A Dermatologist Told Me to Try Retinol Body Lotions to Smooth My Bumpy Arms—I Approve of These 10
They’re loved for hyperpigmentation, uneven texture, crepey skin, and more.
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At least once a week, a dermatologist waxes poetic to me about retinol. It’s the skincare ingredient they love most. Not hyaluronic acid, not niacinamide, not peptides. Retinol, baby.
And they’re not only raving about how retinol serums affect your face (smoothing, brightening, firming, etc.), but also the way they improve the skin on your body, too. Whether you have body acne, keratosis pilaris, hyperpigmentation, or sagging skin, retinol body lotions can help.
In fact, I started using a retinol body serum years ago to help get rid of KP on the back of my arms. But I now apply it all over—legs, arms, chest, back, hands, feet, you name it—for head-to-toe smoothing and anti-aging effects. Since then, I’ve accumulated a list of 10 go-to formulas that do all the good without the usual irritation.
Our top picks for the best retinol body lotions:
Now, keep reading for the full breakdown of the best retinol body lotions, according to my own testing and product reviewers, along with tips from dermatologists on choosing the best retinol body lotions, how to safely incorporate one into your skincare routine, and what to look for before you buy.
Pros
- Hydrates skin as it smoothes texture
Cons
- Some reviewers say it pills with certain moisturizers (although, I didn't experience this)
Why we love it: Although a rich cream can help offset the dryness of retinol, sometimes a lightweight serum just feels better on your skin. This one from Shani Daren really packs a lot of smoothing with retinol and vitamin C, but it also helps moisturize a little with shea butter and panthenol.
One Cosmo editor says: "Although this absorbs quickly into my skin, it hydrates my skin pretty well too. I have been slathering this on my arms to help combat keratosis pilaris, and it has made my skin feel so soft. I love layering it with a thicker body butter in the evening too to really seal everything in." —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Granactive retinoid, vitamin C, panthenol, shea butter |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- Available at most drugstores for less than $10
- Fairly gentle as far as retinol body lotions go
Cons
- Scented, which some might not like (although we love the fresh fragrance)
Why we love it: It's actually unreal that this retinol body serum is under $10. What's even better is how great the formula is. Retinyl palmitate, a gentle type of retinoid that's combined with emollient-rich palmitic acid, is the hero ingredient to increase cell turnover and firm up skin over time. But there's also smoothing niacinamide and lactic acid, as well as hydrating squalane, turning this into an all-in-one product for basically everything you could need.
One Cosmo editor says: "When I found out my favorite melatonin gummy brand was coming out with a body line, I was skeptical yet intrigued. Then, I was so pleased when I instantly became obsessed with the renew body line. The body serum combines bergamot and jasmine for a deep and sedative scent that is perfect after an everything shower, and the serum itself is deeply hydrating and nonstick on the skin (because there's nothing worse than getting in your sheets with oily skin). it feels super silky on my dry arms and legs, and for less than $10, it's my favorite bodycare steal. I use it over my expensive products just to get that gorgeous smell soaked into my skin." —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Retinyl palmitate, niacinamide, lactic acid, squalane |
| Fragrance free? | No |
Pros
- Seriously smoothes skin with a mixture of retinol, lactic acid, and salicylic acid
Cons
- Very potent formula that might be too strong for sensitive skin types
Why we love it: Winner of best body retinol in Cosmo's Holy Grail Beauty Awards, this cream mimics the iconic face retinol from SkinBetter Sciences (which happens to be a major favorite amongst the Cosmo staff). Packed with the brand's AlphaRet (which combines retinol with lactic acid) as well as salicylic acid, the formula is ultra-smoothing to help reduce skin texture.
One Cosmo editor says: “Most retinols make my skin a flaky mess, but this does a great job and smoothing and softening without causing any irritation. And while it’s exfoliating thanks to AHAs, it didn’t seem to dehydrate my skin even though I used it all winter long when I had my heat blasting.” —MADELEINE FRANK REEVES, FORMER EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Retinol, lactic acid, salicylic acid |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- Testers love that the cream is just thick enough without being too heavy
Cons
- Has a high dose of retinol than can be drying, especially on its own
Why we love it: 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.
One Cosmo editor says: "It definitely works, but it’s hella drying. So make sure to incorporate it slowly into your skincare routine, and either follow up with a rich moisturizer or apply it over moisturizer to dilute its intensity."—CHLOE METZGER, FORMER EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Retinol (smooths and boosts collagen); green tea extract, glycerin, aloe (soothes) |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- Not irritating for sensitive skin
- Only need to use a little bit for your entire body
Cons
- Most expensive formula on this list
Why we love it: If you have sensitive skin, a strong retinol body lotion might be too harsh for you. In that case, look for something with bakuchiol, a retinol alternative that's a bit softer on your skin yet still offers similar smoothing powers. This one from Tronque also employs AHAs, salicylic acid, and niacinamide for even more exfoliation (but, ya know, gently).
One Cosmo editor says: "This luxe body exfoliator is one of the only ones I trust on my eczema-prone, overly dry skin. My reactive skin normally can't handle a physical scrub or exfoliant, so I love that Tronque's chemical formula is gentle and firms and hydrates my skin as it exfoliates it over time. Yes, it's definitely a splurge, but if you want your arms and legs to look (and feel) silky smooth all summer, I highly recommend this serum as a nice retinol alternative."—JH
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Bakuchiol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid |
| Fragrance free? | No |
Pros
- Contains soothing allantoin that decreases redness and irritation
Cons
- Some testers couldn't get their lid to stay closed
Why we love it: Retinol and hydrating usually don't go hand-in-hand. But with this cream, they sure do. Stacked with a combo of gradual-release retinol (to reduce irritation), soothing allantoin, and ultra-moisturizing shea butter, this leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and firm.
One Cosmo editor says: "My love for skincare brand Naturium began when I was intro'd to its Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 by a fellow beauty editor. After one use, I was hooked and began to explore the brand's other products. I read the ingredients (and stellar reviews) of this lotion and proceeded to pop it into my cart. The people didn't lie; I love this so much. I apply it every night before bed—oh, and I've hooked everyone I know, considering the price tag doesn't hurt."—CM
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Retinol, allantoin, shea butter |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- Packed with oils and body butters for softer, smoother skin
Cons
- If you're using it every day, you'll run through it quickly
Why we love it: 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.
One Cosmo editor says: "This is my tried-and-true retinol body lotion. 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."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Retinol, primrose oil, grapeseed oil, glycerin |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- A ton of product for a very little price
Cons
- Some testers who ordered on Amazon received the product without a pump
Why we love it: If you take one peek at this retinol's ingredient list, you'll be shocked to find it's from a drugstore and costs less than $20 (for a whole 13 ounces!!). The jam-packed formula uses our bb retinol alongside niacinamide and a slew of moisturizing ingredients that help mitigate dryness, so it's safe for your body and face. But my favorite part? The addition of palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, or in simpler, ~non-sciency~ terms, a six-amino acid peptide that improves firmness and skin tone. ’Nuff said.
One Cosmo editor says: “You don’t need all the frills, as evidenced by this simple formula available for less than $20 on Amazon or at your local drugstore. You can use this on your face, but I find it’s best for the body because it’s packed with heavy moisturizers like shea butter to offset dryness. The huge bottle (13 fl oz) makes applying it all over feel less like you’re rubbing money on your skin too.”—BG
Features at a Glance
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
| Key ingredients | Retinol, amino acids, niacinamide, sodium PCA, glycerin, jojoba oil |
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Eco-conscious brand
Cons
- Takes a moment to rub in due to thick texture, reviews say
Why we love it: Dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, says this is her favorite 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.
One Cosmo editor says: “This was actually the very first retinol body lotion I tried, and it’s still one of my favorites to this day. It really helps smooth the KP on my arms and thighs, all without irritating my skin. When I started using this, a person I was dating told me I had the softest skin they’d ever felt. Obviously, I never forgot it.”—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Retinol, cocoa butter, squalane, vitamin E |
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
Pros
- A little product goes a long way
- Lightweight feel on skin without drying you out
Cons
- Reviews say the packaging makes it difficult to dispense only a small amount
Why we love it: This exfoliating 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 favorite 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.
One Cosmo editor says: “If you hate the goopy, sticky, heavy creams on your body like I do, this serum is a much better pick. I can douse myself in this and not feel it on my body afterward, which I love.”—BG
Features at a Glance
| Fragrance free? | Yes |
| Key ingredients | Retinol (smooths and boosts collagen); lactic acid, glycolic acid (exfoliates); niacinamide (anti-inflammatory); urea (hydrates) |
FAQs
How to choose
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 moisturizers, 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 .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 more quickly and are generally safe for sensitive skin, though, again, those with preexisting inflammatory skin conditions should use caution.
Meet the experts
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut, president of the Women's Dermatologic Society, and associate clinical professor at Yale. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and skin of color.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Siena Gagliano was an associate editor who writes beauty at Cosmopolitan and has four years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
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