Byrdie
TL;DR
Our best overall pick is the Advanced Clinicals Retinol Body Lotion, thanks to its budget-friendly large pump bottle and retinol-based formula (a derm-approved, anti-aging ingredient). For anyone with sensitive skin who needs a firming, yet nourishing, body lotion for mature skin, we love Nécessaire’s Unscented The Body Lotion.
We at Byrdie believe that aging bodies are beautiful and a sign of a life well lived. With that said, having a skincare routine that addresses laxity, crepiness, dryness, discoloration, etc., doesn’t contradict that sentiment. In our eyes, it’s self-care, not a denial of aging. And we’re all for having a body skincare routine along with a face one. Researching body lotions that do more than moisturize is a great start. “Body lotion can make a visible difference in the look and feel of crepey or thinning skin. Ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and light exfoliants improve elasticity and texture, says Anetta Reszko, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Consistently using an effective formula can leave your skin stronger, smoother, and generally feeling better, she adds.
To help you determine which formulas deliver on their anti-aging, skim-smoothing promises, we evaluated the top-rated options and tapped dermatologists for their expert opinions. Ahead, the best body lotions for mature skin that truly are the cream of the crop.
Top Picks
Best Overall
Advanced Clinicals Retinol Advanced Firming Cream
Includes retinol
Budget-friendly price tag
Convenient pump dispenser
No fragrance
Ingredients: Retinol, green tea extract, vitamin E, aloe vera | Size: 16 oz | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Anti-aging retinol is a gold-standard anti-ager that’s commonly found in facial wrinkle creams. The vitamin A derivative is a standout for increasing cell turnover, leaving skin smoother and more even, while also boosting collagen production to combat wrinkles. Here, it’s combined with deeply hydrating aloe and vitamin E, alongside green tea, a potent antioxidant that further enhances this winner’s anti-aging effects. An easy-to-use pump-top dispenser, nongreasy texture, and affordable price tag are just the cherry (cherries?) on top of the sundae.
Best Drugstore
Jergens Skin Firming Body Lotion
Can be found at about every drugstore
Include collagen and elastin for anti-aging
Glycerin and shea oil help nourish the skin
Not fragrance-free, which may irritate those with sensitive skin
Ingredients: Collagen, elastin, shea oil, glycerin | Size: 16.8 oz | Fragrance-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Believe it: You can find some great body lotions for mature skin at the drugstore. Exhibit A? This is a standout option from Jergens. It boasts anti-aging benefits, specifically collagen and elastin, two proteins essential for maintaining smooth, bouncy, youthful skin. It also imparts plenty of hydration with glycerin, which helps attract water to the skin, petrolatum, which seals that moisture in, and shea oil, leaving you feeling silky smooth from head to toe. While it’s not fragrance-free (a drawback for those with very sensitive skin), reviewers note that the light, fresh scent is pleasant and not overwhelming.
Best Moisturizing
Osea Anti-Aging Body Balm Firming Moisturizer
Natural oils help nourish skin
Not greasy
Pump top bottle
No fragrance
Ingredients: Alaria seaweed, safflower seed oil, coconut oil, passion fruit seed oil | Size: 5 oz; 9.2 oz | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
As the name suggests, this definitely skews thicker and richer, a major win for anyone dealing with serious dryness. (But it still comes in a pump-top bottle, no need to scoop from a messy jar.) Credit a combo of natural oils—including coconut, safflower seed, and passion fruit—all of which leave your skin feeling smooth and silky, yet not in the least bit greasy. There’s also a special kind of seaweed in the mix, known for increasing firmness and elasticity. So much so that in clinical trials, 84% of participants agreed that their skin felt firmer after just two weeks of use. Color us impressed.
Best for Improved Texture
NIVEA Skin Firming Melanin Beauty & Hydration Body Lotion
CoQ10 helps firm aging skin
Includes argan oil for nourishment
Affordable price for large bottle
Best for those with melanin-rich skin
Ingredients: CoQ10, argan oil | Size: 16.9 oz | Fragrance-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Packed with argan oil, this moisturizer knocks out any trace of dryness or ashiness, leaving behind a beautiful radiance and glow. At the same time, coQ10, a powerful antioxidant, helps to firm and improve skin elasticity. Happy reviewers rave about improvements in tone and texture, and about how super hydrating it is, too.
Best With Retinol
Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
Has retinol for smoothing and firming skin
Includes nourishing shea butter
Fragrance-free for those with sensitive skin
Best for nighttime use due to retinol concentration
Ingredients: Retinol, allantoin, shea butter | Size: 8 oz | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Dara Spearman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, says retinol is one of the best ingredients for mature skin—and that holds true for products meant for both the face and body. The only issue? Retinol is notoriously irritating, with a high likelihood of irksome side effects like redness and flaking. Not with this formula, though. It relies on a unique form of encapsulated retinol that’s delivered slowly, improving tone, texture, and firmness without any unwanted issues. There’s allantoin in the mix, a great skin-soother that further helps to combat redness. FYI, since retinol is the star of the show here, it’s best to save this for nighttime use, and/or to make sure to use SPF after if you’re using it in the morning. (Retinol increases your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.)
Best Firming
Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream
Indian almond in the formula helps firm skin
Includes moisturizing shea butter
A little goes a long way to moisturize
Luxury price tag
Ingredients: Grape seed oil, shea butter, Indian almond, lactic acid | Size: 7 oz | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There’s no shortage of natural oils and plant-based extracts in this formula, all of which work synergistically to boost firmness, offer tons of antioxidant protection, and seriously moisturize, of course. Also noteworthy: the formula’s mineral-rich glacier water can help combat irritation. Bonus points for the silky, velvety texture that absorbs lightning fast and leaves your skin feeling equally luxurious.
Best Unscented
Necessaire Body Lotion
Unscented formula is suitable for sensitive skin
Approved by the National Eczema Association
Jumbo-size bottle available
Formula also comes in several scents (if you love the brand/formula but want a fragrance)
Ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, vitamin C, vitamin E | Size: 15.2 oz | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
While many people can tolerate lightly scented products, Dr. Spearman says anyone with sensitive skin or prone to irritation should always opt for fragrance-free products. This is one of our favorites, a mega-mild pick that’s so gentle that it even boasts the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Approval. Niacinamide is one of the main ingredients, a multitasker that hydrates and has antioxidant benefits, as well as five different peptides that help with firmness. It soaks into the skin beautifully, and we also love the jumbo-size bottle.
Best for Crepey Skin
Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body Lotion
Specifically targets crepey skin
Available at the drugstore
Suitable for body and face
No scent
Ingredients: Omega fatty acids, glycerin, jojoba esters | Size: 8 oz | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This aptly-named pick takes the cake when it comes to leaving crepey skin (you know, the kind that’s thin, with super fine wrinkles) smoother and more supple. Users saw an improvement (on the backs of their arms) after just two days of use, an impressive feat for any body lotion. And we’d be remiss not to mention the wallet-friendly price tag and the fact that it hydrates for up to 24 hours.
Best Dermatologist-Recommended
Image Skincare Body Spa Body Lotion
Dermatologist-approved
Glycolic acid helps rejuvenate skin
Shea butter moisturizes super dry skin
Smaller bottle
Ingredients: Glycolic acid, shea butter, peptides, macadamia seed oil | Size: 6 oz | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Dr. Spearman says this is one of her personal favorites. “As we age, our skin gets drier and rougher. This lotion is formulated with glycolic acid, peptides, and shea butter to remove dead skin, moisturize, and rejuvenate,” she says. Devoted fans love the satin-y feel and the fact that it delivers long-lasting hydration, too.
What to Look for in a Body Lotion for Mature Skin
- Active Ingredients: Just like with an anti-aging cream for your face, you want to seek out ingredients to do the heavy-duty firming, lifting, and smoothing duties. A few good ones to look for:
- Glycolic acid: Dr. Spearman says this is a good exfoliant, helping to dissolve the glue that holds dead skin cells together to leave skin smoother. Plus, that also helps the moisturizing ingredients better penetrate.
- Retinol: One of the dermatologist-recommended anti-aging ingredients, this works deep in the skin to boost collagen as well as on the surface of the skin to help improve tone and texture.
- Antioxidants: Antioxidants like vitamin C help target dullness and uneven tone, says Dr. Reszko.
- Peptides: Both derms we spoke with say these protein building-blocks are great for improving firmness and elasticity.
- Moisturizing Ingredients: Along with the above-mentioned anti-agers, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting plenty of moisture, too. Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and shea butter are all good picks.
- SPF: While many of these don’t contain built-in sunscreen, both of our experts underscore the importance of adding a daily body sunscreen into the mix to prevent future damage.
Meet the Experts
We spoke with the following experts for insights on the best lotions for mature skin:
- Dr. Dara Spearman is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- Dr. Anetta Reszko is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and an Assistant Attending Dermatologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has nearly 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She’s been writing for Byrdie since 2020, covering hair, makeup, skin, health, wellness, fashion, and more.