Our body goes through a lot during our lifetime. From fluctuating weight, pregnancy or just time catching up with us, skin can begin to sag, and wrinkles on the body can start to show. Firming body care can come in all forms such as oils, creams, serums or gels. These are specially formulated with ingredients such as caffeine, designed to help firm your bum, tum and wobbly bits! Skin is left feeling youthful, tighter and healthy, giving you body confidence to strut that beach catwalk.
Over 470 women participated in our study to test firming body products, and they were keen to give us feedback to on how the products helped firm up their skin. They massaged their way through 21 brands over a four-week period to help us assess the packaging, formulation texture and whether they felt and saw a difference in the firmness of their skin over. Read on for our full results.
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Joint Winner
Aurelia Firm & Replenish Body Serum
Score: 80/100
Rated highly with our testers, nearly 90% were satisfied with this body serum and loved the mandarin and bergamot scent. 85% of testers agreed that skin felt hydrated immediately after application and didn’t feel sticky on the skin. They also agreed that the product didn’t leave any excess residue on the skin. After four weeks of use, around 70% of testers noticed an improvement to the appearance of scars and a reduction in the appearance of stretch marks. Over 95% agreed that the product was easy to apply, and the packaging made it easy to dispense the product.
Score: 80/100
The Nivea firming body lotion didn’t disappoint when it came to its design and ease of use. 94% of testers loved the simple pump dispenser packaging, which made it easy to dispense the right amount of product. 87% of testers found the product moisturising, noting that it didn’t leave any excess residue or stickiness.After four weeks of using the product as recommended, 71% noticed an improvement in the appearance of their skin. The lotion has a fresh aquatic, floral scent which 94% of testers liked!
Nivea Q10 Vitamin C Firming Body Lotion for Dry Skin review
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Score: 79/100
Over 85% of our testers agreed that the product made their skin feel more hydrated immediately after application, without feeling sticky or leaving any excess residue on the skin. After four weeks, 72% said there was an improvement in the appearance of their skin.
Testers also agreed that it had a pleasant scent, described by some as fresh, oriental, floral and powdery notes. Its jar format made the product easy to use. Over 95% of testers didn’t experience any unpleasant sensation, redness or irritation to the skin. 77% of testers agreed they were satisfied with this product and would continue to use it.
Nuxe Anti-Ageing Body Cream Nuxuriance Ultra review
Score: 77/100
Scoring a high 91% for its easy-to-use tube design, testers liked the rich texture of the product and said that it absorbs well, leaving skin feeling smooth. 74% said skin felt hydrated after use, with no unpleasant stickiness or additional residue. 68% of testers saw an improvement to the appearance of their skin after four weeks continued use. The product has a fruity, sweet scent which most of our testers liked. Overall, a majority of testers were happy with the product and would continue to use it.
NIP+FAB Body Slim Fix review
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Score: 77/100
Testers described the product as gel-like, with a light texture that’s easy to apply. Over 90% of testers agreed that the packaging made it easy to dispense the product. 79% of testers also said that their skin felt hydrated immediately after application without leaving the skin feeling sticky. Some commented that it also felt cooling on the skin, although some others said they noticed a slight warming effect on the skin. 97% of testers agreed that the product didn’t cause any redness or irritation to the skin. Its fragrance described as fresh and green, with some marine notes.
Guinot Crème Sculpt Expert review
Score: 76/100
84% of testers found this oil easy to apply and were pleasantly surprised with how quickly it absorbed into skin. 74% noted that it didn’t leave any excess residue and 80% said skin felt instantly hydrated after application, with no stickiness.Most of our testers said their skin looked and felt firmer after using the body oil for four weeks. 91% of testers loved the fragrance, which they described as a herbal and citrusy, reminding them of an aromatherapy scent.
Balance Me Super Toning Body Oil review
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Score: 76/100
Testers described the fragrance as light, with fresh marine aquatic notes. The majority felt that it had a pleasant scent. Most of the testers also said that the gel was easy to rub in, with a cool and refreshing feeling to the skin. 75% of testers agreed that their skin did not feel sticky after application, and 85% said it didn't leave any excess residue on the skin as it absorbed into the skin well. After four weeks, over 70% agreed that there was an improvement in the appearance of their skin. Most were satisfied with this product and would continue to use it.
Crystal Clear Body Firm Complex review
Score: 75/100
84% of testers found this simple to use, commenting that the pump made it easy to dispense the product. Testers were pleasantly surprised by the texture of the oil and how well it sank into the skin, with 81% noting that it left no residue or stickiness, which was unusual for an oil. After using the product for four weeks, 71% saw an improvement in the appearance of their scars and 67% saw an improvement to the general appearance of their skin. 88% of testers liked the citrus scent, which they described as a warm, gentle.
Freshly Cosmetics Golden Radiance Body Oil review
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Score: 74/100
86% of testers found this oil easy to apply, commenting that the texture smoothed nicely onto wet skin, with 79% saying skin felt immediately hydrated and softer. Testers loved that it didn't leave skin feeling sticky and 80% said there was no excess residue. After four weeks, 70% observed a visible improvement and 62% said skin looked and felt firmer, with 65% seeing a reduction in cellulite. Some testers would've preferred a pump dispenser to the screw-top lid, to save time when applying. 82% of testers liked the scent, saying they found it ‘aromatic’ and ‘luxurious’.
Score: 74/100
Testers describe this product as having a fresh, sweet and citrus aroma that was uplifting yet also relaxing, and exotic. 90% agreed that it had a pleasant scent, and that it was not too overpowering.
84% said that the oil made their skin feel more hydrated immediately after application, with many testers commenting that the oil absorbed into the skin well and was pleasant to rub in, leaving skin feeling soft and silky. They also agreed that it didn’t make the skin feel sticky after application. 71% of testers were satisfied with this product and would continue to use it.
The Body Shop Spa of the World Thai Makrut Lime Firming Oil review
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Score: 74/100
Testers enjoyed the rich consistency of this lotion, with 85% saying it was easy to apply and went on smoothly. They also found the tube packaging easy and simple to handle.
Many commented on how well it absorbed, with 80% saying skin felt immediately more moisturised. 83% noted that there was no excess residue and skin did not feel sticky.
65% saw an improvement to skin after four weeks use and one tester mentioned that it helped to improve an area of skin damaged. 74% were pleased with the product and would continue to use it.
Vitage Age Defence Body Therapy review
Score: 74/100
Testers loved the straightforward pump-applicator packaging, which made it quick and easy to dispense the product. 76% found that skin was instantly more hydrated, and testers liked the creamy texture of the lotion that spread easily. 86% said that no unpleasant excess residue was left over.
After four weeks of using the lotion, 67% said there was a visible difference to their skin. The lotion has a woody scent with hints of almond. 82% of testers thought it was pleasant. Testers also found it comfortable to use, with 92% saying it didn’t leave any unpleasant sensations.
Trilogy Firming Body Lotion review
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Score: 74/100
Testers commented on how easy it was to use this, with 90% agreeing that the packaging made it easy to dispense. They also commented that it didn’t feel greasy despite it being an oil, because it absorbed well into the skin.
81% of testers agreed that their skin felt hydrated immediately after application and almost all of our testers said that it was gentle on the skin and didn't cause any unpleasant sensation nor any redness or irritation to the skin. The scent is described as soft and pleasant with a mix of essential oils. 72% of testers were satisfied with this product and would continue to use it.
Omorovicza Firming Body Oil review
Score: 74/100
Testers described the scent as herbal with citrus notes, it’s a pleasant fragrance with a hint of lavender. Our trialists also loved the pump packaging with 93% saying it was easy to dispense and apply to the body without needing to hold the bottle.
They also commented on the texture and consistency being nice and creamy, leaving the skin feeling soft. 79% of testers agreed that skin felt hydrated immediately after application without leaving a sticky feel to the skin. The overwhelming majority agreed that the product was gentle on the skin and didn’t cause any redness or irritation to the skin!
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Score: 73/100
87% of our testers agreed that the oil has a pleasant scent, with testers describing the fragrance as soothing, comforting and relaxing. It has aromatic woody notes that lasted for hours after application, and some of our testers said that the oil felt rich and indulgent, with a warming sensation to the skin.
They also commented that a little goes a long way, with 81% of testers agreeing that their skin felt hydrated immediately after application. Over 90% agreed that the product was easy to apply, and the packaging make it easy to dispense the oil. 72% of testers said they were satisfied with this product and would continue to use it.
Dr. Hauschka Blackthorn Toning Body Oil review
And the best of the rest...
SBC Body Sculpt Intensive Body Gel 72/100
£42.00
Mio Get Waisted Body Cream - Sculpting Body Shaper 71/100
£29.50
Anne Semonin Lipoliss Intense Firming Body Serum 70/100
£50.00
Temple Spa Go Figure 70/100
£26.00
Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Firming Crème Riche 68/100
£37.00
Assome One Month Mini Kit 58/100
£59.90
Jasmine Lim
Consumer Tester (Beauty)
Jasmine is a Consumer Tester (Beauty) at the Good Housekeeping Institute with a masters degree in Cosmetic Science. She is using her years of product testing experience; market research knowledge and technical lab skills in the GHI beauty labs.
Outside of work she is an avid foodie and also enjoys vlogging whilst exploring and travelling around the world. She has even travelled to Finland to find out what consumers want and love about their beauty products!
