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Nobody can escape aging; it’s simply part of the wonderful cycle that is life. And with aging comes physical changes to the body, one example being your skin. It’s only natural for your skin to experience some or all of the following as time passes: wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, sagging, hyperpigmentation, and lack of moisture. Again, this is normal. If you’re noticing these visible signs of aging, we’re not here to tell you these changes are bad and that you must fix them. Instead, we’d like to explain why your skin might look and feel different, and how to find products that can remedy these concerns, if that’s what you’re looking for.
We couldn’t do all of this alone, which is why we spoke to Dr. Tiffany Libby, a board-certified dermatologist, director of Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery at Brown University and Reserveage‘s resident dermatologist, on the best way to approach aging with skincare.
Best Anti-Aging Serums at a Glance
- Best Overall Anti-Aging Serum: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $182
- Best Anti-Aging Serum for Dry Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
, $16 (originally $27) - Best Anti-Aging Serum for Oily Skin: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum, $90
- Best Anti-Aging Serum for Sensitive Skin: NOW Solutions Bakuchiol Skin Renewal Serum
, $14 (originally $20) - Best Drugstore Anti-Aging Serum: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Night Serum
, $21 - Best Splurge-Worthy Anti-Aging Serum: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24, $135
What are the visible signs of aging?
We’ll start by clarifying that visible signs of aging are almost all out of your control. Part of it is directly linked to your genetics, and another part is the loss of fat and bone and the decrease in collagen production that naturally occur in all people.
In addition, UV radiation from the sun is “responsible for up to 90 percent of visible signs of skin aging on the face. The most common signs are brown spots and dyspigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity and sagging,” according to Dr. Libby. It’s nearly impossible to avoid sunlight 24/7, so to counteract the harmful UV rays, remember to apply sunscreen on your face every single morning.
What makes serums so effective on the skin?
You’re probably wondering why we’re highlighting face serums rather than, let’s say, moisturizers. Well, serums are thin, light, and easily absorbed into the skin. They are also “often comprised of higher concentrations of active ingredients, rendering them the skincare step I recommend patients to ‘splurge’ on,” says Dr. Libby.
Which ingredients should you look for in an anti-aging serum?
There are so many ingredients in the world of skincare that can help your skin age gracefully. However, if you’re looking for hydration, opt for humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, per Dr. Libby. Humectants lock in moisture, which is key to keeping your skin plump and youthful.
“If you are interested in improving the appearance of dark spots and dyspigmentation, look for serums with vitamin C, azelaic acid, kojic acid, and/or tranexamic acid,” she adds. And for increasing collagen production, vitamin C, peptides, and retinoids are your new best friends.
All of these ingredients make sense, as the natural process of aging can decrease moisture and elasticity (collagen) in your skin, as well as cause age spots. The next time you’re scanning the ingredient list of a skincare product, look out for these powerful anti-aging ingredients.
Which ingredients should you avoid in an anti-aging serum?
Just as there are certain ingredients that are effective at prolonging signs of aging, there are also ones you should avoid. Dr. Libby suggests you steer clear of serums containing fragrances because of their potential to cause irritation.
How often should you apply an anti-aging serum?
Depending on your preferences (as well as the potency of a formula’s ingredients), apply your anti-aging serum once or twice daily. “If you prefer to use it once daily only, the best time is during your nighttime routine, as the evening is when skin cell growth and repair processes are at their peak,” per Dr. Libby.
As TikTokers, YouTubers, and derms have probably already told you, there’s an order in which you should apply your skincare products. A serum should routinely be applied immediately after cleansing your face. You need a squeaky clean complexion in order for the serum to penetrate your skin and work its magic.
Our skin expert recommends following your serum with a peptide cream such as Reserveage’s Firming Face Cream. The formula “seals in moisture and delivers copper peptides to the skin to help support collagen production.” When you’re noticing visible signs of aging, you can never have too many products that promote collagen production.
Now that you’ve gotten a crash course on anti-aging serums, it’s time to get into Dr. Libby’s top product picks to decide which one to try next. Keep reading for the best anti-aging serums on the market, what makes them derm-backed, and where you can buy them now.
The 18 Best Anti-Aging Serums to Shop Now, According to Dermatologists
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SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
Image Credit: SkinCeuticals. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic“A cult-favorite vitamin C serum formulated with ferulic acid and vitamin E, which help stabilize vitamin C and strengthen its antioxidant properties,” says Dr. Libby.Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at Kopelman Hair Restoration, echoes Dr. Libby’s sentiments, saying, “This serum is a gold standard in anti-aging skincare due to its potent combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. It offers unparalleled antioxidant protection, helping to neutralize free radicals, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s ideal for normal to dry skin.”
Here at StyleCaster, we can’t stop singing this serum’s praises. SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic serum is the crème de la crème, the cream of the crop, the apple of our eyes, if you will. Its Holy Trinity of ingredients—ferulic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E—reduces signs of aging, protects against environmental aggressors, supports collagen production, and fades dark spots.
This product might not be for everyone, so Dr. Libby notes, “If you have acne-prone skin, opt for the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, which has a lower percentage of vitamin C and is a less oily formulation.”
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Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Image Credit: Neutrogena. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid SerumOn Sale 41% offICYMI, the cult-fave Neutrogena Hydro Boost line includes a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum
, and it’s earned Dr. Kopelman’s stamp of approval. “This serum is excellent for those with dry or dehydrated skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, which provides intense hydration and helps to plump the skin, making it appear more youthful and smooth. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and suitable for all skin types, including oily skin,” she notes. -
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
Image Credit: The Ordinary. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% SerumThe Ordinary is known for its affordable yet effective beauty products, and this peptide-packed serum is no different. “This serum has a powerhouse of anti-aging ingredients, including peptides, amino acids, and copper peptides, which help to improve skin elasticity, firmness, and overall skin health,” Dr. Kopelman explains. “It’s a great option for those looking for a more budget-friendly, yet highly effective anti-aging solution.” -
Medik8 Liquid Peptides
Image Credit: Medik8. Medik8 Liquid PeptidesLiquid Peptides
is like a tall glass of water for your complexion. “This serum has an ultra-lightweight formula suitable for all skin types and helps to boost collagen production to smooth fine lines and enhance skin elasticity. It is ideal for those looking for a simple daily treatment to maintain a youthful, plump complexion while addressing the first signs of aging,” notes Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue. -
NOW Solutions Bakuchiol Skin Renewal Serum
Image Credit: NOW Solutions. NOW Solutions Bakuchiol Skin Renewal SerumOn Sale 30% offFor those shopping on a budget, this NOW Solutions bakuchiol serum
is on sale for just $14 on Amazon right now. “This serum is a great choice for a natural alternative to retinol—it’s formulated with bakuchiol, which delivers similar anti-aging benefits like improved skin tone and reduced wrinkles. It’s especially beneficial for sensitive skin types or those who want retinol-like results without irritation,” Dr. Dendy explains. -
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Night Serum
Image Credit: Olay. Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Night SerumDr. Kopelman says, “This serum
is a great choice for those looking for an effective, yet affordable retinol product. It combines retinol with niacinamide to improve skin tone, reduce wrinkles, and enhance skin texture. It’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, due to its hydrating formulation.” -
Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin Renewing Serum
Image Credit: Elizabeth Arden. Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin Renewing SerumIf you’ve never tried innovative serum capsules, start with these retinol and ceramide-packed ones from Elizabeth Arden. “This is a super easy-to-use encapsulation serum that combines HPR, a next-generation retinoid, and retinol for sustained release and impressive anti-aging results, without the irritation of some retinoids,” says Dr. Dendy. “I love that it’s a potent yet gentle formulation and is safe for sensitive skin types. I would recommend using this product if you’ve had sensitivities in the past to other retinoids and are looking for a gentler option.” -
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
Image Credit: Drunk Elephant. T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night SerumThere’s a reason why TikTokers are singing Drunk Elephant’s praises and why skincare stans keep flocking to Sephora to try the brand. So, of course, Drunk Elephant made it into this roundup. “This serum combines glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids to gently exfoliate the skin, helping to improve skin texture, clarity, and tone. It’s particularly effective for those dealing with dull skin or uneven skin tone, and it’s suitable for most skin types, particularly oily or acne-prone skin,” says Dr. Kopelman. -
IT Cosmetics Salicylic Acid Acne Serum
Image Credit: IT Cosmetics. IT Cosmetics Salicylic Acid Acne Serum“Perfect for acne-prone skin to both prevent and treat breakouts, this serum has 2 percent salicylic acid that unclogs pores and targets acne, while 3 percent lactic acid helps gently exfoliate, hydrate, and brighten skin,” Dr. Libby notes.This IT Cosmetics serum
does exactly what its name says; it sends emerging breakouts straight out the door, and it keeps existing blemishes at bay. Salicylic acid is one of the top ingredients for acne-prone skin. When your complexion is experiencing visible signs of aging, you’ve got to put your skin to work with ingredients that combat breakouts, clear your pores, and slough away dead skin cells. -
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24
Image Credit: Medik8. Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24If you’re in the mood to treat yourself to a luxurious anti-aging face serum, look no further than Medik8’s Crystal Retinal 24. “This one is one of my favorites because it’s the industry’s strongest over-the-counter retinal/retinol serum and is still non-irritating, setting a new standard in anti-aging skincare. It pioneers the use of retinaldehyde, a powerful form of vitamin A, that is stabilized using encapsulation technology. This advanced formula is truly impressive and works up to 11 times faster than traditional retinol products, visibly reducing lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture while remaining gentle enough for sensitive skin,” Dr. Dendy notes. This product has six different formulations, each with a certain percentage, or strength, of retinaldehyde. So if 24 sounds a bit too daunting, start with 1 or any of the other formulas with less retinaldehyde. -
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
Image Credit: Photo: Vichy. Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face SerumThis hyaluronic acid serum from Vichy
“helps calm irritated skin and is formulated with sensitive skin in mind,” according to Dr. Libby.For those who have noticed a decline in moisture in their skin, plump and strengthen your complexion with this serum. As the brand says, it has an “anti-wrinkle effect.” The formula also excludes fragrance, which always deserves extra brownie points.
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Glytone Mandelic Gentle Resurfacing Serum
Image Credit: Glytone. Glytone Mandelic Gentle Resurfacing SerumOn Sale 5% off“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 and can be used daily,” explains Dr. Libby. “This serum
helps target redness and speeds up skin cell turnover by gently exfoliating away dead skin cells at the surface, and this then visibly improves skin’s overall complexion and texture,” she adds. -
OAM Skin by Ciara 20% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Image Credit: OAM Skin by Ciara. OAM Skin by Ciara 20% Vitamin C Brightening SerumICYMI, singer, songwriter, businesswoman, dancer, model, and actress, Ciara, has her own skincare line, OAM Skin, that’s clinically formulated to hydrate and brighten the complexion. A standout product from the brand is its face serum, which mixes three forms of vitamin C: L-ascorbic acid, tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Together, they fade dark spots and protect against free radicals. “While L-ascorbic acid is the most active form, TDH ascorbate is much more stable, and sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a gentler vitamin C great for sensitive skin types,” according to our derm expert. -
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
Image Credit: SkinMedica. SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator“Hyaluronic acid is an intense hydrator, capable of holding 1,000 times its weight in water to hydrate and plump skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” per Dr. Libby. That’s why SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator deserves a spot in your routine. It blends together an impressive five (!!) types of hyaluronic acid to hydrate your complexion. -
Glytone Enhance Brightening Solution
Image Credit: Photo: Glytone. Glytone Enhance Brightening Solution“I love this product and use it daily to gently exfoliate and brighten my skin. It has a unique combination of azelaic acid to treat dyspigmentation and brighten skin, glycolic and salicylic acids to exfoliate away dead skin cells and unclog pores and niacinamide to strengthen the moisture barrier.”Glytone’s Enhance Brightening Solution
is one of Dr. Libby’s tried-and-true faves. Need we say more? -
Alastin Restorative Skin Complex
Image Credit: Alastin. Alastin Restorative Skin ComplexYou’re going to want to try the Restorative Skin Complex ASAP because it utilizes TriHex Technology, which helps “to support the skin’s ability to produce new, healthy elastin and collagen,” per Dr. Libby. “It also has niacinamide which strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier and is anti-inflammatory.” -
SpoiledChild G25 + Anti-Aging Retin+ Night Rewind Serum
Image Credit: SpoiledChild. SpoiledChild G25 + Anti-Aging Retin+ Night Rewind SerumBoth retinol and its plant-based alternative, bakuchiol, are powerful anti-aging ingredients. This night serum features both, so the benefits and results are going to be that much better for your skin. “Retinol and bakuchiol exfoliate away dead skin to reveal smoother, tighter, clearer skin, giving the benefits of a retinoid with fewer of the downsides such as irritation, dryness, and peeling,” our expert explains. On top of that, hyaluronic acid and squalane join forces to hydrate and increase skin elasticity. -
SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
Image Credit: Photo: SkinMedica. SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum“One of the best anti-aging serums out there that uses growth factors to promote healing and improve skin cell turnover, resulting in more radiant and youthful skin,” our derm expert explains.Alongside the growth factors, this SkinMedica serum incorporates Renessensce (RSC) Advanced, a blend of botanicals, marine extracts, and peptides. French flax seed helps repair damage, Spanish marine extract renews skin cells and green microalgae promotes collagen production. If you have deep wrinkles, sagging skin, and uneven texture, this one’s for you. And we know its nearly-$300 price tag is hard to overlook, but as Dr. Libby advises, the one skincare product you should splurge on is a serum.
