The best body serums of 2025, according to experts and tested by editors

A body wash might not be sufficient if you’re dealing with regular skin care issues. Body serums are useful in this situation. “Body serums are lightweight products with an active ingredient that gives them a specific function, just like a serum you might use on your face,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Li of Boston Derm Advocate, a digital platform that explores evidence-based skincare. Hyaluronic acid body serums, for instance, will fight dryness, while retinol body serums will help firm the skin and minimize fine wrinkles.

To identify the ideal formula for your skin type and what to look for when buying, I talked to board-certified dermatologists. Along with testing these body serums, I collaborated with other NBC Select employees to compile a list of the top products now available.

GO Ahead and SkipWhy should I trust NBC Select? How did I choose the best body serums? The greatest body serums of 2025? How do I shop for body serums?

Selected.

Our top picks

• 

  Best overall

  Osea Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum

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  $48.00

  Ulta

  Learn more
  

• 

  Most hydrating

  N cessaire The Body Serum

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  $45.00

  Amazon

  Learn more
  

• 

  Best smoothing

  Byoma Smoothing Body Serum

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  $13.99

  Target

  Learn more
  

How I picked the best body serums

The following should be kept in mind by our specialists while choosing the ideal body serums for you:

• 
  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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The best body serums in 2025

Best overall:

Osea Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum

Osea Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum

• Suitable for all skin types
• Pump is easy to control
• Fragrance-free

• Nothing to note at this time

My skin has never felt so hydrated as it does after using this body serum, which is by far my favorite of all time. It seems like a lotion because of its creamy texture, yet it’s quite light and absorbs into my skin rapidly, giving it the appearance of serum. I adore how moisturizing it is as well. My skin doesn’t feel or appear dry, and I can wear it without putting lotion on top as a second step. Because it holds the National Eczema Association’s (NEA) Seal of Acceptance, it is also safe for skin that is prone to myeczema.

Best overnight serum:

Soft Services Software Update Performance Retinol Serum

Soft Services Software Update Performance Retinol Serum

• No residue or white cast
• Creamy consistency

• Not pregnancy-safe
• Not for sensitive skin
• Have to use at night

This overnight treatment evens out the tone and texture of the face by increasing the production of collagen with retinol, niacinamide, and glycerin. NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin, who received a sample from the brand, said, “I’ve never used a body serum before, and for some reason, I expected them all to be oily.” However, this one isn’t. When I massage it into my skin, it absorbs in a matter of seconds and has a soft, creamy texture.

Sadhana Daruvuri, social media commerce editor for NBC Select, is also a fan: According to her, it soon blended in and left no visible white cast. Additionally, I didn’t notice any irritation and my skin felt a little softer just after applying it. Because it contains retinol, you should only use it at night. The brand advises applying it once a week to prevent irritation and increasing the frequency of use based on your skin’s tolerance.

Best smoothing:

Byoma Smoothing Body Serum

Byoma Smoothing Body Serum

• Blends easily
• Leaves skin soft
• Lower price point

• Pump is difficult to lock
• Has added fragrance

Struggling withbody 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. She claims that after using this lotion, her skin always feels smoother right away. I frequently have body acne, especially in the summer, but lately I’ve noticed that my skin appears lighter and less red overall, and that my breakouts haven’t been as bad in some places. According to the brand, the blue tansy in the serum lessens redness, while the succinic acid helps to cleanse pores and lessen the appearance of breakouts.

Most hydrating:

N cessaire The Body Serum

N cessaire The Body Serum

• Non-greasy
• Noncomedogenic
• Has NEA Seal of Acceptance

• Nothing to note at this time

According to the brand, this hypoallergenic body serum contains five different forms of hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate all skin types, especially dry skin types. 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 contributorMikhaila Archer. I feel more inclined to use a targeted body product every night because I frequently forget to treat my body with the same degree of care that I do with my facial routine.

Best splurge:

Omorovizca Body Serum

Omorovizca Body Serum

• Suitable for all skin types
• Hydrating
• Evens out tone and texture

• Not fast absorbing
• Only dispenses a tiny amount

Rosalie Sparaco, senior social media editor at NBC Select, received a sample to test and reports that the body serum feels opulent and is just as nourishing as a body lotion. She claims that her skin looks noticeably tighter and fresher after using it.

Editor of NBC Select updatesMili 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

Mutha Body Contour Serum

• Suitable for all skin types
• Improves circulation
• Subtle scent

• Tingling sensation

This firming serum helps smooth and tighten the skin with chemical exfoliants, includingalpha-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

Tata Harper Resurfacing Body Serum

• Fast absorbing
• Easy to use
• A little goes a long way

• 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,peptidesand hyaluronic acid to help hydrate, brighten and even out skin texture, according to the brand.

Best for skin barrier health:

Dime Boosting Body Serum

Dime Boosting Body Serum

• Strengthens the skin barrier
• Minimizes look of blemishes
• Reduces inflammation

• Nothing to note at this time

This body serum is a favorite of NBC Select commerce editorCory Fernandezbecause 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

Good Molecules B5 Hydrating Body Serum

• Suitable for all skin types
• Fragrance-free
• Supports skin barrier

• Nothing to note at this time

Good Molecules makes excellent products all around and their hydrating body serum yields good 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

iS Clinical Youth Body Serum

• Mist nozzle
• Available in travel size

• 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 editorLindsay 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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How to shop for body serums

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 can even 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 dermatologistDr. 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.

Meet our experts

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.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am anassociate reportercovering skin care and hair care, including recent stories on thebest eye creamsand thebest 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 think are worth knowing about.

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