Editor Tip: Alternate it with Kopari’s Coconut Melt, which is what helped put the brand on the map.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, aminobutyric acid, pomegranate | Who It’s For: People seeking firming or tightening benefits
Best Retinol Alternative: Oui the People All in All Melting Body Balm
Why It’s Worth It: Instead of retinol, sea fennel extract delivers the brightening, and tightening benefits of retinol in the Oui the People All in All Melting Body Balm. It similarly enhances collagen production and triggers skin cell turnover, while the base of shea butter — along with nourishing oils, like olive, sunflower, carrot seed, castor seed, and clove — delivers deep moisture. Just make sure you apply it to damp skin to lock in as much moisture as possible.
Editor Tip: It has a balm-to-oil formula, which leaves skin glistening (but not at all greasy).
Key Ingredients: Olive oil, sunflower seed oil, sea fennel extract | Who It’s For: People who can’t or don’t want to use retinol
Why should you look for retinol in body lotions?
Retinol body lotions can help address a variety of skin-care concerns, the most common one being signs of aging. “As we age, our collagen production naturally deteriorates, which leads to skin laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles,” says Dr. Yadav. “Retinol stimulates skin’s fibroblasts, the cells that create collagen, to help create firmer, tauter skin.” This can aid in tackling neck and chest creases, which Dr. Yadav says can be notoriously challenging to treat, as well as sagging, crepey skin on areas like the thighs and arms.
In addition to doing away with wrinkles, retinol can also help keep body acne and breakouts at bay by balancing sebum production and promoting faster cell turnover. “Excess oil and dead skin cells can contribute to the formation of acne, but with retinol’s ability to slough away dead skin cells and regulate oil production, pores are less likely to become congested,” explains Dr. Yadav.
Finally, if you’re dealing with discoloration or dark spots, you guessed it — retinol can help. “Retinol is what’s known as a tyrosinase inhibitor, tyrosinase being the enzyme in the body that triggers the production of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin color,” says Dr. Yadav. “Sun exposure, age, and skin injury (such as a blemish or scar) can cause hyperpigmentation.” Retinol can help combat this process by helping to fade existing discoloration, whether that’s sun spots on the shoulders or darker patches of skin on areas like the armpits or elbows.
How should you incorporate retinol into your body-care routine?
While most retinol body lotions tend to be milder than face treatments (with lower concentrations of retinol), Dr. Yadav still recommends starting slow, especially if you have sensitive skin. “Retinol can be a little irritating, so I’d suggest applying once a week for a few weeks to start,” she says. “Then once you’ve confirmed your skin can tolerate it, increase your application cadence, following the same method until you’ve worked your way up to daily application.”
