As far as anti-ageing skin care is concerned, there’s no better hero ingredient for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, firming sagging skin, and refining a tired complexion than retinol. So why are we limiting our use of this results-driven powerhouse to our skin care routine? It makes no sense.
Thankfully, we’re not the only ones who think limiting the use of retinol in our beauty routines is illogical.
There are a handful of top-rated body lotions out there that actually feature the ingredient, which means the skin on our bodies can finally reap the very same benefits that our faces have been enjoying for decades.
Smooth that texture on the backs of your thighs, plump the fine lines on your tech neck, and firm and plump the skin on your limbs with a retinol body lotion. Here, ELLE rounds up seven of the very best retinol body lotions to shop right here in Australia.
The best retinol body lotion 2025
01
Nécessaire The Body Retinol
from $101 at MECCA
We’re already obsessed with every other minimally packaged product from Nécessaire, so weren’t shocked at all to discover this top-rated gem. It’s just as lightweight as the rest of the brand’s body care offerings, so no need to stress about grease-stained sheets after slathering on this silky serum-in-balm in the evenings.
Sizes: 150ml
Key features:
- Infused with 0.1 per cent pure retinol and 10 per cent AHA
- Claims to prevent crepey skin, and minimise the appearance of lines, wrinkles, spots, scars, marks and bumps
- Use at night on clean skin
- Do not apply moisturiser over the top (this pick works best alone)
Available at:
- $101 from MECCA
02
Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
from $49.95 at Naturium
If you’re a lover of Naturium’s signature nourishing formulas like we are, then prepare to fall deeply for this retinol and allantoin enriched body lotion from the brand. It uses an encapsulated and stabilised form of retinol alongside a slew of soothing skin care ingredients to leave your limbs feeling soft, supple, nourished, and toned.
Sizes: 234ml
Key features:
- Contains encapsulated retinol complex, allantoin, and shea butter
- Nourishes skin
- Leaves skin feeling soft and supple
- Claims to tone and firm
- Use once or twice a week and adapt use as tolerance increases
Available at:
- $49.95 from Naturium
03
Fig.1 Retinol Body Serum
from $66 at MECCA
Wish there was a product that addressed the signs of ageing just like your favourite lightweight face serum? Look no further. This body serum from Fig.1 claims to do just that. It promises to firm crepey neck skin, and unify that annoyingly uneven skin tone under the arms and on the knees and elbows — and smooth all of those bumps on the backs of your legs too.
Sizes: 100ml
Key features:
- Contains encapsulated retinol, niacinamide, and vitamins C and E
- Claims to firm, tighten and tone
- Exfoliates dead skin and smooths unwanted texture
- Brightens and unifies skin tone
- Slow release retinol minimises the risk of irritation
Available at:
- $66 from MECCA
04
Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
Usually $50, now on sale for $40 at Paula’s Choice
Prep your pins for summer with this body lotion from Paula’s Choice. It contains pure retinol (0.1 per cent), which is paired with antioxidants to aim to transform skin, while natural butters and plant oils hydrate skin and provide a rich, moisturising texture that’s never greasy.
Sizes: 118ml
Key features:
- Lightweight and silky
- Contains pure retinol (0.1 per cent)
- Natural plant butters and oils to nourish and moisturise
- Antioxidants reveal brighter, more even skin
- Non-greasy
Available at:
- Usually $50, now on sale for $40 at Paula’s Choice
- $50 from Amazon Australia
05
Kopari Ultra Renewal Retinol Body Cream
from $84 at Sephora
Sporting the skin of a lizard no matter how much moisturiser you slather on? Target the appearance of fine lines, crepey and loose skin, minimise uneven texture, and resurface, tighten, smooth and brighten skin with this silky-textured retinol body cream that claims to do all of the above.
Sizes: 141.5ml
Key features:
- Claims to support elasticity, and minimise fine lines, saggy skin, uneven texture and dull skin
- Fast-absorbing
- Gentle enough for everyday use
- Lightweight and silky texture
Available at:
- $84 from Sephora
06
Frank Body Retinol Body Lotion
from $36 at Frank Body
Frank Body’s always had pride of place in our shower ever since the Melbourne export first launched in 2013. Now one can hope to reveal youthful-looking skin with this exfoliating, plumping and smoothing pick from the Aussie brand. It contains a blend of retinol, antioxidant-rich berry extracts and peptides, which promise to revitalise tired-looking skin.
Sizes: 140ml
Key features:
- Contains retinol, berry extracts and peptides
- Exfoliates and smooths texture
- Claims to plump fine lines, and brighten and revitalise dull, tired-looking skin
- Free from parabens and pthalates
Available at:
- $36 from Frank Body
- $36 from MECCA
07
Hada Labo Night Body Serum
from $39.95 at Adore Beauty
Hada Labo’s body range is the star of this Beauty Editor’s personal body care routine, and I’m not ashamed to say admit that this lightweight, non-sticky and fast-absorbing body serum has become a firm favourite of mine. It has enhanced the brand’s signature super hyaluronic acid (which contains three molecular weights of the humectant) with collagen and retinol to try to target the first signs of ageing while you sleep.
Sizes: 150ml
Key features:
- Lightweight, milky consistency
- Contains super hyaluronic acid, collagen and retinol
- Refreshes skin for a healthy complexion
Locks in moisture for long-lasting hydration - Fast-absorbing
Available at:
- $39.95 from Adore Beauty
Can you use retinol on your body?
Technically speaking, the skin on your face is a lot thinner and more sensitive than the skin on your body, so the sensitivities you might experience applying retinol as a part of your skin care routine may be less prevalent when using the ingredient in your body care routine. However, when it comes down to it, retinol boasts the same refining, toning and firming qualities all over the body, which is what makes it so effective at smoothing texture, and minimising crepey or wrinkled skin.
How often should I use retinol body lotion?
Just like your face, it’s important to go low and slow with retinol application, but because the skin on your body tends to be thicker you can apply a retinol body lotion about three times a week and see great results. Of course, it still pays to be mindful about sensitivity, so try to opt for a retinol body lotion with a lower concentration at first.
Related article:
- Looking To Introduce Vitamin A Into Your Routine? These Are The Best Retinols For Beginners
- You Asked, We Answered: Your Biggest Retinol Questions
- 7 Of The Best Body Washes For Breakouts Beyond Your Face
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