Retinol is a powerful exfoliator derived from vitamin A. It helps to reveal tight, radiant, and smooth skin by increasing cell turnover. Retinol is not just for the face anymore; it's being incorporated into body care products to target concerns like crepey skin, uneven texture, acne, and discoloration, explains board-certified dermatologist Devika Icecreamwala, MD.
Before you buy a body lotion with retinol, keep in mind that a few general rules apply: Skip any type of retinol if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, be extra diligent about sun protection, as retinol increases sun sensitivity.
To help you narrow down the best retinol body lotion for you, we scoured the market, keeping ingredients, efficacy, design, and size top of mind. We also tapped two dermatologists to get their thoughts. Without further ado, let's get into it.
Best Overall
Paula's Choice Retinol Body Treatment
Effective formula
Very hydrating
Mid-range retinol concentration
Can be used up quickly if too much used
Key Ingredients: Retinol, primrose oil, grape oil, glycerin | Size: 4 ounces
The ingredient list in this body product is almost identical to what you’d see in a face product—think pure retinol (in a mid-strength, 0.1% concentration), protective antioxidants, plus moisture-replenishing glycerin and lots of hydrating butters and plant oils. The result is a lotion that’s both beautifully hydrating, smoothing, and firming that leaves skin with a gorgeous glow. Byrdie beauty editor Olivia Hancock explains that her skin feels "as soft as a baby's" after using this product. For a full breakdown of our experience with this body lotion, check out our full review here.
Best Budget
Gold Bond Age Renew Overnight Lotion
Can be used on face and body
Value size options available
Contains cocoa butter for healing dry, cracked skin
Can be greasy
Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptide complex, cocoa butter | Size: 7 or 13 ounces
Super affordable, this is another pick that combines retinol with a nourishing butter to achieve a litany of skincare benefits. Further giving you more bang for your buck, you can also apply this on your face if you want. (Though FYI, because it does contain some thicker moisturizing ingredients, we’d suggest only doing so if your skin is dry and not oily or acne-prone.) And if you are going to use it on your face, just a pea-size amount is all you need. It's available in two sizes—the smaller 7-ounce is good for taking on the go, while the bigger 13-ounce value size has a pump for easy application.
Best for Skin Texture
Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
Contains hydrators like shea butter and allantoin
Fragrance-free formula ideal for those with skin conditions
Targets uneven skin texture
Unclear what retinol concentration is
Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, allantoin, shea butter | Size: 8 or 14 ounces
With the help of retinol, allantoin (a soothing hydrator), and shea butter, this rich formula nourishes the skin, offering immediate results when it comes to skin texture like bumps and dry patches. It's unclear what exactly the retinol concentration is, however, one thing we do know is that this stuff works. Plus, it's fragrance-free, so it's ideal for folks who have super-sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Best for Hands
Nécessaire The Hand Retinol
Targeted treatment for fine lines and crepey skin on hands
Formulated with pure encapsulated retinol and AHA
Luxurious feel
Have to remember to apply SPF to hands
Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptides, glycolic acid, glycerin | Size: 2.2 ounces
True story, your hands can often give away your age even more so than your face. (After all, they’re often very neglected, both when it comes to sun protection and any type of anti-aging products.) That’s where this souped-up, multi-tasking hand cream comes in: Glycolic acid preps the skin for retinol (which then performs youth-boosting duties alongside several peptides) all while glycerin hydrates. Just keep in mind that you'll need to be extra diligent about applying SPF to your hands, as the retinol will make them even more sensitive to the sun.
Best Natural
Oui The People All In All Melting Body Balm
Ultra-hydrating
Works well for dry, irritated skin as well as aging skin
Very rich balm to oil consistency
Small container
Key Ingredients: Sea fennel extract, northern truffle mushroom, shea nilotica | Size: 3.4 ounces
For those who favor natural formulas, allow us to introduce you to the Oui the People All in All Body Balm. It's a balm, so it has a rich consistency that transforms into an emollient body oil during application, offering nourishment and hydration on contact. It contains ingredients like sea fennel extract (a retinol alternative), northern truffle mushroom (an adaptogenic mushroom that soothes irritation), and shea nilotica (a top-tier moisturizer that helps with chronic dryness) for a full-body experience that improves skin elasticity, firmness, and hydration.
Best for Sensitive Skin
iS Clinical Body Complex
Great for sensitive skin
Has extra exfoliating ingredients
Hydrating
Might not be ideal for those with skin conditions
Key Ingredients: Retinol, aloe hyaluronic acid | Size: 6 ounces
‘Retinol’ and ‘sensitive skin’ don’t always go hand-in-hand, but this is one exception to the rule. The gentle formula relies on retinyl palmitate, a gentler type of retinoid, and doesn’t contain a ton of it. What it does have is hyaluronic acid and aloe to leave the skin feeling soothed and hydrated, says Icecreamwala. As an added benefit, it also gives you some gentle exfoliation, thanks to white willow bark extract.
Best for Dry Skin
Josie Maran Whipped Argan Pro-Retinol Body Butter
Rich and hydrating
Contains pro-retinol, a gentler form of retinol
Non-greasy finish
Scent can be off-putting
Key Ingredients: Pro-retinol, argan oil, vitamin E | Size: 8 ounces
When your skin is super dry, a lotion isn’t going to cut it—you want to reach for a nice thick cream or, even better, a rich butter such as this one. Rather than using straight-up retinol, it uses a gentler derivative, pro-retinol. Argan oil and vitamin E make it plenty hydrating and also offer antioxidant protection, notes Icecreamwala.
Best Full Body
Versed Retinol Body Lotion
Nourishing ingredients
Easy-apply tube
Fragrance-free and ideal for sensitive skin types
Thick; requires rubbing in
Key Ingredients: Retinol, cocoa butter, squalane, vitamin E | Size: 6 ounces
This gentle body lotion is infused with .01% encapsulated retinol which means it passes right through the skin barrier without drying skin or causing inflammation. Squalane, cocoa butter, and vitamin E lock in moisture and play a role in keeping skin soft and nourished. While the formula is nice and moisturizing, it is very rich and can take a beat to rub it in all the way.
Best for Sagging Skin
Medix 5.5 Retinol Anti-Sagging Treatment
Contains ferulic acid
Affordable
Formulated at healthy skin pH
Smell can be off-putting
Key Ingredients: Retinol, ferulic acid | Size: 15 ounces
A fan favorite on Amazon, many happy reviewers repeatedly point out how well Medix 5.5’s Retinol + Ferulic Acid Anti-Sagging Treatment helps improve the look of sagging, crepey skin all over their body. It’s also nice and hydrating and has the added benefit of containing ferulic acid, one of the most potent antioxidants out there, for an extra dose of protection against free radical damage that can contribute to signs of aging.
Best Multi-Tasking
Replenix Retinol Smooth + Tighten Body Lotion
Softening and hydrating
Absorbs quickly
Contains hyaluronic acid and antioxidants
Small amount in bottle
Key Ingredients: Retinol, antioxidants, ceramides, hyaluronic acid | Size: 6.7 ounces
Dr. Icecreamwala recommends this formula, which really can do it all. “This product contains not only retinol but also antioxidants, ceramides, green tea, and hyaluronic acid," she explains. "The antioxidants fight off free radicals, the ceramides improve the skin barrier, the green tea polyphenols prevent irritation to the skin, and the hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates." In short, it leaves skin smoother, softer, more even, firmer, more hydrated... need we continue?
Best for Acne and Hyperpigmentation
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum
Addresses texture
Great for acne-prone skin
Treats hyperpigmentation and dark marks
Too much can come out if not careful
Key Ingredients: Retinol, squalane, lactic and glycolic acids | Size: 5 ounces
When it comes to retinol serums, Topicals takes it a step beyond. The combination of exfoliating ingredients delivers smoothing and clearing results for acne, hyperpigmentation, and keratosis pilaris. This body serum is formulated with retinol and two types of acids (lactic and glycolic) to dissolve dead skin cells, and squalane to balance the skin barrier and retain moisture. It also has urea, which is naturally secreted in our sweat, and as a topical can hydrate and reduce the buildup of dead skin cells. Gentle enough for daily use, apply this serum to bumps and rough skin to improve texture with a non-greasy finish. We are huge fans of a flip-top lid, however, be careful with the amount of pressure you apply: This is a serum consistency as a hulk-like squeeze will cause way too much product to exit.
Best Splurge
Chantecaille Retinol Body Treatment
Moisturizing and rich
Luxurious experience
Helps even out skin tone and texture
Floral fragrance might not be for everyone
Key Ingredients: Retinol, rose, edelweiss | Size: 6.8 ounces
If you have been hearing about edelweiss more lately, it’s for good reason—the dainty flower is packed with antioxidants that encourage skin health with anti-aging benefits. This body lotion leans on the ingredient for its soothing properties with retinol tapped to stimulate collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This smoothing body lotion is also made with shea butter and sunflower oil, which moisturizes, absorbs easily, and makes it suitable for all skin types. While not a synthetic addition, this lotion does smell like rose and if that is not your preferred scent, you may want to pick a different option.
What to Look for in a Retinol Body Lotion
- Retinol concentration: Because retinol can potentially irritate the skin, board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD doesn’t recommend reaching for a formula with too high a concentration of retinol for use on the body (such as a formula containing a 1% or higher concentration). Some companies do not list the retinol percentage on the package or their website—we do wish all these brands could fix this.
- Stabilized formulas: Retinol is notorious for being a tough ingredient to stabilize, meaning it pretty easily loses its efficacy over time—especially after being exposed to things like sunlight, air, and heat. For this reason, Dr. Zeichner recommends looking for products that contain a stabilized form of retinol (looking for the term 'encapsulated' is a good indicator of this) or package the formula in a way that will keep it from being exposed to elements that would render it useless.
- Hydrating ingredients: As you already know, retinol is known to be potentially drying and irritating, so look for formulas that will deliver much-needed moisture back into your skin. If you’re not into heavier body lotions and creams, opt for formulas formulated with lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid. Also, steer clear of formulas that contain added fragrance as they can further irritate the skin.
Why Trust Byrdie
Lauren Hackney Behringer has over 10 years experience as a celebrity aesthetician, health coach, writer, and beauty industry expert. As a practicing medical aesthetician Lauren sees first hand how skincare performs on her NYC clients.
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She’s well-versed in anything and everything retinol-related, having covered the ingredient extensively during her career.
For this story, we consulted with several experts, including:
- Devika Icecreamwala MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Berkeley, CA. She’s the founder of Icecreamwala Dermatology, a practice specializing in both medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. He is an associate professor of dermatology and the Director of Clinical and Cosmetic Research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.