Healthy, glowy skin is not achieved overnight. And if there is something we take religiously seriously when it concerns skin, it’s the cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. While sunscreens are essential, without which all skincare fails, another product has made a mass influence in the beauty world and has the power to take your skin to the next level—the serums. Lightweight than a moisturizer, they absorb into the skin quickly and effectively. They contain an active potent of ingredients that treats any and every concern on the go. Tired of dullness? There’s a serum for that. Struggling with never-ending acne? Plenty of fantastic single droppers for that too. Ask any dermatologist you believe, and they will tell you serums are the game-changer. The blend of super ingredients in the pool of bottle is concentrated, and its thin viscosity allows for deep penetration, meaning it rightly delivers.
Without further ado, let’s bring you top-notch face serums that elevate your skincare routine.
Comparing Top Face Serums
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum — Best Overall
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum is the show’s star, and it’s easy to see why. Formulated with antioxidant-brightening agent vitamin C that fights off environmental aggressors, a moisture-binding humectant hyaluronic acid, and aloe juice, this serum is the one-stop shop for treating dullness, dryness, and redness issues. The water-like consistency of this pick results in fast absorption and deeper penetration to the inner layers of the skin. Plus, it targets fine lines and supports collagen production, thus earning itself an honorable badge of being a top-notch anti-aging product.
In addition, it also contains orange and grapefruit extract that supports cell turnover and rose hips seed extract, which repairs damage, heals, and soothes the skin. What’s more incredible, it firms the skin and gives a radiant, youthful glow. The long-term results and the aromatic scent of this nourishing serum gives a relaxing feel and makes it the best overall product on our list.
Pros
- It absorbs quickly
- Tightens the skin
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- It might not be suitable for sensitive skin type
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum — Best for Oily Skin
Beloved by almost all the dermatologists you admire, this Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum is great at preventing breakouts. Its high-strength vitamin and mineral blemish formula is oil-free and great at making the appearance of your pores less prominent (no product can change the size of your pores, but this serum is close to perfection). It also reduces redness, inflammation, and dullness and targets the signs of congestion and blemishes.
Moreover, its super lightweight texture dries down instantly, so apply it directly on your face for optimum absorption. It also balances the excess sebum production, saving you the need to use powders to keep the oil at bay. With this in your cosmetic arsenal, you no longer have to worry about looking like a glowy, shiny disco ball. The star-studded ingredients do not stop here, as it also helps to improve uneven skin tone and smooth texture and offer clean, healthy-looking skin.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Vegan
- Reduces the appearance of pores
Cons
- It might feel a little sticky
Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum — Best Hydrating
With winters comes dryness, and not the flaky type only, but the one that deprives your skin of moisture, gives a sweet entrance to itchiness, and takes away all the glow, leaving your skin dull and rough. However, if you want to ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, it’s wise to invest in a hydration powerhouse serum that deals with this concern effortlessly. Enter: Cerave Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Created with vitamin B5, three essential ceramides, and a powerful humectant – hyaluronic acid, it helps to increase the water content of your skin.
Moreover, it’s formulated with MVE technology that slowly releases the key ingredients for all-day hydration, making it a win-win product. The lightweight gel-like texture of this serum fully disappears, leaving smooth, soft, supple skin behind. What’s more fantastic, it replenishes the skin’s protective barrier. It’s also non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Pros
- Instant hydration boost
- It won’t clog pores
- Provides skin-soothing benefits
Cons
- Takes a little time to sink into the skin
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Serum — Best Exfoliating Serum
When big celebrities like Oprah, Phoebe Miu, Bella Valeris, Helen Mirren, and Drew Barrymore raved about it, we had to look into this serum to know what it offers, and oh boy! We’re sold. This Riley Sunday Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment packs a punch of ingredients that helps to achieve radiant, glowy skin. Powered by lactic acid, licorice, lemongrass, arnica, aloe, and prickly pear extract, it’s a magic potion in the bottle that treats various skin concerns.
The potent serum gently exfoliates the dead cells on the skin’s surface for a smoother complexion. It also increases cell turnover, which results in fresh, smooth skin. Other workhorse ingredients target dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin. The powerful blend of botanicals offers a calming effect as it soothes and smooths irritated skin. Its cream-like consistency instantly melts into the skin without leaving much residue. Lightweight and hydrating, you should definitely add this texture-improving serum to your beauty routine.
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types
- Improves skin discoloration
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive
iS Clinical Active Serum — Best for Acne
With a blend of acids like glycolic and lactic, this iS Clinical Active Serum deserves a spot in your routine. The active ingredients dissolve dead skin cells, thus saving your pores from clogging, resulting in no congestion and smooth, fresh skin. The addition of white willow bark extract, a botanical that deeply cleans pores, arbutin and mushroom extract that brightens the complexion, and bilberry extract that offers a hydration boost makes this pick worthy of all the hype it gets.
Anyone prone to breakouts or struggling with acne should invest in this fast-acting formula, as it is phenomenal at delivering results. It’s so versatile that you can spot-treat certain problem areas on your nose and chin. Be it reducing the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, evening out uneven skin tone, or even dryness, you name it, this face serum will solve it.
Pros
- Acts as an exfoliator
- Leaves no facial residue
- It’s paraben-free
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
Buying Guide: Face Serum
There are hundreds, no, thousands of serums on the market. While they are phenomenal inventions, choosing the one that fits your needs is a daunting task. To make it simple for you, we’ve curated this buying guide in hopes of helping you select the right product for your skin type and concern. Keep scrolling.
Things to Look for
Below are few factors you should consider while choosing a new serum for yourself.
Ingredients
Well, this factor highly depends on the skin’s concerns. For starters, you should know the basic ingredients that are helpful for almost all skin types. For instance, niacinamide is great for improving skin tone, hyaluronic acid for delivering moisture, and antioxidants, for protecting the skin from damage. Unfortunately, there is no one fix for all. Like every individual is unique, so is their skin. Determining the right products for your skin is a trial-and-error method but knowing what ingredients are science-backed for treating concerns is the way to go.
If oily skin is the issue, keep an eye out for oil-absorbing agents like zinc, lactic acid, and niacinamide. But if your skin is thirsty and in dire need of moisture, look for products with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and glycerin. Similarly, if you’re with sensitive skin, make sure that the product you’re buying is fragrance-free. For anti-aging, retinol, vitamin A, and peptides are great. Finally, for those with uneven skin tone, vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, and ferulic acid will help.
Application Time
This bothers most people as they are not sure what is the right time to apply their serum. Should they use it in the morning or at night? While it largely depends on the choice of your serum and your specific target concern.
Serums that are hydrating, protective, and nourishing are great during the daytime. Apply them on the clean face, followed by your favorite moisturizer and sunscreen. For night time regimen, you can use nourishing as well as resurfacing agents such as peptides, vitamin A, BHAs, etc. Anti-aging serums are also great.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is serum and moisturizer the same?
No. A moisturizer is designed to hydrate the skin and retains the water content, whereas serums are better able to penetrate deep into the skin layers.
How often should I apply a face serum?
It highly depends on personal preference. Usually, it’s preferred to use a serum in both mornings and nights for better results.