10 years ago, I wouldn’t have believed that we were using body serums. Face serums? Yes. But body? Not so much. But it really makes perfect sense. I already lotion the rest of my body, I use SPF on my body when I’m in the sun, I pretty much treat it like my face. Minus using a serum.
So today I want to chat all about body serums. What they are, what the difference is in a serum versus a lotion and why I think it may be worth adding a body serum to your daily routine.
What Is A Body Serum
A body serum is a highly concentrated skincare product that has targeted ingredients to combat skin issues below the neck. Most are focused on hydration, skin barrier and improving texture.
Body Serum vs Body Lotion: What’s the Difference?
Just like you use a face serum followed by a face lotion on your face, the same goes for your skin. I have always said that a serum is like your vitamins, while the lotion is your drink of water to wash it down. You need both to get the best results for youthful skin. A body serum is more highly concentrated with active ingredients to target skin issues. And a body lotion is more focused on hydration and protection.
The great thing about using a body serum, is that you’ll likely need to use less lotion. And you can also opt for a simpler body lotion so you can let your body serum do the heavy lifting.
Key Ingredients to Look For in a Body Serum
Hyaluronic Acid And Ceramids For Hydration
Two big ingredients to look for in a body serum for hydration include hyaluronic acid and ceramides. These ingredients are designed to help your skin absorb and retain water for plumpness and hydration.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a great ingredient to improve skin texture, hyperpigmentation and also improve fine lines. It’s an ideal anti-aging ingredient to look for in your skincare. It also helps with the skin barrier, an important aspect of anti-aging as well.
Exfoliants
To target KP (keratosis pilaris), or crepiness or discoloration, you’ll want to look for exfoliating ingredients in your serum. This can be anything from retinoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs.
shop body serums
Top Benefits of Using a Body Serum
Improved Hydration And Stronger Skin Barrier
Thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, these body serums really boost your skins hydration and skin barrier. These are two things that help to reduce the signs of aging. Plus, there’s nothing worse than having dry flaky skin on your legs in the winter, right?
Simply using a great hydrating body serum can really combat a lot of skin issues from loss of collagen, crepiness and KP. So if you’re not sure which one t choose, just stick to a simple hydrating body serum that has hyaluronic acid and ceramides for the skin barrier.
Treating Keratosis Pilaris
If you suffer from keratosis pilaris, or also known as KP, a body serum can help to target these issues. While exfoliating in the shower and using a body lotion afterwards is helpful, a serum can really help to improve your bumpy skin. Look for acid ingredients like AHAs and BHAs that help to exfoliate the skin to improve and soften your KP as well as hydrating ones like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Firm And Tone
As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and collagen production slows. To reduce crepiness and help to firm and tone your skin, a body serum can help achieve this. A few ingredients to look for include retinoids, ceramides and niacinamide. As well as all our favorite ingredients for hydration and skin barrier like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and vitamin C.
How to Use a Body Serum in Your Routine
A body serum is no different than the serum you’d use on your face. After cleansing your body in the shower, you’ll then layer on your body serum, followed by your moisturizer and SPF if needed. I have found that some of these hydrating serums are so hydrating that I don’t even need body lotion.
For serums that have any retinol in them, you’ll want to always use them at night. Retinol is an ingredient that creates cellular turnover, revealing younger, new skin that is sensitive. Be sure to use a body lotion over these to improve the skin barrier and keep sensitive skin at bay. And always, always, use an SPF the following day if you’ll be out in the sun at all.
Best Body Serums to Try Right Now
Fragrance Free
Necessaire Body Serum
The body serum that started it all for me. This Nécessaire body serum is fragrance free and includes the ultimate skin-hydrating ingredient, hyaluronic acid. There are no silicones or parabens and is fragrance-free, making it approved by The National Eczema Association.
For Hydration
uni. 24 Hour Body Serum
This is my current favorite. I love the scent of juniper and sandalwood, but also the immense hydration I get from it. With ingredients like vitamin C, Australian kakdu plum for collagen production and Australian lime caviar to naturally exfoliate dead cells. It’s lightweight and hydrating. You can also buy refills without the pump for an eco-friendly option.
Hydrate And Firm
Seascape Ceramide Body Serum
For a combination of hydration and firming, try this Credo Beauty body serum. Key ingredients include sugar kelp extract for hydration and protecting the skin barrier. Red algae extract helps to lift and firm your skin. And active ceramides help to repair the skin barrier and improve hydration.
Retinol Based
Necessaire The Body Retinol Serum
For your overnight serum, try the Necessaire body retinol with 0.1% pure encapsulated retinol to help improve skin texture. This product is also fragrance-free and I would recommend using SPF the following day if you’ll be out in the sun.
For Fine Lines And Crepiness
Soft Services Software Update Retinol Body Serum
Soft Services has quickly become a new favorite skincare line and this retinol body serum is one I’ll be trying next. With .25% pure retinol along with niacinamide and glycerin, you’ll help create cell turnover for younger-looking skin while also brightening and tightening your skin.
To Brighten & Smooth
iota Supercloud Body Serum
To help brighten your skin, smooth and hydrate, try this body serum from iota. The Supercloud body serum contains skincare ingredients we all know and love, like niacinamide and glycerin.
For KP
MAELYS Re-Start Resurfacing Body Serum
For Keratosis Pilaris, AHAs are going to be your best friend in a body serum. This product delivers multi-level exfoliation for smoother skin.
Best Budget Body Serum
Saltair Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum
I love Saltair products and this is a new one from them. Their fragrance-free hyaluronic acid body serum will hydrate and firm your skin while boosting your skin barrier. With magnesium chloride to improve skin barrier and hydration as well as red algae to deliver long-lasting hydration.
There you have it, a full, comprehensive guide to the best body serums to target your skincare concerns from the neck down. My number one recommendation is to add in a simple hydrating body serum to your routine to really see results and not overcomplicate your routine or decide on which one to get. Below are some of my favorite body serums to try.
