Face serums have long been an essential in most skin-care routines, but increasingly, those same high-performance, lightweight formulas are making their way below the neck. And the data proves it: According to Spate, body serums have grown more than 88 percent compared to last year across platforms, driven largely by TikTok, where the category has grown nearly 120 percent year-over-year and generates more than one million average weekly views.
Body serums differ from body lotions in that they’re lighter and tend to target specific concerns, from dryness and uneven tone to crepey skin and loss of firmness. “A body serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing skin-care product designed for the body, typically formulated with a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to traditional body lotions,” says Miami dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD.
And yes, well-formulated body serums really do work. Dr. Chacon says body serums can help improve hydration, texture and tone over time, especially when formulated with proven ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin C and exfoliating acids. Think of them as a complement to body lotions, rather than a replacement. “Body serums are more targeted treatments, while body lotions are primarily designed to hydrate and seal in moisture,” she says. For best results, she recommends layering them: serum first, then moisturizer to lock everything in.
Ahead, the best body serums we’ve tested—vetted by our editors, informed by reader favorites and dermatologist recommendations.
The 12 Best Body Serums to Try in 2026
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For skin that needs an extra hit of hydration, Naturium’s milky body serum (another NewBeauty Award winner) delivers. Urea supports the skin barrier and softens rough skin, while amino acids and glycerin work to smooth and plump.
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Formulated with the brand’s proprietary NX35 exosome technology, this fast-absorbing gel serum targets the appearance of stretch marks while working to firm and contour skin.
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The star ingredient in Nécessaire’s original body serum is hyaluronic acid— five molecular weights of it—making it a go-to for more hydrated, plumper-looking skin. The formula is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, and Dr. Chacon notes it’s “well-tolerated even by sensitive skin types.”
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Another hyaluronic acid–rich option, this time from clean beauty staple OSEA, which adds vegan peptides and nutrient-rich seaweed to its oil-free, fragrance-free formula. It absorbs fast and layers seamlessly under your favorite lotion or body cream. Dr. Chacon like that it’s “lightweight and hydrating with a focus on plumping and improving skin texture,” ideal for anyone after a dewier finish.
BUY ON OSEA – $48
BUY ON CREDO – $48
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With 0.25 percent pure retinol and five percent niacinamide, Soft Services’ Software Update helps speed up collagen regeneration, decrease wrinkles, diminish breakouts and prevent signs of aging. Apply a thin layer before bed under your regular body moisturizer. One note: retinol increases sun sensitivity, so daily SPF is non-negotiable.
BUY ON SOFT SERVICES – $44
BUY ON SEPHORA – $44
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When a regular body lotion isn’t cutting it, this head-to-toe serum from Paula’s Choice delivers. Featuring five percent niacinamide alongside vitamin B5 and prickly pear extract, it brightens dull skin, calms redness, minimizes pores, softens fine lines, fades stubborn marks and smooths rough texture (pretty much everything you’d want a body serum to do).
BUY ON PAULA’S CHOICE – $32
BUY ON AMAZON – $32
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For a plant-based full-body exfoliator, Tata Harper’s serum combines vitamin C, vitamin A, AHA superfruits and hyaluronic acid to smooth, brighten and deliver a healthy-looking glow.
BUY ON AMAZON – $148
BUY ON TATA HARPER – $148
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Serums are notoriously lightweight, but iS Clinical’s mist format takes it one step further. Hyaluronic acid and antioxidants like blue micro-algae and watermelon extract hydrate and protect against free radical damage, helping to ward off premature signs of aging.
BUY ON DERMSTORE – $130
BUY ON AMAZON – $130
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Whether you’re looking to visibly smooth bumps, firm aging skin, brighten dark spots or even fade stretch marks, the Body Reform Treatment Serum from celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden has your (literal) back. It’s formulated with 2 percent granactive retinoid (to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles) plus vitamin C for brightening.
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RéVive’s overnight body serum pulls triple duty—moisturizing with hyaluronic acid, exfoliating with AHAs and targeting wrinkles with niacinamide and firming proteins. Come morning, skin is smoother, more supple and wrinkles look noticeably softer.
BUY ON SAKS FIFTH AVENUE – $215
