Now that summer has well and truly ended, you may be wondering how to keep your skin feeling glowy — and retinol could be the answer.
Cold weather has arrived in the UK, which means it’s time to think about readjusting your face and body routine to better suit the dry air and lack of sunlight.
For those who suffer from keratosis pilaris (KP), or chicken skin, retinol body lotions can be a wonderful remedy when paired with a body scrub.
KP is when rough and bumpy patches appear on the skin due to a build up of keratin that blocks hair follicles. While it isn’t harmful, it can mean the skin looks uneven and patchy. The good news is that this can usually be remedied within weeks if products are used with consistency.
Retinol-based products are wonderful for this, as well as for general skin smoothness year-round, as retinol accelerates cell turnover, and often you’ll be able to see the changes quickly.
If you’re eager to try one out, L360 has rounded up our favourite retinol body creams, lotions and serums for smoother skin.
Naturium Retinol Body Lotion
Naturium has multiple products with active ingredients, including its popular retinol body lotion. Formulated with encapsulated retinol, it’s a great option for sensitive skin — although always make sure to do a patch test beforehand. For keratosis pilaris, pair this with the Naturium KP Body Scrub & Mask.
This product promises to improve the tone, texture and firmness of the skin — ideal for the harsh winter months that surround and coincide with a busy festive season. This can be used daily, although always be sure to use sun protection when using products with retinoids — even in the winter.
Read more: Boost your immunity with these winter wellness tips
Paula’s Choice Retinol Body Treatment
This retinol treatment with antioxidants from Paula’s Choice is another product that promises to hydrate, soften and help an uneven skin tone. If you plan to use it in the daytime, be sure to apply SPF over on top. Otherwise, it makes for a great moisturiser to lather over yourself before you sleep, ensuring you wake up with baby-soft, glowing skin.
Only a small amount of this lotion is needed so use it sparingly and apply more as needed.
Necessaire The Body Retinol
Necessaire is best known for its aesthetic and effective range of products. The Body Retinol from the brand might be the most potent on our list, with a blend of 0.1% pure retinol, 10% AHAs and vitamin C.
The cream is thick and heavy, ideal for nourishing skin during the winter. If you’re looking for a product to use after an ‘everything shower’, this is the one.
Read more: Why dry brushing is the ultimate hack for smooth, glowing skin
Topicals Slather Body Serum
When this launched in 2022, it revolutionised the body-care industry. Those, like me, who don’t like physical exfoliators will enjoy using this product, and its goopy texture means its probably thinner than your usual body cream but thicker than a face serum.
It also doesn’t have to be used daily to be effective. I used this when I remembered to — around two-to-three times a week — and I saw a difference on my bumpy elbows and knees within a month. It has a blend of retinol, urea and AHAs, so is ideal for any rough patches you have.
Kopari Ultra Renewal Retinol Body Cream
If you’re a sucker for packaging, this blush-pink cylinder from Kopari will look perfect in your bathroom. While retinol isn’t specifically for ageing skin, this product is particularly formulated to defend against signs of ageing and to reduce the appearance of sun spots and fine lines. So, if you’ve previously been lax with the SPF on holiday and now are looking to help repair the skin damage, this is a wonderful cream to trial.
Murad ReSculpt Body Treatment
Murad’s miracle worker won Best New Bodycare Product in the 2025 Telegraph Beauty Awards, so we know it works. The balm-like cream smooths, tones and lifts in four-weeks. And yes, it even targets stretch marks, cellulite and sagging skin while you sleep. It’s been aptly dubbed a ‘workout in a jar’ by the brand.
Buy now from Cult Beauty for £79
Read more: The best SPF moisturisers for all skin types
The Solution Retinol Smoothing Body Lotion
Looking for an affordable option? This great product is under £10 and has all the active ingredients we need to work through uneven skin tone and dull skin. It can be used daily in place of your regular body lotion, although if you do intend to use this during the day, be sure to apply an SPF over the top to protect your skin from the sun.
Beauty Pie Youthbomb Body 360 Repair Concentrate
This is the priciest of our picks, but for good reason. Anyone who’s suffered severe sun damage over a prolonged period will likely see a difference after using this for the first time. It has a thinner texture than the Murad product and will easily absorb into the skin once applied to the whole body — ideal if you have limited time to do your full face and body routine.
Beauty Pie’s formula of Retinol and Niacinamide promises to boost elasticity and exfoliate. Use this a maximum of two to three times a week and pair it with a moisturiser over the top to lock it in.
Buy now from Beauty Pie for £65
Feature image: Unsplash
