Retinol body lotion: what it does and how to use it

Can you use retinol on your body?

Yes. Retinol is a form of vitamin A used in body lotions, and topical retinol is a treatment option for crepey skin. Crepey skin means skin that looks thin and finely wrinkled, rather than just having a few deeper lines. It commonly appears on the arms. Retinol helps restore elasticity and thicken collagen, which gives skin structure, and elastin, which gives skin stretch. Sun damage, aging, weight changes, dryness and certain medicines can all contribute to the crepey appearance.14

What can retinol body lotion realistically improve?

• Mild crepiness: retinol creams can reduce the crepey appearance, while moisturizer helps keep skin hydrated and prevent damage that worsens it.
• Wrinkled hands: a lotion containing retinol is one treatment option, applied before bedtime.
• Cellulite: a product containing 0.3% retinol may produce a small reduction in visible dimpling by helping thicken the skin.

Creams can help mildly crepey skin, but removing substantial excess skin is outside a lotion's job description. Large amounts of loose skin after major weight loss can require surgical removal. Loss of fullness in the hands is also a different problem from surface wrinkling; fillers or fat transfer are treatment options for restoring that volume.12

How to introduce a retinol body lotion

1. 1Test a small area first if you are trying a cellulite lotion. Wait 48 hours before using more, and do not expand application if a skin reaction develops.
2. 2Use bedtime application for retinol lotion intended to treat wrinkled hands. For other body lotions, follow the product's own application directions rather than assuming every formula has the same schedule.
3. 3Maintain hydration. Applying moisturizer after bathing or washing your hands helps trap water in the skin.
4. 4Protect exposed skin during the day. Use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and use shade and protective clothing outdoors.

A twice weekly starting schedule, a specific amount per limb and a universal layering order are not settled for every retinol body lotion. Use the directions for the lotion you choose rather than importing a face serum routine. For wrinkled hands, retinol lotion and a light chemical peel are sometimes used together as dermatologist directed treatment; that is not a reason to add a home peel to your first application.2

What strength should you choose?

Concentration is not the only consideration: vitamin A exposure also depends on how much product is applied and how many vitamin A cosmetics you use. Body lotion covers a different area from face or hand cream, so do not treat their strengths as interchangeable. Vitamin A also comes from food and supplements. If you take a vitamin A supplement, ask a pharmacist or doctor before adding vitamin A products across large areas of your body.4

How long does retinol body lotion take to work?

For cellulite, allow six months or possibly longer before deciding whether retinol helps. Some women using 0.3% retinol report a little less cellulite, and thickening the skin can reduce visible dimpling. A possible reduction in cellulite is a smaller promise than the disappearance implied by an ambitious bottle. Do not use that six month timeline as a promised deadline for improvements in wrinkles or crepey skin.3

What should you watch for?

Retinol can cause an initial phase of dryness and flaking before skin starts to feel better. That makes hydration especially relevant when treating skin that is already dry. A rash after testing a lotion is a reason not to apply more. Pregnancy advice and compatibility with a specific prescription need to be checked separately before use; general cosmetic vitamin A safety does not replace those decisions.134

Have a dermatologist examine a persistent rough or scaly patch on a hand or elsewhere rather than treating it as ordinary texture. Some rough patches are actinic keratoses, which are precancerous growths, and some can become skin cancer.2

Is retinol body lotion the same as an acne treatment?

No. Prescription retinoids such as adapalene and tretinoin are acne medicines used to reduce inflammation and oiliness and prevent spots. Do not substitute a cosmetic body lotion for prescribed treatment. For body acne, a pharmacist can advise on treatments such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Wear loose, breathable clothing when exercising or sweating, and avoid scrubbing or squeezing spots. See a doctor if acne is not improving, causes deep painful lumps or scars, or affects your mental health.5