The Absolute Best Firming Body Lotions For Tightening And Toning The Skin

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As the years go by, you may notice the skin on your body becoming a little looser and possibly even thinner. Thanks to factors like sun damage, the decline of collagen and elastin production once your late 20s set in, and weight losses and gains (hello, pregnancy!), that youthful tautness—and bounce back—just might not be what it was before, and that’s totally normal. But what if plumper, firmer skin didn’t have to require pricey needles, lasers, and elaborate 10-step skincare routines?

While nothing can compare to the results you may get from an in-office procedure—topicals aren’t going to work miracles, after all—you might be surprised just how far hydration can take droopy skin, dimpled legs, or even crepey arms. Enter: firming body lotions, creams, and oils, which are designed to visibly smooth the skin and improve its look with nourishing ingredients.

Preview some of the best firming body lotions below:

“Achieving adequate hydrating is a huge feat,” says Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who practices at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. “Don’t underestimate hydration. The physical transformation of hydration can also be profound on our skin. The skin will actually appear ‘plumper’ when a lotion used to ‘firm’ is applied. Adding nutrients to the skin on a consistent basis can also help in creating a healthy, firm appearance.”

Turns out certain ingredients can help to stimulate collagen production, too, so you’ll want to look for a lotion or other moisturizing product that will really deliver. To guide that search, we sought the very best body firming formulas out there, with help from pro dermatologists and customer reviews. Here, you’ll find a product match for every budget as well as a FAQ on what you should know about this category of products on the whole.

Skin Firming & Toning Body Gel-Cream

When looking at price, packaging size, and the strength of a given formula’s ingredients, this lightweight cream is hard to beat. The combination of antioxidant Coenzyme Q10, which aids in cell turnover, and L-carnitine, a chemical known to bolster skin energy reserves and oxygen consumption in skin cells, packs a firming and hydrating punch that’ll leave your skin feeling silky-smooth. The brand promises improved tightness in just two weeks’ time with twice daily use, and you can choose between almond and lotus scents depending on your preferences for fragrances.

Rave review: “I’ve been using this for a few years and love it! I had loose skin after losing weight and this gel has been a game-changer with noticeable improvement in my skin’s texture and firmness in just a few weeks.”

Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion

This is a multitasker that can be used on the body and the face, and it's a favorite of board-certified dermatologist, Lauren Penzi, MD. "It has a powerful retinol and peptide complex that exfoliates to support the skin's renewal process," she says.

Per Dr. Penzi, it also has intensive moisturizers and vitamins that keep the skin hydrated for 24 hours, and works to infuse moisture-rich nutrients into your skin while you sleep.

Rave review: "Lotion glides on smoothly and absorbs into skin nice without [leaving] a film on top of the skin. Moisturizing and feels nice on body. I can see a difference in the texture of my skin after a few applications."

Magic Body Cream

It's not called a magic cream for nothing. This body cream blends caffeine and hydrating all-star hyaluronic acid to help hydrate, smooth, and firm the skin. "It also includes the iconic magic 8 matrix, which includes vitamin C and E, aloe vera, camellia oil, rosehip oil and shea butter, plus moisturizing frangipani flower extract," says board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD. "Together this helps to brighten the skin and leave the skin glowing."

Rave review: "I really enjoyed this lotion, I know it's pricey but it helps tighten your skin and it's not too greasy."

Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream

"Turmeric root extract, jojoba seed extract, and a buttery blend of shea, murumuru, and cupuacu come together in this deeply moisturizing cream improve the look of skin texture and crepiness," says board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD. The turmeric helps brighten uneven skin tone while peptides and jojoba seed extract work together to tighten the skin and make it appear visibly more firm.

Rave review: "I love this moisturizing body cream! It goes on smooth and creamy and soaks in very quickly. Most lotions I've tried end up feeling greasy or oily but NOT [this one]! It leaves my skin feeling fresh and smooth and looking younger!"

Body Oil Light Sesame Formula

Dr. Greenfield calls this classic body oil, which has been on the market for years, an “excellent value for the product.” Don’t feel like you have to apply a lot—a little goes a long way, and Greenfield likes that its lightweight texture can easily be worked into the skin on your legs, arms, and the rest of your body fairly easily (though it will take some time to fully dry; avoid get dressed immediately after application to prevent any staining). Sesame extracts, which help skin maintain its moisture barrier, are key to this formula’s efficacy.

“Neutrogena Sesame Body Oil uses natural extracts from pure white sesame seeds, giving the oil a light fragrance and consistency, while effective at hydration and smoothing,” Dr. Greenfield explains. Expect visibly smoother skin with the appearance of fewer creases and some crepiness.

Rave review: "It really leaves you feeling soft, smooth and with a hot glow. Will continue to buy as long as they sell it.”

BodiFirm

Get sculpted, more snatched thighs, upper arms, and abs with Revision Skincare’s lotion that’s specially formulated to spread easily and evenly on thicker body skin that may be thinning some due to age. “Revision BodiFirm is a splurge but a great product with clinical trials and science behind it,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist also with Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. “It combines a cocktail of peptides and antioxidants to promote collagen, prevent breakdown, and ingredients like glucosamine to support cell turnover.”

This Amazon Choice product gets great reviews as well, despite its high price tag (and it’s often recommended post-procedure, too, for microneedling and beyond).

Rave review: “Yes, this is expensive, but, it works. Used on my upper legs and butt and after a few weeks only, saw a difference with less dimpling and stretch marks were much lighter.”

The Body Cream

Everything celeb-fave brand Augustinus Bader touches seems to turn to (rose) gold, and The Body Cream is no exception to that rule. Akin to a body butter in texture, the shea butter and bisabolol in the formulation leave skin supple and soft, while green tea extract tones and the brand’s hero ingredient, TFC8, ignites the skin’s renewal and repair process from within using its proprietary blend of vitamins and amino acids.

To apply, grab a tiny bit out of the tub; it’ll seem stiff at first, but you can work it into your palms to warm it up and then rub into the areas of your body that need it most, be it thigh stretch marks or striations from a post-pregnancy belly.

Rave review: “After using this product, my skin feels like velvet. Also, my scars are fading. I adore this cream!”

Sculpting Body Lotion

"I love this hydrating and firming body lotion that helps to visibly tone and improve the appearance of skin’s texture," says Dr. Penzi. "It contains peptides, caffeine, and glycerin that help the skin to look firm, smooth, and lifted."

Rave review: "This is the only [body cream] that actually leaves my skin firmer, smoother, and looking hydrated. Love this product."

Brazilian Bum Bum Visibly Firming Refillable Body Cream

This cult-favorite product, which smells like a beach in a bottle, has the goods to, well, back it up. Caffeine-infused guaranà extract tightens and tones, while the coconut oil and cupuaçu butter in the cream go to work on the skin barrier, leaving it supple, bouncy, and smooth. Though the catchy name implies it’s solely for lifting and smoothing a dimpled derrière, the Bum Bum Cream can be used all over your body for light toning, hydration, and a subtle glow. Just note that the sweet scent is strong and long-lasting, but plenty of people love it.

Rave review: “I used this cream and after one week I noticed results. Skin was softer and more firm. Now I swear by it and will never go without!”

Body Tightening Concentrate

Dr. Garshick says that this lotion is great to use post-procedure or after plastic surgery, as it "uses 2 percent hydrolyzed rice protein and peptides to tighten, firm and lift the skin," she says. This can typically be used on the abdomen, butt, thighs, and knees, and has a cooling effect meant to soothe irritated skin. As a bonus, it's also fragrance-free.

Rave review: "I use this on my elbows, knees and stomach. It works well to prevent that 'drop knee' look, has softened lines on my stomach, and my elbow skin doesn't look as saggy."

The Body Serum

If you’re looking for an ultralight, gel-like product that can smooth, plump, and deliver silky-to-the-touch skin, than Necsesaire The Body Serum might be the best pick for you. The formula boasts five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid and ceramides that are like a moisture bomb for the body.

Give the travel size a go and see for yourself. Mix with moisturizer if you find the texture a bit too sticky. You may be coming back for the full-size ASAP.

Rave review: “I am very pleased with this body serum. It hydrates my skin nicely when used with moisturizer and seems to be improving the crepiness.”

Atlantic Kelp And Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Toning Body Oil

Full disclosure: Dr. Greenfield does consult for REN Clean Skincare, but she’d recommend the brand’s Atlantic Kelp and Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Toning Body Oil regardless. “It is jam-packed with nutrients sourced from natural kelp and red (algae) and microalgae extracts, which contain magnesium and phytosterols to help your skin stay hydrated, balanced, smooth-out roughness, and appear tighter,” says Dr. Greenfield. “This product is mid-range for cost but is well worth the price.” For a quick plump-up, massage into your skin in sweeping circular motions, and wait for the oil to absorb before dressing.

Rave review: “My skin has always been very dry and crepey. After only one week, it feels so much softer. I will continue to use and hope to see more improvements. It soaks into your skin and isn't greasy at all. Very nice fragrance also.”

Firming Moisturizer Slimming Body Rejuvenation

Post-pregnancy or a dramatic weight loss, you might have noticed new stretch marks on your breasts or stomach popping up, or maybe the cellulite on your legs and butt bothers you a bit. That’s where a formula like HydroPeptide’s Firming Body Moisturizer comes in, with its promise to temporarily slim the skin, likely due to the caffeine and green tea in the formula, as well as downplay discoloration and dimpling with heavy-hitting peptides that brighten and lift.

“HydroPeptide Firming Body Moisturizer is a luxury product but can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, scars, and discoloration along with increasing skin firmness,” says Dr. Greenfield. “It uses a combination of peptides and hyaluronic acid to address both texture and pigment issues in the skin.” The best proof, though, may be in the glowing reviews.

Rave review: “Within about ten days, I noticed my tummy looked and felt much firmer, and my thighs and tush followed soon after. There was a very mild scent to this, which is a nice change from most cellulite products. The cream itself absorbs beautifully and does not leave my skin feeling sticky or greasy!”

Youthbomb™ Body 360° Repair Concentrate

This body lotion is a multitasker, and it's a favorite of Dr. Garshick's. It uses a YB-GLY-Retinol Complex to help firm the skin and improve elasticity while exfoliating acids and vitamin B3 (aka niacinamide) help to brighten.

Rave review: "This is quite seriously the most effective body moisturizer I’ve ever used—on my second tube."

Squalane + Caffeine Toning Body Cream

Skin-firming caffeine derived from green coffee beans and texture-improving niacinamide combine with Biossance’s signature hydrator, squalene, in the brand's Squalane + Caffeine Toning Body Cream. In clinicals conducted by the company over a three-week period, 100 percent of testers agreed that their skin felt more nourished, appeared more toned, and appeared more firm with twice daily use.

The biggest problem users have with this product right now? The citrus scent has been out of stock for a while, and it’s unclear whether the brand will bring it back to meet customer demands.

Rave review: “This stuff is amazing! It makes my skin firmer and thicker and it retains the moisture for at least 24 hours, if not longer!”

Retinol Body Lotion

For a true anti-aging formula, you’ll want to look for something with retinol—the hero ingredient most derms tout for turning back the clock. To that end, Dr. Nazarian recommends the concentrated retinol and shea butter blend lotion from DRMTLGY. “This retinol body lotion is phenomenal because it goes back to the basics and uses retinol to enhance collagen and improve tightness and firmness of the skin,” she says. “I also think it’s a very gentle product, making it good for most skin types.”

Rave review: “I started using the lotion just a few days ago, and I can already see that my skin looks better. It's so soft and hydrated, and I think some imperfections like stretch marks and cellulite are already less visible.”

Firming & Hydrating Body Lotion with Collagen

Sometimes the best products are the ones you’ll use religiously. To that end, you can slather on this lotion morning, noon, and night, thanks to its under $10 price tag and light-but-creamy texture. It’s worth noting that the brand promises visibly firmer skin in just 21 days right on the bottle, and that claim doesn’t appear to be total lip service.

“Although the role of topical collagen isn't fully understood yet, this product contains a hydrating form of vitamin B3, niacinamide, and a form of B5 panthenol, which strengthen skin and improve skin quality,” says Dr. Nazarian. “It also absorbs really nicely and applies easily and quickly, making it a great and affordable option for improving skin health.”

Rave review: “My neck wrinkles are getting smoother and my crepey arms are improving! Dries fast and it doesn’t stink!”

Nectifirm Advanced Neck Firming Cream

This neck-specific product is a hit with dermatologists and plastic surgeons alike. “Revision Nectifirm Advanced is known to be a fantastic product for the neck and decollete,” says Dr. Greenfield. ”It uses eight peptides and its own antioxidant technology to tighten and lift the skin in an area that is challenging to improve.” If you’re looking for visual proof with “Before and After” images, Nectifirm has those, and the customer reviews for this Amazon Choice pick are rave—even from those with necks already creasing and sagging significantly.

Rave review: “I am noticing tightening of my neck area after consistent use for several months. Will keep this on my subscribe and save....one bottle does really last about five months.”

How we chose the best firming body lotions

For the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including writer Danielle Blundell, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated firming body lotions. Our team consulted a dermatologist and evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best firming body lotions for a wide range of needs and preferences.

Meet the experts

Nava Greenfield, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. Lauren Penzi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in New York. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell - New York Presbyterian Medical Center. Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.

What are the benefits of firming body lotions?

It’s important to manage your expectations for firming lotions—they’re not the cure-all for sagging skin. Severe laxity and deep folds aren’t going to disappear overnight, but your skin will perk up and even plump a bit temporarily upon application.

“You can expect to see your skin slowly showing fewer fine lines and less sag,” says Dr. Greenfield. “A firming cream also has the potential to introduce nutrients that allow your skin to feel smoother and more supple.”

How to find the best firming body lotion for you

“Look for deeply hydrating yet gentle ingredients, like naturally derived oils and creams,” says Dr. Greenfield. She also suggests seeking out products that are easy and enjoyable to apply so that you will want to continue the habit perpetually.

For Dr. Nazarian, certain ingredients are a must if you’re looking to tone and improve the skin’s texture. “Many ingredients, such as retinol, bakuchiol, and peptides, can stimulate new collagen formation and protect existing tissue to maintain youthfulness: firm, elastic, skin,” she says. “They also help encourage more rapid changeover of the cell cycle, which can make crepey skin look smoother and gives the appearance of firmness.”

Keep an eye out for those temporary tighteners, too, caffeine being chief among them.

How to apply a firming body lotion

Proper timing is key for absorption and even application, so do yourself a favor and apply right after you’ve just bathed so it sinks in easily, especially if you’re only using this kind of product once a day.

“It is best to apply body lotion when your skin is still damp from a shower but not wet,” says Dr. Greenfield. “Towel dried is optimal. After exfoliating, it is crucial to apply a moisturizer. Best results will untimely be with consistent and liberal use.”

What results should I expect from firming body lotions?

“Creams are not capable of the same type of tightening that lasers and surgical options can offer,” says Dr. Nazarian. “Despite this, with consistent, continued use, you can certainly see improvement in laxity over time.” But again, commitment to regular use will impact results because everyone’s skin is fighting an uphill battle to a certain extent, at least when it comes to the loss of skin firmness and volume.

“One of the most important things to remember is that the aging process never really stops,” says Dr. Nazarian. “All these creams and topicals that are used to improve quality of skin should really be continued long-term.”

Are firming lotions safe to use?

The short answer is yes—but with the caveat that it’s possible to have some kind of a reaction to any body lotion or cream. “Most of these body firming lotions have very little risk,” says Dr. Nazarian. “They are often directed to be used daily, some even twice a day. Major risks include irritation from one of the ingredients or a potential allergy to one of the ingredients.”

One watch out is to steer clear of anything with retinol in it, if you’re nursing or pregnant, and obviously, you should discontinue use of a product you have a negative reaction to. “Occasionally, people may experience drying of their skin, especially if the ingredients have the ability to decrease oil production, such as with retinol,” adds Dr. Nazarian. “Monitor for those changes and decrease use if they are noted.”

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