From skin tints to concealers, our face often serves as a blank canvas for experimenting with new beauty products. However, the rest of our skin needs love (and hydration), too. Body serums are having a moment and make a great addition to any skin care arsenal with their various anti-aging benefits.
"A body serum is a lightweight, concentrated topical treatment designed to deliver active ingredients to larger areas of skin below the neck," explains Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, a top cosmetic and medical dermatologist at Newport Beach Dermatology & Plastic Surgery. "Body serums can be used to treat dryness, dullness, pigmentation, laxity and crepiness and more."
Along with Murphy-Rose, we also consulted Dr. Robert Finney, a New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist, and Catie Boucher, a dermatology nurse practitioner, to help us identify what to look for specifically in a body serum, as well as share their go-to products for softer, firmer skin.
Why are body serums trending?
Body serums are all the rage on TikTok and, according to skin care experts, more popular than ever. "I have been working in dermatology and aesthetics for the last 13 years and I’ve definitely noticed that body products are on the rise," says Boucher.
She attributes this sudden demand to women experiencing hormonal changes earlier than they were a decade ago. "As someone experiencing these skin changes in real time, I completely understand why women are reaching for products that target the body in addition to the face."
"I’ve tried at least a dozen body products over the last two years to help with texture, hydration and the crepey skin that seemed to appear overnight thanks to hormonal shifts. I never thought I’d be using a body product religiously at 37, and now I’m using two," Boucher says.
What to look for in a body serum
When it comes to what to look for in a body serum, experts recommend paying acute attention to the list of ingredients. "There are several ingredients that have been shown to texturally improve skin quality, provide hydration and strengthen the skin’s barrier function," Boucher suggests. "Chemical exfoliants such as glycolic acid and lactic acid help exfoliate dead skin cells and improve the overall look and feel of the skin."
"Retinoids are another category that increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, which helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles not only on the face but on the body as well," Boucher notes.
Ceramides, hyaluronic acid and peptides are also key ingredients to look for in a body serum. "Ceramides help with barrier repair, hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture and certain peptides have been shown to support firmness and elasticity," she mentions. "Most body products contain a combination of the ingredients listed above to improve the appearance of the skin beyond the face."
The best body serums, recommended by experts
"We all know how great retinol can be," says Finney. "It not only helps reduce acne and dark marks, it also effectively builds collagen to firm up skin and smooth out wrinkles. This formula is made for the body, with other good ingredients to hydrate and soothe. The price point being under $20 is great, as well."
This lightweight serum is designed to smooth wrinkles and offers a refreshing scent of nectarine and green tea leaves. "Packed with hyaluronic acid, caffeine and marine algae, this fast-absorbing serum works to hydrate and firm," explains Murphy-Rose.
"This minimalist, fragrance-free serum is a top pick for hydration and skin barrier support," states Murphy-Rose. "Formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides, it absorbs instantly and layers well under your moisturizing cream or lotion."
Murphy-Rose also swears by this skin-softening body serum that should be applied at night. "This formula combines argan oil, vitamin C and peptides for a luxurious treatment that firms and smooths," she says. "It's silky, dry-oil texture leaves skin moisturized and nourished."
"At night, I use a product by Skinbetter called AlphaRet Body," notes Boucher. "It’s a retinoid specifically formulated for the thicker skin on the body. Retinoids increase cell turnover and are well studied for their anti-aging benefits. In addition to the retinoid, it also includes ammonium lactate, which helps exfoliate and hydrate the skin at the same time."
The best body serums, tested by editors
Jude Bender, mother of senior editor Jess Bender, recently tested this lightweight serum which won best value serum for our Shop TODAY 2025 Beauty Awards. "Naturium is a great product leaving skin hydrated," she says. "Also, it is a gluten-free, vegan product that many consumers look for."
"I've been wanting to try skin care products with urea because, from my understanding, urea is really good for moisturizing and hydrating dry skin," states associate editor Kamari Stewart. "As a dry skin girly with the eczema to boot, I love a good hydrating and nourishing product. I'm a big fan of Naturium's other products and proud to say that this one doesn't disappoint! My fiancé has mentioned no less than five times how soft my skin feels since I started using this product. I really notice the difference using it on my feet," she notes.
“Truly a summer skin must-have,” notes commerce editor Vivien Moon. “This lightweight serum has a beautiful finish and is such a stellar product to incorporate into my routine when I don’t want something as thick and heavy as a lotion,” she says. “While it pumps out like a lightweight lotion, it quickly becomes a serum that glides beautifully. And one or two pumps isn’t too little either, one can easily cover my whole arm in the nourishing serum," she continues.
"I am especially happy that it’s unscented because it allows for my perfume to stand out. Can’t recommend it enough for those looking to nourish and hydrate their skin without feeling greasy or like you’re wearing a lot," explains Moon.
"I've never been more committed to applying a product as I was with this," raves editor Rebecca Brown. "Hyaluronic lotions and serums are notoriously sticky. This just isn't sticky. I leave it in my closet and apply it after the shower, before bed and before getting dressed in the morning. It feels wonderful on my skin."
Production associate Audrey Ekman also recently tried this Osea serum and was pleasantly surprised with her results. "I was skeptical of the difference that adding a hyaluronic acid serum into my body care routine could make, but my skin instantly feels moisturized when I swipe this formula on damp skin after a shower," she explains.
"I don't use it after every shower, but when I want to treat myself to some self-care, layering it under a body butter feels like the ultimate nourishing routine. It's amazing for post-beach day in summer, when I want to soothe skin after a day in the sun and sand and boost hydration. I've also noticed a reduction in ingrown hairs since I've been using it more!" raves Ekman.
Jess Bender is a big fan of this Seascape Ceramide Body Serum that she refers to as a "godsend" during the winter. "Now that I'm showing off my legs more during the summer, this has also been in regular rotation during my post-shower routine, too," she explains.
"Texturally speaking, it toes the line between a body oil and moisturizer — it's not too light, but not too heavy," she suggests. "I like to slab it on right after I get out of cleansing myself to give myself a hydration boost right out of the bat before I apply additional moisturizer right on top of it. The end results are nothing short of dreamy; my legs end up feeling next-level soft."
Frequently asked questions
"In order to achieve best results, Murphy-Rose recommends consistent use — either daily or three times a week, as tolerated.
Murphy-Rose explains that body serums are designed in larger formats with effective, skin-safe concentrations of active ingredients for broader areas. In other words, what may be safe to use on your body isn’t necessarily recommended for a face serum, so be sure to consult your dermatologist if you have any questions.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best body serums by enlisting the recommendations of two board-certified dermatologists as well as a board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner. We also asked our editors to share a few of their tried-and-true favorite products, including a few winners from our 2025 Beauty Awards.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, is a top cosmetic and medical dermatologist specializing in facial rejuvenation in Newport Beach, CA at Newport Beach Dermatology & Plastic Surgery. She is also the founder of Skincare Junkie.
- Catie Boucher, FNP-C, DCNP, is a board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner and founder of SavvyDerm.
- Dr. Robert Finney, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and founder of Soho Skin and Hair Restoration.
