13 Best Body Serums for Lightweight Moisture From Head to Toe

Editor Tip: Although it contains a variety of hydrating ingredients, the formula is non-comedogenic—so it won't clog pores, in the event you're prone to body acne.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides | Who It's For: Everyone | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best for Discoloration: Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum

Why It's Worth It: With 5% 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.

Editor Tip: We love this for layering underneath a body cream because the brightening formula is so lightweight, it plays well with the rest of your body-care routine without causing a thick, sticky mess.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, panthenol, prickly pear extract | Who It's For: Those with dark spots or hyperpigmentation | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best for Uneven Texture: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum

Why It's Worth It: Thought retinol was just for your face? Think again. Topicals' Slather Exfoliating Body Serum employs retinol's smoothing and toning properties alongside a star-studded lineup of squalane, urea, and lactic and glycolic acids 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.

Editor Tip: Since you're using retinol on your body, it's extra important to remember to apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 from head to toe, too.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, squalane, lactic acid | Who It's For: Those with bumps, roughness, or body acne | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best for Stretch Marks: Agent Nateur Holi (Oil) Youth Body Serum

Why It's Worth It: 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 fast-absorbing 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.

Editor Tip: The helichrysum (and vitamin A-rich rosehip oil) make this a good option for targeting stretch marks.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, helichrysum, rosehip oil | Who It's For: Those with dry or mature skin | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best for Dryness: Uni 24-Hour Serum

Why It's Worth It: 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 that the hydrating body serum can also be used on the face—making it a great option for rushed mornings.

Editor Tip: The serum also comes with a reusable dispenser that makes refilling a breeze (and a tad more eco-friendly).

Key Ingredients: Tasmanian sea kelp, Kakadu plum, glycerin | Who It's For: People with dry skin | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best for Firming: Mutha Body Contour Serum

Why It's Worth It: While no topical product will actually erase cellulite, Mutha's Body Contour Serum gets pretty close, thanks to its ability to tighten and firm lax skin below the neck. It deploys a blend of alpha hydroxy acids to resurface the skin and clear the way for other actives, which include caffeine to boost microcirculation and niacinamide to smooth skin. Together (and with regular use) they can help dimples look less noticeable.

Editor Tip: Try layering it beneath the Mutha Body Butter, which we consider among the best body butters for its ability to seal moisture into skin.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, caffeine, niacinamide | Who It's For: Those with lax, crepey skin | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best for Sensitive Skin: SkinCeuticals Body Retexturing Treatment

Why It's Worth It: "Effective" sometimes gets mistaken for "aggressive" but SkinCeuticals Body Retexturizing Treatment proves that that's not always the case. Designed for rough areas of the body, like the knees and elbows, it uses a whopping 20% concentration of a blend of hydroxyethyl urea and aminosulfonic acid, a patented combo that helps stimulate exfoliation and soften skin. This gel cream also contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to soothe and hydrate skin, making it supremely gentle even on sensitive types.

Editor Tip: If that complex sounds familiar, that's because it's the same active that powers the brand's Retexturizing Activator, which offers the same benefits for your face.

Key Ingredients: Hydroxyethyl urea, aminosulfonic acid compound, niacinamide | Who It's For: People with rough, dry areas, or sensitive skin types | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best Body Mist: iS Clinical Youth Body Serum

Why It's Worth It: As if a serum weren't lightweight enough, iS Clinical Youth Body Serum takes it to the next level of weightlessness with its mist format, which delivers all the hydration of a body lotion but without the long absorption time. This refreshing serum mist pairs hyaluronic acid with antioxidant-rich botanical extracts (from watermelon, microalgae, and licorice root, among others) to defend skin against free radicals, making it a winner if you're spending the day outdoors.

Editor Tip: Spritz it onto reddened or sunburned skin for instant soothing.

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera extract, hyaluronic acid, watermelon extract | Who It's For: People who want the sheerest option | Fragrance-Free: No

Best for Body Acne: Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Body 12% AHA/BHA Resurfacing Night Serum

Why It's Worth It: 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% lactic acid and 2% 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.

Editor Tip: FYI: you may feel a slight tingle upon application, but don't fret, that's just the exfoliating acids hard at work.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, prickly pear extract | Who It's For: People with body bumps and breakouts | Fragrance-Free: No

Best Overnight Treatment: Moroccanoil Night Body Serum

Why It's Worth It: The brand is known for its strategic use of argan oil—as in, it's in everything—so it's little surprise that the Moroccanoil's Night Body Serum is brimming with the nutrient-dense ingredient, which is rich in oleic and linoleic acids, as well as tsubaki oil, to nurture and fortify our skin barrier. This clear, silky formula also vitamin C to smooth and even out skin tone—all while you snooze.

Editor Tip: While it's packed with oils, there's a reason it's called a serum and not a body oil: It leaves behind a satin finish and sinks in almost immediately.

Key Ingredients: Argan oil, tsubaki oil, vitamin C | Who It's For: People with dry skin | Fragrance-Free: No

Best Self-Tanning Body Serum: St. Tropez Luxe Body Serum

Why It's Worth It: Who says self-tanners can't be elegant? St. Tropez's Luxe Body Serum is proof, offering a silky texture and radiant finish (courtesy of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid) in addition to a subtle glow. It does contain dihydroxyacetone, or DHT—the ingredient in self-tanner that gives skin a bronzey tint—so be sure to exfoliate beforehand and use a mitt to apply it evenly across your skin.

Editor Tip: The formula is customizable, so to get more intense color, you can apply a second layer after 24 hours.

Key Ingredients: Dihydroxyacetone, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: People who self-tan | Fragrance-Free: No

Best Multi-Use: Tgin Tea Tree + Olive Oil Hair & Body Serum

Why It's Worth It: You might 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.

Editor Tip: Although tea tree is famously antifungal, this formula does contain olive and coconut oils—so steer clear if you're prone to body acne.

Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, olive oil, coconut oil | Who It's For: Those with dryness or flakes | Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best for Intimacy: Beia Body & Intimacy Serum

Why It's Worth It: 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.

Editor Tip: The formula works well as a massage oil if you're trying to set the mood.

Key Ingredients: Squalane, coconut oil, green tea | Who It's For: Anyone who wants versatility | Fragrance-Free: No

Meet the experts

• Nava Greenfield, MD, a New York City-based board certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group
• Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a Los Angeles-based board certified dermatologist

How we review and test products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best body serums, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Want more body-care recs? Keep reading:

• The Best Body Washes for Head-to-Toe Moisture
• 12 Best Shower Oils for Smoother, Softer Post-Shower Skin
• In Case You Missed It, Body Care Is Booming

Now, watch Tyla get ready for her first Met Gala:

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