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11 Best Body Serums for Silky, Lightweight Moisture from Head to Toe
If we could put money on it, we'd bet your body-care routine consists of a once- over cleanser in the shower and a quick application of lotion afterward. While there's nothing inherently wrong with a routine like this, we're firm believers that it's important to treat your body with the same TLC you give your face. One way to achieve just that? By including body serums in your routine. Just like face serums are more fluid than face moisturizers, body serums "tend to be less occlusive than body lotions and butters," says New York City-based board- certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group.
But we know what you're thinking — "body serums are just another product to add to my skin-care routine that I don't really need." The truth is, while some formulas can be used in conjunction with your standard body butter or lotion (appealing to the overachiever in some of us), other formulas are meant to replace these other products in your routine, which gives some relief to those who prefer a more streamlined, minimalistic approach to skin care. Either way, body serums offer a more concentrated formula than body lotions, and can offer additional moisture if your skin is lacking it, says Dr. Greenfield.
From Gillette's soothing serum that's a breath of fresh air for shavers to Cay Skin's moisture-driven formula that delivers a deliciously decadent dew, we've rounded up the best body serums for smooth, hydrated, and glowing skin. Be prepared to revel in the smooth skin that awaits.
Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum
With five percent 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. Dr. Greenfield 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 for layering underneath a body cream — because the formula is so lightweight, it plays well with the rest of your body routine without causing a thick, sticky mess.
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum
Thought retinol was just for your face? Think again. Topicals' Slather Exfoliating Body Serum makes use of the celebrated active ingredient and lends its smoothing, toning properties alongside a star-studded lineup of squalane, urea, and lactic and glycolic acids. The combination helps 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 who are just dipping their toes into the world of body serums.
Nécessaire The Body Serum
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 ishonest, and skin-barrier-strengthening ceramides.
Whether you're dealing with the wrath of dry weather conditions or you've simply gone a bit too far with exfoliation (hey, we've all been there), we recommend adding this to your routine, stat.
Agent Nateur Holi (Oil) Youth Body Serum
Agent Nateur's Holi (Oil) Youth Body Serum may cost you a pretty penny, but rest assured, it doesn't get much more luxurious than this. The silky-smooth formula provides a protective veil on your skin à la fatty acid-rich rosehip and Japanese rice bran oil, leaving behind a dewy, non-sticky finish that quickly absorbs into the skin for instant results. If you're dealing with the aftermath of acne, this formula also incorporates helichrysum to improve the appearance of scarring — among the ingredient's other noteworthy benefits like boosting collagen and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Tgin Tea Tree + Olive Oil Hair & Body Serum
You know and love tea tree oil for what it can do for your facial acne, but the ingredient can also work wonders on your body and hair — as evidenced by Tgin's Tea Tree + Olive Oil Hair & Body Serum. According to Dr. Greenfield, tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which "make it helpful if you suffer from inflammatory conditions like eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis." When you're done using this serum on your body, dab some onto your scalp to refresh, relieve itchiness, and banish dandruff.
Gillette Venus Daily Soothing Serum
You know and love them for their razors, but Gilette's Venus Daily Soothing Serum is just as worthy of a spot in your shaving routine, especially if you're prone to dryness or itchiness. The lactic acid sloughs away ingrown-causing dead skin cells anywhere on the body (yes, anywhere — it's gynecologist-tested), while jojoba seed and coconut oil help keep your skin's hydration levels in tip-top shape. Slather it on immediately after shaving to get ahead of the discomfort, or apply it in between shaves to keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated. Smooth (and soothed) skin awaits.
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Body 12% AHA/BHA Resurfacing Night Serum
Nothing dulls your complexion quite like an excess of dead skin cells, which is why Farmacy's Honeymoon Glow Body 12% AHA/BHA Resurfacing Night Serum is a staple for those looking for a boost of radiance. It's made with a cocktail of 10 percent lactic acid and two percent salicylic acid which, when combined, can break apart dead skin cell buildup on the skin, thereby reducing the appearance of small bumps, says Dr. Greenfield. (FYI: you may feel a slight tingle upon application, but don't fret, that's just the exfoliating acids hard at work.)
Sanitas Vitamin C Body Serum
If you're a results-driven person, you'll appreciate this firming body serum from Sanitas. It delivers both short- and long-term benefits thanks to a cocktail of sunflower and jojoba seed oils that douses your skin with moisture immediately, as well as vitamin C to repair UV-related discoloration and even out your skin tone. "Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids in your skin's natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells," New York-based board-certified dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD, previously told ishonest.
Translation: your skin is better equipped to bounce back from things like dark spots and hyperpigmentation if you incorporate a product like Sanitas' Vitamin C Body Serum into your routine.
Cay Skin Deepwater Dew Body Serum
If you're looking for a one-way ticket to golden hour, you've found it in this Cay Skin formula. The golden-pink tint offers a dewy finish that's sure to bring the vacation vibes wherever you wear it, be it the beach or a night out on the town. The best part: the Deepwater Dew Body Serum isn't just a pretty product — it's actually made with good-for-skin ingredients like sea moss (to keep your moisture barrier intact), vitamin E (to keep free radicals at bay), and evening primrose (to moisturize the heck out of dry skin).
Uni 24-Hour Serum
You know what's better than a body serum that leaves your skin hydrated? A body serum that leaves your skin hydrated for 24 hours. Cue Uni's 24-Hour Serum, which is made with a unique marine complex (Tasmanian sea kelp, bladderwrack seaweed, etc.) that'll ward off dryness for a full day and vitamin C-rich Australian kakadu plum, which boosts collagen production and improves skin elasticity with consistent use.
The most impressive part, however, is the fact that it can be used on the face in addition to the body, making it a great option for rushed mornings. The serum also comes with a reusable dispenser that makes refilling a breeze (and a tad more eco-friendly).
Beia Body & Intimacy Serum
Beia's Body & Intimacy Serum hits all the right spots — beyond its luxe glass packaging that you'll be proud to display, the formula highlights the antibacterial benefits of coconut oil, the deeply hydrating properties of squalane, and the antioxidant-rich qualities of green tea. Together, these ingredients make up a rich formula that can be used as part of your sexual wellness routine for good times (and good skin) all around.