As we get older, the signs of aging on our skin become more and more noticeable – fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and loss of firmness and radiance. While we can’t completely stop the aging process, using the right skincare products can make a big difference in slowing down and minimizing the visible effects of aging on our complexion. One of the most important and effective products to include in an anti-aging skincare routine is a serum.
Serums are lightweight treatments that contain high concentrations of active ingredients. They absorb quickly into the skin and can target specific concerns like wrinkles, dullness, and uneven tone and texture. Using an anti-aging serum consistently can help improve the overall health and appearance of your skin, making it look smoother, brighter, firmer and more youthful.
I’ve tested dozens of anti-aging serums to find the absolute best ones for turning back the clock on your skin. Here are my top 10 picks for the most effective anti-aging serums at every price point:
1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
This cult-favorite vitamin C serum is loved by dermatologists, editors and skincare enthusiasts for its unbeatable anti-aging benefits. It contains high concentrations of pure vitamin C (15%), vitamin E (1%), and ferulic acid (0.5%) to provide advanced environmental protection, brighten the complexion, and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
The antioxidants in this serum help neutralize free radicals caused by UV rays, infrared radiation, and pollution – all factors that can break down collagen and accelerate skin aging. With regular use, this serum will improve your skin’s firmness and elasticity, even out your skin tone, diminish dark spots, and give your complexion an all-over healthy glow. It’s pricey, but a little goes a long way and the results are worth it.
2. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
If you want to wake up to smoother, brighter, more youthful-looking skin, try this exfoliating night serum from clean beauty brand Drunk Elephant. It contains a 12% blend of AHA/BHA including glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric and salicylic acids to dissolve dead skin cells and resurface dull, uneven skin tone and texture.
The acids in this serum work to clear out pores, fade dark spots and discoloration, and smooth out rough patches and bumps. It also contains raspberry extract and horse chestnut to soothe and reduce redness, as well as sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer to hydrate and plump. Use it a few nights a week and you’ll notice a major difference in your skin’s clarity, radiance and smoothness.
3. La Mer The Regenerating Serum
This luxurious anti-aging serum from prestige skincare brand La Mer is powered by the company’s patented Miracle Broth, a blend of fermented sea kelp and other nutrients that’s the secret behind the iconic Creme de la Mer moisturizer. The Miracle Broth in this serum helps soothe irritation, strengthen the skin’s barrier, and provide intense hydration.
The Regenerating Serum also contains a high concentration of marine peptides that support collagen and elastin production to plump out lines and wrinkles and lift and firm the skin. The smooth, silky texture sinks in quickly and leaves skin feeling supremely soft and looking glowy and refreshed. While it’s definitely a splurge, this serum will give you the kind of radiant, youthful skin that’s priceless.
4. iS Clinical Active Serum
Another cult-favorite, this potent anti-aging treatment provides both instant and long-term results for smoother, clearer, more even-toned skin. It contains a blend of botanical acids including glycolic, lactic and salicylic to provide gentle chemical exfoliation, clearing away dead skin cells and smoothing out rough texture.
This serum also features arbutin and mushroom extract to brighten and even out skin tone, as well as sugarcane extract to soothe and reduce redness. You’ll notice an immediate improvement in your skin’s clarity and radiance after just one use, but consistent use will lead to even better results over time. It’s an investment, but the fast-acting, multi-tasking formula is totally worth it.
5. Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Serum
Lancome’s best-selling anti-aging serum features the brand’s exclusive microbiome science technology to strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier, which tends to become thinner and weaker as we age. The formula contains a high concentration of bifidus prebiotic to balance the skin’s pH and boost its natural defenses against environmental aggressors.
This serum also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and the brand’s patented Genifique complex to improve skin’s elasticity, firmness and radiance. The lightweight, oil-free texture absorbs quickly and layers well under moisturizer. With consistent use, this serum will make your skin look smoother, plumper, and more even-toned. It’s a great option for all skin types, especially those prone to sensitivity.
6. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
This iconic night serum has been a staple in women’s anti-aging routines for decades, and for good reason. The updated formula features the brand’s exclusive Chronolux Power Signal Technology to support skin’s natural repair process and address all key signs of aging while you sleep.
The serum contains a blend of hyaluronic acid, peptides, and antioxidants to hydrate, plump, brighten, and even out skin tone. It also features algae and yeast extracts to help purge toxins and support skin’s natural detoxification process overnight. You’ll wake up with skin that looks smoother, firmer, more radiant and refreshed. This is a great all-around anti-aging serum for most skin types.
7. Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
This cult-favorite exfoliating treatment is known for providing instant radiance and glow. It contains high-potency, purified lactic acid to clear away dull, dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother, more clarified skin. Lactic acid is a gentle but effective AHA that’s suitable for most skin types, even sensitive.
In addition to lactic acid, this treatment also contains licorice and lemongrass to further boost radiance and help fade dark spots and discoloration. Prickly pear extract soothes redness and sensitivity, while aloe moisturizes and softens. Use it consistently and you’ll notice a major improvement in your skin’s tone, texture, and overall luminosity. It’s pricey but a little goes a long way.
8. Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum
This bestselling serum from French skincare brand Caudalie is all about boosting radiance and evening out skin tone. The star ingredient is viniferine, a natural compound derived from grapevine sap that’s been shown to be 62 times more effective than vitamin C at brightening skin and fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
The serum also contains olive squalane to nourish and moisturize, as well as grape seed polyphenols to protect against environmental damage. The lightweight, oil-free texture sinks in quickly and wears well under makeup. With consistent use, this serum will help fade stubborn discoloration, even out skin tone, and give your complexion an all-over healthy glow.
9. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
This overnight facial oil is the perfect last step in your evening skincare routine. It contains a blend of botanical oils including squalane, evening primrose, and lavender to replenish moisture, soothe irritation, and restore radiance while you sleep. The luxurious, lightweight texture sinks in quickly and doesn’t feel greasy.
Lavender essential oil not only helps calm and relax the senses before bed, but it also has skin-soothing properties to reduce redness and sensitivity. You’ll wake up to skin that looks and feels smoother, softer, and more supple. This is a great option for drier skin types or anyone who prefers a facial oil to a traditional serum.
10. The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1%
This super affordable anti-aging serum from The Ordinary offers serious results without the high price tag. It combines a comprehensive array of anti-aging ingredients including peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid to target multiple signs of aging at once. The addition of 1% pure copper peptides supports healthy skin structure and function.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that send signals to your cells to produce more collagen and elastin, leading to firmer, plumper, bouncier skin. This serum contains Matrixyl 3000, Matrixyl synthe’6, Syn-Ake, and Relistase to reduce the look of static and dynamic wrinkles. It also features skin-plumping hyaluronic acid and moisturizing amino acids like proline and arginine. Use it consistently in your morning and evening routine and you’ll notice a big difference in your skin’s tone, texture, and firmness over time.
| Serum | Key Ingredients | Benefits |
| SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic | 15% Vitamin C, 1% Vitamin E, 0.5% Ferulic Acid | Provides environmental protection, brightens, evens tone, reduces lines and wrinkles |
| Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos | 12% AHA/BHA Blend (Glycolic, Lactic, Tartaric, Citric, Salicylic Acids), Raspberry Extract, Horse Chestnut | Exfoliates, smooths texture, unclogs pores, fades pigmentation, reduces redness |
| La Mer The Regenerating Serum | Miracle Broth, Marine Peptides | Soothes, strengthens barrier, plumps lines and wrinkles, lifts and firms |
| iS Clinical Active Serum | Glycolic, Lactic, Salicylic Acids, Arbutin, Mushroom Extract, Sugarcane Extract | Exfoliates, smooths texture, brightens, evens tone, reduces redness |
| Lancome Advanced Genifique | Bifidus Prebiotic, Hyaluronic Acid, Genifique Complex | Strengthens barrier, balances microbiome, plumps, firms, hydrates, evens tone |
When shopping for an anti-aging serum, I always look for formulas that contain research-backed active ingredients that have been proven to address the visible signs of aging. Some of the most effective anti-aging ingredients to look for include:
- Retinol: A derivative of vitamin A that stimulates collagen production and cell turnover to smooth wrinkles, even out tone and texture, and unclog pores. It can be irritating for some, so start slow and work your way up in strength.
- Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that brightens, evens out skin tone, fades dark spots, and protects against environmental damage. Look for a stable form of vitamin C like ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate.
- Glycolic Acid: An alpha-hydroxy acid that dissolves the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together, revealing smoother, brighter, more even-toned skin. It also stimulates collagen production to firm and plump the skin.
- Peptides: Short chains of amino acids that send signals to your cells to produce more collagen and elastin, leading to firmer, plumper, bouncier skin. Look for serums with peptides like Matrixyl 3000, copper peptides, and Argireline.
- Hyaluronic Acid: A humectant that attracts and binds moisture to the skin, plumping out fine lines and restoring suppleness and bounce. Look for serums with a mix of low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid to hydrate at every level.
The key to seeing real results from an anti-aging serum is choosing a high-quality formula that’s suited to your specific skin type and concerns, and using it consistently as part of your morning and evening skincare routine.
I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my skin’s tone, texture, radiance and firmness since I started using an anti aging serum regularly. The potent active ingredients help keep my skin smooth, bright, and healthy-looking. I also appreciate that there are so many great anti-aging serums available now at every price point, from high-end splurges to budget-friendly drugstore gems. A great serum is truly transformative for your skin.
No matter your age, skin type, or budget, adding an anti-aging serum to your skincare routine is one of the best things you can do to slow down and minimize the visible signs of aging. With consistent use, you’ll notice your skin looking smoother, firmer, brighter, more even, and more youthful overall. Trust me, your future skin will thank you!
