We found a highly concentrated formula for nearly every skin concern.
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The best face serums make it easy to get in your daily dose of potent, performance-focused actives. Whether they're dishing out antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, peptides, or botanical agents, face serums are excellent at delivering ingredients deep into your skin, using smaller molecules (compared to your moisturizer, for example) to do so.
“In contrast to moisturizers, serums don't contain air-tight, occlusive ingredients, which allows them to penetrate more deeply into the epidermis, carrying their active ingredients with them,” says Kenneth Howe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Even better: Whether your skin concerns range from fine lines, dark spots, acne, or all of the above, there's a serum ready to put in the work. Below, we've rounded up 13 of the best face serums the web has to offer—many of them recommended by dermatologists and all tested by us—so keep scrolling to find your new skin-care hero.
Our Top Face Serums
- Best Overall: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $182
- Best Antioxidant: Dr. Loretta Vitamin C Repair Serum, $110
- Best for Oily Skin: Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide, $36
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Doft New York Vitamin Antioxidant Renewal Serum, $250
- Best Plumping: Marie Veronique C+E+Ferulic Serum, $115
- Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum, $295
- Best for Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum, $40
- Best for Combination Skin: Clarins Double Serum Light, $135
- Best for Discoloration: Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%, $148
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the benefits of using a face serum?
- When should I use my serum in my routine?
- Can I use multiple serums at once? What can't I mix?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
SkinCeuticals
C E Ferulic
$182 SkinCeuticals
$182 Bluemercury
$182 Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Allure editors, dermatologists, and our readers agree: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum is worth every penny. As its name suggests, this Allure Best of Beauty- and Readers' Choice Award-winning elixir is formulated with a potent trifecta of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, to reduce free radical damage. It also promises to brighten your complexion, reduce discoloration and the appearance of fine lines, and improve firmness all at once. Shout out to glycerin, which gives it hydrating abilities, too. "[This serum is] my personal go-to because it contains a potent triple combination of antioxidants," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD, previously told Allure. You can use this serum night or day, but it's especially useful in the morning to prep your face for contact with free radicals.
Tester feedback: “I’ve been blending four drops of this antioxidant serum on my bare skin (under sunscreen, of course) every morning for about a decade,” says executive beauty director Jenny Bailly. “Every time I stray, my hyperpigmentation rises up to let me know I made a grave mistake.”
Key ingredients: ascorbic acid, vitamin E, ferulic acid, glycerin | Who it's for: anyone game to invest in a bestseller | Primary benefits: softening fine lines, firmness, hydrating | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Antioxidant: Dr. Loretta Vitamin C Repair Serum
Dr. Loretta
Vitamin C Repair Serum
$110 $95 Amazon
$110 Dermstore
$110 Revolve
Why it's worth it: Vitamin C is a top-tier ingredient for anyone who wants a smoother, brighter complexion (so, basically everyone), and out of the hundreds of antioxidant-powered elixirs we test for a living, many of our editors swear by Dr. Loretta’s Vitamin C Repair Serum. The key to this gold-standard serum is tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a stabilized, oil-soluble version of vitamin C that penetrates deep into the surface layers of your skin. This concentrated form of vitamin C is teamed with lilac stem cells and two forms of marine algae to hydrate, brighten, and minimize free-radical damage caused by UVA and UVB rays and pollution.
Tester feedback: "The smell of this is what first intrigued me because it literally smells like a fresh orange juice, but what sold me on my now third bottle of it is the brightness it brings to my skin without feeling heavy or overpowering," says shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis.
Key ingredients: vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate), lilac stem cells, marine algae (undaria pinnatifida and alaria esculenta) | Who it's for: anyone targeting dark spots and fine lines | Primary benefits: brightening, tone-evening, smoothing, hydrating | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Oily Skin: Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide
Kiehl's
Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide
$36 Bluemercury
$36 Amazon
Why it's worth it: Niacinamide is known for its skin-brightening benefits, but the antioxidant, which is the star of Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide, also works to balance excess oil and redness. This antioxidant also has hydrating properties, which the brand enhances with glycerin. Since this serum is fragrance-free and niacinamide also has skin-calming, anti-inflammatory properties, it’s a great pick for anyone with sensitive skin or who wants to boost the brightness of their skin tone, too. "Niacinamide works with your skin's natural chemistry to improve overall skin texture by rebuilding a lipid layer, minimizing the appearance of pores, and preventing UV damage and inflammation as an antioxidant," says Seattle-based board-certified dermatologist Brandith Irwin, MD.
Tester feedback: “I started using this niacinamide for the first time this Janurary and I've been very impressed so far,” says associate beauty editor Annie Blay. “The texture is slightly sticky but hydrating my skin with a toner beforehand mitigates that. I love how hydrating it is and while I can't say it's eradicated my dark spots my skin does look smoother and clearer in the month I've been using it.”
Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin | Who it's for: anyone who wants to minimize dark spots, oil, and redness | Primary benefits: brightening, mattifying, tone-evening | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Doft New York Vitamin Antioxidant Renewal Serum
Dr. Doft
Vitamin Antioxidant Renewal Serum
$250 Doft
Why it's worth it: Even sensitive skin types can enjoy the brightening, dark spot-reducing properties of the Doft New York Vitamin Antioxidant Renewal Serum. As its name suggests, this gentle serum is powered by an ensemble cast of complexion-evening antioxidants, including two stabilized, potent forms of vitamin C (ethyl ascorbic acid and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate), and a soothing antioxidant trio of niacinamide, panthenol, and vitamin E. This serum also contains peptides and orange-derived plant stem cells to enhance the antioxidant blend’s firming properties.
Tester feedback: “The board-certified plastic surgeon behind this brand—Melissa Doft, MD—spent roughly a decade developing her products, and it really shows in every detail of my favorite product from the line: Vitamin Antioxidant Renewal Serum,” says senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen. “Housed in a luxuriously heavy glass bottle with gilded detailing, this creamy concoction of niacinamide, plant stem cells, peptides, and vitamins E and C gives me an instant brightness and glow, all the while working at a deep level to calm down inflammation and protect my skin barrier. The results speak for themselves!”
Key ingredients: vitamin C (ethyl ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate), niacinamide, panthenol, vitamin E, | Who it's for: anyone, including sensitive skin types | Primary benefits: brightening, tone-evening, reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, hydrating | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Plumping: Marie Veronique Vitamins C + E + Ferulic Serum
Marie Veronique
Vitamins C+E+Ferulic Serum
$115 Credo Beauty
$115 Marie Veronique
Why it's worth it: For glowing skin, try an antioxidant-packed serum like the Marie Veronique Vitamins C + E + Ferulic Serum. Its max-strength combination of ferulic acid, vitamin E, and two forms of stabilized vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) takes your natural glow up a few notches. Those aren’t the only antioxidants in this formula: co-enzyme Q (also known as co-Q10) and astaxanthin also make an appearance to smooth and plump your skin texture, addressing inflammation, fine lines, and dullness all at once.
Tester feedback: “As someone who is decidedly not a morning person, incorporating anything more than a quick cleanse and SPF into my morning skincare routine took some working up to,” says commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann. “Marie Veronique's C+E+Ferulic Serum makes that extra step a pleasure and something I genuinely look forward to. The texture is somewhere between a liquid and gel, so it's super easy to apply and absorbs in a flash. It delivers antioxidant protection that—when paired with my fave Korean sunscreen, duh—gives me confidence that my skin is protected from NYC's less-than-ideal air quality. Yes, it does smell a little hot-doggy (many vitamin C serums unfortunately do), but it's worth overlooking for the lovely bounce and glow it imparts on my skin.”
Key ingredients: vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate), vitamin E, ferulic acid | Who it's for: anyone who wants a brighter, more even complexion | Primary benefits: brightening, tone-evening, hydrating | Fragrance-free: yes
More face serums we love:
Best for Mature Skin: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
SkinMedica
TNS Advanced+ Serum
$295 Amazon
$295 Dermstore
$295 Bluemercury
Why it's worth it: Austin, Texas-based board-certified dermatologist Heidi Prather, MD, has noticed that many technology-driven serums are focusing on elastin and collagen to enhance skin elasticity—one of the reasons SkinMedica's TNS Advanced+ Serum has become so popular in her Texas practice. "The formulation feels silky and smooth on your skin and provides a powerful combination of growth factors and plant-based antioxidants to boost collagen and elastin," she says. As such, TNS Advanced+ is a top-tier pick for mature skin.
Key Ingredients: peptides, growth factors, linseed extract | Who It's For: people focused on prevention | Primary benefits: anti-sagging, smoothing, collagen-boosting | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum
La Roche-Posay
Hyalu B5 Serum
$40 Amazon
$40 Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, says that no matter your skin type, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum is a great place to start when it comes to serums. "This serum combines concentrated pure hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, and vitamin B5 for tons of hydration without the irritation," she explains. Though the brand claims this formula is sensitive skin-friendly, it does contain fragrances. To avoid irritation, sensitive skin types should try La Roche-Posay's fragrance-free Anthelios AOX Antioxidant Serum, which doubles as a broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen.
Tester feedback: “This serum is formulated to impart serious moisture, and I am happy to report that it does what it's supposed to,” says former Allure testerJihan Forbes.“This serum blesses my skin with a super-moisturized base—perfect for layering on my favorite moisturizers and oils—and a dewy and plump look.”
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, vitamin B5 | Who it's for: people with dry skin | Primary benefits: hydrating, plumping, barrier-protecting | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Combination Skin: Clarins Double Serum Light
Clarins
Double Serum Light
$135 Nordstrom
$135 Sephora
Why it's worth it: We love the OG Clarins Double Serum, but the "Light" rendition is another favorite (a Best of Beauty-winning favorite, at that). This formula was designed with oily skin types in mind, but it’s a good pick for anyone who wants a grease-free finish all day because of its oil-reducing abilities. While it contains the same plant extracts found in the original, like tone-evening turmeric and conditioning avocado, the dual-phase formula now features a far lighter oil phase—so it doesn't feel as tacky on the skin. Give the bottle a gentle shake to mix the oil and water in the bottle (hydric and lipidic phases), apply, and let the formula work its magic.
Key ingredients: glycerin, squalane, milk thistle seed oil, oat extract, turmeric, avocado oil, mango oil, vitamin C | Who it's for: people prone to oil | Primary benefits: hydrating, smoothing, firming | Fragrance-free: no
Best for Discoloration: Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%
Revision Skincare
C+ Correcting Complex 30%
$185 Amazon
$185 Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Dr. Prather says Revision Skincare's C+ Correcting Complex 30% lightweight formula is great for combination skin because its potent concentration of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (an oil-soluble form of vitamin C) allows the product to intensively address both current acne and dark spots previous one have left behind while balancing oil production—all without drying out less hydrated parts of your skin. "It is also packed with ingredients that work hard to protect, brighten, and boost your skin health without breaking you out," she adds. This formula is also infused with prebiotic sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan and diglucosyl gallic acid, a duo that helps support the skin barrier starting at its microbiome.
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Key ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-glucan | Who it's for: people with dull skin or discoloration | Primary benefits: brightening, defending against free radicals | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Retinol: Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
Sunday Riley
A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum
$85 Amazon
$85 Nordstrom
$85 Dermstore
Why it's worth it: Sunday Riley's buzzy A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum packs a punch when it comes to smoothing the appearance of fine lines over time. It's one of the best retinol serums for people who want a potent 6.5% blend that won’t sting, thanks to its combination of two encapsulated retinoids and the inclusion of soothing ingredients like white honey, bisabolol, cactus extract, and ginger extract. The combination of retinol and its derivatives makes this a good option for those still dealing with breakouts.
Tester feedback: Associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen says that this concentrated formulation is suitable for her sensitive skin when applied using the "sandwich technique" (a.k.a. applying a layer of moisturizer before and after retinol to help your skin better tolerate the ingredient). “Key ingredients: retinoid ester (5%), liposomal-encapsulated retinol (1%), blue-green algae (0.5%), CoQ10, bisabolol | Who it's for: people who want to target fine lines | Primary benefits: line-smoothing, scar-fading | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Retinol Alternative: Tatcha The Silk Serum
Tatcha
The Silk Serum
$98 Amazon
$98 Tatcha
Why it's worth it: Tatcha's The Silk Serum won a Best of Beauty Award in the sensitive category because it swaps out retinol for cranberry extract and sea fennel, two next-generation (and plant-derived) alternatives that smooth the look of wrinkles without irritating. It's also infused with silk proteins, which bind to moisture to improve the look of fine lines and dryness and reduce redness.
Key ingredients: cranberry extract, sea fennel, silk protein | Who it's for: those who want the benefits of retinol without harsh side effects | Primary benefits: smoothing, redness-reducing, hydrating | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Post-Treatment Serum: Alastin Skincare Regenerating Skin Nectar
Alastin Skincare
Regenerating Skin Nectar
$236 Alastin Skincare
$248 Amazon
Why it's worth it: Whether your skin is chronically sensitive or experiencing temporary irritation or fragility after an in-office treatment, Dr. Prather says Alastin Skincare's Regenerating Skin Nectar is an excellent remedy to help get your skin back to its best. This water- and fragrance-free formula is so much more than just a soother. "It is preservative-free, bacteriostatic, and the patented TriHex technology is packed with peptides that boost elastin while calming inflamed skin and decreasing downtime post-procedure," she tells Allure. Try it after laser resurfacing, microneedling, or IPL to seriously calm your skin.
Key ingredients: arnica, phytoene, phytofluene | Who it's for: people who have super sensitive skin and consistently get in-office procedures | Primary benefits: strengthening, smoothing, calming | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5 % Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
L'Oréal Paris
Revitalift 1.5 % Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
$46 Amazon
$36 Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in La Jolla, California, loves the gentle, hydrating nature of the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5 % Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. “This lightweight hyaluronic acid serum delivers intense hydration by combining low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid to visibly plump and smooth the skin,” she says. Providing different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid allows this serum to quench multiple surface layers of the skin at different levels, leaving behind a smoother, plumber look. This serum pairs the humectant with hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, also known as HEPES or sulfonic acid, to enhance radiance and minimize dark spots.
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, HEPES (hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid) | Who it's for: anyone who has dry or sensitive skin | Primary benefits: hydrating, brightening | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a face serum?
Serums tend to contain higher concentrations of their active ingredients than other skin-care products, leading to more dramatic results in a faster time period. On top of their potent formulations, facial serums are a mainstay for skin-care novices and lovers alike because of their lightweight textures. "Serums are the new moisturizers," New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, tells Allure. "They are perfect for layering—like a primer on clean skin before makeup or sunscreen."
When should I use my serum in my routine?
According to New York City-based dermatologist David Kim, MD, you should apply your serum after cleansing and before your moisturizer. "Serums have more active ingredients in higher concentration, and they are formulated to either brighten, hydrate, or calm the skin," he says. "Then a moisturizer goes on top to lock in the moisture and to repair the skin barrier."
Can I use multiple serums at once? What can't be mixed?
Dr. Kim says you can tag-team multiple serums to tackle numerous skin-care concerns, but make sure you aren't flooding your pores with too many harsh active ingredients at once—that can lead to sensitivity and irritation. "For example, you can apply a lightweight vitamin C serum with a hydrating serum on top before sunscreen," says Dr. Kim. "This is particularly effective for people with oily acne-prone skin who don't like a heavier, thicker moisturizer."
As for bad combinations? "I don't recommend layering strong, active ingredients because it can lead to irritation, such as combining a retinol with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs)," Nina Desai, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California, previously told Allure. "I find the combination can be too drying and irritating to the skin." Dr. Desai also warned against using benzoyl peroxide with actives you might find in your serum.
Meet the experts
- Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
- Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Heidi Prather, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin, Texas
- Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in La Jolla, California
- Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Kenneth Howe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
- Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
- Nina Desai, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best face serums, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Serums deserve friends. Add these to your skin-care routine ASAP:
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- 18 Best Face Exfoliators for Glowing Skin
- 14 Night Creams to Soothe Seriously Dry, Irritated Skin
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