Some skin care products and steps are, thankfully, pretty self-explanatory. Face wash cleanses your face, an exfoliator buffs away dead skin cells, and a moisturizer, well, moisturizes. Serums, however, aren’t quite so straightforward. Serums vary widely in terms of what purposes they serve in your skincare routine. 

So, which serum is best for you? It depends. “I always encourage patients to think about their specific skincare needs first when choosing a serum,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. To help you do just that, we scoured the web for the best serums for over a dozen different complexion concerns. Find your perfect match(es) below.

• Hydration: Hyaluronic Acid 
• Dark Spots, Uneven Tone: Vitamin C 
• Hyperpigmentaion, Irritation: Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) 
• Fine Lines, Aging: Retinol and Retinol Alternatives 
• Acne: AHAs and BHAs

What We Love: It’s a multitasking hydrating and plumping formula that works well for all skin types and tones. 

What We Don’t Love: Some users with rosacea claim that the serum can exacerbate redness.

Formulated with 1.5 percent hyaluronic acid, this lightweight serum sinks in to deeply hydrate and plump the skin. The fragrance-free formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin, while being effective enough to serve as a steadfast serum in mature skincare routines. In that way, it’s a universally-appealing serum for any complexion or skincare regimen.  Some rosacea sufferers had some flare-ups, though, many more claim that it’s plenty gentle. And when we tried it on our own sensitive skin, we had no qualms. 

For best results, this serum should be applied to a damp face. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, so it works best when it has moisture to grab onto and be drawn deeper into the skin.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C | Skin Type: All| Best For: Skin in need of plumping hydration | Size: 1 oz 

What We Love: It deeply hydrates skin while simultaneously clearing breakouts and evening tone. 

What We Don’t Love: It’s lightly scented, which could make it unsuitable for some. 

When we set out to find the best hyaluronic acid serums of all time, the Isdin Isdinceuticals Hyaluronic Concentrate came out on top. The water-gel serum is formulated for all skin types but we found it worked especially well for dry, dull, and acne-prone skin. 

Logistically, this pricey-but-worth-it serum is formulated with two types of hyaluronic acid to adequately hydrate and plump skin, along with barrier-strengthening peptides that ensure the added moisture stays put. Truly, when using this serum, we marveled over just how hydrated our skin felt all day long. And after just a few weeks of use, we noticed that our breakouts were becoming less and less common. Suffice to say, you can’t go wrong with this HA serum.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (low and medium molecular weight), biomarine, peptides, lentil extract | Skin Type: Combination, oily, dry| Best For: Dry, dull, acne-prone skin in need of a texture and hydration boost | Size: 1 oz

What We Love: It’s affordable, effective, and the packaging makes it easy to enjoy every last drop. 

What We Don’t Love: Immediately out of the tube, the serum’s texture is more like a paste.

When we researched and tested the most popular vitamin C serums on the market, we found the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 10% Pure Vitamin C Face Serum to be the best of the best. Formulated with 10 percent pure vitamin C, the serum (which is more like a paste until it melts into your face) is a potent solution for brighter-looking skin. 

Not sure you need a brightening boost? Dr. Hartman advises it for just about everyone. “When applied topically, vitamin C reduces damage to our cells by neutralizing free radicals, which are highly reactive and harmful molecules formed by exposure to environmental stressors, such as pollution and UV light,” he says. The ingredient also inhibits melanin production, so it’ll help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, evening out the complexion. 

Dr. Shamban says that the face should be completely dry, as vitamin C is notoriously unstable and could degrade if exposed to water, or even another skincare formula. “It should dry with a waiting period of two or three minutes before your layer of sunscreen or moisturizer,” she says.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Dull skin| Best For: All skin types but especially those experiencing dullness and/or dark spots | Size: 1.76 oz

What We Love: This formula absorbs quickly to provide protection against photoaging while treating past damage.

What We Don’t Love: The smell leaves something to be desired.

It’s highly likely that you’ve heard of this fast-absorbing, water-like serum before, if not tried it for yourself. That’s because the highly-lauded formula is a staple of beauty editors and dermatologists alike. “This is just a basic, three-ingredient winner — and always has been,” says Dr. Shamban. 

Those three ingredients are a cocktail of potent antioxidants: 15 percent l-ascorbic acid (the purest form of vitamin C), vitamin E, and ferulic acid. They work in tandem to defend skin from oxidative stress caused by exposure to sun and pollution while firming, brightening, and smoothing the complexion. Fair warning: The serum smells like hot dog water, but it does fade quickly on your skin, and the results make a few seconds of stink worth it. 

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid｜Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, sensitive, mature｜Best for: Softening fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots｜Size: 1 oz

What We Love: It’s incredibly hydrating and makes skin look instantly plumper. 

What We Don’t Love: The gel-like serum takes a sec to really sink in.

The Vichy Mineral 89 Hydrating & Strengthening Daily Skin Booster is moisture magic for less than $30. The hypoallergenic, fragrance-free gel-like serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid and is designed to encase skin in long-lasting hydration. The serum is dermatologist-backed, too. It’s been clinically tested by 325 dermatologists on 3,200 women worldwide​, in which eight out of 10 women felt that their skin was smoother and healthier immediately post application. Meanwhile, after four weeks of use, nine out of 10 women felt their skin looked more luminous and glowing overall. Need we say more?

Just one tip: Be patient when applying this serum. The gel-like consistency can take a second to try down.

Key Ingredients: Vichy Volcanic Water and hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Dry, combination, and sensitive skin| Best For: Intense lightweight moisture | Size: 1.69 oz

What We Love: It makes skin look instantly dewy. 

What We Don’t Love: The gel-like formula feels a tiny bit sticky at first but dries down nicely.

The Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid has quickly gained a following for its instant glow-inducing results. The trendy serum is infused with brightening and texture-improving niacinamide, plumping peptides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and softening marula oil, all of which work together to create a dewy, healthy-looking complexion. 

Something we love about this fluid is that it’s formulated to pair well with foundation. So if you want a touch of coverage without sacrificing your flow, simply mix a couple pumps of Glazing Fluid with the foundation or CC cream of your choice for a radiant, refined visage. 

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, marula oil, peptides | Skin Type: All| Best For: An instant dose of dewy hydration | Size: 1.7 oz 

What We Love: It smells good, comes in cute packaging, and delivers its promised results. 

What We Don’t Love: It can pill up if you don’t let it fully dry down before the next product application.

If you have oily, acne-prone skin, you’ll want to use products that work to keep pores clear, balance sebum production, and prevent future blemishes. “Serums are beneficial to help at the surface level, but also get to the root of the problem — in the pore, where the sebum is produced,” Dr. Shamban says. She recommends blends of ingredients like glycolic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA), zinc, and tea tree oil. “Combinations here help to prevent buildup of dead skin cells, balance oils. and even help fade scars while minimizing redness, inflammation, and irritation,” she says.

With this in mind, the Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum is a must. The adorably-packaged facial serum is formulated with a 10 percent AHA and BHA clarity acid complex, along with hyaluronic acid and oil-balancing strawberry. Together, these ingredients work to effectively decongest pores for clearing-looking skin within six weeks of AM and PM use. 

Key Ingredients: AHAs, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, hyaluronic acid, strawberry | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, and oily| Best For: Smoother, brighter, less congested skin | Size: 1 oz

What We Love: It improves overall skin texture, minimizes pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, and addresses dull skin. 

What We Don’t Love: It can take time for your skin to adjust to the potent formula.

In your 30s, textural issues become more apparent in the form of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as enlarged pores. To keep these signs of aging at bay, reach for the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum. It’s formulated with glycolic, lactic salicylic, hyaluronic, and tartaric acids to decongest pores, gently slough away dry skin, as well as hydrate and plump the skin. Best of all, a little goes a long way — you need a pump (two max) for your face and neck. 

Admittedly, when we tried it on sensitive skin with rosacea, it took a couple weeks to adjust to the formula. We started by applying it twice a week and now use it every other night; weeks when our skin looks especially dull, we amp it up to nightly and have had no issues. 

Key Ingredients: AHA Blend, salicylic acid, raspberry fruit extract | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, and oily| Best For: Evening out skin tone and reducing the appearance of pores | Size: 1 oz

What We Love: This retinol is on par with prescription-strength retinoids.

What We Don’t Love: There’s an adjustment period when you switch to a potent retinol.

We’re regular users of this over-the-counter retinol and love how effective it is — the results are comparable to those with retinoids we’ve gotten from MDs. “This nighttime serum is formulated in a moisturizing base that provides all of the benefits of a retinol with virtually none of the irritation,” explains Dr. Hartman. “It is a great retinol option for those who have had difficulty tolerating other retinols and exfoliates in a gentle way.” 

There may still be an adjustment period if you’re new to retinols or have extremely sensitive skin. The brand describes like as a cream, and it certainly is in texture, but due to the potent nature of the product, you may want to top with another non-active moisturizer to keep skin supple. 

Key Ingredients: Retinol, glycolic acid, ceramides｜Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily, mature｜Best for: Anyone looking for a potent retinol to treat signs of aging｜Size: 1 oz

What We Love: This formula can address deeply-etched lines, which is a rarity.

What We Don’t Love: The price is steep; this is such a beloved formula that the brand has trouble keeping it in stock.

Short of getting Botox or filler (depending on your specific needs), it’s very hard to address deep lines and folds with products. Usually, once they’ve set in, you have to learn to accept them. However, this formula is one of the rare few we’ve seen that can help reduce the depth of deep, stubborn wrinkles — which is why fans call it “liquid Botox.” 

The secret to its success is acyl-glutathione, a proprietary blend of ingredients that includes potent antioxidant glutathione, a cocktail of three amino acids that helps strengthen and smooth skin. Exfoliant lactic acid plus multiple forms of vitamin F sourced from plants reinforce the benefits of the glutathione, improving texture and nourishing. We’d be remiss not to mention the price, which is on the higher side (though admittedly cheaper than injectables). It’s also so popular that it sells out frequently, so it’s best to stock up when you can — especially during sales.

Key Ingredients: Acyl-glutathione, lactic acid, vitamin F｜Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, sensitive, mature｜Best for: Very deep lines and wrinkles｜Size: 1 oz

What We Love: It’s a retinol formula that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin. 

What We Don’t Love: The texture of the serum is quite light and can sometimes border on runny, which makes it take longer to settle in.

A fan-favorite retinol serum that’s suitable for all skin types and costs less than $20? We’re sold! Even if you’re in your 20s, Dr. Hartman recommends adding a retinol serum to your lineup. “My opinion is that with the exception of people with rosacea or overly sensitive skin, everyone should be using a retinol,” he says. “It’s arguably the most important step that you can take for overall skin health and anti-aging after sun protection factor.” 

Plus, aside from SPF, retinol is probably the most studied ingredient in skincare, and is the only one that’s clinically proven to treat signs of aging — it regulates cell turnover, promotes exfoliation, evens tone, prevents acne, controls, oil, unclogs pores, and more. Nevertheless, if you’re still on the fence about working the miracle ingredient into your skincare routine, this affordable retinol serum is a great place to start due to its gentle yet effective formula chock full of hydrating and plumping hyaluronic acid, as well as three skin-soothing ceramides. 

Key Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Skin Type: All skin types| Best For: Preventing and treating fine lines and wrinkles | Size: 1 oz

What We Love: It’s developed with Harvard dermatologists. 

What We Don’t Love: It’s pricey and still relatively new, so only time will tell if it holds up as well as some heritage skincare brands.

Lion Pose is a new skincare brand with a mission we wholeheartedly love — to raise the standard for clinical testing and formulate products for all skin tones and concerns. The Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Dark Spot + Hyperpigmentation AHA Serum was developed with Harvard dermatologists and contains the optimal 15 percent blend of azelaic, glycolic, lactic, and tranexamic acids to gentle exfoliate skin and diminish dark spots. But that’s not all, the serum is also infused with plumping and hydrating hyaluronic acid and free radical-fighting glutathione, making it a wildly restorative formula all around. Oh and did we mention the packaging? It’s beautiful. 

Key Ingredients: Azelaic, glycolic, lactic, hyaluronic, and tranexamic acids | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, and oily| Best For: Dark spots and dull skin | Size: 1 oz 

What We Love: It works well to rebalance the skin and only costs $10. 

What We Don’t Love: The bottle is a little funky for a serum.

While most serums come in dropper bottles or pumps, the Inkey List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum is housed in a simple squeeze bottle which, admittedly, can get a teensy bit messy during application.

Nevertheless, the effective, affordable formula remains a top pick for folks with acne, oily skin, redness, and/or dark spots. The reason? The 10 percent niacinamide make-up works like a charm to balance skin for a healthier-looking complexion all around. And since it’s boosted with HA, you can expect notably more hydrated skin during use, too. 

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone skin, as well as redness-prone skin and complexions with enlarged pores| Best For: Anyone looking to quell an oily T-zone | Size: 1 oz

What We Love: It’s a gentle retinol alternative that’s more tolerable for sensitive skin. 

What We Don’t Love: The glass bottle is heavy and may break if you’re clumsy.

When a serum has thousands of 5-star reviews, it’s worth investigating—and the more we looked into the Beautycounter Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum, the more hooked we became. Designed to be a gentle retinol alternative, this serum is infused with anti-aging bakuchiol and Swiss alpine rose, both of which have been proven to diminish the appearance of fine lines, restore firmness, and even out texture. 

In fact, after just four weeks of use, 97 percent of study participants (in which there were 31) found that their fine lines looked less noticeable and 100 percent reported a smoother texture overall. In essence, you get the retinol results you crave without the potentially irritating side effects the ingredient is known for. While heavy, glass bottles look great, they are inconvenient for travel as well as more prone to breaking if you don’t have optimal counter space for storage. 

Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, Swiss alpine rose | Skin Type: All but especially sensitive skin types| Best For: People with sensitive skin looking for remarkable anti-aging results | Size: 1 oz

What We Love: The straightforward ingredients make it clear what you’ll be getting from this serum.

What We Don’t Love: If you apply too much, it will leave a tacky residue on your face.

“Perfect product, perfect price,” declares Ava Shamban, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills — and we’re inclined to agree. The formula features a high concentration of hyaluronic acid to help quench the thirst of dry complexions, while vitamin B5 (also known as panthenol) delivers anti-inflammatory benefits and added moisture. 

For those who are skincare newbies, this product (like the rest of those from The Ordinary) are very easy to understand. It’s also quite affordable — even in this larger size — so you won’t be making a huge commitment when trying it out. Keep in mind, though, that a little bit of this syrupy serum goes a long way, with only a few drops needed to cover the entire face. If you fill your palm, expect the formula to take forever to dry and leave a sticky sensation in its wake.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5｜Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive, mature｜Best for: Skin that needs a moisture boost｜Size: 2 oz

What We Love: It’s a multitasking formula that improves texture, tone, and firmness, smoothes fine lines, and boosts hydration. 

What We Don’t Love: It’s pricey for a drugstore find (though, worth it).

Housed in a pretty pearlescent bottle with a rose gold cap, the serum looks undeniably luxe and the benefits it offers are just as impressive. This lightweight milky serum is formulated with free radical-fighting vitamin E, dark spot-reducing niacinamide, brightening vitamin C, smoothing AHAs, and firming collagen peptide to address just about every aging concern in one fell swoop. When incorporating it into your routine, use a few drops morning and night and make sure to follow up with a face sunscreen in the AM.

Key Ingredients: Vitamins C and E, niacinamide, AHAs, collagen peptides | Skin Type: All| Best For: Anyone looking for an anti-aging serum | Size: 1 oz

What We Love: It packs several skincare steps into one jumbo bottle.

What We Don’t Love: You can only get this formula in one size, and it’s not travel friendly.

We were initially confused by the concept of a hybrid serum-toner, but anything that helps us cut down on steps in our routine is a must-try. We immediately fell in love with the formula, which is so incredibly nourishing that we found ourselves forgoing moisturizer, even on cold, dry winter days. 

Applying it is easy. Simply splash some of the lotion-like formula into your palm, then press it into your skin so the skin barrier-strengthening ceramides and hydrating vitamin B5 can get to work. It’s bound to quickly become a staple of your regimen, but only your at-home routine — the generously-sized packaging isn’t TSA approved.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, vitamin B5｜Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive, mature｜Best for: Dry skin that struggles to retain moisture｜Size: 5.07 oz

What to Keep in Mind

• Skincare Concern: When shopping for a serum, the most important thing is to consider your goals for your skin. Your goals — not the goals everyone’s speaking to on TikTok. “Following serum trends or choosing a serum based on an influencer recommendation is not always going to work for your specific skin needs,” says Dr. Hartman. With this in mind, think about how your skin performs on a monthly basis as well as how it is overall, and select your serums from there. “Some skin concerns are temporary, based on factors like seasonality, time of the month, lifestyle, nutrition, stress, and other factors, so as our skin changes, our need for boosting does too,” says Dr. Shamban.
• Active Ingredients: The active ingredients to look for in a serum should always align with your unique complexion concerns — except for hyaluronic acid (for hydration) and antioxidants (to prevent and repair photodamage), which everyone can and should use. As a general rule of thumb, if you have dull skin, an uneven tone, or dark spots, look for a serum with vitamin C and/or niacinamide; if you’re concerned about aging or wrinkles, retinol and retinol alternatives are worthwhile; if you struggle with acne, ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid can work wonders. (FYI: Concentration matters! Dr. Hartman says to seek out concentrations of 10 to 20 percent of vitamin C, 10 to 15 percent for AHAs, and .05 to 2.5 percent for BHAs.)
• Texture: In many cases, the texture of a serum is more of a personal preference, with no one being necessarily better than another. That said, some skin types do better with certain textures — for example, oily complexions may prefer watery formulas, gels, or gel lotions to help keep skin hydrated while preventing pore congestion, says Dr. Shamban, while dry or sensitive skin may respond better to a lipid-based serum. What matters most when considering texture is whether or not you plan on layering multiple serum formulas. “A thin, milky formula tends to have a runnier consistency than a lightweight gel, so you’d want to apply the thinner formula first,” explains Dr. Hartman. 

Your Questioned, Answered

Do face serums really work?

Yes, so long as you choose effective formulas and apply them properly. “The active ingredients in serums tend to be composed of smaller molecules that can be better absorbed into the skin, going deeper into the skin for maximum efficacy,” says Dr. Hartman. Then, your moisturizing creams serve as a barrier, sealing in the nutrients from your serum and adding their own benefits. Notice how we said the moisturizer seals it in? If you apply serums over moisturizer, they won’t be able to penetrate the cream and thus won’t be effective. 

How do you apply serums on your face?

Serum should be applied consistently, AM and PM (unless otherwise noted), to achieve the best results. They should also always be applied to clean skin. “You want the best absorption so serums are most effective immediately after cleansing, before moisturizing and sunscreen (in the morning)," says Dr. Shamban. 

How many serums should I use?

Less is more, says Dr. Hartman. “Most people would be fine with using one serum in the morning and another serum at night, but if you really want to use more than one, layer two serums max on your face.” You can also rotate an alternate formula in and out of your routine if your skin needs something different on a particular day. Just don’t feel the need to stack several serums into your morning and evening routines. “​​You don’t want to add so many active ingredients to your face that you risk irritation,” warns Dr. Hartman.

Why Shop With Us

Emily Orofino is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. She has worked behind the scenes at several major skincare brands to help develop new formulas — including serums — and has tested countless serums throughout her career as a beauty editor. 

Rebecca Norris is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, as well. Having worked with both women’s lifestyle publications and beauty brands, she has extensive knowledge of the latest and greatest serum formulas. 

For this piece, we consulted board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban, who practices in Beverly Hills, and Dr. Corey L. Hartman, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, to get their insights on all things serums.