16 best retinol body lotions to tighten and smooth your skin

This is the overachiever of the edit. Triple-action — 8% glycolic acid, 2% lactic acid, and 1% encapsulated retinol — it works overnight to resurface, smooth and firm while you sleep, targeting fine lines, crepiness and uneven texture on limbs, neck and décolletage.

The moisturising base (watermelon seed oil, glycerin, seabuckthorn oil) means you're not waking up to stripped skin, either. Ninety percent of triallists reported noticeably improved texture after four weeks. Night-time skincare doesn't get more productive than this.

Another bestselling Amazon beauty product is this retinol body lotion. Other than the superstar ingredient retinol, this formula also includes ferulic acid – which, if you didn't know, is a super powerful antioxidant that acts as a shield for your skin against premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and irritation.

So when you combine ferulic acid with retinol, you know you have a super effective anti-ageing moisturiser.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you fancy testing the waters with retinol, tip your toe in with the Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Elasti-Cream. Not only will you smell incredible – it has a floral, vibrant scent that’s like summer in a bottle – but it contains a natural retinoid alternative, cacay oil, which has been clinically proven to boost collagen production, therefore promoting tighter and plumper skin. It also contains hydrating squalane so your skin will be as juicy as it is smooth.

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. The results are clear as day.

I read the ingredients (and stellar reviews) of this lotion and proceeded to pop it into my cart. The people didn’t lie; the gradual release of retinol (that decreases irritation!), super-duper soothing allantoin, and ultra-moisturising shea butter leave my skin feeling soft, smooth, and firm. I apply it every night before bed – oh, and I’ve hooked everyone I know, considering the price tag doesn’t hurt.

A £25 overnight body treatment that actually earns its place in your routine. Powered by encapsulated retinol and a blend of AHAs — with 5% glycerin to keep the barrier intact — it works while you sleep to improve skin tone, texture and elasticity without any morning tightness.

It's fragrance-free, dermatologically tested and vegan, which makes layering your usual body oil or fragrance on top a non-issue. Reviewers with dark marks, hyperpigmentation and crepey skin are all reporting results. Quiet formula, loud outcomes.

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.

Murad’s Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment is so effective, it’s already sold out twice. Named a ‘workout in a jar’ the formula is said to enhance your skin’s metabolism to enhance its hydration and firmness so you get that post-workout glow without having to pick up a weight.

The clinical results are impressive too, with it smoothing deep-set wrinkles and lifting saggy skin in only four weeks. And cause it uses encapsulated retinal, rather than retinol, it delivers all these incred results (read: lifted, smoother and brighter skin) without any side effects associated to retinoid use. Spectacular give me 14.

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!!

Alright so this isn’t a retinol body lotion per se, but it’s a wonderful option if you want something richer than a standard lotion.

The Facetheory Body Retinoil contains contains HPR, an advanced retinoid, that delivers a very stable dose of vitamin A without causing side effects (read: drying or irritation). It helps to promote tighter and more unified skin, while broccoli seed oil and vitamin E nourishes and protects the skin barrier.

Better yet, this formula is unscented so if you fancy layering on your lotion on top to lock the formula in, it won’t alter the fragrance.