Not sure where to start looking for the right retinol body lotion, serum or cream. 

Retinol is vitamin A. Once it is absorbed into the skin it is converted into the active form, retinoic acid. Our skin cells contain receptors for retinoic acid which allow for the benefits such as faster skin cell turnover, reduction in appearance of hyperpigmentation and support of collagen production, to be achieved.

Here at the Derm Review, we’ve reviewed hundreds of products with a scientific lens to ensure you’re creating a retinol skincare regimen that’s safe and effective.

Ahead , the best body retinol products for body for  aging, damage, stretch marks and cellulite. 

Best Retinol for Body: The List

BEST OVERALL

Formulyst The Body Cream
Custom, freshly compounded with highly effective medical grade ingredients. This is the most powerful retinol body product.  

Carrot & Stick The Retinol+ Night Cream
This overnight formula features an innovative liposome based encapsulated retinol that delivers a higher concentration of retinol to your skin without the irritation associated with conventional retinol. For body and face. 

FULL LIST

Nécessaire The Body Retinol – Repair Serum With 0.1% Pure Retinol,

True Botanicals Phyto Retinol Anti Aging Body Lotion

Cocokind Retinol Body Cream

Nécessaire The Body Retinol

Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment

Versed Press Restart Retinol Body Lotion

Osea Dream Bio-Retinol Body Serum

Versed Gentle Retinol Body Lotion

Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream

How Does Retinol Work

Retinol is a 20 carbon molecule that consists of a cyclohexenyl ring, a side chain with four double bonds and an alcohol end group. Don’t worry if you didnt get that, what is important to know to understand how retinol works is that the alcohol group is oxidated to form aldehyde, which can be further oxidized to form retinoic acid. It is the retinoic acid, a metabolite or byproduct of vitamin A or retinol that is used by the body.

Vitamin A cannot be produced by the body so it is a vitamin we absorb from our diet. Retinol and retinoids are required for several processes in the body including embryogenesis, reproduction, vision, growth, inflammation and cell regulation. So, retinol is an important molecule in the body and is involved in many other processes than just the skin.

Best Retinol for Body: The Bottom Line

As a class, retinoids are well-known to be one of the most powerful topically applied ingredients to address the signs of aging and damage. What’s the best retinol for body? Overall, we suggest Formulyst The Body Cream.