Why we love it: Although a rich cream can help offset the dryness of retinol, sometimes a lightweight serum just feels better on your skin. This one from Shani Daren really packs a lot of smoothing with retinol and vitamin C, but it also helps moisturize a little with shea butter and panthenol.

One Cosmo editor says: "Although this absorbs quickly into my skin, it hydrates my skin pretty well too. I have been slathering this on my arms to help combat keratosis pilaris, and it has made my skin feel so soft. I love layering it with a thicker body butter in the evening too to really seal everything in." —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

Why we love it: It's actually unreal that this retinol body serum is under $10. What's even better is how great the formula is. Retinyl palmitate, a gentle type of retinoid that's combined with emollient-rich palmitic acid, is the hero ingredient to increase cell turnover and firm up skin over time. But there's also smoothing niacinamide and lactic acid, as well as hydrating squalane, turning this into an all-in-one product for basically everything you could need.

One Cosmo editor says: "When I found out my favorite melatonin gummy brand was coming out with a body line, I was skeptical yet intrigued. Then, I was so pleased when I instantly became obsessed with the renew body line. The body serum combines bergamot and jasmine for a deep and sedative scent that is perfect after an everything shower, and the serum itself is deeply hydrating and nonstick on the skin (because there's nothing worse than getting in your sheets with oily skin). it feels super silky on my dry arms and legs, and for less than $10, it's my favorite bodycare steal. I use it over my expensive products just to get that gorgeous smell soaked into my skin." —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

Why we love it: Winner of best body retinol in Cosmo's Holy Grail Beauty Awards, this cream mimics the iconic face retinol from SkinBetter Sciences (which happens to be a major favorite amongst the Cosmo staff). Packed with the brand's AlphaRet (which combines retinol with lactic acid) as well as salicylic acid, the formula is ultra-smoothing to help reduce skin texture.

One Cosmo editor says: “Most retinols make my skin a flaky mess, but this does a great job and smoothing and softening without causing any irritation. And while it’s exfoliating thanks to AHAs, it didn’t seem to dehydrate my skin even though I used it all winter long when I had my heat blasting.” —MADELEINE FRANK REEVES, FORMER EDITOR

Why we love it: Yes, the price tag is right, but that doesn't mean it lacks in quality. This best-selling Amazon retinol body lotion is it. It's formulated with retinol (of course) for some skin-firming and collagen-boosting power and aloe vera and glycerin, which will soothe and hydrate your skin.

One Cosmo editor says: "It definitely works, but it’s hella drying. So make sure to incorporate it slowly into your skincare routine, and either follow up with a rich moisturizer or apply it over moisturizer to dilute its intensity."—CHLOE METZGER, FORMER EDITOR

Why we love it: If you have sensitive skin, a strong retinol body lotion might be too harsh for you. In that case, look for something with bakuchiol, a retinol alternative that's a bit softer on your skin yet still offers similar smoothing powers. This one from Tronque also employs AHAs, salicylic acid, and niacinamide for even more exfoliation (but, ya know, gently).

One Cosmo editor says: "This luxe body exfoliator is one of the only ones I trust on my eczema-prone, overly dry skin. My reactive skin normally can't handle a physical scrub or exfoliant, so I love that Tronque's chemical formula is gentle and firms and hydrates my skin as it exfoliates it over time. Yes, it's definitely a splurge, but if you want your arms and legs to look (and feel) silky smooth all summer, I highly recommend this serum as a nice retinol alternative."—JH

Why we love it: Retinol and hydrating usually don't go hand-in-hand. But with this cream, they sure do. Stacked with a combo of gradual-release retinol (to reduce irritation), soothing allantoin, and ultra-moisturizing shea butter, this leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and firm.

One Cosmo editor says: "My love for skincare brand Naturium began when I was intro'd to its Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 by a fellow beauty editor. After one use, I was hooked and began to explore the brand's other products. I read the ingredients (and stellar reviews) of this lotion and proceeded to pop it into my cart. The people didn't lie; I love this so much. I apply it every night before bed—oh, and I've hooked everyone I know, considering the price tag doesn't hurt."—CM

Why we love it: Retinol's ability to trigger collagen and elastin production gradually leads to smoother, firmer skin. But what makes this body treatment so great is the fact that it's also loaded with plant oils and body butters, meaning while it exfoliates your skin, it also softens it.

One Cosmo editor says: "This is my tried-and-true retinol body lotion. I diligently massage this cream over the rough and bumpy areas on my skin (i.e., the backs of my arms and thighs) a few nights a week and always layer up with sunscreen every morning."—BG

Why we love it: If you take one peek at this retinol's ingredient list, you'll be shocked to find it's from a drugstore and costs less than $20 (for a whole 13 ounces!!). The jam-packed formula uses our bb retinol alongside niacinamide and a slew of moisturizing ingredients that help mitigate dryness, so it's safe for your body and face. But my favorite part? The addition of palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, or in simpler, ~non-sciency~ terms, a six-amino acid peptide that improves firmness and skin tone. ’Nuff said.

One Cosmo editor says: “You don’t need all the frills, as evidenced by this simple formula available for less than $20 on Amazon or at your local drugstore. You can use this on your face, but I find it’s best for the body because it’s packed with heavy moisturizers like shea butter to offset dryness. The huge bottle (13 fl oz) makes applying it all over feel less like you’re rubbing money on your skin too.”—BG

Why we love it: Dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, says this is her favorite retinol body lotion: "I use it nightly on my arms, legs, chest, butt, abdomen, and thighs to firm, tone, and reduce wrinkles," she says, noting that it doesn't irritate her skin in the slightest. Using encapsulated retinol (which is less intense on your skin), this body lotion is formulated to be used daily, though it's best to incorporate it into your routine slowly to ensure your skin reacts well.

One Cosmo editor says: “This was actually the very first retinol body lotion I tried, and it’s still one of my favorites to this day. It really helps smooth the KP on my arms and thighs, all without irritating my skin. When I started using this, a person I was dating told me I had the softest skin they’d ever felt. Obviously, I never forgot it.”—BG

Why we love it: This exfoliating milky body serum is a powerful skincare product for tackling dry patches and exfoliating dead skin for a smooth, baby-soft look and feel. My favorite part about this formula is that it uses encapsulated retinol, which works by slowing down absorption, so it's less intense on your skin. I found that this product works wonderfully on the backs of my arms to address my keratosis pilaris.

One Cosmo editor says: “If you hate the goopy, sticky, heavy creams on your body like I do, this serum is a much better pick. I can douse myself in this and not feel it on my body afterward, which I love.”—BG