Here Are the Best Active Body Products to Keep Your Skin Radiant

Final Verdict

We're giving top honors to Paula's Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Lotion since it's such a powerhouse. Packed with antioxidants and shea butter alongside retinol, this lotion will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and moisturized. Have sensitive skin? You can't go wrong with Farmhouse Fresh Back to Youth Ageless Body Mousse (view at Walmart). It will give you firm, hydrated skin without any irritation.

What to Look for in Advanced Body Skincare Products

Actives that Target Your Skin Concerns

Pick a product that will address your specific concern, whether it is soothing sunburns, targeting fine lines and wrinkles, unclogging pores, or something else. Body products with retinol, peptides, and antioxidants may be great for targeting wrinkles, whereas products with AHAs promise to smooth texture and discoloration. When it comes to acne, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman recommends reaching for salicylic or glycolic acid, “since benzoyl peroxide [a popular treatment for facial acne] can bleach clothing if it's inadvertently left on the skin and comes in contact with clothing."

Moisturizing

No matter what type of active body product you’re using, whether it’s to exfoliate and treat acne or target crepey or sagging skin, Dr. Hartman stresses the importance of choosing a formula that’s also hydrating. “Since the trunk lacks the oil glands that comprise the skin of the face, it’s important for a body product to also be moisturizing,” he says. “Contrary to conventional thinking, the back and chest are more likely to experience dryness and irritation than the face. The barrier is important to maintain in this area.”

Type

From lotions to serums to peels to scrubs, there are a plethora of body products out there that will help you reach your skin goals. Lotions and serums are easy to incorporate into your daily and nightly routines, whereas peels and scrubs need to be washed away. Which type you buy will largely depend on what skin concern you're trying to address and how much effort you want to put into using them.

Dr. Hartman adds that a body product, no matter the formula, should be purchased in a large enough quantity to effectively cover the body one or two times daily and last you for some time. That said, opt for larger tubs, tubes, and bottles in order to deliver the active ingredients—and results—in a cost-effective manner.

How We Researched & Tested

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.