The Best Anti-Aging Serums, According to Experts

A quick look at the best anti-aging serums

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Serums are useful for addressing many skin concerns across different skin types. They offer a way to add concentrated active ingredients into your regimen, though they should complement—not replace—your moisturizer.

Board-certified dermatologist Jenny Liu, MD, FAAD, notes, “Serums have higher concentrations of actives but usually don’t perform the same way as moisturizers to prevent water loss…since they’re often formulated as a liquid or light emulsion and lack occlusives or emollients to hydrate and seal the skin.”

Rather than substituting for moisturizers, serums enhance them by targeting concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and other aging signs. Below are some of the top serums we identified to help you age with more confidence.

Try a patch test

Even if a product claims to be suitable for all skin types, always patch-test on a small area to check for adverse reactions. Everyone’s skin reacts differently, so results and sensitivities will vary.

Our picks for the best serums for aging gracefully

Comparing the best anti-aging serums

Price | Skin type | Key ingredients | When to use

$12 | all | copper tripeptides, acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl octapeptide-3 | morning and evening

$22.99 | all | purified peptides, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, botanical glycerin, niacinamide, tocopherol | morning and evening

$17 | sensitive skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin, aging skin, combination skin | niacinamide, zinc, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | morning and evening

$21.32 | all | vitamin E, feverfew, ginger, glycerin | morning

$44.99 | normal skin, sensitive skin, dry skin | 12% vitamin C, neurosensine, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, thermal spring water | morning

$9.30 | all | | evening

$22.99 | all | retinol, ceramides, hyaluronic acid | evening

How we chose

To identify the best anti-aging serums, we evaluated several characteristics that define an effective serum. First, each product underwent our strict vetting process to ensure quality and that the brands behind them are credible.

We also weighed price, ingredient lists, customer feedback, suitable skin types, and the recommended timing for incorporating the serums into a routine when making our selections.

What are serums?

Because serums contain higher concentrations of active components, they often produce faster results when addressing aging signs. While moisturizers and other skincare items can include the same actives, they usually appear in lower concentrations.

Other products typically emphasize ingredients that lock in moisture, while anti-aging serums are specifically crafted to target particular concerns.

“A serum is essentially the delivery system for active ingredients in a product,” explains board-certified dermatologist Adeline Kikam, DO, MS, FAAD.

“They’re lightweight and simple to layer or mix with other skincare items,” Kikam adds. Some actives she recommends for aging signs include:

• peptides
• retinol
• antioxidants, such as vitamin C

She also suggests choosing serums that include sunscreen filters, since “sunscreen is the gold standard anti-aging ingredient in skin care.”

Other commonly used actives in serums include:

• hyaluronic acid
• niacinamide
• resveratrol
• alpha arbutin
• azelaic acid
• exfoliants
• vitamin E

Sunscreen is the gold standard anti-aging ingredient in skincare.

How to choose an anti-aging serum

Not every serum targets aging. To select an anti-aging serum, identify the concerns you want to address and pick a serum with ingredients suited to those issues.

“Serums containing vitamin C and other antioxidants help combat free radical damage, refine skin texture, and even skin tone,” Liu explains.

“Retinol improves wrinkles and fine lines by stimulating collagen production. Some serums blend multiple actives like AHAs, niacinamide, peptides, etc., which work in concert to reduce aging signs,” Liu adds.

Also think about your existing skincare lineup. Certain ingredients shouldn’t be combined, such as retinol and glycolic acid. A retinol serum should not be used alongside exfoliating treatments in the same routine—use them on alternate days instead.

Likewise, retinol may not mix well with vitamin C, so reserve your antioxidant serum for mornings and your retinol serum for evenings.

Factor in your skin type as well. Sensitive skin may not tolerate some actives like retinol, strong exfoliants, or even niacinamide, so opt for gentler, soothing formulations.

Those with oily skin might prefer lightweight, oil-free serums, while people with dry skin may find richer serums more beneficial.

Takeaway

Anti-aging serums can both prevent and improve signs of aging. Seek serums formulated with proven ingredients that reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration.

Make sure the serum’s ingredients play nicely with other products in your routine. Some serums can be layered together, while others work best when used on alternating days.