17 Best Anti-Aging Serums of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Our skincare pros and dermatologists weigh in on the anti-agers that really work.
Tested by Danusia WnekSenior ChemistExpert consulted: Mona Gohara, M.D
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Serums are the superheroes of the skincare product world, made with fewer fillers and more powerful skincare ingredients than face moisturizers. That means a good serum delivers maximum anti-aging benefits when it comes to skincare. With lightweight gel-like or liquid formulas that are beneficial for targeting all types of skin — including sensitive, oily, combination and dry — serums are an excellent addition to any skincare routine, especially if you're looking for an anti-aging product that will reduce lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and sagging.
Our top picks:
Best Value Anti-Aging Serum
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum Ampoules
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While there are tons of anti-aging serums out there, like ones with retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, we narrowed down the options by consulting dermatologists and Beauty Lab scientists at the Good Housekeeping Institute for their top-tested picks. Our experts test anti-aging serums using technical instruments that can measure changes in wrinkles, dark spots, pores and firmness. The serums are also evaluated by consumer testers, who rate them on factors like ease of use, scent, texture and look of skin after use over a set time period. These data sets are then tallied to find the top formulas on the market.
In our most recent test, GH Beauty Lab scientists collected 7,820 data points to find the anti-agers that actually fill in the smile line, plump up the eye area, get rid of forehead wrinkles, fade dark spots and reverse other visible signs of aging. Here, read all about the best anti-aging serums of 2023 that work to make you look younger, as tested by the GH Beauty Lab.
At the end of the article, you can find more information on how we test anti-aging serums and what to look for when shopping. Looking for more top-performing serums and creams? Check out our guides to the best niacinamide serums, night creams and retinol creams.
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Pros
- Measurably firms and smooths skin
- Good value
Cons
- Some reviewers said bottle didn't last long
Get a drugstore value anti-aging serum that works just as well (if not better) than much pricier options. This No7 serum improved skin texture, blurred the look of pores and boosted firmness by 21% after four weeks, based on the GH Beauty Lab's most recent anti-aging serum test.
Powerful peptides, retinyl palmitate, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C antioxidant complex prove to regenerate skin with less irritation. It also delivers in under two weeks: "In 10 days, my wrinkles were less visible!" a tester said, though some wished the bottle lasted longer.
Skin type: Sensitive | Key ingredients: Peptides and retinol | Size: 1 fl. oz
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum Ampoules
Pros
- Mild, fragrance-free formula
- Good value
- Hydrates and softens skin
Cons
- Some reviewers didn't love the ampoule delivery system
These fragrance-free L’Oréal Paris ampoules house a GH Beauty Award-winning concentrated hyaluronic acid serum gentle enough for sensitive skin. Made with a powerhouse moisturizing active that can bind large quantities of water into skin, the serum was absorbed fast by testers' skin and their complexion was immediately moisturized, softer and refreshed after one use.
“My skin looked and felt plump,” one reported. The only aspect some reviewers are torn on is the ampoule delivery system: While many didn't mind the different form factor, some found it hard to get multiple uses out of an ampoule, even when there was serum left in it.
Skin type: Sensitive | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and peptides | Size: 7 x .04 oz.
Isdinceutics Hyaluronic Concentrate
Pros
- Instantly plumps wrinkles
- Smooths skin's texture
Cons
- Made with fragrance
- Pricey
Crepiness and dehydration will soak up Isdin's silky serum, a GH Beauty Award winner with two types of hyaluronic acid and peptides that work to plump skin. Though a bit pricey, the serum had immediate plumping and smoothing effects in our GH Beauty Lab data evaluations. Testers found that the formulation helped improve skin texture over time.
“I love how this serum soaks in quickly and smooths my face instantly,” and “it left my skin refreshed,” two testers remarked. A few reviewers online, however, had qualms about its added fragrance, which may increase the potential of irritation for some.
Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Niacinamide and peptides | Size: 1.7 fl. oz
SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3
Pros
- Measurably minimizes fine lines
- Fast-acting results in four weeks
Cons
- Needs better packaging
Wrinkles are totally natural, but if you'd like to minimize their appearance, SkinCeuticals is the serum you need. This niacinamide formulation was the best at reducing the look of lines and wrinkles in the GH Beauty Lab's test — lessening their appearance by 5% over just four weeks.
Aside from the hefty price tag, testers praised the "almost immediate" fine line improvement: "I was shocked by the plumpness of my skin the next day," one said. "One of the best products I've ever used," another raved. Some shoppers wished for different packaging, noting that there's a fair amount left over that the pump cannot reach and dispense.
Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Niacinamide and peptides | Size: 1.7 fl. oz
Mary Kay Clinical Solutions Retinol 0.5 Set
Pros
- Smooths skin and boosts radiances
- Coupled with a soothing moisturizer
- Gradual regimen is proven to build tolerance
Cons
- Pricey
Dosed with a potent 0.5% retinol active, Mary Kay's Clinical Solutions serum is proven to boost collagen while its oil-infused milk helps prevent irritating side effects. Ideal for those with sensitive complexions, this GH Beauty Award winner and Seal star Mary Kay retinol kit is a gradual regimen made to build tolerance with each use.
The set is expensive, but worth it: After eight weeks of use, 100% of users saw improvement in skin smoothness and radiance, Lab data analysis found. "My skin felt very plump and smooth in the morning," says former GH Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D., Ph.D.
Skin type: Mature, sensitive | Key ingredients: Retinol, glycerin and squalane | Size: 2.5 fl. oz; 1 fl. oz
Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum
Pros
- Gentle exfoliation
- Cica ingredient soothes redness
Cons
- Some shoppers called it drying
Of the 370+ skincare products we considered for the 2023 GH Beauty Awards, the Innisfree formula sailed to the top. The anti-aging serum delivered the gold standard anti-aging ingredient retinol in an innovative water-like texture. It also infuses nourishers like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide and soothing cica to tamp down irritation and redness.
Even sensitive skin and redness-prone skin enjoyed this anti-ager. “My skin was clearer, brighter, softer and smoother with no discomfort," one tester raved, though online shoppers were divided on whether it left dry skin better off, with one reporting that they woke up with drier-feeling skin.
RELATED: The Best Skincare Products for Rosacea, According to Skin Experts
Skin type: Sensitive | Key ingredients: Retinol and cica | Size: 1 fl. oz
Shiseido Bio-Performance Skin Filler Serums
Pros
- Reduced the appearance of wrinkles and crow's feet
- Firmed skin after four weeks of use
Cons
- Most expensive serum on this list
This GH Beauty Breakthrough Award-winning two-step system is unlike anything we’ve seen before. It includes one serum applied at night and another the following morning that works in conjunction to add plumpness and softness to the face. They work together to first shrink hyaluronic acid to penetrate deep into pores, then expand the ingredient so its hydrating and volumizing benefits reach into skin.
The serum showed visible results upon first use, per our Lab's evaluation of clinical data. After eight weeks of use, it also revealed a significant reduction in wrinkles and crow’s feet. Testers saw firmer skin after four weeks of use.
Skin type: Mature | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Size: 2 x 1.01 fl. oz
SkinCeuticals Custom DOSE Serum
Pros
- Can be customized for all skin types, including oily
- Precisely dosed active ingredients
- Uses advanced algorithm and superior technology
Cons
- Involves a visit to a dermatologist's office
You'll need to visit a dermatologist's office to experience this cutting-edge SkinCeuticals service, also a GH Beauty Award winner, but our analysts who tested the process say it's worth it since you'll be getting a custom-made face serum tailored to your skin concerns, like oiliness.
“The process combines pro assessment with an advanced algorithm to tailor specific concentrations of science-backed ingredients like glycolic acid and retinol to an individual’s skin needs. These are then mixed by a machine in a base for your skin type,” explains GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. "The technology is superior to all other personalized skincare on the market."
Skin type: Oily | Key ingredients: Retinol and glycolic acid (determined by a custom formula) | Size: About 3 months' supply
RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Advanced Retinol Serum
Pros
- Fills in fine lines and smooths wrinkles
- Offered a noticeably plumping effect
Cons
- Some online reviews called the packaging tricky
Made in collaboration with dermatologists and plastic surgeons, RoC's serum blends hyaluronic acid and retinol to target fine lines and wrinkles. Their unique combination of ingredients delivers both immediate and long-term results, filling in lines and smoothing wrinkles in target areas, like the forehead, around the mouth and between the brows.
In a four-week clinical study using image analysis, 97% of users demonstrated significant improvement in the appearance of fine and deep face lines, according to the Beauty Lab assessment. One thing that'd be the cherry on top for some online shoppers, however, is having it dispensed from a smaller tip as it's a little tricky to control.
Skin type: Mature | Key ingredients: Retinol and hyaluronic acid | Size: 0.5 fl. oz
RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Vitamin C Serum
Pros
- Lab data showed it brightens and evens skin tone
- Good value
Cons
- Vitamin C can irritate sensitive skin
Roc's antioxidant serum, a GH Beauty Award winner and GH Seal star, is blended with powerhouse brightener vitamin C balanced by emollient castor oil and glycerin. GH Beauty Lab data evaluation revealed that after four weeks of once-daily use, 94% of consumer testers found that their skin tone was visibly more even, and 100% had brighter skin in an expert assessment.
While great for most skin types, those with sensitive skin users should be cautious when starting any new vitamin C serum, as the ingredient has the potential to cause irritation.
Skin type: Dry, combination and oily | Key ingredients: Vitamin C and peptides | Size: 1 fl. oz
Pros
- Reduces redness
- Layers well underneath makeup
Cons
- Sticky upon application
GH Beauty Lab scientists reach for this Theraderm serum, a GH Beauty Award winner, for its soothing, protective benefits after dermatologic procedures. The lightweight formula layers on smooth and leaves the skin feeling tighter, though a touch sticky at first. Wizemann found that it significantly subdued facial redness caused by rosacea, while brightening.
"I also noticed that this serum under an SPF seemed all I needed during the day; I did not need additional moisturizer for my dry skin to not feel tight," she said. "It also does not pill under tinted moisturizer, making it an everyday staple."
Skin type: Dry, sensitive | Key ingredients: Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid| Size: 1.4 fl. oz
Kate Somerville DermalQuench Liquid Lift + Retinol Advanced Resurfacing Treatment
Pros
- Effectively fades hyperpigmentation
- Reduces wrinkles with minimal irritation
Cons
- Some online reviewers found the foam sticky
This GH Beauty Award-winning Kate Somerville anti-aging retinol serum is dispensed as a special foam for faster absorption and effectively diminished hyperpigmentation. GH Beauty Lab testing measured a nearly 10% reduction in UV spots and 76% of users saw diminished wrinkles, with little to no irritation.
"This faded the dark spots on my cheeks and plumped both my fine and my deep lines," a tester said. Other online shoppers took longer to warm up to the spray formula, finding the texture sticky.
Skin type: Normal, dry, combination and oily | Key ingredients: Retinol and hyaluronic acid | Size: 2.5 fl. oz
Mary Kay Clinical Solutions PHA + AHA Resurfacer
Pros
- Effective exfoliating
- Leaves skin looking visibly brightened
Cons
- Avoid using with other potent skincare like retinol or salicylic acid
Mary Kay's concentrated serum offers a novel and gentle way to exfoliate the skin, using a blend of glycolic and polyhydroxy acids to stimulate surface skin cell turnover and leave the skin looking more luminous. The GH Beauty Lab confirmed that its acids effectively dissolved dead cells as glycerin conditioned the skin.
What's more, a study of 104 testers revealed that the formula did not cause any irritation. Just note: Since it contains potent acid ingredients, you should avoid using other retinol, peels or acids when using it.
Skin type: Oily and acne-prone | Key ingredients: Poly-hydroxy acid, glycolic acid and glycerin | Size: 0.5 fl. oz
Murad Resurgence Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Pros
- Measurably firms skin
- Proven to reduce appearance of fine lines
Cons
- Retinol may cause flaking and redness
This lightweight Murad serum is formulated with two types of retinoids — ingredients known to increase skin's elasticity over time. It performed well in GH Beauty Lab tests, firming skin by 24%, and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Testers liked the scent (it’s fragranced) and said it brightened skin.
"I noticed my skin looked more toned, brown spots seem faded and wrinkles reduced," one raved. When using a retinol treatment, make sure to protect skin with sunscreen each morning, and keep an eye out for any potential skin irritation.
Skin type: Mature | Key ingredients: Retinol and hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 fl. oz
OAM by Ciara 20% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Pros
- Absorbs quickly into skin
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Vitamin C may irritate those with sensitive skin
A 2023 Beauty Award winner, OAM's featherlight liquid is like radiance, bottled. Made to protect and brighten skin, it boasts a high 20% concentration of antioxidant vitamin C. “The water-like formula soaked instantly into skin, leaving no residue and has a pleasant citrusy scent unlike some other vitamin C serums,” says one tester.
In a study conducted by the Beauty Lab, 96 women of different skin tones were assessed using image analysis, and after eight weeks of use, we observed significant improvement in skin radiance.
Skin type: Normal, dry, combination and oily | Key ingredients: Vitamin C | Size: 1 fl. oz
Curology Custom FormulaRx
Pros
- Custom formula created by a dermatologist
- Quality active ingredients
- Good value
Cons
- Requires consultation
The online service Curology, a GH Beauty Award winner, brings a certified cosmetic dermatologist or skin pro to you. Get an electronic consultation on your computer, tablet or phone; then a prescription formula like a serum is created for your skin's needs (like acne and anti-aging) and sent to you.
A tester with acne-prone skin found that her prescription was perfect, providing amazing results from the first day. It's like having a derm on call without pricey, time-consuming appointments or pharmacy stops, but you can't buy the products without a consultation first.
Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Customized to your skin
No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum
Pros
- Firms and tightens neck skin
- Works on the face, too
Cons
- Some reviewers didn't like the scent
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s neck cream test, No7’s serum for face and neck effectively tightens sagging, crepey neck skin. The Lab’s before-and-after digital imaging revealed the most improvement in lifting and tightening neck skin of all products tested over 12 weeks of daily use.
“My neck was more firm,” a tester reported, and another was impressed by the same effect on her jawline, though some didn't love the scent.
Skin type: Mature and sensitive | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, retinol and peptides | Size: 1 fl. oz
How we tested anti-aging serums
The GH Beauty Lab is constantly testing the latest anti-aging serum formulations to gauge their efficacy. GH beauty editors spend hours researching the market for the newest and most popular anti-aging serums across price points and make sure the companies behind the products are reputable. These selections are then label-masked to eliminate brand bias.
Then, dozens of consumer testers across a range of ages and skin types sit in one of the GH Beauty Lab's climate-controlled rooms as Lab scientists use the Visia Complexion Analyzer (pictured) to take high-resolution digital images of their faces at three angles. For the next four weeks, testers regularly use their assigned anti-aging serum as GH Beauty Lab scientists record data on changes in wrinkles, dark spots, pores, skin tone and texture using the Visia.
The Lab analysts also measure changes in skin's firmness before and after the same time period with the Cutometer machine, which gauges skin laxity. Finally, consumer testers report their personal feedback on the product after at-home use, including perceived changes in skin tone, firmness, wrinkles, brightness and softness, plus ease of use, including texture, scent, absorption and any irritation. In the most recent anti-aging serums test, 7,820 data points were collected to find the anti-agers that actually work.
What to look for in an anti-aging serum
✔️ Retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, stimulate cell turnover to increase collagen production, reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
✔️ Peptides, made of amino acids, which are the building blocks of collagen and can boost its production to smooth lines and increase skin's firmness. The superstar ingredient works well across all skin types.
✔️ Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that brightens and evens skin tone, boosts collagen production and calms inflammation. It's used for "its anti-inflammatory and brightening benefits [and] has been shown to soothe the skin and even out hyperpigmentation," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology in New York City.
✔️ Hyaluronic acid, a strong skin hydrator and plumper. Hyaluronic acid also works to plump skin "[improving] the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," says Dr. Zeichner.
✔️ Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea and resveratrol, which protect skin against damage. These ingredients help prevent and repair signs of hyperpigmentation, lines and wrinkles, inflammation and dullness, per Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.
Do anti-aging serums really work?
Yes! Anti-aging serums have produced measurable results over time in the reduction in the look of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and pores and increased skin firmness, per GH Beauty Lab testing.
Because the formulas are lighter weight than other skincare treatments like lotions or creams, they tend to work for all skin types, from oily to dry. But consistency is key: They require daily application for at least eight weeks to see results, the GH Beauty Lab advises.
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Jacqueline (she/her) covers all things e-commerce in beauty, lifestyle and beyond for the Good Housekeeping Institute. Before joining GH in 2021, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
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