Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin Smoothing Body Treatment – Beautiful With Brains

Final Up to date on November 7, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

You’ve been placing retinol in your face for years and it’s been doing its factor, however then you definitely look down at your chest and arms and also you’re like… why does my face look 30 and my physique look 45? And also you’ve most likely considered simply utilizing your fancy face retinol throughout your physique however that’s gonna value you want a mortgage fee per thirty days. So right here we’re, taking a look at Paula’s Selection physique retinol to see if it’s really gonna do something or if it’s simply costly lotion. On this evaluate I’m gonna let you know what’s really on this factor that works, what the science says (as a result of yeah, we have to perceive what we’re placing on our pores and skin), and whether or not you can purchase it or save your cash.

Key Components in Paula’s Selection Retinol Pores and skin-Smoothing Physique Therapy: What Makes It Work?

RETINOL

This one’s the heavy-hitter. Retinol is a type of vitamin A that your pores and skin turns into retinoic acid, which then goes all in on renewing pores and skin cells, boosting collagen and elastin, and smoothing texture. Studies show that retinol “serves as the precursor to retinoic acid and can be converted … inside human pores and skin” and has “been demonstrated to advertise varied anti-aging advantages” in aged pores and skin.  

What it does right here?  in your arms, legs, wherever you’re making use of, it’s principally telling the pores and skin “let’s tighten up, get smoother, cease trying crepey”. However right here’s the catch: because it speeds cell turnover, you would possibly see some flaking, redness, perhaps sensitivity (particularly to solar). Use it solely two or 3 times per week.

Associated: The Complete Guide To Retinol In Skincare

DIMETHICONE

Dimethicone is a silicone-based emollient and barrier agent that sits on the pores and skin floor, helps stop water loss, and makes your physique pores and skin really feel smoother. In keeping with 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 physique pores and skin can get rougher, drier, extra uncovered, the dimethicone helps the product glide on, locks in hydration, and offers that “delicate end” so that you don’t really feel such as you simply dumped acid in your thighs. It’s secure, non-comedogenic and received’t clog pores (except you layer it on high of comedogenic components). However in case you hate silicones or keep away from them for private choice, this will not be best for you.

Associated: Are Silicones In Skincare Really Bad?

SHEA BUTTER

This one’s the consolation zone of the method. Shea butter is a plant-derived fats loaded with fatty acids (oleic, stearic, linoleic) and has been proven to spice up pores and skin barrier operate and hydration. For instance: a recent in-vitro study found shea butter decreased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by 37.8% and elevated pores and skin hydration by 58% after 24 h. Right here, it additionally balances the “lively firepower” of retinol by giving pores and skin nourishment and barrier assist, so that you’re not simply “treating” but additionally “comforting” your physique pores and skin.

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The Relaxation Of The Method & Components

• Water: that is the boring however completely essential base. It’s what makes the cream spreadable and never like a brick if you put it on. 
• Cetearyl Alcohol: don’t panic, this isn’t the drying alcohol that ruins your face. This can be a fatty alcohol, which implies it softens your pores and skin and makes the cream really feel wealthy and creamy. It’s a kind of components that really makes rubbing it on pleasing as a substitute of feeling like a chore.
• Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate: fancy sounding, however actually it’s simply right here to make the cream glide on with out being greasy. If you rub it in, it spreads like butter with out leaving that heavy movie, which I recognize.
• Cyclopentasiloxane: silicone magic, principally. It provides the cream that silky really feel, helps it sink in quick, and leaves your pores and skin feeling delicate and easy as a substitute of sticky. It’s refined, however it’s a cause your pores and skin feels polished after making use of.
• Glycerin: the basic moisture magnet. This pulls water into your pores and skin, so that you don’t simply really feel coated in cream-you really really feel hydrated. Glycerin is a kind of components that quietly does its job with out you noticing till your pores and skin begins to really feel noticeably softer.
• Butylene Glycol: helps your pores and skin take up every little thing else and retains the product from drying out within the bottle. It’s sort of a behind-the-scenes helper that makes the cream really feel contemporary and never sticky, and your pores and skin finally ends up really getting the advantages of all the opposite components.
• Cetyl Palmitate: one other emollient that makes the cream really feel wealthy and opulent with out making it sticky or heavy. That is a part of why it spreads so properly and doesn’t really feel such as you’re layering a ton of grease.
• Glyceryl Stearate: helps maintain every little thing collectively within the cream so it doesn’t separate and makes it really feel easy and uniform if you unfold it on. With out it, the feel could be all bizarre and inconsistent.
• PEG-100 Stearate: one other emulsifier, which simply means it helps the water and oils combine correctly. This retains the cream from separating within the bottle and makes it glide on evenly. It’s principally a behind-the-scenes texture hero.
• Oenothera Biennis Oil (Night Primrose Oil): this oil is soothing and softening, excellent in case your pores and skin is a bit of irritated or dry. It provides a layer of care that isn’t heavy, so your pores and skin feels calm and hydrated.
• Vitis Vinifera (Grape Seed Oil): light-weight oil that moisturizes with out feeling greasy. Additionally packs in antioxidants, so it’s like a bit of pores and skin increase that helps struggle environmental stress. Your pores and skin finally ends up delicate, easy, and a tiny bit protected.
• Cetyl Alcohol: one other fatty alcohol that’s right here to melt pores and skin and make the cream unfold properly. Works in tandem with the opposite emollients to provide that easy, luxurious really feel.
• Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate: this can be a steady type of vitamin C. Helps even out tone, provides a tiny glow, and fights free radicals. It’s sort of like a bit of further punch of “skincare love” on this cream.
• Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E): basic antioxidant, softens and nourishes your pores and skin, and helps defend it from little environmental aggressors. It’s a kind of comforting components you don’t take into consideration till your pores and skin feels wholesome and cared for.
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: light-weight oil that spreads properly and moisturizes. Makes the cream straightforward to rub in with out feeling sticky or heavy.
• Panthenol: provitamin B5. Hydrates, soothes, and retains your pores and skin feeling delicate. It’s like a bit of therapeutic hug on your pores and skin.
• Carnosine: antioxidant buddy. Helps struggle free radicals and protects your pores and skin from untimely getting old. Not flashy, however helpful if you would like your pores and skin feeling a bit extra cared for over time.
• Dimethiconol: one other silicone that provides smoothness and helps your pores and skin really feel silky. Works with dimethicone to make every little thing really feel polished.
• Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer: fancy silicone mix that provides the cream a whipped, silky texture and helps it unfold evenly. Makes utility really feel satisfying and easy.
• Cera Alba (Beeswax): provides the cream a little bit of physique, helps it stick with your pores and skin, and locks in moisture. Provides richness with out heaviness.
• Magnesium Aluminum Silicate: thickener that retains the cream constant. Prevents it from feeling watery or separating, which is essential for easy utility.
• Sodium Hydroxide: tiny bit to regulate the pH so it’s secure and comfy on your pores and skin. Nothing to freak out about, simply makes certain it doesn’t irritate.
• Xanthan Gum: one other thickener, retains every little thing steady and easy. Helps the cream really feel constant each time you pump it out.
• Dicaprylyl Carbonate: silky emollient, makes spreading straightforward and leaves pores and skin feeling delicate. Provides to that light-weight, glide-on impact.
• Decylene Glycol: humectant that helps your pores and skin take in moisture and retains the cream from drying out. Additionally helps different components penetrate a bit higher.
• Disodium EDTA: binds metals and stabilizes the method. Principally works behind the scenes to maintain the cream secure and efficient.
• Chlorphenesin: preservative that retains your cream from rising any bizarre stuff. Small quantity, however essential.
• Phenoxyethanol: one other preservative. Makes certain the cream stays secure to be used over time and doesn’t spoil within the bottle.

Texture

This physique cream is definitely tremendous straightforward to unfold. It’s creamy however not greasy in any respect. You possibly can rub it in and it disappears into your pores and skin with out leaving that sticky feeling. Actually, I used to be anticipating one thing heavy and gloopy, however nope, it’s like magic.

Perfume

Zero annoying scent, zero aromatic oil, thank god. There’s like a faint clear scent however barely noticeable. You received’t be smelling like lotion all day. Secure in case you’re delicate or hate scented stuff.

How To Use It

Skinny layer. Tiny quantity, severely. I do arms, thighs, anyplace my pores and skin’s bumpy or a bit of uneven. Rub it in at evening in mild round motions, at all times sunscreen within the morning. Begin gradual and construct as much as 3 nights per week, tops. A bit of goes an extended technique to retinol.

Packaging

The bottle is that this plain purple pump factor, nothing fancy, however truthfully I sort of like it. Pump works easily, you don’t must press one million instances, and you may really see how a lot you’ve bought left, which is low-key satisfying. No messy tubs, no digging fingers in, no lotion in all places – simply pump, rub, executed. Additionally, in case you journey, you don’t must stress about it spilling in your bag, which is a big win. It’s easy, sensible, and utilizing it feels… kinda good each day, although it appears to be like boring.

Efficiency & Private Opinion

So the primary time I attempted this retinol physique lotion, I used to be like “meh, let’s see.” However after per week or two, I observed my legs and arms have been really… delicate. Like, delicate in a approach that makes you contact them and go “huh, that’s completely different.” The bumps I hate? Calmer. Redness from stretch marks? Pale a bit, not gone clearly, however sufficient that it makes me glad. Retinol smoothens every little thing out so stretch marks and cellulite don’t look so apparent, however it might’t actually make them go away.

It’s tremendous mild, not greasy in any respect, so that you don’t have to face round ready to dress. I really stay up for placing it on at evening, which is wild as a result of usually physique lotions really feel like a chore. It’s a must to use it constantly although, in case you simply slap it on as soon as and neglect, nothing occurs. However in case you keep it up, your pores and skin feels… like precise pores and skin, not tough and annoying.

What I Like About Paula’s Selection Retinol Pores and skin-Smoothing Physique Therapy

• Feels mild however really works, doesn’t go away you sticky
• Smooths bumps and tough patches, so your pores and skin feels good to the touch
• Just about no scent, excellent in case you hate lotion fragrance
• Pump is clear and simple, you don’t waste any product
• Pores and skin really feels softer and extra even after a pair weeks, which is uncommon
• Absorbs quick so you may get dressed instantly with out feeling gross

What I DON’T Like About Paula’s Selection Retinol Pores and skin-Smoothing Physique Therapy

• Worth is kinda excessive for the dimensions, not gonna lie
• In case your pores and skin is tremendous dry, you would possibly want a backup moisturizer
• Retinol = solar sensitivity, so sunscreen within the morning is a should
• You don’t get on the spot magic outcomes, gotta be affected person

Who Ought to Use This?

In case your arms, legs, chest, anyplace is bumpy or uneven, otherwise you simply need smoother pores and skin, that is for you. Additionally nice if you wish to calm some redness from stretch marks. Not the very best in case your pores and skin is loopy dry and also you hate layering, however most individuals will like it. Principally, if you would like pores and skin that feels good to the touch and doesn’t really feel sticky, attempt it. I’d additionally keep away from it in case you have delicate pores and skin, retinol may be too irritating for you.

Does Paula’s Selection Retinol Pores and skin-Smoothing Physique Therapy Stay Up To Its Claims?

Worth & Availability

$32.00 at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, and SpaceNK

Verdict: Ought to You Purchase It?

Sure. If you would like softer, smoother pores and skin and don’t thoughts spending a bit of, go for it. One of many few physique retinols that really works. Sunscreen within the morning, use it constantly, don’t count on miracles in a single day. However for actual, I’d repurchase. Makes pores and skin really feel good, straightforward to make use of, and truly does stuff.