Get Smoother, More Hydrated Skin with These 10 Firming Body Lotions (2025)

If you prefer to focus your firming efforts on the upper body, U Beauty's The Sculpt Arm Compound is a Bazaar editor favorite. As the name suggests, its formula targets sagging arm with ingredients like tightening caffeine, moisturizing glycerin, and nourishing grapeseed oil to erase crepiness and boost glow.

• Key ingredients: Marine bacillus extract, retinol, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, vitamin E, stabilized vitamin C

Customer review: "Miracle in a bottle. Can see immediate results that get better over time. Not greasy at all. Holy grail." —Lara S.

The powerhouse duo behind Clarin's Extra-Firming Cream is a pair of plant extracts: Organic petasites to tighten skin and mitracarpus for firmness. The cream is also packed with shea butter to maintain deep hydration for up to 48 hours, which adds to the skin's smoother, plumper appearance.

• Key ingredients: Organic petasites extract, organic mitracarpus extract, shea butter, organic aloe vera extract

Customer review: "Clarins body firming cream is brilliant. I have noticed my skin seems tighter, and it softens the skin really well." — Jet

This lifting, texture-correcting cream from SkinMedica is one of Mian's top firming picks. "I like caffeine, like in SkinMedica’s Firm and Tone lotion, for decreasing swelling, which can help with cellulite," she says. Its blend of green microalgae, shitake mushroom, Japanese parsley, and more helps rebuild collagen and improve the skin's elasticity and firmness.

• Key ingredients: Green microalgae and shitake mushroom extracts, lemon balm extract, coffea arabica seed oil, caffeine, hydrolyzed rice protein, Japanese parsley, grapefruit peel oil, ginger root extract

Customer review: "This is the only firming lotion that I can see visibly works. I've tried many, and this one is the best out there. It's not thick, has a subtle scent, and works!" —Anonymous

Mian also recommends this treatment from Peter Thomas Roth to smooth uneven texture on the butt, belly, hips, thighs, and arms that's caused by cellulite. She notes that when skin holds excess water, it can look puffy, causing existing cellulite to become more visible. "I like bergamot extract, which is included in PTR’s Firmx Tight and Toned, to decrease glycosaminoglycans that can lead to water retention," the expert explains.

• Key ingredients: Citrus-derived flavsoslim, caffeine, mokaté kalahari melon oil

Customer review: "This stuff works! It is a creamy texture, soaks right into the skin, and helps reduce the appearance of cellulite! The only con I have is that this only lasted me three weeks with once a day use (on my thighs)." — Nicole V.

Dermatologist Linda Xing recommends this firming option from Vivier to smooth the body's fine lines and wrinkles. "It's elegantly formulated to contain peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. There is a light citrus scent, which makes it luxurious to use," she explains. Professionals suggest exfoliating with a body scrub for maximum effectiveness before applying this lightweight lotion.

• Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants

Customer review: "I had doubts at first, as I have tried similar products before that promise change. This body lotion actually did what it promised, and I couldn’t be happier." —Philip M.

This hardworking formula is made with crepey, loose skin in mind on the chest, forearms, and hands. The treatment aims to replenish skin's lost elasticity with ingredients like daidzein, equol, and genistein that work in tandem to rebuild firm, smooth, and soften.

• Key ingredients: Daidzein, genistein, equol, glycine soja seed extract, linum usitatissimum (linseed) seed oil, squalane

Customer review: "Throw out any other décolletage and neck products, because this one is amazing and all you need. It's made a difference after just a week. Can't wait to see what happens after a few more. Well worth the price tag." —Noele

If you've tried the face version of this body cream, then you probably already understand how effective it is. Charlotte's Magic Body Cream takes the formula's wizardry up a notch, aiming to reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks after eight weeks of use.

• Key ingredients: Algaktiv, caffeine, soybean, rose extract, damask rose oil and water, magnolia oil, glycerin, sunflower oil, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E

Customer review: "LOVE this. Bought the full-size version after I tried a sample. Use it for my more problematic areas since it is pricey, but it is worth the splurge. My skin has never looked better, and I love the scent." —misty149

This cream serum from the experts at Dove proves that you don't have to spend a ton of money to firm your skin. It combines pro-retinol, collagen peptides, and niacinamide to boost elasticity and smoothness while locking in long-term moisture.

• Key ingredients: Pro-retinol, collagen peptides, niacinamide, antioxidants

Customer review: "Love this stuff. Lightly scented. Very effective." —Anonymous

This retinal-based formula targets cellulite, stretch marks, and crepeiness and features an extract blend that's inspired by exerkines, the molecules your body releases during exercise.

• Key ingredients: Encapsulated retinal, milk thistle and bearberry extracts, bentonite clay, encapsulated shea butter, avocado extract, squalane

Customer review: "This is the first body cream that delivers!!! I’ve only been using it for two weeks on my mom pouch and my inner thighs, and wow! My mom's pouch has tightened significantly, and my inner thigh skin is less saggy. Will continue to buy this product, worth every penny." —Bryana N.

This coveted body cream is ideal for those with dry and sensitive skin, and is a favorite to improve skin elasticity. Its supple formula quickly replenishes lost moisture and tightness while minimizing visible signs of irritation.

• Key ingredients: Grape seed oil, shea butter, purslane extract, glycerine, indian almond, meadowfoam seed oil, olive oil, vitamin E, panthenol, black elderflower, edelweiss, chickpea seed extract, squalane, pure glacier water

Customer review: "In the brief time that I have been using this product, I am already seeing results. My neck and arm skin is firmer and looks so much better!" —Jodi H.

• Dr. Kiran Mian is a board-certified dermatologist with Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York.
• Dr. Linda Xing is a board-certified dermatologist, medical doctor, and Mohs surgeon.

Ingredients are the power source behind how firming body lotions work. According to Xing, peptides are one of these key ingredients, aiding in the reduction of skin sagging and crepiness. Plus, amino acids help by signaling skin cells to produce more collagen, which improves firmness and elasticity.

The professional also notes that hyaluronic acid is great for plumpness and hydration, while antioxidants are important in protecting skin from environmental stress and oxidative damage, which can break down collagen and lead to visible signs of aging. Retinol in body lotion also helps with cellular turnover, collagen synthesis, and complexion correction.

"Firming body lotions aim to improve skin elasticity and appearance by incorporating active ingredients that stimulate collagen production, enhance hydration, and therefore improve the firmness of your skin," Xing explains. "Excellent firming body lotions should contain a combination of products that target skin changes as we mature."

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