This $18 Retinol Body Lotion Is My New Religion—Here's Why

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(Image credit: @emmahoareau)

When it comes to skincare, I have a bad habit of focusing all of my time and attention on my face—not my body. Even though I religiously run through my facial skincare routine every night, using cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer, I rarely treat my body with the same TLC. Sure, every so often I'll run a random lotion over my limbs when I feel like they're getting dry, but that's usually the full extent of it. 

I know this is, well, less than ideal. After all, skincare means caring for your skin everywhere. (Did you know 97% of your skin is below your chin?) So I'm consciously trying to change my lackluster bodycare routine, committing to devoting more time and attention to regularly exfoliating and moisturizing from the neck down. Not only that, but I want to treat the skin on my body to the same active ingredients that I treat the skin on my face to. 

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(Image credit: @kaytiemo)

That's where a new $18 body lotion comes in. Not only does it moisturize my skin, but it can smooth and firm it, too. It's all thanks to ingredients like squalane, vitamin E, and retinol. Yes, retinol. Keep scrolling to see which body lotion it is and why I'm so excited about it. 

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(Image credit: Versed)

Think of the new body lotion as an extension of the serum. It's just formulated to treat your skin from the neck down. Let's take a look at each of its individual star ingredients, shall we? 

The Ingredients

First up, there's retinol. Just like in the aforementioned serum, this retinol is encapsulated, which means it's able to bypass the skin's surface and go into the skin's lower layers to work effectively with less irritation. For the sake of background, retinol, which is a vitamin A ingredient, increases collagen production and cell turnover, which subsequently offers all kinds of skin benefits including but not limited to the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, breakouts, and uneven skin tone. It's truly a multipurpose skincare ingredient, and up until now, it's been almost entirely relegated to face products. 

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(Image credit: Versed)

Next up, we have squalane. This is a grade-A occlusive, meaning it helps the skin retain moisture. Since our skin's hydration levels naturally decrease with age, using a product that contains squalane can keep our skin happy, healthy, and hydrated (and isn't that exactly what we want from a body lotion?).

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(Image credit: Versed)

After squalane, we need to talk about vitamin E. This is a powerful antioxidant, which means it keeps damaging free radicals at bay. It's also a skin-smoothing ingredient—it makes skin feel soft to the touch. 

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(Image credit: Versed)

The fourth and final star ingredient is cocoa butter, which is a rich emollient that moisturizes and nourishes super-dry skin. (Seriously, it can totally transform even the driest, most chapped skin.) It's full of fatty acids and antioxidants. 

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(Image credit: @jordanrisa)

The Experience

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(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

One more thing—because it contains retinol, I was slightly concerned about it irritating the sensitive razor burn–prone skin on my legs. However, even when I applied it to freshly shaved skin, there was no stinging, burning, or redness, just soft and moisturized skin. 

If you're like me, you're picky when it comes to body lotion. While I love thick and greasy body oils, thick and greasy body lotions, not so much. There's just something about a thick, chalky cream that I can't stand. This lotion is not that. It's easy to massage over the skin, and it absorbs within minutes. Even when I apply it on damp skin, it doesn't leave a residue or feel like a film on my skin. 

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Kaitlyn McLintock
Associate Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.