Want baby-smooth skin? Try one of these retinol body lotions (2024)

Yes, the price tag is right, but that doesn't mean it lacks in quality. This best-selling Amazon retinol body lotion is it. It's formulated with retinol (of course) for some skin-firming and collagen-boosting power and aloe vera and glycerin, which will soothe and hydrate your skin.

Though, there's a quick catch. It's a v intense formula. "It definitely works, but it’s hella drying,” says Chloe Metzger, former Cosmo US deputy beauty director. “So make sure to incorporate it slowly into your skincare routine and either follow up with a rich moisturiser or apply it over moisturiser to dilute its intensity,” she says.

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Key Specifications

Key Specifications

This bb is my tried-and-true retinol body lotion. Retinol's ability to trigger collagen and elastin production gradually leads to smoother, firmer skin. But what makes this body treatment so great is the fact that it's also loaded with plant oils and body butters, meaning while it exfoliates your skin, it also softens it.

I diligently massage this cream over the rough and bumpy areas on my skin (i.e., the backs of my arms and thighs) a few nights a week and always layer up with sunscreen every morning.

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If you're new to retinol, have sensitive skin, or use other actives and don't want to irritate the heck out of your skin, you should consider a lotion with encapsulated retinol.

This form of vitamin A ~gradually~ releases retinol, which in turn works to slow down absorption levels and reduce irritation. Kopari's body cream combines that with heavy hitters like antioxidants, vitamin E, and hydrating glycerin.

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This gorgeous, aesthetically pleasing bottle also happens to be a cult-favourite retinol in the beauty community. It's got encapsulated retinol – i.e., time-released retinol that's easier for your skin to absorb – and two of my favourite chemical exfoliants ever, glycolic acid and mandelic acid.

The exfoliants come in first to help prep your skin and then the retinol has its time to shine and absorbs easier. If you need any more convincing that this should be in your cart, just check out the incredible reviews – the fans don't lie!!

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Dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara, says this is her favourite retinol body lotion: "I use it nightly on my arms, legs, chest, butt, abdomen, and thighs to firm, tone, and reduce wrinkles," she says, noting that it doesn't irritate her skin in the slightest.

Using encapsulated retinol (which is less intense on your skin), this body lotion is formulated to be used daily, though it's best to incorporate it into your routine slowly to ensure your skin reacts well.

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This milky body serum is a powerful skincare product for tackling dry patches and exfoliating dead skin for a smooth, baby-soft look and feel.

My favourite part about this formula is that it uses encapsulated retinol, which works by slowing down absorption, so it's less intense on your skin. I found that this product works wonderfully on the backs of my arms to address my keratosis pilaris.

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So this retinol product isn't technically a lotion per se, but it's just as effective and a pretty luxe treatment considering it's meant to be used similarly to a leave-on mask.

Rub it all over your targeted areas on your body and it'll blast your skin with retinol (hi, collagen and elastin production), coconut oil (hello, hella hydration), and grapeseed oil (nice to see ya, antioxidants). After using this a couple of times a week, you'll begin to see smoother and glowier skin.

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Made with retinyl palmitate – i.e., the weakest form of retinol that is better at protecting with antioxidant properties rather than repairing – this body treatment is a great option for those with sensitive skin that normally would not be able to tolerate a higher form of retinoid.

The formula also includes white willow bark extract, which is a great exfoliator for textured, uneven skin, and one of my favourite hydrators: hyaluronic acid.

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Bakuchiol – aka a natural retinol or retinol alternative – is "considered a 'phytoretinol,' or a plant-based ingredient with similar functions and benefits of retinol, but is still gentle enough for very sensitive skin," dermatologist Anar Mikailov has told Cosmo.

Though it can be pretty safe to use on most skin types every night without working up to it, those with rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, or other skin conditions and irritation should absolutely still take it slow.

Because this bakuchiol moisturiser is typically made for the face, it comes in a smaller product size so I typically reserve it for smaller areas like my chest and the backs of my hands.

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Yes, retinol body lotions absolutely work. "Retinoids are a class of vitamin A derivatives that help to increase collagen production, decrease collagen breakdown, regulate elastin production, even out skin tone, help acne to resolve, prevent acne from coming, reduce oil and pore size, and regulate hair follicle shedding," says dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara.

There's just one catch: it takes time to see results (see: a few weeks to three months), and you must be diligent about using a retinol body lotion consistently.

Yes, Dr. Gohara suggests using retinol on your body daily – as long as your skin can handle it, and you’re also not currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Just remember that retinoids can be irritating, so anyone with a pre-existing inflammatory skin condition, like eczema and psoriasis, should either avoid use or use just once or twice a week to start.

It's best to work up to daily use gradually. "Apply it one night a week for one week, two nights a week for two weeks, three nights a week for three weeks, then every other night from there on out," she says.

Evaluate the ingredients

Though retinol is the most proven and backed skincare ingredient for premature aging and its smoothing and firming abilities, you'll want to look at the ingredients combo'd with it in these retinol body lotions to ensure it's right for your skin type.

Dr. Gohara suggests looking for moisturisers, such as shea butter or cocoa butter, and barrier repair ingredients, such as squalene. If you want a soothing effect, look for aloe vera.

Know the strength

"Generally, retinol body lotions come in 0.1 percent formulations," says Dr. Gohara. These formulas should be worked into your skincare routine gradually over time until you're up to an everyday basis.

Other retinol alternatives and lower-strength retinol (see: bakuchiol, retinyl palmitate, and plant-based alternatives) can be used and incorporated much quicker and are generally safe for sensitive skin, though, again, those with pre-existing inflammatory skin conditions should use caution.