The 14 Best Serums for Every Skin Goal

Serums have a superpower: They target specific skin care concerns, letting you customize your beauty routine to your exact needs. So whether you want to address texture, tone, fine lines or lack of hydration, you can find a serum that’s up to the job.

“Serums are concentrated and designed to penetrate and target receptors of active cells deep in the skin,” says Serena Mraz, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Vallejo, Calif. For this reason, you just need a small amount to reap real benefits.

Before deciding which product to use, Brendan Camp, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, recommends determining what your skin needs. Want antiaging benefits? Choose a serum with antioxidants or retinols. If you need a hydrating serum, Dr. Camp advises, select a product with hyaluronic acid. These dermatologist favorites offer something for every face. 

Worthy splurge

Dermatologists say they appreciate that SkinMedica invests in research; the brand’s TNS Advanced+ Serum is a unique growth factor serum engineered to reverse fine lines and sagging skin. Tiffany Libby, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and MOHS surgeon in Providence, R.I., calls it a “powerhouse” that uses “a blend of growth factors and peptides to repair skin and support collagen and elastin production.” You press a single pump to dispense two droplets of the serum from a side-by-side double cylinder, then you mix on the back of your hand before applying. While TNS Advanced+ is on the expensive end of the spectrum at $295, Dr. Libby says the benefits make it worth the price.

Drugstore overachiever

Contrary to popular belief, serums don’t have to be super pricey. Geeta Yadav, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET dermatology in Toronto, loves this Olay find because it packs the benefits of multiple skin products in one product. “The formula contains a wide range of actives, including low pH niacinamide, vitamins C and E, lactic acid as a buffer and for smoothness, as well as collagen peptides,” she says. That means it tones, firms and hydrates in one step.

Antioxidant powerhouse

You may have already heard of SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum. Not only was it the most raved about product on our list (Dr. Yadav calls it “the holy grail of antioxidant serums”), but it also has a celebrity fan base that includes Tracee Ellis Ross and Gwenyth Paltrow. It’s a triple antioxidant, with vitamins C and E and ferulic acid (the combination intensifies the benefits of each). Vitamin C helps evens tone, vitamin E hydrates, while ferulic acid reduces inflammation. Sheila Farhang, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in Tucson, Ariz., likes it for all skin types—in particular, acne prone ones, since it’s anti-inflammatory. The one downside is its less-than-loveable scent (beauty writers liken it to “hot dog water”).

Perfect travel serum

Vitamin A is considered the gold standard in antiaging; retinol is simply a form of vitamin A. But it can be unstable and irritating, two downsides you won’t find in RoC’s night serum. To stabilize the formula, it’s packed in single use capsules—this makes it handy for travel. “They break open and apply to the skin which is super nice,” says Dr. Farhang. Plus, the retinol is gentle enough for those who are just starting off.” It’s also ideal if you have sensitive skin or are looking for a lower-priced antiaging serum.

Facial in a bottle

Another cult favorite, this sensitive skin-friendly solution has earned over 88 million searches on TikTok—and according to Dr. Camp, it deserves its reputation. Sunday Riley’s hero ingredient, lactic acid, is “an alpha hydroxy acid that acts as a gentle exfoliant to break the bonds of dead skin cells and facilitate their removal from the surface to reveal healthy, brighter skin,” Dr. Camp explains. You can use it in the morning or as a night serum.

Ultimate dark spot eraser

Our skin is in a constant battle with the sun. While we shield it from harmful UV rays with sunscreen and protective clothing, damage happens. Thanks to its stabilized vitamin C and prescription strength hydroquinone, this brightening serum takes dark spots to task. “It brightens the skin while silently cleaning up the problematic free radicals which break down skin structure,” Dr. Mraz says. Just make sure to immediately follow with an SPF 30 or higher when applying in the morning—vitamin C makes your skin more susceptible to sunburn.

Shot of moisture

If you suffer from dry skin, it can be tempting to slather on additional rich creams to relieve your parched patches. But though it might seem counterintuitive, a serum—like this hyaluronic acid and volcanic water combo—is actually a better solution. Nazanin Saedi, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Philadelphia, considers Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum a go-to because of its lightweight texture and unscented formula. But don’t let the watery feel fool you—this serum hydrates for 24 hours, according to the brand’s testing.

Gentle daily repair

Contrary to popular belief, if you feel stinging or burning that’s not a sign a skin product is working—it actually means your skin is irritated, which can cause long-term damage. Dr. Libby loves that this user-friendly serum is gentle enough to be used daily. “Mandelic acid is a gentler chemical exfoliant in the alpha-hydroxy acid family, and because it is a bigger molecule than its sister, glycolic acid, it tends to work more superficially,” she notes. It targets redness, speeds up skin cell turnover and visibly improves skin’s overall complexion and texture.

Proven plumper

As we age, our skin loses its elasticity. While no product can completely stop the sagging, this hydrating serum helps fend it off, according to Kseniya Kobets, M.D., director of cosmetic dermatology and assistant professor of dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in Elmsford, N.Y. It’s loaded with Biossance’s signature bioengineered squalane, which keeps your skin barrier strong and moisturized, and copper peptide, which stimulates collagen and elastin production. The brand notes that in its 28-day clinical study of 31 women, every user noticed an improvement in fine lines and wrinkles.

Trend worth trying

“Glazed donut skin” is the latest skin care craze; the glistening and glowy look demands peak hydration. To achieve it, look no further than Hailey Bieber’s beauty line. The lightweight Peptide Glazing Fluid is full of good-for-the-skin ingredients like soothing niacinamide and strengthening peptides. Plus, the texture is so airy it can be applied on top of makeup without disturbing your blend.

Eye-area antiager

The skin around your eyes is some of the thinnest on your body, meaning it is the first to show signs of aging. While most face serums will work on crow’s feet, undereye circles or deepening lines, a serum specifically designed for the eye area will give you faster results. Dhaval G. Bhanusali, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery in New York City, was so impressed with Dieux Skin Auracle Eye Serum that he started using it himself. It checks all the boxes: It has a firming peptide complex, glycerin to keep the skin hydrated and algae to improve dark circles.

Gentle retinol

“Retinol doesn’t need to be super harsh to be effective,” points out Dr. Yadav—and she loves La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Face Serum because it is suitable for even sensitive skin. The formula also contains vitamin B3 and niacinamide to soothe and nourish in addition to fighting fine lines and wrinkles, she adds. Seal it in with a moisturizer for a fresh complexion in the AM.

Full body treatment

Our skin is our largest organ, but only a small portion of it gets the TLC it deserves. We pamper our face with serums and creams, but often forget about our arms, legs, neck, etc. Iota’s ultralightweight body serum is righting this wrong: It’s “packed with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, peptides and niacinamide to help balance and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and promote brighter and more radiant skin,” Dr. Libby says. Another plus: The formula is fragrance-free (read: less likely to cause irritation).

Ideal for lasting hydration

Dr. Yadav is a fan of Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum. “The creamy formula feels like a mix between a moisturizer and serum, and is especially hydrating, which is perfect for the cooler months,” she notes. Hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed oil, and vitamins E and B5 feel like a cool drink of water after a long run. If you’re particularly dry, she recommends layering this under a heavy moisturizer.

Your Top Serum Questions, Answered

Do serums go under or over moisturizer?

Keeping skin care steps straight can be puzzling. A good rule of face: Apply skin care products from thinnest to thickest. Serums go before creams, lotions or ointments. In other words, all of our experts recommend applying serum to clean, dry skin.

Do splurge serums work better than drugstore buys?

Ultimately, saving and splurging comes down to your personal budget. There are plenty of good options available on the affordable and splurge ends of the spectrum, says Dr. Yadav. She recommends identifying your skin’s most urgent need and working backward from there. “Consistency is also key, so whatever you can fit into your budget on a regular basis and use daily is best,” she adds.

Can you use multiple serums at once?

In a world of 14-step skin care routines, it is tempting to believe more is more, but our experts stress one serum in the morning and one at night is best. Dr. Libby recommends starting with an antioxidant or a hyaluronic acid serum in the morning, and a retinol, exfoliating or peptide serum at night. She recommends rotating them in and out of your routine based on your skin’s tolerance. For example, commit to using retinol three nights a week and a peptide serum in between.