In your skin-care routine, serums can really act as a miracle potion, whether they're targeted for brightening up dark spots or smoothing out wrinkles. During our annual NewBeauty Award testing, we tried many of the dozens and dozens of formulas on the market and found the best serum for each skin concern, so you don't have to. From $22 to $530 there's a serums for every skin type and need.
22 Award-Winning Serums for Every Skin Concern
Best Dark Spot Serum
Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Clearing Serum ($63)
Infused with Clinique’s proprietary molecule, UP302, the Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Clearing Serum visibly reduces all types of dark spots, including post-acne marks and blemishes, and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Best Firming Serum
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Future Restore Serum ($155)
Clinically proven to improve skin firmness up to 46 percent in just four days, ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Future Restore Serum helps boost skin’s density while leaving it looking luminous.
Best Barrier Repair Serum
Iris&Romeo Skin Cocoon Barrier Glow Serum ($58)
A creamy oil-serum that’s a delight to use, Iris&Romeo Skin Cocoon Barrier Glow Serum cushions skin with 11 concentrated actives and lipids to hydrate and soothe, repairing skin barrier breakdown.
Best Vitamin C Serum
Alastin C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum ($199)
A repeat winner for so many reasons, Alastin C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum blends a proprietary, encapsulated form of vitamin C with 15 proven antioxidants to illuminate dull skin, boost collagen production and conserve elastin.
Best Redness-Reducing Serum
Prequel Redness Reform Soothing Serum ($20)
More than just another calming serum, Prequel Redness Reform Soothing Serum delivers clinically-proven results with a powerhouse blend of arnica, oat and vitamin F that soothes on contact—100 percent of users reported more even, calmer skin after 28 days.
Best Retinol Serum
iS Clinical Retinol+ Emulsion 0.3 ($110)
A potent yet gentle formula, iS Clinical Retinol+ Emulsion 0.3 refines skin texture, minimizes fine lines and supports collagen for a smoother, more youthful look.
Best Niacinamide Serum
ANUA 10% Niacinamide + 4% TXA Serum ($22)
K-beauty brand ANUA has made quite a splash in the U.S. this year, and its best-selling Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum is a must-try for anyone seeking smoother skin and a more even tone.
Best Hyaluronic Acid
SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator ($192)
Boasting a proprietary complex of five forms of hyaluronic acid and hydra collagen, SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator not only keeps skin quenched for 48 hours, but also builds up its natural levels of hyaluronic acid over time.
Best Skin-Strengthening Serum
DEINDE Skin-Strengthening Serum ($68)
Fueled by DEINDE’s patented polyphenol naringenin, this lightweight, milky Skin-Strengthening Serum targets five signs of inflammaging to tackle everything from fine lines to uneven tone.
Best Brightening Serum
Epicutis Arctigenin Brightening Treatment ($175)
The result of nearly six years of research, Epicutis Arctigenin Brightening Treatment harnesses the power of arctigenin, a stable molecule that can reduce melanin in our skin while also reducing inflammation.
Best Retinal Serum
Paula's Choice CLINICAL PRO Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment ($68)
Paula’s Choice CLINICAL PRO Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment means business. The high-potency formula rivals prescription-strength results without the irritation, thanks to unique encapsulation technology.
Best Multitasking Serum for Aging Skin
Exuviance AGE REVERSE+ Total Correct Serum ($98)
A targeted treatment that’s backed by derms, Exuviance AGE REVERSE+ Total Correct Serum tackles just about every aging-skin issue you might ever want to take on, including signs of visible aging including texture, suppleness, laxity, radiance, fine lines and wrinkles, volume, firmness, deep lines, clarity, and uneven skin tone.
Best Bakuchiol Serum
Dr. Jart+ Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Serum ($70)
Gentle enough for use twice a day, Dr. Jart+ Prejuvenation Firming Bakuchiol Serum is a multitasking, age-defying formula that targets seven signs of aging at once without the use of retinol.
Best Serum Stick
RoC Derm Correxion Firming Serum Stick ($30)
A breakthrough in the solid skin-care space, RoC Skincare’s Derm Correxion Firming Serum Stick utilizes retinol and THPE (an ingredient that is clinically proven to increase skin’s firmness by 90 percent) to tighten skin on the face and neck.
Best Self-Tanning Serum
Saltyface Tanning Water for Face ($44)
Skip the learning curve—Saltyface Tanning Water for Face delivers a foolproof, gradual glow with a water-light formula that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin without clogging pores.
Best Luxury Face Serum
La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift ($530)
An undisputed luxury product for the ages, La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift has transforming powers that makes skin look all-around better.
Best Serum for Expression Lines
SkinCeuticals P-TIOX ($150)
Inspired by neurotoxin injections, SkinCeuticals P-TIOX is clinically proven to reduce the look of nine types of expression lines via the help of powerful peptides and polyhydroxy acid. Use it between aesthetic appointments to maintain results or by itself.
Best Serum for Menopausal Skin
All Golden Peptide Power Serum ($95)
Clinical stats boast that 100-percent of users experienced a “significant improvement in hydration” after using All Golden Peptide Power Serum, a product specifically designed to help menopausal skin achieve that perfect balance of exfoliation and moisture.
Best Growth Factor Serum
Carmell Secretome Regenerative Elixir ($295)
Infused with up to 1,000 growth factors and peptides, Carmell Secretome Regenerative Elixir helps smooth, firm, and brighten skin for a more youthful, revitalized complexion.
Best Perioral Serum for Lip Lines
RéVive Advanced Lip Perioral Serum ($125)
Our lips fall victim to signs of aging just like anywhere else on our face. Apply this ultra-luxe RéVive Advanced Lip Perioral Serum daily for younger-looking skin around the lips and to prevent lipstick bleeding.
Best Neck Serum
DRMTLGY Neck Contour Serum ($59)
We love the cooling roller applicator on DRMTLGY’s Neck Contouring Serum that adds a nice little massage as you help “roll away” crepiness and horizontal lines for a younger-looking neck.
Best Exosome Serum
Plated Skin Science INTENSE Serum ($258)
Level-up your skin-care routine with plated Skin Science INTENSE Serum, which harnesses the power of more than 1 trillion platelet-derived exosomes to help combat signs of aging and repair damaged skin.
