13 Best Retinol Body Lotions of 2024 for Firmer, Baby-Soft Skin

Editor’s tip: Hussein loves to follow this intensive formula with a cushiony, hydrating body lotion. Her current lotion of choice: First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Body Lotion, a thick cream spiked with colloidal oatmeal that soothes any retinol-related irritation she sometimes experiences.

Key ingredients: 0.25% pure retinol, 5% niacinamide, 3% glycerin | Who it’s for: those seeking a lightweight, layering-friendly treatment | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Exfoliating: iS Clinical Body Complex

Why it’s worth it: While all retinol exfoliates to some extent—in enhancing skin cell turnover, it keeps dead cells from piling up on the skin’s surface—the iS Clinical Body Complex amplifies that effect with fruit-derived acids and plant-based beta hydroxy acid, which gently resurface the skin and leave it glowing. To offset any dryness, it also has a combination of aloe and hyaluronic acid. The payoff? Skin that’s ready to show off.

Editor’s tip: Despite its results-driven lineup of ingredients, it’s gentle enough for even the most sensitive or compromised skin. Retinyl palmitate, also known as pro-retinol, is milder than its counterparts because it has to undergo multiple conversions to get to retinoic acid, the active form of retinol. So, know it’ll take longer to see results than if you were using pure retinol, but you’ll see them nonetheless.

Key ingredients: aloe, glycerin, willow bark extract, retinyl palmitate | Who it’s for: people who want extra smoothing without risking redness | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Scented Retinol Body Lotion: Sol de Janeiro Flor Collagen-Boosting Elasti-Cream

Sol de Janeiro

Beija Flor Collagen-Boosting Elasti-Cream

Why it’s worth it: Sol de Janeiro’s Flor Collagen-Boosting Elasti-Cream boosts collagen with a gentle retinol alternative called cacay oil, which mimics what retinol does without causing side effects or sensitivity to sunlight. Alongside that is vegan collagen, which helps maintain skin’s natural collagen content, as well as squalane, an emollient that smooths skin.

Editor’s tip: The brand is known for the fragrances in its skin-care products; this formula has an uplifting fruity-floral scent with notes of dragonfruit, lychee, and hibiscus.

Key ingredients: cacay oil, plant collagen, squalane | Who it’s for: people who spend a lot of time outdoors | Fragrance-free: no

Best Unscented Retinol Body Lotion: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion

Naturium

Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion

Why it’s worth it: Itching to reap the benefits of retinol products but afraid your sensitive skin may react? Not an issue with the Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion, which is free of potentially aggravating ingredients like fragrance, AHAs, and BHAs. Instead, it features sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients like moisturizing glycerin, calming allantoin, and conditioning shea butter. On top of that, it’s made with encapsulated retinol, which slows down absorption and is, therefore, less likely to irritate skin.

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