Body serum has become 2026’s breakout beauty trend, with shoppers and dermatologists swapping basic body lotions for formulas packed with active ingredients. Here’s what a body serum actually does, why it’s everywhere right now and which eight picks are worth knowing.
What Is a Body Serum and What Does It Do?
A body serum is a lightweight, water-based formula designed to hydrate and deliver active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants directly to the skin on your body.
Texas-based dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Gordon told Byrdie that “Serums are usually water-based, lightweight moisturizers designed to hydrate and often deliver ingredients like hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, or peptides to the skin.” Body serums borrow the same ingredient-led approach that drives facial skincare. Instead of just sealing in moisture the way a heavier cream might, a serum aims to target specific concerns like rough texture, keratosis pilaris, dullness or fine lines from the neck down.
Why Is Body Serum a Top Beauty Trend in 2026?
Body serum is dominating skincare in 2026 because shoppers who built loyal facial routines now want the same ingredient-driven results for arms, legs, chest and back.
In a piece by Conçetta Ciarlo, double board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp told Vogue, “As people become more comfortable with their facial skin-care routines, it’s common for them to explore how they can best take care of their body’s skin. The popularity of skin-care products targeted to the body speaks to this recent increased interest.” That demand has pushed established names like OLAY and newer players like Topicals, BYOMA and Naturium to launch body-specific serums and serum-lotion hybrids loaded with retinol, niacinamide, peptides and acids.
What Are the Best Body Serums to Try Right Now?
Six standout picks span dermatologist-favored formulas covered by Allure, Marie Claire and InStyle.
- Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum. Allure’s Deanna Pai and Annie Blackman highlight retinol, squalane, urea and lactic and glycolic acids for rough patches, bumps and KP.
- HA Body Hydrator Hyaluronic Acid Face and Body Serum. Marie Claire’s Ariel Baker praises the sodium hyaluronate and red algae for deep, dewy hydration that works on face and body.
- Byoma Smoothing Body Serum. The brand’s Barrier Lipid complex with Succinic Acid and Blue Tansy aims to brighten and smooth without stripping the skin barrier.
- OLLY Renew Body Lotion Serum. A lightweight lotion-serum hybrid with niacinamide built for overnight use on dry, rough or dull skin.
- Naturium Skin Renewing Retinol Body Lotion. InStyle’s Olivia Dubyak credits encapsulated retinol, allantoin and shea butter for smoothing without stickiness or scent.
- OLAY Super Serum Body Lotion. An anti-aging body lotion with Niacinamide, AHA, Collagen Peptide, Vitamin C and Vitamin E that OLAY says hydrates, firms, smooths, evens and brightens.
Can You Buy Body Serum at Dollar Tree?
Yes, Dollar Tree carries budget-friendly options that fit the body serum category, including a hydrating aloe lotion and a peptide-based renewing serum, each typically priced under $2.
Dermasil Aloe Fresh Moisturizing Body Lotion is sold at Dollar Tree, where the brand says it helps soothe chapping, cracking, flaking, roughness, redness, soreness and dry-skin itching with added aloe. One shopper review reads, “I love this product. Use it ever night after shower in summer, keeps skin soft, moisturizer for sun drenched skin.”
For something closer to a true serum, Dollar Tree also stocks Global Beauty Care Retinol Renewing Double Serum With Peptides, which the retailer describes as “a budget-friendly anti-aging serum that improves the texture of your skin.” It’s technically marketed for the face, but it can be used on the body too.
