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Every body lotion says retinol on the front.
Flip it over and try to find out how much. Most brands won't tell you.
So I'm starting Retinol Receipts: the number on the label, or the fact there isn't one.
Body retinol percentages, side by side
| Body retinol | Retinol % | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion | 0.05% encapsulated | $25.99 at Ulta |
| Soft Services Software Update | 0.25% pure retinol | $44 |
| Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Body | 1% claimed, microencapsulated | QVC jumbo |
| DRMTLGY Retinol Body Lotion | Not disclosed | $36, $25.20 for Black Friday |
| Gold Bond Retinol Overnight Body Lotion | Not disclosed | At Target |
| Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Body Cream | Its own retinoid (not retinol) | $140 |
| Exoceuticals EXO BODY Advanced Body Lotion | 0%: no retinoid | $96, EXOBRIAN15 |
Why the retinol percentage matters
The percentage tells you how hard it hits. Low is gentle. Higher is a step up.
One catch: a percentage only compares to the same ingredient. Retinol to retinol. Retinal is a different, stronger form, so 0.1% retinal and 0.1% retinol aren't the same thing.
The body retinols that tell you
Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion: 0.05%. The one I love. It's gentle: Naturium confirmed 0.05% encapsulated retinol in its Target Q&A. If you've never used a body retinol, start here. $25.99 at Ulta.
Soft Services Software Update: 0.25%. Pure retinol, five times Naturium, plus 5% niacinamide. Soft Services says start once a week and build up to four nights. It's my nightly body pick. $44.
Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Body: claims 1%. The fine print says time-released microencapsulated retinol. With encapsulated retinol, the percentage can count the whole capsule, not just the retinol inside, so I read 1% as a claim.
It's still my best bang for the buck. I bought the jumbo on QVC. Right now the QVC holiday trio takes an extra $20 off with Holiday20.
The ones that don't
DRMTLGY Retinol Body Lotion: no number. Not anywhere I could find. Retinol sits 11th of 34 ingredients. It's 30% off for Black Friday, $25.20, so it's a cheap test.
Gold Bond Retinol Overnight: no number. None I could find either. It's the drugstore easy start.
In a league of its own: Skinbetter AlphaRet
Skinbetter AlphaRet Overnight Body Cream: its own retinoid. Not retinol, and not retinoic acid. Skinbetter built AlphaRet as one molecule that pairs a retinoid with an AHA, so a retinol percentage doesn't apply. It's in a league of its own, and priced like it: $140.
The plot twist: 0% retinoid
Exoceuticals EXO BODY: 0%. No retinoid at all. It's an exosome lotion. If retinol is the point, this isn't it. If exosomes are, code EXOBRIAN15.
How I'd use the number
Start low. Step up when your skin is fine with it.
Same logic I use on my face: two months on 0.05% retinal before I moved up to 0.1%.
Patch test first, wear SPF during the day, and skip retinoids if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. I'm not a derm. I just read labels.
What's in your body lotion? Flip it over and tell me the number.
FAQ
How much retinol is in DRMTLGY Retinol Body Lotion?
DRMTLGY doesn't list a percentage anywhere I could find. Retinol is the 11th of 34 ingredients.
How much retinol is in Gold Bond Retinol Overnight?
Gold Bond doesn't give a percentage that I could find.
How much retinol is in Naturium's body lotion?
0.05% encapsulated retinol, per Naturium's answer in its Target Q&A. It's the gentlest one here.
What's the strongest body retinol?
Of the ones I checked, Peter Thomas Roth claims the highest number, 1% microencapsulated. The highest pure retinol number is Soft Services at 0.25%.
Is Skinbetter AlphaRet a retinol?
No. AlphaRet is Skinbetter's own retinoid, paired with an AHA in one molecule. It isn't retinol or retinoic acid, so it doesn't sit on a retinol % ladder.
Is 0.05% retinol strong?
No, it's mild. That's why it's a good place to start.
Not a derm. Just the guy who reads the back of the bottle.
