Everything you need to know about body serums

Soon after the world started talking about body acne and keratosis pilaris, brands took notice and introduced body serums—here’s why they deserve a shot

Think about this: It’s circa 2015. You’ve entered The Body Shop (Bath & Body Works or Victoria’s Secret if you were outside India). You begin to take in the whiff of every lotion, every body butter and every body mist that sits on the shelves of the store. You might even go ahead and slather some rich, decadent cocoa butter on your arms. Until over five years ago, products for body care were solely restricted to various consistencies of moisturisers—lotions, creams and sundry kinds of butter. You could perhaps come off as an evolved user by experimenting with body yoghurt. 

The beauty landscape in India today is far more expansive from what it was a few years ago. This applies particularly to the body care segment, owing to the heightened sensitivity towards—and awareness of—skin concerns like acne, eczema, keratosis pilaris and more. From aromatherapeutic body polishes to lush oil concoctions, there are options aplenty—innovative, experiential and target-specific offerings that change your approach towards body care from indulgent to mindful.

Moreover, with the pandemic-induced lockdowns over the last two years and hence spending time at home, more and more people veered towards a minimalist skincare routine. Innovators, formulators and researchers at beauty brands were quick to gauge the flourishing potential of this vertical and left no stone unturned to expand their body care portfolio. Some even conceived a new body care line altogether, barely three months after the pandemic hit. It’s safe to say ‘body serums’ have elevated interest in the body care segment. Scroll down for everything you need to know about the product.

What’s it all about?

“Body serums are light, quickly absorbed, oil- or water-based liquids that are easily spreadable. They are highly concentrated formulations designed to deliver a specific dose of an ingredient into the skin, depending upon the concern,” says Dr Naznin Holia Khan from Amber Cosmetology and team iS Clinical India. “Body serums often work in the same manner as regular serums,” says Malini Adapureddy, founder, Deconstruct,“but, with the added advantages, they are usually tailored to target specific skincare concerns that are more prevalent on the body than the face. Their texture and ingredients are what truly sets them apart.” Adapureddy lists dark patches, dryness, flakiness and strawberry skin as the prime concerns. According to Dr Niketa Sonavane, celebrity dermatologist and founder, Ambrosia Aesthetics, “Body serums are typically lighter in consistency and absorb much faster as compared to body lotions and creams.” The ingredients to commonly look out for? Sonavane suggests scouting for actives like hyaluronic acid, exfoliating acids, retinol, and ceramides to address specific issues.

Body serum versus face serum

“How is a body serum any different from a face serum?”—is a question you’ve probably asked. It’s important to address why a separate serum is required for the body at all. To demystify that, Sonavane tells us about the fundamental differences in the skin across the body, “The skin on the body is thicker and less oily than the skin on the face. The top layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum, is much thicker on the body than it is on the face. So our body skin appears dull and dehydrated more easily than our face skin.” That’s the beauty of the human body; it’s esoteric, to an extent that the skin on the same face can also vary in different areas. 

Holia Khan, in unanimity, says, “There are some parts of the body where the thickness of the epidermis doubles, like on the soles and palms, whereas it reduces in certain parts. Plus, the skin cell turnover of the body is much slower than that of the face, resulting in thicker, scalier and dryer skin on the body with a collection of dead cells.” Highlighting the user-friendliness of body serums, Adapureddy says, “Their fast-acting nature coupled with their non-sticky formulations and light feel makes them ideal for everyday use, even during hot and humid seasons in India.”

Addressing the question, Adapureddy makes a valid opening argument, “Using a product on one’s body that is not designed for that part may hamper the visibility of results, rendering the entire process of applying serums to one’s skin as ineffective.” Sonavane says body serums are an extension of face serums and are more effective for the body. “The primary distinction between the two is in the concentrations of specific active ingredients. More potent formulas can be used on the body’s skin. Besides that, the intended benefits may differ. Body serums may concentrate on deeper hydration, exfoliation of thickened dead skin, body acne and stretch mark prevention. Since serums have a higher concentration of active ingredients than lotions, creams, and ointments, they offer added, target-specific benefits. 

“My absolute favourite is the Youth Body Serum from iS Clinical as it addresses most of the concerns at once making the skin look hydrated, smooth and soft. It provides potent antioxidant protection against environmental damage with its extremozyme technology. It also comes in the form of a mist, so the application is super-quick,” shares Holia Khan. Adapureddy says common body care products—like creams and lotions—are more diluted (using water and other chemicals) and thicker than a serum, making them less efficacious as a problem-solver. Lastly, Sonavane informs us, “While you can use any of your face products on your body, the opposite may not be true because body products are generally heavier in texture and contain a higher concentration of active ingredients,” adding one more discriminator to the list.

Tips to buy the right serum for you

Sonavane advises selecting a body serum according to your body’s skin concerns. “While antioxidants such as vitamin C will aid in the prevention of free radical damage, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like lactic acid and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid are excellent for smoothening and brightening the skin, and hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates,” she says. Mapping out a process, Adapureddy suggests these steps: Understand your skin and its concerns, research the ingredients that will benefit your skin and finally pick a serum that’s loaded with those ingredients. “Use a body serum post-towel drying after a hot shower. The steam from a hot shower usually opens up the skin’s pores, making it easier for the serum to be absorbed into the skin. Apply a small amount and spread it evenly over the surface of your skin, and leave it for about a minute to get absorbed into your skin,” says Adapureddy. “Just like the face, after applying a serum, moisturising the skin is important to lock in the key ingredients,” adds Holia Khan. 

Also Read: Why we need to look after our body’s lymphatic system for stronger immunity

Also Read: 8 hydrating serums that’ll give you the dewy skin of your dreams

Also Read: Why are non-invasive body contouring treatments still so hush-hush?