Oh no—another beauty buzzword to file away. When you first hear about the best serum body wash formulas, it’s fair to wonder: what on earth is that, and isn’t it just… body wash? Not exactly. Across the beauty world, a skincare-first approach has taken over—from skincare-makeup hybrids to active-rich body care. Serum body washes follow the same philosophy, delivering concentrated ingredients in body cleanser form designed to actively treat concerns, whether that’s targeting discoloration and breakouts or boosting hydration with botanical humectants.
Board-certified nurse practitioner Vanessa Coppola, DNP, FNP-BC, MSCP, explains things plainly: “Traditional body washes focus primarily on cleansing, often aggressively, using surfactants that strip oils and disrupt the barrier. A serum body wash, by contrast, is designed to cleanse while actively treating the skin,” Coppola tells Vogue. “These formulas typically contain higher concentrations of bioavailable actives like humectants, lipids, barrier-repair ingredients, and sometimes mild exfoliants, suspended in a gentler cleansing base.” Think of serum body washes as skincare that happens in the shower, not just hygiene.
Vogue’s Favorite Serum Body Washes
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Olay Super Serum Body Wash
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Cyklar Sensorial Body Wash
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Dove Hydration Boost Body Wash
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Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, choosing a body wash starts to mirror how we select facial serums and cleansers—intentionally, based on our skin’s needs, and with just as much care given to what happens in the shower as what happens at the vanity. “As people become more comfortable with their facial skincare routines, it’s common for them to explore how they can best take care of their body’s skin,” double-board certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp MD, tells Vogue. “The popularity of skincare products targeted to the body speaks to this recent increased interest.” Body care’s grab-anything attitude is suddenly guided by measured decision-making.
Below, over half a dozen of the best serum body washes to consider, with experts weighing in on their top picks. You’re one purchase away from lathering on some major skin-care benefits, no matter your skin type.
Best with Collagen Peptides: Olay Super Serum Body Wash
- Why We Love It: Olay’s body wash arguably helped coin the term “serum body wash.” It boasts a silky, gel-like texture and an impressive lineup of active ingredients, including niacinamide and vitamin C for brightening, and BHAs for exfoliation; nourishing collagen peptides and vitamin E provide hydration. All of this comes at an affordable price point—just $13, far less than an overpriced smoothie you could arguably make at home.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, collagen peptide, vitamin C, vitamin E, and BHA, AHA
- Fragrance: Yes (coconut, vanilla, and soft wood)
- Size: 18.5 fl oz
- More To Know: Dermatologist-tested, free of parabens, phthalates, and silicones.
