star Amazon reviews. It’s another pick that can be used on both your face and body.

Beauty Pie Youthbomb Body 360° Repair Concentrate

This retinol body lotion is packed full of powerful anti-aging ingredients that your skin will love. Some key ingredients of Beauty Pie Youthbomb Body 360° Repair Concentrate include 2% granactive retinoid, niacinamide, glycolic acid, borage oil, shea butter and a dual-action moisturizing complex.

Murad Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment

As mentioned previously, retinal is a step above retinol, as it’s a bit stronger and more potent. Murad Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment is great for those who have already used retinol on their body and can tolerate it well. It’s made with encapsulated retinal, milk thistle and bearberry extracts which smooth and tone skin. Additionally, it has bentonite clay encapsulated shea butter and avocado extract, which also smooth skin, and squalane to help retain moisture.

Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream

If you’re looking to splurge, turn to Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream. While pricey, we think it’s worth every penny. It’s amazing at exfoliating skin and promoting cell turnover since it not only includes retinoid but also AHA, or alpha hydroxy acid. AHAs are powerful exfoliators that help reveal smoother and brighter skin.

Cocokind Retinol Body Cream

Another pick that can be found at the drugstore, Cocokind Retinol Body Cream is so nourishing and kind to the skin. It contains 0.05% retinol, making it great for beginners, and also ceramide NP which supports a healthy skin barrier. It’s also loaded with squalane and shea butter that nourish and hydrate skin.

Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion

If you’re especially prone to irritation from retinol, try Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion. It’s made with encapsulated retinol, meaning it’s less irritating and more gentle and tolerable on the skin. Plus, it’s just $25 but feels high-end. Aside from encapsulated retinol, it contains soothing allantoin, which promotes skin cell turnover while combating irritation, as well as shea butter for a boost in moisture.

Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment

This retinol body lotion, Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment, is another stand-out pick thanks to its 0.1% retinol. Many times, you’ll find 0.05% retinol in OTC products, making this treatment a bit stronger but not overpowering. The formula includes pure retinol and antioxidants, shea butter, grape seed oil, glycerin, vitamin C and more, which makes it a brightening, firming and moisturizing option.

Bonus: More retinol-infused products for the body

Olay Cleansing & Renewing Nighttime Body Wash

Already have a body lotion you don’t want to give up? Try a retinol body wash instead! Olay Cleansing & Renewing Nighttime Body Wash is a great pick as it’s available at the drugstore and costs less than $10. Your skin will love its gentle and nourishing ingredients, like niacinamide, pro-glycerin, lipids, vitamin B3 complex and retinol.

Nécessaire The Body Retinol

Instead of a lotion, Nécessaire The Body Retinol features a serum-in-balm formula, which sets it apart from the rest. It contains 0.1% pure retinol as well as 10% AHA, which is why it’s a powerful anti-aging formula. It also has peptides and vitamins for plumper, nourished skin.