Finding the best face serum for your skin type and concerns can be a transformative move for your complexion—so, if you have yet to use one, consider this your cue. “Serums are like espresso shots for your skin: highly concentrated and designed to deliver a potent dose of active ingredients right where they are needed most,” says Dr. Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New Haven, CT. As a result, they can target specific issues, like fine lines or discoloration, with more precision than a moisturizer, and their lightweight texture makes them easy to layer, she says.
Dermatologists’ Favorite Face Serums
However, a face serum’s tailored approach means that it’s not a one-size-fits-all product. Rather, there’s a lot of variety, and it helps to know what your goal is before you get started. With that in mind, scroll for dermatologist and editor recommendations on the best face serums for you.
In This Story
Best Antioxidant Serum: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic
- Why We Love It: “Vitamin C serums are the LBD of skincare; everyone should have one,” says Dr. Gohara. Dr. Julius Few, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago and Los Angeles, agrees. “As a pillar of any highly effective skin-care ritual, topical vitamin C calms and cools the skin while providing a layer of protection from free radicals and environmental pollutants,” he says. “Arguably the most important ingredient to maintain healthy skin long-term, antioxidants work to neutralize aging free radicals like pollution, smoke, and the main culprit, UV rays.” He suggests applying it daily underneath sunscreen to stimulate cell oxygenation to revitalize and firm texture. Of the best, SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic is a favorite of more than one Vogue editor thanks to its supercharged blend formulated to firm, brighten, and protect skin from oxidative stress.
- Key Ingredients: 15% l-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha tocopherol, 0.5% ferulic acid
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, dullness
- Skin Types: Normal, dry, combination, sensitive
- Size: 30 mL
Best Growth Factor Serum: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
- Why We Love It: As skin ages, its levels of collagen and elasticity drop while cell turnover slows down. That’s where firming serums come in, since they provide ingredients that speed up skin cell turnover, support collagen production, and deliver moisture—such as growth factors, one of the industry’s buzziest anti-aging ingredients. And SkinMedica TNS Advanced Serum contains growth factors that have been shown in studies to improve sagging skin and increase skin density. “TNS Advanced Serum is the overachiever of skincare—packed with growth factors that convince your skin to behave like it’s in its 30s again,” says Dr. Gohara, who likens it to sorcery (and credits the results with helping her avoid injectables well into her 40s).
- Key Ingredients: Growth factors, peptides, flax seed, marine extract, green microalgae
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging
- Skin Types: Normal, dry, combination, oily
- Size: 30 mL
Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum: iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum
- Why We Love It: “Hyaluronic is a glycosaminoglycan (a very large sugar) that occurs naturally in the body,” says Dr. Few. “Roughly half the hyaluronic acid in the body is present in your skin, where it binds to water to help retain moisture. As we age, the production of hyaluronic acid slows down and our complexion becomes drier and loses firmness. The right hyaluronic acid helps to increase moisture and diminish wrinkles and age lines. It also tightens, plumps, and firms the skin.” Few of these hydrators are as acclaimed as iS Clinical’s Hydra-Cool. Why? It boasts a sinks-right-in texture and not only moisturizes, but soothes and decongests thanks to centella asiatica, mushroom, and vitamin B—making it exceptional for dry skin types.
- Editor’s Experience: “True to its name, iS Clincial’s Hydra-Cool Serum imparts as soothingly chilly feel from the moment it touches skin’s surface. Sensorial benefits aside, its blend of hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica keeps my complexion hydrated for hours on end, and layers well with following steps in my routine.” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, mushroom, vitamin B
- Best For: Dryness, redness, rosacea, eczema, acne
- Skin Types: Dry, normal, combination, oily, acne-prone, sensitive
- Size: 30 mL
Best Retinol Serum: Iope Retinol Super Bounce Serum
- Why We Love It: If you plan to use a retinol serum in your routine, it’s a good idea to start with a Korean retinol serum in particular, since these are formulated to be gentle and ideal for daily use—without an extended acclimation period. Iope’s version is beloved by derms stateside for its balance of 1% retinol—a mid-strength concentration—with soothing ingredients. “Iope Retinol Super Bounce Serum targets early signs of aging while keeping the skin hydrated and resilient,” says Dr. Noah Gratch, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York and Long Island. “Its stabilized retinol stimulates collagen and cell turnover, while soothing and hydrating ingredients minimize dryness.” Making the most of retinol’s benefits are soothing cypress leaf, a skin barrier-supporting growth factor, and a patented Lacto-Exosome, which targets elasticity.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, cypress leaf, Lacto-Exosome, plant-derived epidermal growth factor
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, dark spots, blemish
- Skin Types: Dry, normal, combination, oily, acne-prone
- Size: 30 mL
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Collagen Bank 15% Vitamin C Serum
- Why We Love It: This potent vitamin C serum offers a lot of bang for your buck, according to Dr. Gohara. “It’s formulated with a high concentration of 15% pure vitamin C and 2% PHA, which gently exfoliates—allowing the vitamin C to absorb into refreshed skin,” she says. That allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin, leaving skin brighter and more even in a shorter amount of time than vitamin C would alone.
- Key Ingredients: 15% ascorbic acid, 2% gluconolactone, hydrolyzed collagen
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, dullness
- Skin Types: Normal, dry, combination, oily
- Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Best for Wrinkles: Medik8 Liquid Peptides
- Why We Love It: Unlike other active ingredients, it’s hard to overdo peptides: Since they carry out so many different functions in skin, from spurring collagen production to supplying moisture, it’s ideal to have as many as possible. And this peptide serum delivers, with 10 different peptides (which serve to smooth lines and plump lax skin) housed in yet another copper peptide that delivers them deep into the skin. While they can take several weeks to work, the formula also deploys hyaluronic acid to immediately plump and soften skin, yielding a bit of instant gratification.
- Editor’s Experience: “Peptides go a long way in my skin-care routine. Whether its providing a nourishing base for my retinol, delivering quick hydration, or preventing fine lines, I don’t go a week without one. Usually, it’s the Medik8 Liquid Peptides which delivers 10 different petides to keep skin firm, plump, and smooth.” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, acetyl hexapeptide-8, tetrapeptide-21, pentapeptide-18, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, pantolactone, palmitoyl tripeptide-38, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, copper palmitoyl heptapeptide-14, heptapeptide-15 palmitate, hyaluronic acid
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging
- Skin Types: Dry, normal, combination, oily, sensitive
- Size: 30 mL
Best for Dark Spots: Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%
- Why We Love It: This powerful serum has an eye-popping 30% concentration of THD ascorbate—a form of vitamin C known for being both gentler and more effective than its counterparts. That makes it “a do-it-all vitamin C that eliminates irritation and can be used by a variety of skin types,” Dr. Corey L. Hartman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, AL, previously shared with Vogue. “The lightweight formulation packs an antioxidant punch that brightens the skin and restores a more even, youthful skin surface.” That makes it an ideal addition to your winter skin-care routine if you’re dealing with seasonal dullness—or year-round for hyperpigmentation.
- Editor Experience: “I used an entire bottle of this to offset stubborn acne scars, and the formula went above and beyond. Not only did it make quick work of my dark spots, but it also evened out my overall skin tone, leaving it brighter and less red. I also appreciate that it sank in quickly and, unlike many vitamin C-powered formulas, didn’t have any noticeable scent.” —Deanna Pai, contributor
- Key Ingredients: 30% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, vitamin E
- Best For: Dark spots, redness
- Skin Types: Dry, normal, combination, oily, acne-prone
- Size: 30 mL
Best for Acne: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Why We Love It: While even the best acne treatments aren’t known for being gentle, the Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is effective without sacrificing comfort. “[Niacinamide] has a calming and brightening effect on the skin, helping to improve overall tone and texture while reducing breakouts and controlling excess sebum and oil production,” says New York-based dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, M.D., who adds that the healing, anti-inflammatory properties of this serum will most benefit those with oily skin or breakouts.
- Editor’s Experience: “When my skin has been particularly congested or oily, The Ordinary’s niacinamide serum is an easy add-on to my routine. The ingredients are simple, the feel is non-sticky, and the price point is impossible to beat. Plus, one to two drops goes a very long way!” —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: 10% niacinamide, 1% zinc
- Best For: Acne, redness, excess oil
- Skin Types: normal, combination skin, oily skin, acne-prone
- Size: 30 mL
Best for Sensitive Skin: Tower 28 SOS Intensive Rescue Serum
- Why We Love It: The high concentration of active ingredients—which is what makes a serum so potent—can be harsh for those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or rosacea. That’s where Tower 28 SOS Intensive Rescue Serum stands apart as an excellent serum for sensitive skin. “I love this calming serum, primarily due to its innovative use of hypochlorous acid, a powerful yet gentle antimicrobial agent naturally produced by our white blood cells,” Dr. Lauren Moy, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, CA, shared with Vogue. “This ingredient sets it apart by reducing inflammation and bacteria on the skin without causing irritation, making it suitable even for highly sensitive skin.”
- Key Ingredients: Hypochlorous acid
- Best For: Sensitivity, dryness
- Skin Types: Normal, dry, combination, sensitive
- Size: 60 mL
Best Korean: Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
- Why We Love It: The popularity of this Korean serum spans generations, in part because the technology evolves over time—keeping the formula as powerful and effective as its peers. The blend of herbal ingredients (among them ginseng, a vitamin C derivative, and madecassoside, a compound found in centella asiatica), the formula sets out to support the skin barrier, boost hydration, and defend against environmental stressors.
- Editor’s Experience: “On days when I prioritize my K-beauty favorites, this is the first serum I apply. The idea is that this sets the stage for the products that follow it. Best applied to damp skin after cleansing, this is remarkably hydrating—catering to skn’s moisture levels and plumpness sans irritation. My skin drinks it up!” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Baikal skullcap extract, ginseng extract, madecassoside
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging
- Skin Types: Normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive
- Size: 60 mL
Best for Redness: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5
- Why We Love It: There’s little not to love about this sought-after La Roche-Posay serum, which is among the best serums for dry and sensitive skin. The formula itself is quite gentle—hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin B5, and the label’s prebiotic thermal water come together for a versatile serum apt at hydrating, soothing, and strengthening the skin barrier. That said, it’s excellent to quell—or prevent—dryness or alleviate skin sensitivities, pairing well with virtually any other ingredient in your routine.
- Editor’s Experience: “This is one of my desert island skin-care picks. Its soothing, strengthening, and hydrating properties would surely do my complexion well in the dry, tepid desert, but these benefits certainly ring true in any climate! I’m obsessed with its viscous, dewy texture that creates a sort of moisture barrier on skin’s surface.” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, madecassoside
- Best For: Dryness
- Skin Types: All skin types, sensitive skin
- Size: 30 mL
Best for Glass Skin: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
- Why We Love It: Beauty of Joseon’s Glow Serum is one of the best face serums, Korean or otherwise. The serum blends powerful hydrants with pore-limiting ingredients for a gentle formula that helps deliver glass skin, even to those struggling with breakouts or uneven skin texture. The 60% propolis extract gives it a honey-like consistency, cushioning skin with much-need moisture, while niacinamide and BHA control surface oils and gently exfoliate for a clearer, smoother complexion.
- Key Ingredients: 60% of propolis extract, 2% niacinamide, 0.5% BHA
- Best For: Dryness, enlarged pores, brightening
- Skin Types: All skin types
- Size: 30 mL
Best for Nighttime: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
- Why We Love It: Just as with the rest of your body, your skin gets a chance to repair and restore itself in the overnight hours. Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair serum sets out to maximize this natural rest, making it a favorite of Dr. Jeanette Graf, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY. “It’s deeply nourishing on the skin with its formulation of peptides and hyaluronic acid,” she says. “The hyaluronic acid helps to lock moisture into the skin, while the peptides support the skin’s function and firm the skin, helping the skin look more rested and youthful.”
- Key Ingredients: Tripeptide-32, sodium hyaluronate, caffeine, squalane, bisabolol
- Best For: Dryness, wrinkles, dullness
- Skin Types: All skin types, especially mature skin
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Everything You Need to Know
What does face serum actually do for your skin?
Put simply; Dale describes serums as “medicine” for your skin. And everyone has their own way of breaking down their power: “Serums deliver more concentrated versions of active ingredients to the skin,” explains dermatologist Dr. Julius Few, a plastic surgeon and founder of The Few Institute in Chicago and Los Angeles. “The purpose of the active ingredient can vary, from hydrating to skin brightening to wrinkle-reducing.”
A serum’s thin, concentrated formula allows it to treat skin concerns in a more targeted way than other products in a daily routine. “Serums can make the skin look and feel better with just a small amount—a little goes a long way,” says dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara, associate clinical professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. “They’re a worthwhile addition, and I often recommend them to my patients.” Compared to moisturizers, serums are supercharged and “meant to deliver their specific skin-care benefit straight to the skin in a more potent, effective dose than a moisturizer,” according to Charlene Valledor, cosmetic chemist and president of SOS Beauty. New formulations from forward-thinking brands can even replace other products in your routine.
Ingredients to look for in Face Serums
Think of face serums are really impressive cocktails of the industry’s most potent ingredients—and unless you understand what each addition does, you may not be picking the right face serum for you. So, we tapped board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp to explain ten of the most acclaimed skincare ingredients found in today’s face serums.
- Vitamin C: “Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it helps to neutralize the negative impact of free oxygen radicals on skin cells,” says Camp. “Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that can damage cellular structures, like DNA, lipids, and proteins.”
- Niacinamide: Per Camp, niacinamide is part of the B vitamin complex. “It is included in skincare products because of its tolerability, ability to calm irritated skin and address uneven skin tone.”
- Retinol: “Retinols help regulate skin cell turnover, which can reduce the formation of blocked pores and the formation of acne,” he explains of the vitamin A derivative. “The long-term, regular use of retinol increases collagen production, which improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
- Hyaluronic Acid: “As a humectant, hyaluronic acid attracts and retains water molecules in the skin,” he notes. “By improving skin’s hydration, this well-tolerated product improves the plumpness of skin and minimizes the appearance of fine lines.”
- Peptides: Peptides, according to Camp, are the building blocks of proteins. “Structural proteins like collagen and elastin provide firmness and rigidity to skin. Peptides are included in skincare products because they may signal the skin to produce more structural proteins.”
- Centella Asiatica: “Centella asiatica is a plant-based compound known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties,” Camp explains. “It helps repair the skin barrier, and is especially helpful in those with more sensitive skin or who are prone to eczema and rosacea.”
- Squalane: “Similar in properties to the skin’s own natural sebum, squalane is an effective emollient and moisturizer,” he says. “It is well-tolerated and keeps skin smooth, soft, and hydrated.”
- AHAs: Camp explains that AHAs, or “alpha-hydroxy acids, like lactic acid and glycolic acid, are gentle exfoliants that help skin shed dead skin cells to reveal brighter, healthier skin.”
- BHAs: On the other hand, “beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), like salicylic acid, are lipophilic, which means they can commingle with oil in pores. This property enables BHAs to be effective at treating acne-prone skin.”
- Growth Factors: “Examples of growth factors used in skin care products include epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta),” he details. “They are included in skin care products because of their effect on cellular activity and tissue repair to address signs of aging.”
How to Pick The Best Face Serum for Your Skin
The range of options now encompasses solutions for a range of skin concerns. “Serum offerings were a bit limited in the past; we didn’t have acne serums or serums for skin during pregnancy. Today, serums are more nuanced, appreciating one size doesn’t fit all here,” says Gohara. McLeod-Valentine trains regulars on what to use, and how to use it.
- Skin Concern: “I explain to my clients that serums can be used to target specific concerns like wrinkles, dehydration, tone, elasticity, etc.,” he says.
- Application: For application, newcomers can go by feel: “Simple rule of thumb, the lighter a product’s texture or more intense its use of active ingredients dictates the order of application with these being used first and each subsequent product being layered on top,” says McLeod-Valentine. “Cleanser, then toner or essence, then serum, and then cream.” At night, you can stop there. For day, experts recommend adding on an SPF as the final flourish.
- Dermatologist Tested: Camp explains that products labeled “dermatologist-tested” help provide an elixir’s trustworthiness and dependability, where the formula was tested and signed off by a dermatologist. “The testing may have been done to evaluate tolerability or sensitivity, but typically does not imply anything about the product’s efficacy,” he notes.
When should I apply a face serum?
You should apply face serum after cleansing, but before moisturizing, “ideally on slightly damp skin to help it absorb better,” says Dr. Gohara. As for the time of day, it largely depends on the type of serum and active ingredient. “Morning serums often focus on protection and brightness, like antioxidants and vitamin C, while nighttime serums lean toward repair and renewal, such as retinol or peptides,” she says. Also, she recommends following it with a moisturizer (and sunscreen, if you’re applying it for daytime) to help seal in those active ingredients.
How long does it take to see results from a face serum?
Ultimately, it depends on the active ingredients. But for the most part, “serums show visible changes within four to eight weeks with consistent use,” says Dr. Gohara. “Hydrating serums may deliver an instant glow, while those targeting pigmentation or wrinkles take longer as skin cells renew.” Think of it as exercise for your face: “Steady, consistent effort pays off over time,” she says.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to facial serums, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
- Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New Haven, CT
- Julius Few, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago, IL
- Jeanette Graf, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY
- Noah Gratch, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York and Long Island
- Corey L. Hartman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Birmingham, AL
- Lauren Moy, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, CA
