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In the year of our 2025, with AI writing my threatening emails to my landlord and my dates asking me out in the Metaverse, we deserve soft skin that doesn't come at the cost of a heavy, sticky, goopy mess. Like, I'm sorry, I know
body lotions
are O.G. and all, but I kinda hate them. Yup. I'm a beauty editor who absolutely hates slathering on body cream. I either gotta lay there butt naked sprawled out like a fish, freezing cold; or deal with the frustrating aftermath of all my clothes being stained with oils or residues from being completely stuck to my skin. It's hell! I'll be brave and admit it! But luckily, with all the AI and robots and quantum computing in the world, we also have the best body serums, which basically are like beauty's highest technological advancement as far as I'm concerned.
Body serums are just like
face serums
—they're usually thinner in consistency so they soak into skin fast. But they're also 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. Since I discovered this genius invention, I've tested
a lot
of formulas in search of my favorites. Peep my picks below, including a celebrity-loved favorite too:
Our top picks for the best body serum of 2025:
Best Body Serum Overall
Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Treatment
Read more
Best Drugstore Body Serum
Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion
Read more
Best Soothing Body Serum
Naturium Urea 5% Body Serum
Read more
Keep reading for all of the best body serums of 2025 (including a few brand new launches you should def have on your radar), plus a handy explainer on what the heck body serums are, how to use one, and how to pick the best one for your skin type and goals.
1
Best Body Serum Overall
Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Treatment
$32
Amazon
Also Consider
$29
paulaschoice.com
$32
Dermstore
Pros
Works really fast to smooth skin, per reviewers and my testing
Gentle, even for sensitive skin
Cons
I wish it came in a bigger bottle
I'm sure you'd be absolutely shocked to hear this, but I'm pretty picky about my products. Gasp! But I actually consider this body serum perfect. I've been using it for nearly three years, and I've gone through three whole bottles of it. The
niacinamide
in the formula is just enough to help smooth body bumps and soothe irritation without
causing
any unwanted side effects, ya know?
The light, almost-watery consistency quickly absorbs into skin in basically one swipe, leaving skin so soft. When I'm diligent about smoothing this on every single day, I get waves of compliments about good my arms feel and look, which is huge for someone who's had
keratosis pilaris
her entire life. Paula's Choice, oh how I love you so.
Key ingredients:
Niacinamide, panthenol, prickly pear extract
Glowing customer review:
"I’ve always had very dry and scaly skin and nothing seemed to make it go away no matter how much I moisturize. Tried this even though it’s a little expensive, but my skin has never been so soft and smooth and no more dry, scaly skin!"
2
Best Drugstore Body Serum
Vaseline Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion
Now 28% Off
$8
$6
Amazon
Also Consider
$7
walmart.com
$11
Ulta Beauty
Pros
Least expensive formula on this list
Absorbs into skin without leaving any residue, but still makes my skin feel moisturized
Cons
I wish there was an unscented version
"I've used Vaseline since I was itty bitty," gold medalist gymnast and overall iconic human
Jordan Chiles
tells me. "It's very typical for a Black family, so I've used the original jelly my whole life, especially on my tattoos," she says. "My dad even told me when I was younger that it would help with scars and heal scratches," she says. Basically, She's an O.G. fan. But she (and I, hello) recently made the switch to a lighter option, Vaseline's Pro Vitab3 Serum Burst Lotion: a lightweight, hydrating gel-like lotion that offers up a shocking amount of moisture without all the sticky, goopiness.
It's filled with all of my fave ingredients in lotions (hydrating hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA, soothing niacinamide, and plumping peptides), but just in a much thinner consistency that quickly absorbs like a face serum. Chiles has been keeping this serum in her gym bag to slather all over her body after showering while her skin is still damp to avoid getting dry (the chalk she uses as a gymnast is basically the antidote to soft skin, K?). "My skin just soaks it up," she says.
Key ingredients:
Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, sodium PCA
Glowing customer review:
"I lap swim four times per week, and the chlorine is so hard on my skin. This lotion is thin and light, but definitely not watery and absorbs very well into the skin and dries almost immediately. It does not sit on top like some thin lotions do. It's not greasy a

Book Your Appointment

Ready to transform your skin? Visit Candy Beauty Skin Care at 32 Pell St, Chinatown, NYC.

Call (646) 691-8273 or book online at candybeauty.store.

Our expert estheticians are ready to create your personalized treatment plan.

Source: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g33995669/best-body-serums/