iS Clinical Body Complex Review

iS Clinical Body Complex is a fast-absorbing, lightly fragranced body lotion built around Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate and willow bark extract, positioned by the brand as a treatment for dry, rough and compromised skin rather than a standard moisturiser. iS Clinical also positions it — as its own claim, not medical advice — for use alongside psoriasis and eczema management.

What is Body Complex?

Body Complex sits in iS Clinical's body-care range as a treatment lotion rather than a simple moisturiser, aimed at dry, rough or compromised skin on areas like elbows, knees, shins and hands. It's positioned for everyday dry-skin use and for comforting skin around professional treatments. For the rest of the range, see our iS Clinical reviews hub.

Key ingredients

According to iS Clinical's own product description, Body Complex is built around:

• Sodium Hyaluronate, a hydrating humectant that helps draw moisture into the skin
• Willow Bark (Salix Alba) Extract, used here for its gentle exfoliating and soothing properties
• Retinyl Palmitate, a milder ester form of vitamin A
• Lactic Acid and other natural fruit acids, for gentle exfoliation

The brand also lists Aloe Vera and Green Tea Extract as calming botanicals, and describes the formula as lightly fragranced with notes of blood orange and jasmine — so this isn't a fragrance-free product, which is worth knowing if you're choosing for very reactive skin.

What it's formulated to help with

Per iS Clinical's own description, Body Complex is designed to:

• Help improve the appearance of dry, rough or compromised skin texture on the body
• Provide hydration alongside gentle exfoliation from its natural fruit acids
• Soothe visible irritation with calming botanical extracts
• Help improve the appearance of fine lines and skin firmness with consistent use

These are the brand's own stated aims. We haven't seen independent clinical data behind them, so we've kept this section to what iS Clinical states on its own product page, rather than adding percentage figures or "clinically proven" language of our own.

Psoriasis and eczema-prone skin

iS Clinical positions Body Complex as suitable for use alongside compromised skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema management, according to the brand's own product information. This is the brand's positioning, not medical advice from us — if you're managing either condition, please check with your dermatologist or GP before introducing any new product to affected skin.

How to use it, and price

Body Complex is a lightweight, non-greasy lotion designed to absorb quickly, so it works well for daily use on dry or rough areas such as elbows, knees and shins. It comes in a single 180g size, priced at £75. As with any product containing a retinoid derivative, introduce it gradually if your skin tends to react to new actives. You can shop iS Clinical Body Complex directly.

Body Complex and Youth Body Serum

iS Clinical also makes Youth Body Serum, a lighter, mist-format product the brand suggests pairing with Body Complex for concerns like keratosis pilaris. We haven't built out a full review of it, but it's worth knowing it exists as a complementary step rather than a substitute for Body Complex.

Who it's for

Body Complex suits anyone with dry, rough or compromised body skin — think elbows, knees, shins and hands — who wants a treatment-style lotion rather than a basic moisturiser, including use around professional treatments. For a wider round-up of options in this space, see our best skincare for sensitive and post-procedure skin guide.

Think twice if you have a fragrance sensitivity, given the blood-orange and jasmine notes, or if you've been told to avoid retinoids over larger areas of skin during pregnancy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.

Our verdict

Body Complex is a solid pick for dry, rough or compromised body skin that wants more than a basic moisturiser — the combination of Retinyl Palmitate, hydrating Sodium Hyaluronate and gentle fruit-acid exfoliation is a genuinely different proposition to most body lotions on the shelf. The brand's own suitability claims around psoriasis and eczema management are worth treating as a starting point for a conversation with your dermatologist, not a substitute for one, and anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should check with our team first.

FAQs

Does iS Clinical Body Complex contain retinol?

It contains Retinyl Palmitate, a milder ester form of vitamin A, rather than pure retinol — iS Clinical lists it alongside Sodium Hyaluronate and willow bark extract as one of the formula's key actives.

Is it safe in pregnancy?

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.

Can it be used on psoriasis or eczema-prone skin?

iS Clinical positions Body Complex as suitable for use alongside psoriasis and eczema management, according to its own product information — that's the brand's claim, not medical advice, so check with your dermatologist or GP before use if you're managing either condition.

Does it have a scent?

Yes — iS Clinical describes the formula as lightly fragranced with notes of blood orange and jasmine, so it isn't fragrance-free.

How is it different from a normal body lotion?

iS Clinical positions Body Complex as a treatment rather than a standard moisturiser, combining Retinyl Palmitate and natural fruit acids for gentle exfoliation alongside Sodium Hyaluronate for hydration — most everyday body lotions don't include an exfoliating or retinoid-derivative component.