The 7 Best Firming Body Lotions for Tightening Skin, Tested by Experts

ProsAffordable so you can use a lotAbsorbs fast and visible results come almost instantlyConsFormula can be a little runnyGiven the fast-acting results Blundell experienced, and the impressive ingredient list we knew the Nivea Skin Toning Gel-Cream was our best overall option. 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. We saw improved tightness in just two weeks with twice daily use, and you can choose between almond and lotus scents depending on your preferences for fragrances.Blundell loves the gel-like texture of this one—it’s a little bit runny right out of the tube, but it sinks into her skin with minimal rubbing and goes on with a bit of a cooling sensation, which feels especially refreshing in the mornings before work and during any waterfront vacations you’re taking. Hours after a quick application (and even a SoulCycle class and quick shower later), Blundell’s legs looked slightly more taut and still felt supple to the touch, as though she had just put the lotion on.Read more: Best Body Washes For Dry SkinKey ingredientsQ10, L-Carnitine, and lotus extractType of productLotionSize6.7 oz.ProsExtremely affordable for such a power-packed formulaBig bottle so it will last a whileConsDoes contain silicone, so it might not be suitable for acne-prone skinSometimes 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 that’s easy to apply. Blundell saw results like immediate hydration, but it took three weeks to notice less crepey skin.“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.”Dr. Sartor mentions the lotion does include a nice mix of moisturizers (petrolatum, stearic acid) to prevent water loss as well as antioxidants (niacinamide, tocopheryl acetate) for firming benefits, especially for its cost. “It also contains free fatty acids (palmitic acid) to repair the skin barrier,” she adds.The only downside for the price? The formula contains a synthetic fragrance, so if you have sensitive skin, you might want to skip it for that reason.Features at a GlanceKey ingredientsNiacinamide and B5 panthenol, and palmitic acidType of productLotionSize17 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsNon-irritating, even for a retinol productCan be used on the face and bodyConsMay not be for you if you don't like lotions with thick texturesWhy settle for just skin firming on your body when you enjoy it on your face as well? This 2-in-1 lotion earned major snaps from dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi, MD, for that reason. "It has a powerful retinol and peptide complex that exfoliates to support the skin's renewal process," she says. That means it’ll go to work on discoloration and fine lines on your face and body while you sleep, since it’s a night treatment.She highlights the intensive humectant and emollient moisturizers and vitamins that keep the skin hydrated for 24 hours as essential for skin firming and smoothing. You can see that in the texture; it’s rich and thick but still rubs in easily and dries quickly, so it’s not a pain to put on before bed.A great place to give it a go first might be the neck and chest, where wrinkles tend to start popping up sooner than we all might like. Just keep in mind your skin type. Women with oily or combination skin might find it a tad heavy, so start with a pea-sized amount on the face and only add more as needed. Those with normal or dry skin will love this one due to its wonderfully hydrating formula.Key ingredientsRetinol and peptide complex, shea and cocoa butterType of productLotionSize7 oz.ProsComes in a 3.8 ounce pump so you can try it before committing to the larger tubeSome customers saw results after a few weeksConsPart of a system so might work best when used with companion productsAlthough Revision is a pricey pick, Dr. Nazarian argues it’s well worth the splurge because of the science-backed results and clinical trials. “It combines a cocktail of peptides and antioxidants to promote collagen, prevent breakdown, and ingredients like glucosamine to support cell turnover.” In other words, this product will help tighten loose skin.BodiContour can be used before and after professional treatments to help enhance your results. However, you should wait until any broken skin is fully healed after your procedure before incorporating this cream back into your routine.Dr. Sartor likes the hyaluronic acid in the formula as well but notes that the lotion is part of a three-step regimen. She thinks the brand’s promised results—from the fading of sun damage to the tightening of dimply, saggy skin—will be seen with use of the entire system. And even if a little lotion does go a long way, the instructions do recommend applying it twice a day and exfoliating twice a week. So with that does come a significant investment of time and money.Features at a GlanceKey ingredientsCaffeine, glucosamine, patent-pending iFirm Technology (peptides, antioxidants, botanical extracts), hyaluronic acidType of productLotionSize3.8 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsReduces the appearance of cellulite with caffeine and sheenNon-sticky with a luxurious finishIt's not called Magic Cream for nothing. This silky body cream blends caffeine and hydrating all-star hyaluronic acid to 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 dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD. "Together this helps to brighten the skin and leave the skin glowing."Of all the formulas Blundell tried, the Magic Body Cream is the one that left the most noticeable sheen and slight blurring effect on her skin. Putting it on feels luxurious, too; it’s rich but not so heavy that it doesn’t blend well, and it has a similar fragrance to its sister product, Magic Cream anti-aging face moisturizer. The only downside? At $65 a pop, it’s expensive, so Blundell saves it for nights when she’s showing a little skin or wants to target visible areas like the arms, legs, and tummy when sporting resort wear.Features at a GlanceKey ingredientsHyaluronic acid and caffeineType of productLotionSize6.7 oz.ProsGreat for mature skinNot too thick or greasyConsAlso one of the pricier picks on our listStriVectin is well regarded as a top-tier line for anti-aging and skin-firming products, and this rich body cream is a shining example of why the brand has a cult-like following among beauty insiders. And it all starts with the ingredients. A combination of turmeric root and jojoba seed extracts paired with a buttery blend of shea, murumuru, and cupuacu provide deep moisture to improve the look of skin texture and crepiness, says dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD. 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.If you’re looking to fight back against particularly crepey arms or kneecaps, Dr. Sartor points out that this formula does include more antioxidants than some of the less expensive drugstore options. She also highlights the caffeine and collagen peptides, which work in tandem with the other firming extracts mentioned above. “This would be a good option for more mature skin in need of a richer moisturizer with more skin benefits,” she says.Although spending $44 might seem like a lot, there are other luxury anti-aging lotions out there selling for $165 to $220. If it helps, each container will last around 6 to 12 weeks, depending on how often you apply and if you’re slathering all over or just targeting a smaller area of your body. Regardless, even if you buy a few replacements in the year at $176, you get a year’s worth of product for significantly less than if you were splurging on a single high-end firming body lotion.Best For Crepey SkinKey ingredientsTurmeric, jojoba seed extract, shea, murumuru, cupuacu, caffeine, and collagen peptidesType of productLotionSize6.7 oz.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSafe for sensitive, acne-prone skinLight formulaConsSkip if you don’t like fragrance-free productsIf you’re looking for an ultralight, gel-like product that can smooth, plump, and deliver silky-to-the-touch skin, then Nécessaire The Body Serum is the best pick for you. The formula is made with gentle clean ingredients that don’t skimp on quality. It combines ceramides with five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid which provides multilevel hydration. The result: a plumping finish that delivers a bit of lift and tautness. Glycerin further moisturizes the skin, while aloe vera calms redness and irritation. There’s also niacinamide for fine line-fighting benefits.I’ve been using this serum on and off for a few years, and I can confidently attest to its effectiveness. It helps clear up eczema flare-ups, and has been a beauty lifesaver during the winter when it’s freezing outdoors and my radiator is cranked up inside. A single layer of the clear serum soaks into my skin in seconds, and if your skin is extra parched like mine is then you can apply additional layers as needed without pilling or leaving behind a sticky mess. It’s a year-round must-have for me because in the spring and summer I can just get away with using this instead of a thick lotion or cream.“This serum does not have any firming ingredients but instead contains hyaluronic acid to plump skin appearance and ceramides to repair the skin barrier,” says Dr. Sartor. “This serum also contains lecithin to help prevent further water loss from the skin surface.”Honestly, the only downside with this serum is that it’s fragrance-free. Nécessaire does fragrances so incredibly well that I wish they extended their enticing aromas into The Body Serum as well. Still, I fully stand by this serum and if you’re on the fence give it a go and see for yourself. With Amazon Prime’s signature two-day shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee you have extra reassurance to treat yourself.Key ingredientsHyaluronic acid, lecithin, ceramidesType of productSerumSize5.1 oz.Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women's Health and has nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site. Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper's BAZAAR. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.