By Michelle Rostamian, Deanna Pai, and Annie Blackman
The best body serums take your skin-care routine to the next level. Yes, you have a tried and true routine for your face but don't neglect what's below the neck. While some of these body serum formulas can be used in conjunction with your standard body butter or lotion, other formulas can simplify your regimen, especially for those who prefer a more streamlined, minimalistic approach to body care without sacrificing benefits like hydration, barrier protection, tightening effects, and beyond. We spoke to editors and dermatologists about the best body serums and rounded up a tried-and-true list for your shopping pleasure.
Best Body Serum Overall: Nécessaire The Body Serum
Why it's worth it: Married to your body lotion? One use of Nécessaire's The Body Serum is all it'll take to kick your traditional creams to the curb (though you can layer this serum underneath your faves, too). This fragrance-free (and sensitive skin-friendly) formula delivers on its promise of more hydrated skin thanks to its use of hyaluronic acid, which "helps to bind water to collagen, trapping it in the skin, so that skin can appear plumper, dewier, and more hydrated," as Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, previously explained to Allure, and barrier-strengthening ceramides. Plus, this formula is non-comedogenic so it won't clog pores if you're prone to body acne.
Tester feedback: "If you have the patience of a goldfish when it comes to moisturizing your body, this body serum is truly a necessity," says commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann. "It melts into your skin and absorbs in literally 10 seconds without requiring any serious elbow grease to work in, which is the exact amount of time and effort I'm willing to put in for body care on my lazier days."
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides | Who it's for: everyone | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Firming Body Serum: Mutha Body Contour Serum
Why it's worth it: While no topical product can actually erase cellulite, Mutha's Body Contour Serum comes pretty darn close, thanks to its ability to tighten and firm lax skin below the neck. It deploys a blend of alpha hydroxy acids to resurface the skin and clear the way for other actives, which include caffeine to boost microcirculation and niacinamide to smooth skin. Together (and with regular use), they can help dimples look less noticeable. Try layering it beneath the Mutha Body Butter, which we consider among the best body butters for its ability to seal moisture into the skin.
Key ingredients: lactic acid, caffeine, niacinamide | Who it's for: those with lax, crepey skin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Serum for Sensitive Skin: SkinCeuticals Body Retexturizing Treatment
SkinCeuticals
Why it's worth it: "Effective" sometimes gets mistaken for "aggressive," but SkinCeuticals Body Retexturizing Treatment proves that that's not always the case. Designed for rough areas of the body, like the knees and elbows, it uses a whopping 20% concentration of a blend of hydroxyethyl urea and amino sulfonic acid, a patented combo that helps stimulate exfoliation and soften skin. This gel cream also contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to soothe and hydrate skin, making it supremely gentle even on sensitive types. If that complex sounds familiar, that's because it's the same active that powers the brand's Retexturizing Activator, which offers the same benefits for your face.
Key ingredients: hydroxyethyl urea, aminosulfonic acid compound, niacinamide | Who it's for: people with rough, dry areas, or sensitive skin types | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Serum for Acne: Philosophy Resurfacing Body Serum
Philosophy
Ultimate Miracle Worker Resurfacing Body Serum
Why it's worth it: You don't need a degree in philosophy to know that the Resurfacing Body Serum has the answers. This serum from Philosophy cuts down on crepiness and plumps, tightens, and evens out tone. Grafted hyaluronic acid (a more stable form of the molecule), peptides, a proprietary enzyme complex, and encapsulated retinol (which ends up being less irritating) work together to repair your skin barrier and soften the signs of maturing. Even if you aren't experiencing mature skin concerns, you can still benefit from all the goodness in the formula—especially if you have acne.
Tester feedback: Commerce writer Jen Hussein can't get enough. “I've gone through two bottles of this magnificent body serum, and number three is already halfway through. This retinol-powered serum has completely transformed my acne- and hyperpigmentation-prone skin for the better—my shoulders and back, which used to be laden in pimples and post-acne discoloration, are clearer than ever," she explains. "This serum has a light, non-sticky texture that also layers well with my favorite nighttime body cream, First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Body Lotion.”
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, enzyme complex | Who it's for: people with body acne | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Serum for Uneven Texture: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum
Topicals
Slather Exfoliating Body Serum
Why it's worth it: Thought retinol was just for your face? Think again. Topicals' Slather Exfoliating Body Serum employs retinol's smoothing and toning properties alongside a star-studded lineup of squalane, urea, and lactic and glycolic acids to alleviate a plethora of skin concerns such as rough patches (including keratosis pilaris or KP), and overall dehydration. What's more, the milky consistency is probably closer to what you're used to using on your body, making it a solid introductory product for those just dipping their toes into the world of body serums. Since you're using retinol on your body, it's extra important to remember to apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 from head to toe, too.
Tester feedback: "Even as a beauty editor, it used to feel counterintuitive to rub body lotion over my clogged and bumpy KP-prone arms. That was until I began using a chemical exfoliating serum like this one from Topicals," explains Talia Gutierrez, associate special projects manager. "The texture is more like a lightweight body lotion that dispenses white, but after slathering a generous dollop onto my palm and rubbing along my arms and chest, the product fully absorbs into my brown skin." She applies it twice a day, morning and night, and enjoys smooth, bump-free arms as a result.
Key ingredients: retinol, squalane, lactic acid | Who it's for: those with bumps, roughness, or body acne | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Serum for Bumps: InnBeauty Project Bright & Smooth Body Serum
InnBeauty
Project Bright & Smooth Body Serum
Why it's worth it: InnBeauty Project's Bright & Smooth Body Serum is the real deal. In(n) this peach-colored bottle you'll find a mélange of skin-loving ingredients that target "strawberry" textured patches on the body. We're talking AHA and BHA, tranexamic acid, papain, and vitamin C. It goes on silky smooth, with no residue left behind. Remember, though, that if you have sensitive skin, the high concentration of acids may be a bit too harsh. Make sure you patch test before you apply all over, or play it safe with only once-a-day usage (rather than AM and PM).
Tester feedback: "I don't think any OTC product can completely get rid of keratosis pilaris (KP), but this serum definitely makes a dent in the hyperpigmentation KP causes on the back of my arms," raves content director Kara McGrath. "It also has a nice, lightweight texture that layers well under my usual body lotion."
Key ingredients: AHA and BHA, tranexamic acid, papain, vitamin C | Who it's for: people with bumpy, rough skin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Fragranced Body Serum: Sidia Braless The Body Serum
Sidia
Braless The Body Serum
Why it's worth it: Sidia's Braless The Body Serum is everything we love about a body serum, bottled up in a little black spray bottle. With a lightweight formula packed with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and prickly pear extract, this hydrating potion goes on easily, is fast-absorbing, and leaves behind long-lastingly soft skin. The serum is fragranced with the brand's signature Braless scent—a mix of guaiac wood, cashmere musks, amber, and bamboo.
Tester feedback: Senior beauty editor Paige Stables is a huge fan. "Sidia's The Body Serum feels lightweight when I mist it on, but it's packed with skin-softening ingredients—like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea, and avocado oil—that go heavy on hydration and keep my skin silky. And the spray bottle design makes for the easiest, mess-free application."
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin, sunflower seed oil | Who it's for: people who want a scented experience | Fragrance-free: no
Best Fragrance-Free Body Serum: Osea Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum
OSEA
Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum
Why it's worth it: The lovely, lightweight Osea Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum is a fresh breath of skin care. It has a creamy gel texture—not greasy or sticky—but still boasts all the benefits of a serum. This serum is formulated with niacinamide, five different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, and pumped full of multi-talented blue-green algae extract. The result? Long-lasting hydration that goes easy on sensitive skin. BTW, you can layer this body serum with all sorts of products, but ensure the serum is fully absorbed before you start on other parts of your routine.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, blue-green algae | Who it's for: everyone | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Retinol Body Serum: Shani Darden Skin Care Body Reform Treatment Serum
Shani Darden
Skin Care Body Reform Treatment Serum
Why it's worth it: Here at Allure, we get weak in the knees for a good retinol and glycerin blend. But you know what doesn't go weak on our knees? The Shani Darden Skin Care Body Reform Treatment Serum. This formula tackles mature skin concerns like dryness, fine lines, dark spots, and keratosis-pilaris-related bumpiness—gentle all the while. Because of the retinol, which makes skin more prone to UV damage, use this product at night to limit sun exposure.
Tester feedback: "Most retinol formulas leave my skin red and aching the morning after application, but this one houses aloe vera, glycerin, and rosemary leaf extract to hydrate dry skin and soothe, leaving behind fresh-looking skin that's not tight-feeling or itchy every single time I use it," senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen previously wrote. "It's the rare retinol formula that is effective yet gentle, and it boosts its key ingredient with line-smoothing alpha hydroxy acids, too. It does not contain any harsh fragrances that could offset my sensitive skin."
Key ingredients: retinol, glycerin, aloe, rosemary leaf extract, amino acids | Who it's for: people with mature skin, people with keratosis pilaris | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Serum for Discoloration: Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum
Paula's Choice
5% Niacinamide Body Serum
Why it's worth it: With 5% niacinamide (as well as redness-soothing vitamin B5) in tow, this nourishing 5% Niacinamide Body Serum from Paula's Choice is one to get excited about if you're looking to improve discoloration on your skin. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD, also notes niacinamide's ability to regulate oil production, control redness, and repair some signs of sun damage, like spots and scars. We love this product for layering underneath a body cream because its brightening formula is so lightweight that it complements the rest of your body-care routine without causing a thick, sticky mess.
Key ingredients: niacinamide, panthenol, prickly pear extract | Who it's for: those with dark spots or hyperpigmentation | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Serum for Glowing Skin: Iota Body Serum
Iota
Body Serum
Why it's worth it: The super lightweight Iota Body Serum is powered by vitamin-rich red algae, sea moss, and ginseng, which supply a hearty dose of vitamins B1, B2, B12, and E. You'll also find vitamin C provided by dragon fruit and Japanese yuzu and plenty of niacinamide and mandelic acid. Sound good? All of that adds up to a nutrient-boosting experience that helps bolster elasticity, hydration, and glowiness. Go ahead and pair this serum with the flareup-quelling, Best of Beauty-winning Iota Supervitamin Body Wash + Soothing.
Key ingredients: vitamin B, vitamin C, niacinamide, mandelic acid | Who it's for: people with mature skin, people with loss of elasticity | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a body serum?
Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut tells Allure, “Body serums give your skin below the same love that your face gets. We often neglect our body in terms of skin health focusing on the favorite child, the face.” She adds that, “ body serums use actives to address skin concerns, bring out radiance, even out the tone or firm up the limbs and trunk."
Similar to the benefits of face serums, body serums offer a higher concentration of active ingredients and "tend to be less occlusive than body lotions and butters," (a.k.a., less greasy) says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group. So, not only will you find similar actives in body serums as their facial counterparts, such as retinol, niacinamide, and vitamin C, but they also have a more lightweight texture than your standard body cream—offering quick absorption without your skin feeling stick.
Can I use my face serum on my body?
Short answer: no—and for a couple of different reasons. While you may be tempted to slather your favorite face serum over your chest, legs, or arms, remember that the concentration of ingredients in products made for your face is different than those made for your body. "Facial skin has more density of sebaceous glands compared to the body so facial products tend to be formulated lighter [in texture],” Ryan Turner, MD, a board-certified NYC dermatologist and co-founder of TRNR Skin, previously told Allure. So, to adequately moisturize or treat skin concerns on your body, you'll need a different texture or different roundup of actives.
Conversely, concentrations of ingredients in face serums may be too strong for the body, like retinol or salicylic acid. “An active ingredient would be modified for skin on the body versus facial skin,” Dr. Turner explained. “The skin on the body cannot typically tolerate the same strength or type of retinol [for example] as the face.”
