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9 Best Body Serums for Smooth, Glowing Skin

Your lotion could never.

Headshot of Lauren BalsamoBy Lauren Balsamo
body serums
Khadija Horton

The best thing to happen to me in the dumpster fire known as 2020? Discovering body serums. Kidding (kind of). But in all seriousness, I truly don't know how my below-the-neck skin survived before I started slathering it with a body serum on the reg. Just like facial serums, body serums are super concentrated and full of active ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and AHAs) to treat targeted body skin issues, like dryness, dullness, roughness, and more. And unlike thick body lotions and creams that can take a while to dry, body serums soak into skin fast, so you don't need to worry about feeling like a sticky, greasy mess, especially when you slather your regular lotion on top (no, a serum alone won't keep you hydrated, sry). See what all the hype is about for yourself and try one of these nine best body serums, below. And one more thing...if you have a favorite body serum, lmk in the comments below!

1
Best Body Serum for Dry Skin

iS Clinical Youth Body Serum

iS Clinical Youth Body Serum
1
Best Body Serum for Dry Skin

iS Clinical Youth Body Serum

$12 at Dermstore
Credit: Courtesy Image

This body serum is honestly just as hydrating and nourishing as a rich body cream. It's packed with hyaluronic acid to draw moisture to the skin, panthenol (you may know it as vitamin b5) for optimal skin cell function, and antioxidant-rich blue algae. 

2
Best Body Serum For Rough Skin

REN Clean Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum

REN Clean Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum
2
Best Body Serum For Rough Skin

REN Clean Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum

Now 14% Off
Credit: Courtesy Image

The hero ingredient in this body serum? Lactic acid—a gentle AHA that helps exfoliate skin by dissolving the glue that holds together dead skin cells. Use it daily to smooth rough texture, nix bumps (from things like KP and body breakouts), and eliminate dry patches. Make sure to follow with a layer of moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out.

3
Best Body Serum for Sensitive Skin

Nécessaire The Body Serum

Nécessaire The Body Serum
3
Best Body Serum for Sensitive Skin

Nécessaire The Body Serum

Credit: Courtesy Image

This gentle body serum is a staple in my medicine cabinet. I rub a few pumps all over post shower, and let the hyaluronic acid and vitamin-infused gel formula hydrate and plump the hell out of my skin. P.S. This bb is fragrance-free and pH-balanced, making it a safe choice for anyone with sensitive or easily irritated skin.

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4
Best Body Serum for Dull Skin

Oui The People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss

Oui The People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss
4
Best Body Serum for Dull Skin

Oui The People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss

Credit: Courtesy Image

Dry, dull skin will love this glow-boosting body serum. Inside the chic glass bottle: a blend of ultra-lightweight (but seriously moisturizing) oils, like squalane, rosehip, and avocado oils. Together, they give skin a glossy, supple finish.

5
Best Nighttime Body Serum

Moroccanoil Night Body Serum

Moroccanoil Night Body Serum
5
Best Nighttime Body Serum

Moroccanoil Night Body Serum

Credit: Courtesy Image

Massage this concentrated body serum into dry or damp skin before bed and let the combo of argan oil, holy basil extract, and vitamin C work their moisturizing and brightening magic while you sleep. Your skin will be freaking glowing in the morning—trust me.

6
Best Organic Body Serum

One Love Organics Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum

One Love Organics Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum
6
Best Organic Body Serum

One Love Organics Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum

Credit: Courtesy Image

Made with a cocktail of organic plant oils (like sunflower, green tea, and pumpkin seed oils), this antioxidant-infused body serum helps nourish, firm, and protect skin from environmental aggressors. Plus, the lightweight, mist-on formula feels totally non-greasy and is never messy to apply.

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7
Best-Smelling Body Serum

Kahina Giving Beauty Essaouira Body Serum

Kahina Giving Beauty Essaouira Body Serum
7
Best-Smelling Body Serum

Kahina Giving Beauty Essaouira Body Serum

Credit: Courtesy Image

I'm normally really picky about fragrance in skincare, but the essential oils in this body serum smell like a literal dream. The blend of rose, geranium, lavender, and sandalwood (all from organic farming, BTW) are mixed with vitamin E-rich argan oil to make your skin smell and feel amazing. 

8
Best Multitasking Body Serum

Beneath Your Mask Nourish Skin & Hair Serum

Beneath Your Mask Nourish Skin & Hair Serum
8
Best Multitasking Body Serum

Beneath Your Mask Nourish Skin & Hair Serum

Credit: Courtesy Image

This body serum can be used on your skin and on your hair, making it the perfect two-in-one option. It's full of pure plant oils, vitamins B, C, and E, and fatty acids to nourish and moisturize dry skin and damaged hair. Just massage a few drops into damp skin or mix a little bit with your favorite leave-in conditioner before styling.

9
Best Body Serum with CBD

Saint Jane Beauty Luxury CBD Body Serum

Saint Jane Beauty Luxury CBD Body Serum
9
Best Body Serum with CBD

Saint Jane Beauty Luxury CBD Body Serum

Credit: Courtesy Image

Slathering on a few drops of this body serum is one of my favorite ways to unwind after a long-ass day. It contains 200 mg of full-spectrum CBD (meaning it uses cannabinoids from the whole plant—i.e., the good stuff) to help soothe and nurture your skin and reduce inflammation.

Headshot of Lauren Balsamo
Lauren Balsamo
Deputy Beauty Director

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram

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