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The best face serums are some of the most powerful skin care products you can buy. They’re lightweight and absorb easily, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, so they can deliver “key ingredients” to the skin, often at higher concentrations. That makes serums a top pick for myriad skin care concerns, including fine lines, stubborn acne, dark spots and dry skin.
However, that overwhelming diversity presents a problem. When serums seem to address nearly every skin care problem known to dermatologists, how can you find the right formula for your face? That’s where we come in. Drawing on the expertise of 11 skin care professionals, including leading dermatologists, we’ll give you a tour of the best serums on the market, whether you want something to tighten, brighten, exfoliate or soothe your skin.
"This retinol serum is formulated as an encapsulated retinol to reduce the appearance of fine lines and dullness," Garshick said, adding that it also strengthens the skin barrier and hydrates. Plus, it's more affordable and widely available than many serums on this list.
After months of using this brightening and anti-aging serum, CNN Underscored updates writer Ellen McAlpine said she's noticed reduced fine lines and better skin texture. A single bottle has lasted her months too, so you know it's well worth the spend.
Retinols can be hard to tolerate at first, often causing dryness and flaking. But Catie Boucher, a board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner and the founder of SavvyDerm, said this formula is gentle enough for newcomers, making it her favorite anti-aging serum. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annette Czernik said it works well as a leave-on treatment for acne-prone or oily skin too.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch said this formula "diminishes signs of aging and promotes plumper and smoother skin," tackling concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin and dullness. That's thanks to potent plant extracts, turmeric and peptides.
Driven by skin-plumping peptides, niacinamide and other skin care superstars, Garshick said this serum "can reduce the appearance of expression lines" and "improve radiance." Since it's free of fragrances and parabens, it's great for all skin types too.
A budget-friendly pick, this serum smoothes and reduces dynamic and static wrinkles. Dr. Jennifer Levine, a double board-certified face and neck plastic surgeon, said her "patients over 40 typically begin to develop fine lines and deeper-set wrinkles that are more noticeable, especially on the forehead and around the mouth." To treat these, she recommends this wrinkle serum, which combines retinol and a peptide complex. According to Levine, the formula "helps repair both expression lines and more stubborn wrinkles while maintaining hydration and plumping the skin."
Packed with vitamins E, A and C, "This product works wonders for all skin types to help provide protection against aging, free radicals and pigmentation," said Emma Smith, licensed aesthetician and senior manager of training at Glowbar.
With its long list of active ingredients, "A-Luminate supports skin health on multiple levels: collagen renewal, inflammation control and discoloration prevention," Vanessa Coppola, a board-certified nurse practitioner and the founder of Bare Aesthetic, said. She added that it's particularly effective for "hormonally influenced aging" and is tolerated by all skin types.
Add Parëva's brightening, tightening serum to your mature beauty arsenal. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman said the vitamin C-based formula decreases inflammation with the brand's proprietary plant stem cells, while other powerful ingredients hydrate and support the skin barrier. "When using a serum, I recommend applying the serum and then following with a moisturizer to lock in hydration twice daily," the dermatologist added.
Amy Peterson, a medical aesthetician and the founder of the Miami-based medspa Skincare by Amy Peterson, considers this a high-strength exfoliator that "helps to reveal smoother skin without drying it out," thanks to the glycerin and hyaluronic acid in its ingredient list.
Leveraging the power of beta and alpha hydroxy acids (plus strawberry's natural exfoliating properties), Garshick said this K-beauty product improves texture, tone and pore size. It's gentle enough to use twice daily but should be followed by face sunscreen and face moisturizer.
If you're looking for something gentle, try this formula from Sunday Riley. "A clinically respected resurfacing serum, Good Genes uses pharmaceutical-grade lactic acid to dissolve dull, dead skin cells while also hydrating and smoothing," Coppola said.
TruSkin's affordable vitamin C serum is a hit at with editors, earning praise from CNN Underscored managing editor Rachel Quigley for its brightening abilities. But the brand's sunscreen-infused serum also deserves a look. Garshick said the formula "blends easily and offers a natural tint without leaving a white cast behind." What's more, it offers broad-spectrum protection from the sun.
Coppola calls this a "go-to solution for patients experiencing uneven tone from hormonal shifts or previous acne," adding that it's not overly aggressive. You can use it to address "post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma and UV-induced discoloration," she said.
The gold standard in terms of cult favorites, this CNN Underscored editor-approved serum from SkinCeuticals works to diminish dark spots and dullness over time. "It's a favorite among dermatologists for good reason and recently received an updated formula," Czernik said. CNN Underscored beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw has been testing the new version and said it has everything you know and love from the original, plus two new ingredients that further support sensitive skin and fight pigmentation.
If you're sensitive to vitamin C, this serum is a great alternative. The editor-loved formula uses a patented antioxidant called Malassezin to target dark spots and hyperpigmentation, fostering a brighter and balanced complexion.
Peterson recommends this serum formulated with 15% vitamin C to combat signs of aging while brightening the skin and boosting radiance. "It’s also enriched with pycnogenol and vitamin E, and works to reinforce the skin barrier," she added.
Readers of all skin types can brighten their complexion and get rid of dark spots and hyperpigmentation with this niacinamide and Melasyl formula, which promotes radiant skin, Gratch said.
Though Korean beauty products are in the limelight now, CNN Underscored senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus said "Japanese skin care is the next big thing." This 2-in-1 serum from Japan is proof of that, according to the editor. Not only does it streamline her morning routine but it helps save space during travel.
Loaded with hydrating ingredients that "lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier," Gratch said this lightweight serum plumps, hydrates and reduces wrinkles without clogging pores. All skin types can use it, he added, though it's particularly suited to dry and crepey skin.
This expert-recommended K-beauty product is from one of the brands that pioneered PDRN skin care. Derived from salmon DNA, PDRN is a buzzy skin care ingredient known for its skin-rejuvenating properties. Shaw, who has finished two bottles, said it makes a great accompaniment to skin tools like the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro or a gua sha, as the formula has a lot of slip to it. Once it absorbs, she said it makes her skin look noticeably glowier.
"Viral products don't always live up to the hype, but I have to say this serum from Medicube does," CNN Underscored testing and updates writer Michelle Rae Uy said. Like Rejuran's formula, it uses PDRN to hydrate and improve elasticity. Uy said the lightweight formula is so moisturizing that she can skip her usual moisturizer on hot days and nights.
"Offering 24-hour hydration, this serum contains two types of hyaluronic acid to help boost moisture and leave the skin looking and feeling hydrated without clogging the pores or leaving the skin feeling greasy," Garshick said.
This is our favorite hydrating serum for textured skin. CNN Underscored associate testing writer Carolina Gazal said it calmed breakouts, improved texture and made her skin glow.
This is an affordable yet trustworthy serum, according to Peterson. "[It's] hydrating, nongreasy, fragrance-free and delivers 1.5% of pure hyaluronic acid helping to plump the skin and, ultimately, help reduce fine lines," she said.
Using hyaluronic acid and Vichy volcanic water, this product hydrates and plumps the skin, Garshick said. "It can be layered underneath a thicker moisturizing cream or used by itself for complete hydration, helping to boost moisture and give the skin a healthy, hydrated and dewy glow."
When it comes to hydrating the skin after cleansing, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Prem Tripathi recommends this glycerin and hyaluronic acid serum. It layers well under moisturizer and sunscreen, Czernik added, and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
This viral beauty product gets a lot of attention from CNN Underscored editors and skin care enthusiasts online. Several dermatologists we spoke to are also fans, including Gratch who commends its oil control and brightening potential. You can also use it to fight acne, Coppola added, noting that it's "especially helpful for adult hormonal acne and keratin congestion."
Not only is this a hit with editors but it also earns an endorsement from Garshick who said it improves the appearance of blemishes while unclogging pores. The formula is also soothing, Garshick said, thanks to the addition of La Roche-Posay's thermal spring water.
"This innovative, oil-free formula combines 2% dioic acid with an optimal blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, effectively reducing acne formation, unclogging pores and improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone," Peterson said. "It offers multiple benefits, such as reduced excess sebum production, improved skin tone and decongested pores, making it an ideal choice for acne-prone, oily, combination and aging skin types."
Combine the hydrating, anti-aging powers of peptides and niacinamide, and you've got an anti-aging formula that also increases firmness and elasticity, Gratch said. It's also suitable for sensitive skin.
Originally used to treat radiation burns, this serum, which Boucher has nicknamed "liquid ibuprofen," includes hyaluronic acid that penetrates, hydrates and repairs the skin.
Peterson recommends this serum for those "seeking a soothing and hydrating solution." Harnessing hyaluronic acid, cucumber, thyme and other botanical ingredients, it "not only replenishes moisture but also alleviates redness and sensitivity. It gives sensitive skin the comfort and care it needs while boosting and brightening the complexion," according to the aesthetician.
Start by identifying your primary skin care concerns, Camp said, then choose a serum with ingredients that target that issue. A few common concerns include the following.
Aging: If you’re combatting wrinkles and aging skin, Coppola recommends products with peptides, retinoids, antioxidants and growth factors.
Acne: Serums that treat acne typically use alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), two powerful exfoliators. Just be careful about mixing skin care products with these actives.
Sensitivity: For skin prone to irritation, Coppola recommends choosing “serums with calming agents like panthenol, oat extract or thermal spring water.”
Dryness: Tryhyaluronic acid and ceramide blends if you have dry skin, Coppola said.
But remember: You don’t have to figure this out on your own. “With so many different serums available on the market, the best option is to schedule an appointment with a professional to help you determine your biggest skin concerns and which serums would work best to target them,” Boucher said.
“A face serum is a lightweight, fast-absorbing formulation that delivers high concentrations of active ingredients directly into the skin,” Coppola said. “Its molecular structure allows for deeper penetration than creams or lotions, making it ideal for targeting specific concerns such as fine lines, pigmentation, dehydration and inflammation.”
Use serums after cleansing your face and before applying moisturizer, Garshick said.
You can also use the “thinnest to thickest” rule, Boucher said, applying the lightest products in your regimen first. However, there are caveats to this rule, she added, “so reviewing your products with your provider is the best way to make sure you’re getting the most out of your facial serums.”
Camp recommends waiting one to two minutes to prevent dilution and ensure the formulas penetrate your skin.
That said, Boucher has a simpler answer: “As long as you have applied the correct dose of serum and have massaged it fully into the skin, you are good to move on to your moisturizer.”
How often you apply a face serum will depend on the formula, Czernik said. According to the dermatologist, you can use hydrating formulas once or twice a day, but you should limit stronger serums like retinols and exfoliants to a few nights a week. “More isn’t always better, especially with active ingredients,” she said, adding that your best bet is to follow the product’s directions.
“They serve complementary roles, not competitive ones,” Coppola said. “Toners help rebalance skin pH and prepare the skin for absorption, while serums deliver potent treatment ingredients.” For the best results, she recommends using both.
Meet our experts
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:
CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.
For this article, CNN Underscored associate updates writer Maxwell Shukuya teamed up with fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw to interview 11 skin care experts for their skin care advice and product recommendations. Shaw, who has spent years testing beauty products, also supplemented the piece with her own expertise.
Sophie Shaw is Underscored's beauty and fashion editor. The Brooklyn-based journalist loves getting nerdy about skin care and, on the fashion side, delving into what viral trends are actually worth trying. (Ballet flats are a yes for her, but low-rise pants are a never.)
Maxwell Shukuya is an associate writer for CNN Underscored who covers updates across a variety of verticals. He has a particular passion for gear, especially when it comes to coffee, hiking and climbing.
