Last Updated on November 7, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
You’ve been putting retinol on your face for years and it’s been doing its thing, but then you look down at your chest and arms and you’re like… why does my face look 30 and my body look 45? And you’ve probably thought about just using your fancy face retinol all over your body but that’s gonna cost you like a mortgage payment per month. So here we are, looking at Paula’s Choice body retinol to see if it’s actually gonna do anything or if it’s just expensive lotion. In this review I’m gonna tell you what’s actually in this thing that works, what the science says (because yeah, we need to understand what we’re putting on our skin), and whether you should buy it or save your money.
Key Ingredients in Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment: What Makes It Work?
RETINOL
This one’s the heavy-hitter. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that your skin turns into retinoic acid, which then goes all in on renewing skin cells, boosting collagen and elastin, and smoothing texture. Studies show that retinol “serves as the precursor to retinoic acid and can be converted … within human skin” and has “been demonstrated to promote various anti-aging benefits” in aged skin.
What it does here? on your arms, legs, wherever you’re applying, it’s basically telling the skin “let’s tighten up, get smoother, stop looking crepey”. But here’s the catch: since it speeds cell turnover, you might see some flaking, redness, maybe sensitivity (especially to sun). Use it only two or three times a week.
Related: The Complete Guide To Retinol In Skincare
DIMETHICONE
Dimethicone is a silicone-based emollient and barrier agent that sits on the skin surface, helps prevent water loss, and makes your body skin feel smoother. According to sources, it’s “used to form a protective barrier on the skin, decreasing the loss of moisture and providing some protection from irritants or allergens”.
Since body skin can get rougher, drier, more exposed, the dimethicone helps the product glide on, locks in hydration, and gives that “soft finish” so you don’t feel like you just dumped acid on your thighs. It’s safe, non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores (unless you layer it on top of comedogenic ingredients). But if you hate silicones or avoid them for personal preference, this may not be right for you.
Related: Are Silicones In Skincare Really Bad?
SHEA BUTTER
This one’s the comfort zone of the formula. Shea butter is a plant-derived fat loaded with fatty acids (oleic, stearic, linoleic) and has been shown to boost skin barrier function and hydration. For example: a recent in-vitro study found shea butter decreased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by 37.8% and increased skin hydration by 58% after 24 h. Here, it also balances the “active firepower” of retinol by giving skin nourishment and barrier support, so you’re not just “treating” but also “comforting” your body skin.
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The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
- Water: this is the boring but absolutely necessary base. It’s what makes the cream spreadable and not like a brick when you put it on.
- Cetearyl Alcohol: don’t panic, this isn’t the drying alcohol that ruins your face. This is a fatty alcohol, which means it softens your skin and makes the cream feel rich and creamy. It’s one of those ingredients that actually makes rubbing it on enjoyable instead of feeling like a chore.
- Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate: fancy sounding, but really it’s just here to make the cream glide on without being greasy. When you rub it in, it spreads like butter without leaving that heavy film, which I appreciate.
- Cyclopentasiloxane: silicone magic, basically. It gives the cream that silky feel, helps it sink in fast, and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth instead of sticky. It’s subtle, but it’s a reason your skin feels polished after applying.
- Glycerin: the classic moisture magnet. This pulls water into your skin, so you don’t just feel coated in cream-you actually feel hydrated. Glycerin is one of those ingredients that quietly does its job without you noticing until your skin starts to feel noticeably softer.
- Butylene Glycol: helps your skin absorb everything else and keeps the product from drying out in the bottle. It’s kind of a behind-the-scenes helper that makes the cream feel fresh and not sticky, and your skin ends up actually getting the benefits of all the other ingredients.
- Cetyl Palmitate: another emollient that makes the cream feel rich and luxurious without making it sticky or heavy. This is part of why it spreads so nicely and doesn’t feel like you’re layering a ton of grease.
- Glyceryl Stearate: helps hold everything together in the cream so it doesn’t separate and makes it feel smooth and uniform when you spread it on. Without it, the texture would be all weird and inconsistent.
- PEG-100 Stearate: another emulsifier, which just means it helps the water and oils mix properly. This keeps the cream from separating in the bottle and makes it glide on evenly. It’s basically a behind-the-scenes texture hero.
- Oenothera Biennis Oil (Evening Primrose Oil): this oil is soothing and softening, perfect if your skin is a little irritated or dry. It adds a layer of care that isn’t heavy, so your skin feels calm and hydrated.
- Vitis Vinifera (Grape Seed Oil): lightweight oil that moisturizes without feeling greasy. Also packs in antioxidants, so it’s like a little skin boost that helps fight environmental stress. Your skin ends up soft, smooth, and a tiny bit protected.
- Cetyl Alcohol: another fatty alcohol that’s here to soften skin and make the cream spread nicely. Works in tandem with the other emollients to give that smooth, luxurious feel.
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: this is a stable form of vitamin C. Helps even out tone, gives a tiny glow, and fights free radicals. It’s kind of like a little extra punch of “skin care love” in this cream.
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E): classic antioxidant, softens and nourishes your skin, and helps protect it from little environmental aggressors. It’s one of those comforting ingredients you don’t think about until your skin feels healthy and cared for.
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: lightweight oil that spreads nicely and moisturizes. Makes the cream easy to rub in without feeling sticky or heavy.
- Panthenol: provitamin B5. Hydrates, soothes, and keeps your skin feeling soft. It’s like a little healing hug for your skin.
- Carnosine: antioxidant buddy. Helps fight free radicals and protects your skin from premature aging. Not flashy, but useful if you want your skin feeling a bit more cared for over time.
- Dimethiconol: another silicone that adds smoothness and helps your skin feel silky. Works with dimethicone to make everything feel polished.
- Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer: fancy silicone blend that gives the cream a whipped, silky texture and helps it spread evenly. Makes application feel satisfying and smooth.
- Cera Alba (Beeswax): gives the cream a bit of body, helps it stick to your skin, and locks in moisture. Adds richness without heaviness.
- Magnesium Aluminum Silicate: thickener that keeps the cream consistent. Prevents it from feeling watery or separating, which is important for smooth application.
- Sodium Hydroxide: tiny bit to adjust the pH so it’s safe and comfortable for your skin. Nothing to freak out about, just makes sure it doesn’t irritate.
- Xanthan Gum: another thickener, keeps everything stable and smooth. Helps the cream feel consistent every time you pump it out.
- Dicaprylyl Carbonate: silky emollient, makes spreading easy and leaves skin feeling soft. Adds to that lightweight, glide-on effect.
- Decylene Glycol: humectant that helps your skin soak up moisture and keeps the cream from drying out. Also helps other ingredients penetrate a bit better.
- Disodium EDTA: binds metals and stabilizes the formula. Basically works behind the scenes to keep the cream safe and effective.
- Chlorphenesin: preservative that keeps your cream from growing any weird stuff. Small amount, but necessary.
- Phenoxyethanol: another preservative. Makes sure the cream stays safe for use over time and doesn’t spoil in the bottle.
Texture
This body cream is actually super easy to spread. It’s creamy but not greasy at all. You can rub it in and it disappears into your skin without leaving that sticky feeling. Honestly, I was expecting something heavy and gloopy, but nope, it’s like magic.
Fragrance
Zero annoying scent, zero fragrant oil, thank god. There’s like a faint clean smell but barely noticeable. You won’t be smelling like lotion all day. Safe if you’re sensitive or hate scented stuff.
How To Use It
Thin layer. Tiny amount, seriously. I do arms, thighs, anywhere my skin’s bumpy or a little uneven. Rub it in at night in gentle circular motions, always sunscreen in the morning. Start slow and build up to 3 nights a week, tops. A little goes a long way to retinol.
Packaging
The bottle is this plain purple pump thing, nothing fancy, but honestly I kind of love it. Pump works smoothly, you don’t have to press a million times, and you can actually see how much you’ve got left, which is low-key satisfying. No messy tubs, no digging fingers in, no lotion everywhere – just pump, rub, done. Also, if you travel, you don’t have to stress about it spilling in your bag, which is a huge win. It’s simple, practical, and using it feels… kinda nice every day, even though it looks boring.
Performance & Personal Opinion
So the first time I tried this retinol body lotion, I was like “meh, let’s see.” But after a week or two, I noticed my arms and legs were actually… soft. Like, soft in a way that makes you touch them and go “huh, that’s different.” The bumps I hate? Calmer. Redness from stretch marks? Faded a bit, not gone obviously, but enough that it makes me happy. Retinol smoothens everything out so stretch marks and cellulite don’t look so obvious, but it can’t really make them go away.
It’s super light, not greasy at all, so you don’t have to stand around waiting to get dressed. I actually look forward to putting it on at night, which is wild because normally body creams feel like a chore. You have to use it consistently though, if you just slap it on once and forget, nothing happens. But if you stick with it, your skin feels… like actual skin, not rough and annoying.
What I Like About Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
- Feels light but actually works, doesn’t leave you sticky
- Smooths bumps and rough patches, so your skin feels nice to touch
- Pretty much no smell, perfect if you hate lotion perfume
- Pump is clean and easy, you don’t waste any product
- Skin actually feels softer and more even after a couple weeks, which is rare
- Absorbs fast so you can get dressed immediately without feeling gross
What I DON’T Like About Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
- Price is kinda high for the size, not gonna lie
- If your skin is super dry, you might need a backup moisturizer
- Retinol = sun sensitivity, so sunscreen in the morning is a must
- You don’t get instant magic results, gotta be patient
Who Should Use This?
If your arms, legs, chest, anywhere is bumpy or uneven, or you just want smoother skin, this is for you. Also great if you want to calm some redness from stretch marks. Not the best if your skin is crazy dry and you hate layering, but most people will love it. Basically, if you want skin that feels nice to touch and doesn’t feel sticky, try it. I’d also avoid it if you have sensitive skin, retinol can be too irritating for you.
Does Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| An advanced moisturizing body lotion that gently gives skin the transforming power of pure retinol to help diminish the appearance of uneven skin tone and rejuvenate the feeling of soft firmer skin. | It does diminish the appearance of uneven skin tone. Appearance being the key word here. It makes skin look better, but doesn’t remove stretch marks. |
| Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment melds key anti-aging ingredients normally seen in facial moisturizers into a silky-textured, lightweight, and thoroughly hydrating body lotion for all skin types. | True. |
Price & Availability
$32.00 at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, and SpaceNK
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
Yes. If you want softer, smoother skin and don’t mind spending a little, go for it. One of the few body retinols that actually works. Sunscreen in the morning, use it consistently, don’t expect miracles overnight. But for real, I’d repurchase. Makes skin feel good, easy to use, and actually does stuff.
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Vitis Vinifera, Cetyl Alcohol, Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Carnosine, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cera Alba, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Decylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
