While a standard CMS (cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen) routine is sufficient skin care for people with naturally great skin, people dealing with specific skin concerns, such as dryness, acne, wrinkles, etc. feel the need to go the extra mile. Skincare enthusiasts prefer using the best facial serums for their skin type, to not only treat such pesky skin issues but also to prevent it, such as anti-aging solutions, antioxidant protection, etc. And, while I’m an advocate of using serums too, I do believe that one needs to be mindful and specific when investing in a product for the same.

Serums, in my opinion, are the most sought-after products in skincare by the masses. This could be true because of the indulgent, fast-absorbing formulations that tempt the users or due to their highly potent formulations which give off an impression of quick and lasting results. However, as per my experience and expertise, I believe that serums are your best friend only when you use them in the right manner, and choose the right ingredients for your needs. 

In the meticulous research process of shortlisting face serums, I took into account the needs of different skin types — dry, oily, combination, sensitive, normal, young, and mature. I found some gems that aid specific skin conditions, as well as multi-tasking godsends for those who prefer a leaner skincare regime. Scroll away to see my top picks, and learn more about the world of face serums.

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  Most Popular

  L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

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Whoever hasn’t heard about this product must have been living under a rock, as the Revitalift serum from L'Oréal is a skincare staple in most people’s stashes! Why this product works over other HA serums you’d find over the counter because it contains a high concentration of the active ingredient, consisting of a lower molecular weight, which helps the product penetrate better into your skin and not just work superficially. Moreover, the infused hyaluronic acid boosts hydration in your skin, making it look plump and youthful (study by Dermatologic Therapy). Besides, no other active ingredient inhibits this function, making the product simple and suitable for all skin types.  

Key Ingredients: 1.5% Hyaluronic acid

Benefits: Hydration, anti-aging, plumping

Skin Types: All

Scents: Unscented

Quick Tip:

For best results, use this serum daily or on alternate days on slightly damp skin — especially if you live in a dry climate. Follow up with other serums (if any) and a good moisturizer to seal it in.

2

Best for Sensitive Skin

Vichy Laboratoires Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum

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An elevated version of L'Oréal Revitalift, this hydrating facial serum is a great investment for people with severely dry and sensitive skin. This is because it boosts the properties of infused hyaluronic acid with Vichy’s patented mineral-rich volcanic water — a powerful ingredient that replenishes the skin barrier by synthesizing a tight chain of proteins (research from European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology). Hence, the formula not only draws water into the skin but also seals it in to keep the skin rejuvenated for a long time. Trust me — several users of this lightweight, translucent elixir have been drooling over its goodness!

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and volcanic water

Benefits: Deep hydration, anti-aging, dry skin-relief

Skin Types: All (specifically for dry and sensitive skin)

Scents: Unscented

3

Best Brightening Serum

Seoul Ceuticals Day Glow Serum

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While this Korean facial serum is a storehouse of many skincare goodies, four of them take center stage and dominate the product’s functions — vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, and hyaluronic acid. The combo works as a power squad to brighten and hydrate — the result being rejuvenated, radiant, and dewy skin. Moreover, this serum works brilliantly in keeping sun damage and free radical damage at bay, which is why I highly recommend using it during the day, before stepping out of the house. In a nutshell, this serum offers your skin the rejuvenation it deserves.

Quick Tip:

For best results, wear this serum under your sunscreen before stepping out during the day!

Key Ingredients: Sodium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C), ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid, and tocopheryl acetate

Benefits: Brightening, smoothing, protecting

Skin Types: Normal, oily, dry, combination, mature, and teenage skin 

Scents: Light and natural citrus scent

4

Best to Strengthen the Skin Barrier

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

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When it comes to replenishing the skin barrier, CeraVe’s hydrating face serum checks all boxes. It’s because the serum draws oodles of water into the skin by leveraging hyaluronic acid, and seals in all the nourishment with the properties of ceramides. You can apply this serum alone and call it a day, however, layering it up with a moisturizing cream/lotion would be ideal for nighttime use! And, while this serum is a great choice for dry skin, it worked just as sublimely on my acne-prone combination skin, and having gone through several customer testimonials, I recommend it for all skin types!

Key Ingredients: Panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides

Benefits: Hydration, texture improvement

Skin Types: All

Scents: Unscented

Quick Tip:

For best results, wear this serum under your sunscreen before stepping out during the day!

5

Best to Soothe Mature Skin

Tree of Life Renew + Firm Retinol Serum

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Staying true to its name, this hydrating retinol serum from the Tree of Life boosts vitality and breathes life into aging skin, thereby plumping it with nutrients. Formulated with vitamin A and a plethora of botanical goodies such as witch hazel, aloe, centella asiatica, etc. the serum offers multi-faceted skincare benefits, thereby making it look healthy and youthful. This dermatologist-tested serum boosts cell turnover in the skin, treats textural inconsistencies such as acne, and improves its overall texture and appearance. Hence, I recommend it to people who prefer their skincare regime to be lean and fuss-free.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, botanical hyaluronic acid, and plant extracts

Benefits: Firming, soothing, hydrating, and invigorating

Skin Types: All, especially mature skin

Scents: Mild, natural scent (fades away quickly)

6

Best for Wrinkles And Fine Lines

La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum

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Very few formulations pair retinol well with other ingredients, and this serum by La Roche-Posay successfully does so with the infusion of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. The restorative properties of this facial serum not only make it perfect for reducing signs of aging in mature skin but also as a preventative measure for the same that you can start using post-25. Compared to other anti-aging retinol serums, this product has a lightweight texture that seeps into your skin like a fresh drink. Besides, I’m truly impressed with its soothing prowess. 

Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin B3, and hyaluronic acid

Benefits: Reducing fine lines and wrinkles, plumping and renewing the skin

Skin Types: Mature

Scents: No confirmed information

7

Best for Daily Use

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment

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Gentle yet effective — is how I’d describe this luxury face serum from Sunday Riley in a nutshell. This is because while most people chase highly potent actives and concentrated formulations, this minimalistic serum taps the potential of gentle alpha-hydroxy acids and plant extracts. By harnessing the properties of lactic acid, the serum mildly exfoliates the skin and hydrates the skin at the same time (research published on PMC). In addition, you can count on this product to improve your complexion for a fresh, dewy look.

Key Ingredients: Purified lactic acid, licorice root, and lemongrass extracts

Benefits: Exfoliating, calming, and hydrating

Skin Types: Sensitive, but works fine for other skin types too

Scents: Natural and mild lemongrass scent

8

Award-winning Product

Olay Super Serum

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This product does not just hold the title of a “super serum” but stays true to it, considering it is a storehouse of actives that provide multifaceted skincare benefits. First off, to give an even texture and tone to your skin, the product leverages the properties of alpha-hydroxy acids that get rid of grime and dead skin cells  (study published on PMC). This resurfaces newer skin cells, which look fresh, plump, and youthful. To replenish the same, the product fortifies your skin with vitamins B, C, and E, which further protect your skin with antioxidant properties. 

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamins C, AHA, collagen peptides

Benefits: Reducing fine lines and wrinkles

Skin Types: Mature skin

Scents: Mild lotion-like scent

9

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

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Like most products from The Ordinary, this facial serum too takes a minimalistic approach to skincare, which is why it comprises a lean formula and doesn’t expose your skin to unnecessary chemicals or filler ingredients. Another benefit of this is that no other active ingredients inhibit the functions of retinol. However, the infused squalene does bolster its effects and makes the serum smoother and overall enriching for the skin. Adding on, the serum is also quite soothing for the skin, which helps with its tolerability, especially if you’re new to using retinol!

Key Ingredients: Retinol and squalene

Benefits: Plumping, invigorating, and smoothing

Skin Types: All 

Scents: Natural rosemary scent

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Best Retinol Substitute

Eva Naturals Peptide Complex Serum

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For anyone in their mid-twenties who feels that it’s too early to start a retinol-based product, I highly recommend this peptide-based antioxidant serum from Eva Naturals. That’s because this serum is less potent but more tolerable and broadly enriching for the skin. As someone whose skin is very prone to inflammation, I am quite impressed with the calming prowess of this serum, and the credit goes to the witch hazel and cica extracts infused in it. It wouldn’t be wrong to consider this serum as a bi-weekly spa treatment, considering how leaves the skin hydrated and comforted!

Key Ingredients: Peptides, amino acids (glycine, serine, valine, isoleucine, proline, threonine), witch hazel, jojoba extracts, hyaluronic acid, and Centella Asiatica

Benefits: Smoothing, renewing, softening the appearance of wrinkles

Skin Types: All

Scents: Original peptide

11

iS CLINICAL Active Serum

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If there’s a product that equally caters to the woes of aging skin as well as young and notorious skin prone to breakouts, it is this facial serum from iS CLINICAL. For anyone who wishes to splurge a bit on skincare, this product has to be on their bucket list as a single formulation solves multiple skin problems. The product comprises natural AHAs and BHA from exotic ingredients such as willow bark, bilberry, and sugarcane extracts, suited to exfoliate and resurface the skin. Further, the formulation as a whole works as a fantastic toning solution.

Key Ingredients: Extracts of  willow bark, bilberry, mushroom, and sugarcane

Benefits: Antimicrobial, balancing, toning, and renewing

Skin Types: All

Scents: Aloe

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Best for Severely Dry And Aging Skin

Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

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Priced at almost half the amount of iS CLINICAL’s active serum is yet another luxurious but sadly underrated skincare gem, which — as per my research — offers shockingly positive results. All credits go to the infused polyglutamic acid in the formulation, which easily transcends the prowess of hyaluronic acid and collagen in hydrating and plumping the skin. These powerful properties are boosted with copper peptides and squalene, to plump and firm the skin. Besides, a small quantity of this product goes a long way, and with regular use, you’ll notice that your skin looks more youthful than ever before!

Key Ingredients: Copper peptide, polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, sugarcane-derived squalene, and paracress extracts

Benefits: Anti-aging, improving overall skin texture

Skin Types: All, especially mature skin

Scents: Fragrance-free

13

Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum

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Cetaphil’s products seldom disappoint, and for dry and sensitive skin types, this hydrating serum is sure to impress! Amongst all the products I’ve reviewed on this list, this one is the most fuss-free serum and minimalistic, which means it is unlikely to cause any irritations and is easily tolerable for all skin types. The USP of this product — its patented HydroSensitiv Complex which employs the properties of blue daisy extracts to soothe and balance skin that’s prone to inflammations. Additionally, the product hydrates sublimely and prevents the weakening of the skin barrier.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, blue daisy extracts, vitamins B5 and E

Benefits: Hydration

Skin Types: Dry, dehydrated, and sensitive

Scents: No confirmed information

Now that you’ve seen my product recommendations for the best facial serums, let’s scroll away to learn more about them and understand things to consider before buying one!

Unlike a cream or a cleanser, the benefits or uses of a serum vary from product to product — the only common factor in them all being they have a semi-viscose consistency and are applied before a moisturizer. Hence, while “facial serum” is a wide term, understanding its common types helps us understand them better. 

Hydrating Serums:

While you must use a moisturizer no matter what, layering a hydrating serum under it can help boost its benefits significantly, especially if you have dry skin. The idea is that the hydrating serum will penetrate water deep into the skin, which the moisturizer can then lock in superficially, making the effects last longer. Common ingredients in such serums include hyaluronic acid, panthenol, squalene, bisabolol, etc.  Polyglutamic acid is a new, powerful humectant that high-end serums are lately adopting.

Exfoliating Serums:

In contrast to physical exfoliation, exfoliating facial serums are formulated with AHAs, BHA, or both, catering to specific skin conditions — acne, dark spots, enlarged pores, dead skin buildup, dullness, sun tan, pigmentation, etc. I wouldn’t recommend these serums for daily use, even if the packaging says so explicitly. However, using them weekly or on alternate days can significantly reduce and treat the persisting condition without aggravating the skin.

Collagen-boosting Serums:

Serums formulated with retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, etc. are specifically made to synthesize or replenish collagen, which consists of the skin’s building blocks. This can offer multiple benefits to the skin, such as boosting elasticity, texture, and hydration (study published on PMC). This also helps prevent and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, saggy skin, crow’s feet, acne scars, etc., thereby allowing your skin to age more beautifully (another research published on PMC). This makes collagen-boosting serums an important part of one’s skincare routine, especially when incorporated (variably) from the mid-twenties onwards. 

Brightening Serums:

To renew, beautify, and improve the radiance of the skin, it is a great idea to invest in brightening serums. These serums often consist of vitamin C, which is a depigmenting ingredient in brightening the skin, reducing dark spots and dullness, and reversing sun damage and oxidative stress (research by the Indian Dermatology Online Journal). Other brightening serums may consist of alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic, lactic, or kojic acid to slough off dulling dead skin cells, or other ingredients such as licorice root, niacinamide, arbutin, etc.

Further, you can categorize serums as day serums and night serums. While the former may have antioxidant and sun-protective prowess, the latter may be more potent in exfoliating or renewing your skin from within. Besides, some serums are all-purpose and more multi-tasking than those that cater to a specific skin condition. In such situations, they won’t fit into just one of the above-mentioned categories, but in two or more.

1. Consider Your Skin Type And Condition

This is no rocket science! Understanding your skin type is pivotal before investing in any skincare products, especially face serums. Hence, I’d recommend you to take note of your skin type, and how it responds to certain active ingredients. For example, if you have dry skin and hyaluronic acid has worked well on it in the past, maybe invest in a serum that contains the same as one of the key ingredients. 

If you want your serum to exfoliate your skin, make a list of skin conditions you have that will benefit from the exfoliation, and prioritize ingredients accordingly. For example, if acne is a concern for your skin, invest in a serum containing azelaic acid or salicylic acid. Besides, retinol, copper peptides, and bakuchiol work fantastically for mature skin. 

2. Consider the Molecule Size And Concentration

Most people simply look at the ingredients when buying skincare products, and avoid considering how much of that ingredient is actually present in the formula. Hence, always consider the quantity and concentration of the key ingredient you want to incorporate into your regime. 

In the case of hyaluronic acid, my advice is to look for different molecular weights of the same infused in a serum, as smaller molecules can penetrate deeply into your skin for deep hydration. When it comes to retinol, 1% is the strongest concentration, and for salicylic acid, it is 2% — so consider these factors when shopping. Besides, consider whether the face serum is watered down or highly potent, to determine how well your skin can tolerate the same.

3. Consider Your Overall Skincare Routine

It can be tempting to see the overall features of a serum and buy impulsively. However, it is very important to consider your existing skincare routine, what kind of active ingredients you’re already exposing your skin to, which ones are missing, etc. before investing in a product. This can prevent allergic reactions, breakouts, and other kinds of skin sensitivity, and will keep you from having a negative opinion about a perfectly good product.

Here are a few pointers to consider:

1. If your serum contains hyaluronic acid, it is best to use it on slightly damp skin, so the product can help you retain that moisture for a long time. You can use this in the morning or at night, every alternate day, for best results. For milder hydration, use serums with simpler humectants such as bisabolol, vitamin E, thermal/volcanic water, etc. 

2. If your serum contains strong AHAs or BHA, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, limit the usage for nighttime as they may cause sun sensitivity. Also, despite what the product packaging says, don’t use the product more than 2-3 times a week. 

3. Gentler AHAs in serums, such as lactic, azelaic, or mandelic acid, can be used every day once your skin is able to tolerate the exfoliation.

4. Always follow up with a face serum after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. Sealing the nourishment of the serum with a good quality moisturizer (cream, gel, or lotion) is essential to support your skin.

5. Never use a retinol-based serum during the day. Also, strictly limit the usage to alternate nights. Wear a generous amount of sunscreen during the day, if you’re using retinol at night.

6. Anecdotal evidence, in addition to what many dermatologists claim suggests that vitamin C doesn’t suit everyone’s skin. Hence, if you’re experiencing any reactions with your vitamin C serum, discontinue using it immediately!  Look for substitutes such as niacinamide or ferulic acid, instead.

There’s no single answer to this question because there are different types of facial serums catering to different needs. However, the addition of a facial serum in a standard CMS skincare routine (cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen) helps elevate it, especially if there’s a specific skin condition that you want to treat — acne, wrinkles, dullness, etc. Furthermore, serums are versatile skincare products, and as we’ve seen in the above-mentioned ones, many offer multiple benefits. Plus, you can use multiple serums in your skincare routine, varyingly, so that all your skin’s needs are met.