The Best Body Retinols, Starting at $10 (2024)

Star ingredient retinol has long been considered the gold standard anti-aging ingredient and an essential part of a nighttime skincare routine. However, newly popular is the emerging body retinol category, made up of body lotions, body butters, body serums and more that all contain retinol or retinol derivatives in them. "There are many different uses for a body retinol, such as anti-aging, acne, hyperpigmentation and keratosis pilaris," says Aya Ahram, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab has a long history of testing anti-aging products, including retinol serums, retinol creams and more. For this story, GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek evaluated six body retinols, taking into consideration factors like texture, scent and absorption. Since retinol increases cell turnover, "it can potentially cause irritation in addition to causing sun sensitivity," Wnek says. It is important to apply sunscreen always, but it is an absolute must if you are using a retinol body product, both Wnek and Dr. Ahram advise.

Ahead, the top 13 body retinols on the market, including options for dry skin, sensitive skin, crepey skin and more.

GH Beauty Award winner Bio-Oil is a classic skin healer and editor favorite. This iteration of the formula, a featherweight liquid body lotion, contains extra skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E plus botanicals like rose and jojoba oil to cushion the retinol. One tester noted how quickly it soaks into skin (it takes just "seconds"). There's "no waiting time for the lotion to dry or sticky, greasy film, and it feels incredibly silky on," the tester marveled. Some online reviewers do find it to be extremely watery.

While many body retinols are offered in lotion form, this GH editor fave from Versed is instead a body butter. It has a "rich, nourishing texture," says GH Beauty Director April Franzino, and she especially likes that it "feels moisturizing instead of just like a treatment product." The luxe, hydrating formula doesn't leave a greasy feel, and there are noticeable improvements: Another GH staffer uses it "on my arms and legs, and after a few weeks, I've noticed that my dark spots seem to be fading and my skin is smoother and softer." Though some like the subtle cocoa butter scent, others find it to be off-putting.

Beauty Pie's body concentrate includes both retinol and glycolic acid to really clear up skin. GH Beauty Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler says she can feel noticeably softer skin after just a couple of nights using this formula. "It can cause some peeling, so alternate with a moisturizing lotion a few nights a week," she recommends. She loves how lightweight it is upon application and that it doesn't leave skin feeling damp or slick.

Formulated with encapsulated retinol, allantoin and shea butter, this body lotion from Naturium is a derm-approved buy. Dr. Ahram recommends the fragrance-free option, noting that it is "very hydrating while still providing the benefits that retinols have," she says. Thanks to its encapsulated retinol, it is designed to be less irritating to the skin as well. Some online reviewers say that they haven't seen a noticeable improvement in their skin since beginning use.

Offered in a serum rather than a more typical lotion, Nécessaire's lightweight body retinol is another derm favorite. Dr. Ahram likes that it "also has glycolic and mandelic acid to help exfoliate the skin," she says. Additionally, ingredients like peptides and niacinamide help balance skin. In a third-party verified clinical study put on by the brand, 85% of testers had less crepiness and 82% had fewer lines and wrinkles after four weeks of use. Note that some online reviewers do not like the strong scent of the product, saying it smells "like cheese" or "rotten," though others say the scent goes away quickly and the results are worth it.

If you want to try a luxurious body cream with added anti-aging benefits, this is the one to buy. It rubs in easily to skin, absorbs quickly and feels very hydrating, delivering a truly luxe experience (at a luxe price). "I feel like you can apply this and get dressed right afterwards," says Wnek. "I would call this a lightweight texture." A clinical trial published by the brand showed that after four weeks, 94% of users agreed skin looked more toned. Wnek and our Beauty Assistant both love the fresh rose scent; however, if you are sensitive to fragrance, it may not be the best pick for you.

Another product recommended by Dr. Ahram, Paula's Choice retinol body lotion contains both retinol and antioxidants. The moisturizer is "hydrating," Dr. Ahram notes; many online reviewers rave about its ability to treat the look of stretch marks as well, with one calling it their "favorite body product for stretch marks." The reviewer goes on to note that "nothing has worked besides this." They "apply it every night and have seen such a huge difference, and it also leaves my skin so smooth." Though some users don't notice a smell, others say it smells like garlic.

Retinol body serum lovers, this one's for you. Soft Services' formula is noticeably thin, so it's lightweight, online reviewers and Wnek agree. Wnek adds that it "absorbs relatively quickly and feels hydrating on skin." There was no noticeable scent to this product upon application, either. Online reviewers say it has made their skin's tone and texture even and smooth. It won't last you long, though, since it's available in a 2.5 fl. oz. package (also making it on the pricier side for its small size).

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has tested body lotions and retinols for the face. Though our scientists haven't officially tested retinol body lotions, GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek evaluated six of the options included in this story, taking into consideration scent, absorption, texture and more. Plus, our scientists know what makes a good body lotion and a good retinol thanks to their other tests.

Like any retinol product, body retinol "helps increase skin cell turnover and build up the collagen layer in the skin to help smooth out and firm texture," says Dr. Ahram. By doing so, it fights aging such as "crepiness and other signs of photodamage such as hyperpigmentation," she adds. Using a body retinol can even help with issues not related to aging, such as "strawberry skin, aka keratosis pilaris, on the backs of the arms, as well as acne on the chest, back and shoulders," Dr. Ahram explains.