Thinking of upgrading your skincare routine? A great place to begin is with a face serum.
Serums are more lightweight than typical moisturizers, yet they still hydrate your skin. They often have higher concentrations of active ingredients, which means that they have the potential to produce results more quickly. You don’t have to ditch your favorite products, though—most serums can be layered underneath moisturizers for added benefits.
We selected some of the best face serums you can buy for a variety of skin concerns, including aging, acne scars, dry skin, sun damage, and more.
Read on to learn more about the serums we picked and to find out why we think they’re amazing.
Best Face Serums
- Best Overall Face Serum: CLEARSTEM BOUNCEBACK™ "No Botox Serum"
- Best Vitamin C Face Serum: AnnieMak Restore Vitamin C Serum
- Best Microcurrent-Compatible Face Serum: FOREO SUPERCHARGED™Serum 2.0
- Best Face Serum with CBD: Vena Daily Hy - Hydrating Serum
- Best Affordable Face Serum:Sand & Sky Tasmanian Spring Water Splash Serum
Benefits of Using Face Serums
If you’ve never applied a face serum before, you might be wondering if they’re actually effective. The answer is yes, serums do have a lot of potential benefits for your skin.
Some of these include:
- More moisturized and hydrated skin
- Brighter skin
- Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- May help treat photodamaged skin
- More youthful-looking skin
- Reduced appearance of acne marks
Best Overall Face Serum: CLEARSTEM BOUNCEBACK™ "No Botox Serum"
If you’re looking to get some years back on your face, we found that The CLEARSTEM BOUNCEBACK Serum does double duty fighting wrinkles and acne marks.
This product is made with a concentrated stem cell formula to help leave your face looking smoother while reducing the appearance of fine lines. The serum also contains argan oil, which has antioxidant properties to combat sun damage. Just apply two to three pumps to your face and massage into your skin for about 10 seconds.
Pros:
- Contains stem cells
- Effective on wrinkles and acne scars
- Contains calming ingredients
Cons:
- None that we could find
Specs:
- Size: 1 fl. oz., 29 mL
- Key Ingredients: Stem cells, Peptides, Argan Oil
Best Vitamin C Face Serum: AnnieMak Restore Vitamin C Serum
According to AnnieMak, their serum has the highest concentration of vitamin C in the skincare industry (26 percent). Vitamin C is used to brighten skin and protect it from free radicals, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a face serum that can help brighten your complexion to give you gorgeously radiant skin.
In addition to vitamin C, the serum contains Matrixyl 3000, a patented anti-aging substance that has been shown to increase collagen production.
Pros:
- Tested by dermatologists
- Made with vegan, non-GMO, and cruelty-free ingredients
- Sulfate and paraben-free
Cons:
- None that we could find
Specs:
- Size: 30 mL
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, Matrixyl 3000, Organic witch hazel, Dimethyl sulfone, Organic vitamin E, Organic aloe vera, Glycerin
Best Microcurrent-Compatible Face Serum: FOREO SUPERCHARGED™ Serum 2.0
If you want a serum to pair with your microcurrent device (a device that uses low electrical currents to stimulate facial muscles and tighten skin), The FOREO SUPERCHARGED Serum is designed to be used with the brand’s Bear and Luna Plus devices.
The combo helps to firm and plump your skin, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for something a little more intense than just a typical serum. Plus, it contains moisturizing ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and squalane.
Pros:
- Contains an electrolyte complex to conduct microcurrents
- Tested by dermatologists
- Made with natural ingredients
Cons:
- May not be as useful if you don’t use it with a microcurrent device
Specs:
- Size: 1 fl. oz., 30 mL
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acids, Squalane, Vitamin E, Ceramides, Amino Acids, Panthenol, Electrolytes Complex
Best Face Serum with CBD: Vena Daily Hy - Hydrating Serum
According to studies, CBD has a variety of potential benefits for your skin, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties, so if you’re a CBD-lover who’s also looking for a face serum, The Vena Daily Hy Hydrating Serum could be the perfect answer. It contains CBD with hyaluronic acid for moisture and rosehip oil and lychee extract for antioxidant effects.
Though it’s made with cannabidiol, the serum is THC-free, and you can easily access the quality testing lab results.
Pros:
- Made with plant-based ingredients
- Contains no THC
- Vegan
Cons:
- Contains CBD (for shoppers who don’t want to use CBD)
Specs:
- Size: 1 fl. oz., 30 mL
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Rosehip oil, Lychee extract, CBD
Best Affordable Face Serum: Sand & Sky Tasmanian Spring Water Splash Serum
This Sand & Sky facial serum is made with a unique ingredient: Tasmanian spring water. Spring Water can help reduce inflammation and protect skin from damaging free radicals. Some research has found that it has moisturizing effects, too. The serum also contains fermented sea kelp to minimize wrinkles and promote skin elasticity.
Pros:
- Approved by dermatologists
- Contains two types of hyaluronic acid
- Sulfate, paraben, silicone, and phthalate free
Cons:
- Recommended dose is 4–6 drops, so may run out faster than other products
Specs:
- Size: 1 fl. oz., 30 mL
- Key Ingredients: Tasmanian Spring Water, Bifida Ferment, Hyaluronic Acid, Fermented Sea Kelp
How We Picked the Best Face Serums
Here are some considerations we had when finding the best face serums for you.
Customer reviews
To make sure that our picks are popular with shoppers, we read the customer reviews. The products we selected have hundreds of five-star ratings and positive reviews.
But keep in mind that face serums (and other beauty products) all have different effects on different people. Consult your dermatologist to see what face serums are best for you.
Quality ingredients
Since serums go on your face, it’s extra important to double-check that any product you use doesn’t have any irritating or harmful ingredients. Our facial serums are made with natural, organic and non-GMO ingredients that are safe to use on your skin.
What to Consider When Buying Face Serums
Skin type
Consider your skin type (oily, dry, combination, normal, or sensitive) when purchasing a face serum or moisturizer.
Thick creams might be too heavy for those with oily skin that can get easily clogged, while lighter options may not provide enough moisture to dry skin. It’s also important to check what type of skin the product is formulated for if you have sensitive skin that gets irritated by certain ingredients.
Skin concerns
If you have eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or any other kind of skin condition, you should be careful picking out facial products, since they may have ingredients that can exacerbate skin issues. The same thing goes for other concerns, like acne. Some serums and moisturizers have occlusive ingredients that can clog pores or leave your face looking greasy. We recommend you consult your doctor or dermatologist to find the best options for your skin concerns.
Price
If you want to splurge, some face serums can have a higher price point if they’re made with special ingredients like stem cells. On the other hand, if you’re on a budget, look for less expensive products that are still made with high-quality ingredients.
FAQ’s
Who can benefit from face serums?
Anyone can benefit from face serums. They can be particularly good for shoppers with oily skin since they’re lighter than thick moisturizers and creams. If your skin is very dry, though, a serum alone might not be hydrating enough. In that case, you can add your regular moisturizer on top.
How do face serums work?
Serums are formulated to be quickly absorbed thanks to the thin texture and the high concentration of ingredients. Many serums are water-based, getting rid of heavier ingredients found in moisturizers, like oils, and making them more lightweight.
When should I use a face serum?
It’s typically recommended to apply your skincare products starting with the lightest and working your way up to the heaviest. Since serums are lighter than moisturizers, they should be applied to your face first after cleansing. You should also only apply serums with retinol at night because they increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
Can I use face serums in my daily routine?
Yes, you can use face serums daily or even twice a day, as long as they don’t irritate your skin.
If you’re considering adding a serum to your skincare routine, be sure to check out the products on our list of the best face serums.
