A skin-care-first mindset has made its way into nearly every corner of the beauty industry, and the year’s body-care trends are reflecting just that. Caring for your skin below the chin is no longer a grab-anything category; it’s become a space defined by personal preference and thoughtful selection.
“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,” double board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp previously told Vogue. “The popularity of skin-care products targeted to the body speaks to this recent increased interest.”
Vogue’s Favorite Trending Body-Care Products
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That growing confidence is also accompanied by a deeper understanding of ingredients and the concerns they’re meant to address. “Ingredients like beta-glucan, ceramides, and peptides aren’t just for the face anymore,” board-certified dermatologist Divya Shokeen previously told Vogue. “I have also noticed a big increase in retinol for the body.”
All this and more below as we take a closer look at the top six body-care trends to watch in 2026, according to experts. From full-body skin rejuvenation with retinol to salves suited for any fragrance-layering agenda, skin care, body care, and even playful scent exploration now all go hand in hand.
Retinol Body Serums
Retinol is one of those skin-care ingredients that has earned a permanent place in many routines—despite being relentlessly promoted the moment you hit your mid-20s. Still, it’s far from overhyped. It “promotes cell turnover, which helps in reducing the appearance of rough patches, fine lines, and uneven pigmentation,” board-certified dermatologist Navin S. Arora, DO, previously explained. To wit, retinol body serums are designed to extend those benefits from head to toe, doing everything from supporting collagen production to reducing bacne and improving overall skin texture.
The most effective formulas pair retinol with the same hydrating ingredients found in a quality body lotion—think ceramides and hyaluronic acid—to maintain moisture while encouraging cell turnover. Nécessaire’s formula stands out for its high concentration of retinol and fragrance-free composition. Meanwhile, makeup icon Bobbi Brown swears by U Beauty’s version, which combines retinol with AHAs and peeling peptides for a more intensive approach. Naturium and Soft Services also offer thoughtful blends that incorporate ingredients such as allantoin and glycerin to soothe and hydrate while refining the skin.
Serum Body Washes
Choosing a serum body wash follows a similar philosophy to choosing a facial cleanser: Formulas are selected with intention, using targeted ingredients to address specific skin concerns rather than simply rinsing away dirt. “Traditional body washes focus primarily on cleansing, often aggressively, using surfactants that strip oils and disrupt the barrier,” board-certified nurse practitioner Vanessa Coppola, DNP, FNP-BC, MSCP, previously told Vogue. “A serum body wash, by contrast, is designed to cleanse while actively treating the skin. 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.”
From newer brands like Nécessaire and Cyklar to drugstore mainstays like Olay and Dove, there’s a serum body wash for nearly every skin concern and price point—making it easier to bring the same level of consideration from your vanity into your daily shower routine.
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Body Milks
Milky toners, hair milks, perfume milks: The beauty industry is in the midst of a full-on milk movement. The latest to join the lineup: body milks. Much like their toner counterparts, these formulas prioritize hydration in a lightweight, fluid texture that absorbs quickly into the skin. Designed to deliver moisture without heaviness, body milks are especially versatile: They layer seamlessly under richer, more emollient creams during colder months but are just as effective on their own when humidity calls for something lighter.
Tronque’s formula harnesses green coffee and caffeine to help support skin elasticity, while Cyklar’s blend leans into barrier care with ceramides, urea, and squalane. Fenty Beauty’s recent debut introduces a body milk available in two distinct scents—a bright, fruity bergamot and a more indulgent gourmand vanilla—while Dove offers an accessible, reliable option in the drugstore sphere.
Full-Body Exfoliation
Out with the old (dry, textured skin) and in with the new: Glistening, baby-soft skin starts with exfoliation. With the same concept as an exfoliating serum for your face—tackling hyperpigmentation, sloughing off patchy texture, controlling acne, and improving overall skin tone—exfoliation has gone full body with everything from sprays to buffing bars and serums.
For stubborn bacne (or glute-ne, we don’t judge)—whether due to an AC-free public-transit commute in humidity or a hard-earned gym session—sprays such as Dermalogica’s help tackle hard-to-reach areas. Soft Services’ buffing bar aims for a bit of physical exfoliation while cleansing. Lilis’s rinse-off serum is also an in-shower wonder, while Topical’s milky exfoliating serum is a leave-on treatment.
Fragrance Layering
One of the defining joys of current fragrance trends is the shift toward whimsy and experimentation—less pressure to commit to a single, signature pick and more room to explore. “There’s a real spirit of play right now,” Nordstrom beauty director Autumne West previously said. “People are more open than ever to exploring, layering, and treating fragrance like an accessory they can shift with mood, moment, or season. Consumers are still loyal to their favorites, but there’s a new willingness to discover.” In that spirit, layering offers a way to create something entirely personal—building from hydrating body care to mists and oils—while also bridging into skin-nourishing formulas and more nuanced notes.
Esteé Lauder’s perfumed body powder acts as a finishing powder after luscious moisturizing to keep the skin non-sticky, all while imparting a soft floral scent. Salt & Stone’s mist leans into hydration, with glycerin-rich formulas that feel as good as they wear. Costa Brazil transformed its cult-favorite Jungle Firming Body Oil into a top-selling perfume, translating a beloved aroma into a standalone offering. And Lush—long known for its commitment to ethically sourced ingredients—continues to merge playful fragrance profiles with skin-loving formulas. Its viral body mists are packed with essential oils that linger on the skin and cling to clothing for days, as seen with best-seller Sticky Dates.
Gadgets Meets Body Care
Red-light therapy and skin-care gadgets aren’t anything new, but tech innovation is now extending into body care. It’s a trend that board-certified dermatopathologist Gretchen Frieling, MD, has noticed, pointing to a rise in the popularity of treating body skin with everything from microcurrent devices to LED therapy. “Spring 2026 body care emphasizes overall skin health, glow, and structural support, allowing the body to look as rejuvenated and cared-for as the face,” she previously said.
Speaking of microcurrent, NuFace recently introduced its NuBody—essentially a body-focused extension of its original facial device, designed to tone muscles with microcurrent for subtle, gradual definition. In the world of LED, CurrentBody’s panel offers a more flexible approach, able to treat everything from your back to your hands (or even used hands-free, standing in front of it like a sun lamp). Meanwhile, Omnilux’s Contour Neck and Décolleté device uses the same technology as its viral face mask, adapted for the chest. And for something more manual, The Skinny Confidential’s Le Spoon brings a gua sha–like approach to the body, designed to sculpt and massage the torso. Of course, none of these tools replaces exercise, balanced nutrition, or a consistent body-care routine, but they can serve as worthwhile additions that enhance results over time.
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Everything You Need to Know
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Navin S. Arora, MD, is the founder of Borealis Dermatology and a board-certified dermatologist in Garden City, New York.
- Vanessa Coppola, DNP, FNP-BC, MSCP, is a Yale-trained aesthetics and menopause expert specializing in skin health during hormonal change and medically guided weight loss. She is the founder of Bare Aesthetic and Bare Soul Wellness and a national educator in integrative aesthetic medicine.
- Gretchen W. Frieling, MD, is a triple board-certified dermatopathologist and founder and CEO of GFaceMD.
- Divya Shokeen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at the Ocean Skin and Vein Institute in Southern California.
- Autumne West is the beauty director of Nordstrom.
