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As the popularity of a 10-step facial skin-care routine starts to wither, attention has now turned to the skin below our necks. Body serums are booming right now, but as someone who once used any body wash on hand and haphazardly slathered on lotion without so much of a thought, I scrolled right past this new-ish category—at first. As my inbox filled with press releases—a vitamin C gel for brightening dull skin; hyaluronic acid formulas for deep hydration; retinol-powered serums for wrinkles—I had a sinking feeling I’d been doing the vast majority of my skin a major disservice.
When we talk about serums, we’re referring to lightweight formulas with high concentrations of active ingredients, historically used only on the face. But, if the benefits of these formulas don’t stop at the chin, why would our skin care? If tranexamic acid fades dark marks on the cheek, it’ll fade dark marks on the chest. If retinol gives your face a youthful glow, it’ll do the same for your legs. If niacinamide smooths rough skin on your forehead, it’ll smooth rough skin on your arms. And so on.
After trying a couple of hyaluronic acid–powered body serums, I’ll never look back. My skin feels so much softer and looks less crepey. I love that body serum textures range from mists to gels, all of which are incredibly light and fast-absorbing. Some formulas have replaced my need for lotion altogether, especially in the summer months.
I invite you to join me in giving all the skin on our bodies the TLC they deserve. Keep reading for 15 body serums that address every skin concern and help skin glow from head to toe.
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Nécessaire’s newest body serum has a light, fast-absorbing gel texture and uses a 2.5-percent concentration of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (aka THD ascorbate, a highly active form of vitamin C that’s said to be more stable than L-ascorbic acid) with tranexamic acid to not only brighten skin, but also diminish dark marks.
Key ingredients
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Enzymes, Tranexamic Acid, Terracotta, Niacinamide
Best for
Dull skin, sun spots, age spots
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The superstar ingredient in Nécessaire’s OG body serum is hyaluronic acid (specifically five molecular weights of hyaluronic acid), a top dermatologist-recommended ingredient if you’re looking for more hydrated, plumper, dewier-looking skin. All skin types will love the formula—it’s fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic (aka it won’t clog pores).
Award Photo: The Body Serum Key ingredients
Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide
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Another hyaluronic acid–rich body serum comes from clean beauty staple OSEA, who adds vegan peptides and nutrient-rich seaweed to its oil-free, fragrance-free formula. Layer this one underneath your favorite lotion or body cream—it absorbs so quickly and sits perfectly under other products without making a greasy mess.
Key ingredients
Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, Vegan peptides, Green microalgae, Blue-green algae, Aloe
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With 0.25 percent pure retinol and five percent niacinamide, Soft Services’ Software Update help speed up the collagen-regeneration process, decrease wrinkles, diminish breakouts and prevent signs of aging—basically improving skin to look and feel like it should at its peak. For best results, apply a thin layer before bed under your regular body moisturizers. Pro tip: retinol increases photosensitivity to the sun, so SPF daily is a must.
Key ingredients
Retinol, Niacinamide, Glycerin
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When a regular body lotion isn’t cutting it to give you the glowy skin you seek, try this head-to-toe serum from Paula’s Choice that features 5 percent niacinamide (among vitamin B5 and prickly pear extract). Niacinamide is an all-star ingredient with a long list of pros that include brightening dull skin, calming redness, blurring large pores, softening fine lines, fading stubborn marks and smoothing rough texture.
Key ingredients
Niacinamide, D-panthenol, Prickly pear extract
Best for
Smoothing rough, uneven skin and fading hyperpigmentation
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Say goodbye to strawberry skin. A lineup of retinol, lactic and glycolic acids, squalane and urea combine in this milky body serum to soften skin texture and exfoliate away dry or rough patches, bumps and dead skin cells.
Key ingredients
Retinol, Squalane, Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Urea
Best for
Those with bumpy or rough skin, due to chronic skin conditions like keratosis pilaris (KP) or acne
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For a plant-based full-body exfoliator, Tata Harper’s serum is enriched with vitamin C, vitamin A, AHA superfruits and hyaluronic acid to smooth and brighten for a healthy-looking glow.
Key ingredients
AHA superfruit blend, Kakadu plum (natural vitamin C) and Cacay oil (plant-derived vitamin A)
Best for
Dryness, brightening dull skin and smoothing uneven texture
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Serums are notoriously lightweight and fast-absorbing, but iS Clinical’s mist format takes the serum even lighter. Hyaluronic acid and a slew of antioxidants like blue micro-algae and watermelon extract hydrate and protect skin from free radical damage (which can lead to signs of premature aging).
Key ingredients
Hyaluronic acid, Panthenol, Blue mirco-algae extract, Watermelon extract
Best for
Those who don’t like the texture of serums
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Speaking of sprays, another great option comes from Greek apothecary brand Korres. Harness the power of shea butter to improve smoothness and reduce the look of crepey skin anywhere on the body.
Key ingredients
Shea butter, Olive oil, Honeysuckle flower extract, Panthenol
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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.
Key ingredients
Granactive retinoid, Hydronesis™, Vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate)
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With a powerful concentration of 21 percent glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids, this body treatment expertly smooths skin, clears acne, prevents ingrown hairs and “lifts” dryness and discoloration.
Key ingredients
Glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids
Best for
Those with rough, dry and flaky skin, including keratosis pilaris (KP)
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Designed to sculpt and firm skin from the neck down, MUTHA’s Body Contour Serum does a pretty remarkable job for a topical treatment at visibly reducing cellulite, according to reviews. Thanks to its powerful cocktail of AHAs, ceramides and niacinamide, it’s also a supercharged exfoliator—100 percent of participants in a clinical trial said the serum left their skin noticeable smoother.
Key ingredients
Aloe, Squalane, Caffeine, Niacinamide, Ceramides, Lactic acid, Botanical extracts
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This lightweight treatment is so hydrating it can replace your daily body lotion and—bonus—your face serum too. Made with a unique marine complex, Australian lime caviar and kakadu plum, it has all the hydrating, exfoliating and brightening ingredients you need for an unbeatable glow.
Key ingredients
Aloe, Kakadu plum extract, Neem flower extract, Algae extracts, Panthenol
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RéVive’s overnight body serum is a true multipurpose anti-aging treatment. It moisturizes and exfoliates with hyaluronic acid and AHAs, respectively, and goes to work on wrinkles with ingredients like niacinamide and firming proteins. Come morning, skin is smoother, more supple and wrinkles look noticeably softer.
Key ingredients
Glycolic and lactic acids, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Proteins
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Shoppers in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond praise Clarins’ Body Serum for eliminating dryness, absorbing quickly, and leaving mature skin “smooth and silky.” Designed to “restore radiance to slackened skin,” the formula uses natural plant extracts and acids to target common skin issues that develop as we age.
Key ingredients
Water Lily and Christophine extracts, Hibiscus flower acids
