Often formulated with powerful actives, it is no surprise that skincare serums often wear a heavy price tag. However, the best drugstore serums come in quite handy to cater to different skin concerns without burning a hold in the pocket. While a basic skincare routine — cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen — is essential for maintaining skin health, the addition of serums dramatically enhances the overall results. 

Besides, with skincare innovations these days, serums have gained significant popularity due to their targeted formulations and powerful ingredients. Whether you’re dealing with premature skin aging, acne, dehydration, dullness, or hyperpigmentation — there is a serum out there to fix it!

Being lighter than moisturizers, they are packed with actives and provide speedy recovery from specific skin woes. Serums also absorb better into your skin, much more easily as compared to other creams and gels. Furthermore, the varying key ingredients and formulations help you customize your skincare routine as per your specific needs. Scroll away to see our top picks! 

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  Best Overall

  Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti aging Regenerating Serum

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This anti-aging has often been labeled as the ultimate solution for revitalizing the skin and reversing pesky signs of aging. This lightweight serum-in-lotion deeply hydrates your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while improving skin texture and tone. 

Enriched with a potent blend of amino peptides, niacinamide, and antioxidants, it effectively regenerates your skin's surface, leaving it smoother, firmer, and radiant. With daily use, it is sure to become your go-to product to achieve a visibly younger and healthier complexion. 

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Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Tree of Life Advanced Regimen Serum

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Tree of Life’s Advanced Regimen Niacinamide Serum is your key to achieving flawless and radiant skin. It is a good drugstore serum, formulated with a high concentration of niacinamide – a potent ingredient known for its numerous skin benefits (research published on MDPI and ResearchGate). 

The formula effectively reduces the appearance of pores and wrinkles, while promoting a more even skin tone. It is a lightweight formula that penetrates deep into the skin, delivering essential nutrients and antioxidants for a rejuvenated complexion. With regular use, this serum helps to restore and maintain your skin's natural vitality, leaving it smooth, supple, and glowing. 

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Best Anti-Aging

Olay Regenerist Fragrance-free Light Gel Regenerating Serum

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This drugstore anti-aging serum is designed to transform your skin, leaving it visibly younger-looking and smoother. Its advanced formula is infused with Olay's powerful amino-peptide complex, which penetrates deep into the skin's surface to regenerate and renew cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

The fragrance-free formula is gentle on sensitive skin types, providing intense hydration without any irritation. It works to reveal a radiant and firmer complexion, giving you the confidence to face the day with beautiful, youthful-looking skin.

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Best for Brightening

I Dew Care Bright Side Up Brightening Vitamin C Serum with Niacinamide

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The I DEW CARE Brightening Serum is sure to become your secret weapon for achieving a radiant and luminous complexion. This serum is formulated with a blend of powerful ingredients that work together to brighten and even out your skin tone. The lightweight and fast-absorbing formula deeply nourishes your skin, reducing the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration. 

Infused with vitamin C and niacinamide, it provides antioxidant protection, resulting in smoother and firmer skin. With continued use, your skin will be transformed, revealing a natural glow that radiates from within.

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Best for Moisturizing

No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi-Action Serum

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Experience the transformative power of the No7 Restore & Renew Multi-Action Serum, your ultimate solution for age-defying skincare. This advanced serum is specially formulated to target multiple signs of aging, including wrinkles, dullness, and uneven skin tone. 

Infused with a potent blend of anti-aging ingredients, including peptides and hyaluronic acid, it deeply hydrates and plumps the skin, promoting a more youthful appearance. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula penetrates deep into the skin, delivering nourishment, and antioxidants for a revitalized complexion.

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TruSkin Super C Duo with C Plus Super Serum and Vitamin C

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This brightening drugstore serum by TruSkin is the ultimate skincare weapon for achieving a radiant and youthful complexion. This powerful serum is enriched with a high concentration of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant known for its skin-brightening and collagen-boosting properties. 

The lightweight formula deeply penetrates the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots. Infused with nourishing botanical extracts and hyaluronic acid, it delivers intense hydration, leaving your skin plump, and smooth.

7

Best for Uneven Skin Tone

Good Vibes Vitamin E De-Pigmentation Skin Serum

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The Good Vibes Vitamin C Pigmentation Serum is your ticket to achieving a brighter and more even complexion. This affordable face serum is formulated with a high concentration of vitamin C and other skin-loving ingredients that work harmoniously to reduce pigmentation, dark spots, and discoloration. 

The lightweight and non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, deeply nourishing your skin. With regular use, this serum helps fade pigmentation, revealing a radiant and youthful-looking complexion. Embrace the good vibes and let your skin glow with confidence.

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Best for Dark Spots

Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair 20% Vitamin C Face Serum Capsules

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The Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Vitamin C Capsules give you brighter, smoother, and more even-toned skin. These innovative capsules contain a potent form of vitamin C blended with retinol, targeting dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines (research published on NCBI and MDPI). 

The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, delivering powerful antioxidants to rejuvenate and protect your skin from environmental damage. With daily use, you will notice a visible improvement in skin clarity and radiance. Unlock the secret to youthful-looking skin and embrace a radiant complexion with this advanced skincare breakthrough.

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Best Splurge Buy

Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair: Serum in Cream Treatment

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Indulge in the luxurious Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair Treatment, an exquisite skincare experience that revitalizes and nourishes your skin while you sleep. This overnight treatment is infused with the power of Japanese indigo extract, known for its soothing properties. The rich and velvety formula deeply hydrates and repairs your skin, leaving it smoother and more supple. 

With this serum, you can wake up to a refreshed and rejuvenated complexion as the treatment works to reduce redness, irritation, and dryness. Now you can enjoy a pampering ritual that restores your skin's natural radiance and promotes overall skin health.

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Best for Skin-Tightening

Rejuvenate Multi-Peptide Cream with Collagen Stimulators

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This best affordable drugstore serum is your anti-aging solution for youthful and radiant skin. This advanced multi-benefit serum is formulated with a powerful blend of peptides and collagen stimulators that work synergistically to combat all signs of aging. 

The lightweight texture and fast-absorbing formula penetrate deep into the skin, promoting the production of collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother, and more younger looking skin. The powerful multi-peptide complex targets fine lines and wrinkles, while also improving skin texture and tone (research published on NCBI).

11

Best for Sensitive Skin

PCA SKIN Anti Redness Remover Face Serum

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Discover the soothing and calming power of PCA SKIN Anti-Redness Serum, your solution for reducing redness and inflammation. This gentle yet effective serum is specifically formulated to target and minimize the redness associated with sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. 

The lightweight and fragrance-free formula contains a blend of botanical extracts and antioxidants that work together to soothe and restore your skin's natural balance. It helps to reduce redness, inflammation, and irritation, leaving your skin feeling calm, balanced, and comfortable.

Scroll below to peruse our guide on finding the best drugstore serums.

When it comes to choosing the best drugstore serums, it's essential to consider several factors to ensure you find the perfect fit for your skincare needs. Here are some key considerations to help guide your decision:

Skin Concerns: Identify your specific skin concerns, such as aging, dryness, acne, or hyperpigmentation. Look for serums that target these concerns, as different formulas are designed to address specific skin issues.

Ingredients: Check the ingredient list and opt for serums that contain active ingredients known to be effective for your skin concerns. Common ingredients include hyaluronic acid for hydration, vitamin C for brightening, retinol for anti-aging, and niacinamide for balancing skin tone.

Formulation: Consider the serum's consistency and texture. Lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas are suitable for oily or combination skin, while creamier textures may be better for dry or mature skin. Choose a formulation that feels comfortable on your skin and suits your preferences.

Sensitivity: If you have sensitive skin, opt for serums labeled as hypoallergenic or suitable for sensitive skin. Look for gentle and soothing ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera to minimize the risk of irritation.

Remember that consistency is key when using the best drugstore serums. Results may take time, so give your chosen serum a fair chance before deciding if it suits your skin. By considering these factors, you'll be well-equipped to choose the best drugstore serum that addresses your specific concerns and helps you achieve your desired skincare goals.