Paula’s Choice Skin Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment became my go-to retinol body lotion after I started noticing uneven tone and early crepiness on areas like my arms and neck, despite being consistent with facial retinol for years.
I was pretty consistent with my face routine, but my body care had basically stopped at basic hydration, which wasn’t really cutting it anymore. I wanted something that could actually help with texture and uneven tone without feeling harsh. After trying a few options, this one was the first that made a noticeable difference while still feeling comfortable to use.
How Retinol Body Lotion Differs from Regular Lotion
A retinol body lotion is definitely different from a regular hydrating lotion. It does contain moisturizing ingredients, but mostly to help reduce any dryness or irritation from the retinol. While regular lotions focus on keeping the skin soft and hydrated, a retinol lotion is designed to target concerns like uneven tone, rough texture, and hyperpigmentation. Because it’s more of a treatment than a moisturizer, it doesn’t always provide enough hydration on its own.
How To Use Paula’s Choice Retinol Body Treatment
I usually apply this retinol body treatment at night, right after showering. At first, I went a bit overboard and tried using it all over every night because I thought the concentration was low and it would be totally fine. Not surprisingly, my skin started feeling drier than usual, especially on areas like my arms and neck.
After that, I adjusted my routine. Now I mostly focus on the spots where I notice rough texture or uneven tone, like my arms, neck, and legs. On nights when my skin feels a little dry or sensitive, I skip certain areas or layer a regular moisturizer on top. That small tweak made a huge difference in comfort, and my skin responded better without feeling tight or irritated.
I also noticed that applying it on slightly damp skin helps it spread more easily and feel more comfortable. It’s not a magic fix — the results are gradual — but paying attention to what my skin feels like each night has helped me stick with it consistently without overdoing it.
How It Fit Into My Routine
If you’re mainly looking to tackle uneven tone or hyperpigmentation on the body, this lotion does seem to help, especially on areas like the knuckles, elbows, knees, and shoulders — places that often show discoloration first. Keep in mind that it can be a bit drying, so if you have dry skin, pairing it with a regular moisturizer is a good idea.
The retinol concentration is mid-strength at 0.1%, which is gentle but still effective, so there’s less risk of irritation, though caution is still recommended for sensitive skin. Each bottle comes in 118 ml, which feels a bit on the smaller side if you plan to use it regularly, and that does make the price feel a little steep for the quantity.
It works well for me as a gentle way to ease retinol into my body-care routine, mainly on areas where I notice discoloration or early signs of aging.
Great for Razor-Prone Skin
If you’ve ever used a razor on your body, you know how easy it is to end up with bumps, rolled hairs, or irritated follicles, especially when you’re in a rush. I personally don’t recommend razors anymore and have switched to laser treatments, but back in the day, I would often shave in those rushed moments and notice those gunky bumps.
This lotion really helps smooth the skin in those areas. The exfoliating ingredient gently sheds the outer layer and leaves a smooth surface behind. Back when I shaved regularly, I noticed it helped keep those areas feeling less congested and bumpy.
Did It Deliver?
After using Paula’s Choice Skin Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment consistently for about a month, I started noticing changes slowly, meaning nothing dramatic overnight. The first thing I noticed was how much smoother my arms and legs felt, especially in areas that usually look a little rough or uneven no matter how much lotion I use.
Pigmentation took longer, but with regular use, darker patches and uneven tone slowly started to fade. It wasn’t a before-and-after miracle moment, but more of a gradual blending where those areas just didn’t stand out as much anymore, which honestly is what I expect from retinol.
When it comes to firmness, this didn’t give that instant tight feeling you get from some firming body creams. Instead, my skin looked more even and refined over time.
Overall, this felt less like a basic body moisturizer and more like a treatment I was using consistently to improve how my skin behaves long term. The results were subtle but real, and they made sense the more consistent I was with it.
