If you’re battling common skin care concerns on your body, a body wash and lotion may not be enough. That’s where body serums come into play. Like a serum you may use on your face, body serums are lightweight products that have an active ingredient giving it a specific function, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Li of Boston Derm Advocate, a digital platform dedicated to exploring evidence-based skincare. For example, retinol body serums will help with firm the skin and reduce fine lines while hyaluronic acid body serums will combat dryness.
I spoke with board-certified dermatologists to learn more about how to find the best formula for your skin type and what to remember when shopping. I also put these body serums to the test, and with the help of other NBC Select staff, to curate a list of the best options on the market right now.
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To find the best body serums for you, our experts recommend keeping the following in mind:
- Function: Not all body serums are designed to benefit all skin types equally. For example, if you have mature skin and want to address fine lines on your body, you may want a formula designed to firm the skin. Our list has various serums, each with specific functions like hydrating, smoothing, firming and more.
- Ingredients: If you’re using your body serum for hydration, look for one with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Niacinamide and retinol-based ingredients may help target redness or discoloration. If you’re looking to exfoliate, consider something that has lactic acid or other exfoliants, according to Li. We have options with all of the above on this list.
- Price: Unlike body washes and lotions, body serums tend to retail at a higher price. “I would recommend trying a sample before making an expensive purchase,” says Li. “Serums are formulated differently and with numerous compounds, so you want to use a small amount on your arm before applying all over in case it triggers allergic contact dermatitis.” This list has options as low as $20 and as high as $155. Some of the higher-priced serums also come in travel-size options as well.
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Best overall: Osea Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum
What we like
- Suitable for all skin types
- Pump is easy to control
- Fragrance-free
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
This is by far my favorite body serum of all time — my skin’s never felt as moisturized as it has when I use this. It has such a creamy texture that mimics the feel of a lotion, but it’s so lightweight and absorbs easily and quickly into my skin, giving it that serum quality. I also love how hydrating it is. I can wear it without applying lotion on top as a second step, and my skin doesn’t feel or look dry. It’s also safe for my eczema-prone skin since it also has the National Eczema Association’s (NEA) Seal of Acceptance.
Best overnight serum: Soft Services Software Update Performance Retinol Serum
What we like
- No residue or white cast
- Creamy consistency
Something to note
- Not pregnancy-safe
- Not for sensitive skin
- Have to use at night
This overnight treatment uses retinol, niacinamide and glycerin to increase collagen production to improve fine lines and dull skin, and even the skin’s tone and texture. “I’ve never used a body serum before, and for some reason, I expected them all to be oily,” says NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin, who was sent a sample by the brand. “But this one isn’t at all. It has a lightweight milky texture, and when I rub it into my skin, it absorbs in seconds.”
NBC Select social media commerce editor Sadhana Daruvuri is also a fan: “It blended in quickly and didn’t leave any sort of white cast,” she says. “It also left my skin feeling a little softer immediately after applying it, and I didn’t experience any kind of irritation.” Since it has retinol in it, you’ll only want to use this at night and to avoid irritation, apply it once a week and gradually build up the frequency of how often you use it depending on your skin’s tolerance, according to the brand.
Best smoothing: Byoma Smoothing Body Serum
What we like
- Blends easily
- Leaves skin soft
- Lower price point
Something to note
- Pump is difficult to lock
- Has added fragrance
Struggling with body acne, including blemishes on her shoulders and back, NBC Select social media assistant Caitlin Cusack uses this lightweight body serum to target and improve that area after being sent a sample by the brand. “My skin always feels smoother immediately after I use this product,” she says. “I tend to get body acne breakouts, especially in the summer, but I’ve noticed that my breakouts haven’t been as severe in some areas and my skin looks brighter and less red overall.” The succinic acid in the serum works to reduce the appearance of breakouts and unclog pores, while the blue tansy in it reduces redness, according to the brand.
Most hydrating: Nécessaire The Body Serum
What we like
- Non-greasy
- Noncomedogenic
- Has NEA Seal of Acceptance
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
This hypoallergenic body serum has five types of hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump all skin types, including especially dry skin types, according to the brand. “I was initially nervous by how thick it goes on (a little goes a long way), but it dried into my skin really nicely with no residue, which is what I look for as someone with darker skin,” says NBC Select contributor Mikhaila Archer. “I love a targeted body product, as I often forget to apply the same level of care as I do [to my body] with my facial routine, so this is something I feel more inclined to use each night.”
Best splurge: Omorovizca Body Serum
What we like
- Suitable for all skin types
- Hydrating
- Evens out tone and texture
Something to note
- Not fast absorbing
- Only dispenses a tiny amount
NBC Select’s senior social media editor, Rosalie Sparaco, was sent a sample to try and says this body serum feels luxurious and it’s equally as hydrating as a body lotion. After applying it, her skin looks visibly fresher and tighter, she says.
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio (who also received this sample from the brand) tried and liked the serum, particularly because despite its fragrance, it was nonirritating on her sensitive skin. “I thought the citrus scent was great yet very subtle, and it didn’t irritate my rosacea-prone skin like some scented products do,” she says. “Plus, it leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft.” Godio recommends taking the time to fully massage the product into the skin to allow it to fully absorb and not leave behind a white residue.
Best firming: Mutha Body Contour Serum
What we like
- Suitable for all skin types
- Improves circulation
- Subtle scent
Something to note
- Tingling sensation
This firming serum helps smooth and tighten the skin with chemical exfoliants, including alpha-hydroxy acids, according to Mutha, the brand behind some of our favorite body care items. Reviewers say that they felt an initial tingle after applying it, and that it left their skin soft, smooth, and firmer-looking after weeks of consistent use.
Best brightening: Tata Harper Resurfacing Body Serum
What we like
- Fast absorbing
- Easy to use
- A little goes a long way
Something to note
- Higher price point
I don’t exfoliate my sensitive skin every day, but when I do, I love using this creamy serum to help even out the texture and reduce bumps on my legs, especially after shaving. I add a few pumps and work it from my neck down to my toes right after the shower (I find it’s best when my skin is a little wet still), and my skin immediately looks brighter, less dull, and softer. Its formula has alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C, peptides and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate, brighten and even out skin texture, according to the brand.
Best for skin barrier health: Dime Boosting Body Serum
What we like
- Strengthens the skin barrier
- Minimizes look of blemishes
- Reduces inflammation
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
This body serum is a favorite of NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez because it’s fast-absorbing, completely colorless, fragrance-free and non-irritating on all skin types. “I really enjoyed using the Dime body serum because it wasn’t sticky or goopy, and it melted onto my skin easily, even on my arm, which has a decent amount of hair on them,” he says. (The brand sent him a courtesy sample to test.)
Best budget: Good Molecules B5 Hydrating Body Serum
What we like
- Suitable for all skin types
- Fragrance-free
- Supports skin barrier
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Good Molecules makes “excellent” products all around and their hydrating body serum yieldsgood results, says Li. Its formula has ingredients like panthenol to improve skin barrier function and moisture retention, polyglutamic acid for hydration and beta-glucan to soothe the skin, according to the brand.
Best preventative serum: iS Clinical Youth Body Serum
What we like
- Mist nozzle
- Available in travel size
Something to note
- Higher price point
- Strong scent
Unlike other serums on our list with pump packaging, this one has a mist nozzle. “It’s really controlled and not a lot comes out at once, which is nice,” says NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider, who received a sample from the brand. “It gives you a lot of control, but if you’re spraying large surfaces, including your legs, you may need to spray more.”Keep in mind it has a strong root beer-esque scent, according to Schneider, so it may not be best for everyone.
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Here’s what our experts recommend keeping in mind:
- If you have dry skin: Look for formulas that will hydrate and moisturize the skin. Some ingredients that will help with this include glycerin, a humectant ingredient that attracts water and hyaluronic acid, which is great for all skin types (especially dry, sensitive and mature skin) because it can give the skin more of a plump and hydrated appearance.
- If you have normal skin: Focus on choosing a body serum that will maintain your skin and support the skin barrier. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid and even niacinamide can help. Niacinamide is a valuable ingredient for many skin types because it has the ability to reduce inflammation, redness, discoloration, and pores and keep the skin balanced.
- If you have dull skin: Consider body serums that are brightening or have a glowing effect. To do so, look for formulas with niacinamide, which caneven skin tone, as well as vitamin C, which can reduce redness and improve discoloration and hyperpigmentation, according to experts in our guide to the best vitamin C serums.
- If you have oily/acne-prone skin: Oily and acne-prone skin will want a body serum targeting oil production, combating acne and improving texture. This skin type may benefit from something like salicylic acid, which gently exfoliates the skin. This ingredient is also great at combating chest and back acne.
- If you have mature skin: You will want a body serum that improves collagen production, firms the skin or reduces the appearance of fine lines. In these formulas, you will most likely find ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. You also want to look for vitamin A-based ingredients like retinols and other derivatives since they stimulate collagen and reduce fine lines.
Frequently asked questions
Serums are usually formulated to deliver a potent concentrate of ingredients to address specific skin needs and have a liquid or gel-like consistency, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nathan Newman.
Compared to other body care items, creams are thicker, more moisturizing, and improve the skin’s protective barrier function. At the same time, lotions are lighter and more fluid versions of creams to allow easier application over large surface areas of the skin, he says.
Body serums should complement — not replace — your go-to body cream or lotion, according to Newman.
It depends on where you plan to apply the serum. Serums made for the face are designed explicitly for this thin layer of skin, so for it to be effective on your body, you’d need to apply it to thinner areas of skin, like the back of your hand. A facial serum likely won’t have enough concentrated ingredients for them to penetrate thicker areas of skin on your body and show visible benefits, says Newman.
No, but it can be beneficial. For balanced and healthy skin, a gentle body wash and lotion may suffice, but for oily, acne-prone, dry or sensitive skin types serums may help address any skin imbalances and improve texture and appearance, according to Newman.
Generally, serums are most effective when applied on clean skin post-shower to allow optimal penetration, followed by your cream or lotion, according to Newman.
If the body serum you’re using is explicitly targeting something (for example, scars, stretch marks or discoloration), then you should wait for it to fully dry before applying a moisturizer because doing so may dilute or render the serum less effective, according to Li.
However, if you’re using a body serum that’s hydrating enough, you don’t necessarily need to apply a lotion or cream on top, says Li. For those with dry, sensitive and mature skin, using both a serum and a moisturizer helps the critical ingredients of the serum penetrate deeper and last longer on the skin, while also improving hydration and skin barrier protection, he says.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. David Li is a board-certified dermatologist and operator of Boston Derm Advocate, a digital platform dedicated to the exploration of evidence-based skin care.
- Dr. Nathan Newman is a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon.
I am an associate reporter covering skin care and hair care, including recent stories on the best eye creams and the best eczema lotions. For this story, I interviewed dermatologists, shared their recommendations as well as NBC Select-staff favorites that met their guidance. Our staff tested more than 15 body serums for this story; we only included the best options we had the most success with and thinkare worth knowing about.
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Bianca Alvarez
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter at NBC Select.
