.png?h=11&la=en&w=11){kind=icon}
.png?h=11&la=en&w=10){kind=icon}
- Skincare
- Expert Advice
- Product Reviews
- The 20 Best Facial Serums, Reviewed
The 20 Best Facial Serums, Reviewed
There’s a serum out there to target nearly every skin concern you could think of. Wrinkles? Reach for an anti-aging serum. Dry skin? Hydrating serums are calling your name. Dull complexion? Get your glow back with a radiance-boosting serum. And while having plenty of options to pick from is arguably better than not, it surely makes for a difficult selection process. Most people don’t have the time (or budget) to test out hundreds of serums before landing on the best one, so we did the honors. Scroll through for our reviews of some of the best facial serums from the L’Oreal portfolio of brands.
SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC, $165 MSRP
Vitamin C serums are a dime a dozen, but few have stood out amongst the pack as much as SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic. It’s favored amongst dermatologists, influencers, editors, and more thanks to its powerful formula of vitamins C and E, and ferulic acid. Not only can the formula help enhance protection against free radicals, it can also help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and photodamage. To learn more, read our robust review of SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic here.
KIEHL’S MIDNIGHT RECOVERY CONCENTRATE, $46 MSRP
Serums are a great addition to any A.M. routine, but did you know that some—when applied at night before bed—can help to visibly restore your skin’s appearance by morning? That’s at least the case for Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, a fan-favorite elixir of essential oils and distilled botanicals, including evening primrose oil, lavender essential oil, and squalene. To learn more, read our review of the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, here.
VICHY IDÉALIA RADIANCE SERUM, $39 MSRP
Show signs of behaviorial aging—think: dull skin, uneven tone, and enlarged pores—who’s boss with this beloved Vichy serum. Formulated with antioxidants and licorice root extracts, the formula can help boost radiance, visibly reduce pores, and even the appearance of the complexion. To learn more, read our review of the Vichy Idealia Radiance Serum, here.
SKINCEUTICALS H.A. INTENSIFIER, $98 MSRP
Are you searching high and low for an effective serum formulated with hyaluronic acid? Your search ends here. Not only does the SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier boast hyaluronic acid, but Proxylane—an anti-aging ingredient—and purple rice extract as well. What’s more, the formula can help the skin appear more plump and firm, all while targeting three major signs of skin aging: crow’s feet, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. Our editor took H.A. Intensifier for a test drive. Did it live up to its hype? To find out, read our review of the SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier serum, here.
VICHY MINERAL 89, 29.50 MSRP
Help protect your skin against external aggressors—pollution, cold weather, just to name a few—with this beloved skin booster. Formulated with Vichy’s Mineralizing Thermal Water—sourced from the depths of French volcanoes and rich in 15 essential minerals—and hyaluronic acid, this serum can help fortify skin and boost hydration. To learn more, check out our review of Vichy Mineral 89 here.
LANCÔME ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE YOUTH ACTIVATING CONCENTRATE SERUM, $142 MSRP
As far as anti-aging serums go, Lancome’s Advanced Génifique is a true labor of love, inspired by more than 15 years of research. The formula boasts ingredients to act on not one, not two, but 10 key signs of youth: skin texture, resiliency, elasticity, firmness, sagginess, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, clarity, and skin tone. Just how well does it work? Read our review of the Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate Serum here to find out, and follow up with our review of Advanced Génifique Sensitive formulated specifically for sensitive skin types.
KIEHL’S POWERFUL-STRENGTH LINE-REDUCING CONCENTRATE, $62 MSRP
This popular vitamin C serum recently underwent a makeover. What changed? Well, the serum is formulated with even more vitamin C—12.5 percent to be exact—and it now boasts hyaluronic acid. The Skincare.com team got a sneak preview of the formula to test. Read our review of Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate here to discover if this new-and-improved formula deserves a spot in your arsenal.
LA ROCHE-POSAY HYALU B5 SERUM, $29.50 MSRP
It’s no secret we turn to the best serums on the market for addressing the overall texture of our skin. Recently, we’ve added La Roche-Posay’s Hyalu B5 Serum to the list for a number of reasons. For starters, it clocks in at less than $30. Second, it’s formulated with some of our favorite ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and madecassoside, which is an extract of centella asiatica. Want to know why else it earns five stars from our editors? Read our review to find out!
VICHY LIFTACTIV VITAMIN C SERUM, $28.50 MSRP
By now you’re well aware that we hold vitamin C products near and dear to our hearts, and Vichy’s LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum is no exception. This affordable serum—powered by 15% pure vitamin C—helps fight against signs of aging. Want to know what can happen to the appearance of your skin in just 10 days? We’re letting you know in our full review, here.
SKINCEUTICALS DISCOLORATION DEFENSE, $98 MSRP
Dark spots and patches of discoloration can be unsightly, but with the right serum you can reduce their appearance in a cinch. Our recommendation? SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense, a synergistic blend of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, kojic acid, and sulfonic acid. It’s a multi-phase corrective serum that reduces the intensity of discoloration for a brighter and more even-looking complexion. Learn more in our full product review, here.
LANCÔME VISIONNAIRE ADVANCED SKIN CORRECTOR, $79 MSRP
Searching high and low for the perfect serum to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pores? Look no further than the Lancôme Visionnare Advanced Skin Corrector. Formulated with Double Jasmonate Complex, this serum can help improve the skin’s texture, making it feel smoother and softer to the touch. Our editor got a complimentary sample and says it’s a keeper! Read more about her experience, here.
LANCÔME ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE SENSITIVE SERUM, $78 MSRP
Don’t let uncomfortable and tight-feeling skin leave you feeling defeated. Incorporate a serum into your routine that can help soothe and revive the skin’s radiance, while protecting it against daily aggressors. With Lancôme Advanced Génifique Sensitive Serum, you’re able to do just that. All skin types—even sensitive—can benefit from its revolutionary formula. If you’re curious to know more, read our review here.
SKINCEUTICALS RETEXTURING ACTIVATOR, $80 MSRP
This skin care serum exfoliates your face and hydrates it at the same time, helping to visibly diminish surface lines and bringing in a softer complexion. Our editors took the formula for a test-drive—here’s what happened!
Giorgio Armani Crema Nera Extrema Supreme Recovery Oil, $420 MSRP
If you’re searching for a luxe serum that can help fight against signs of aging, look no further than Giorgio Armani’s Crema Extrema Supreme Recovery Oil. At $420 MSRP, this serum is not exactly inexpensive. Find out if it’s worth the price tag by reading our full product review here!
Kiehl’s Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate, $60 MSRP
Between matcha, avocado, and turmeric, superfoods are popping up everywhere in skin care. One of our favorite superfoods is quinoa, a protein-filled seed, which has been proven to be an excellent exfoliant. Kiehl’s Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate harnesses the exfoliating power of Quinoa Husk Extract to provide skin with a gentle exfoliation while also accelerating surface skin cell turnover. The result? Check out what happened after one of our editors used this serum!
Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Or Rouge Serum, $425 MSRP
A saffron-infused face serum? You bet. Considering how precious and expensive saffron spice is, it’s no wonder this serum is among the most luxe (and expensive) on the market. From reducing the appearance of 11 different signs of aging to leaving your skin looking revitalized, discover everything you need to know about Or Rouge Serum, here!
L’Oréal Paris Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $29 MSRP
Hyaluronic acid serums are having a major moment, and this scientifically-derived formula is certainly one of them. The formula combines a 0.5% high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and a 1% low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. As an added bonus, it clocks in under 30 dollars. Discover what your skin could look like after just one use by checking out our full review, here!
Biotherm Homme T-Pur Micro-Peel Serum, $48 MSRP
Fellas, this one’s for you. If you’re a minimalist when it comes to your skin care routine, chances are a serum isn’t already part of your regimen. But if you’d like to take your skin to the next level with a serum, we recommend BIotherm’s Homme T-Pur Micro-Peel Serum. The formula instantly mattifies skin after just one use. Discover all the benefits of adding this serum into your skin care routine, here.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Vitamin C Serum, $29 MSRP
By now, you should be aware of all the benefits of vitamin C serums—think: a brighter complexion and a more even-looking skin tone. While the choices for vitamin C serums may seem endless, this particular formula delivers the results you’re after without hurting your wallet. Read more on why we’re huge fans of L’Oréal’s Revitalift Derm Intensives Vitamin C Serum, here.
Biotherm Blue Therapy Accelerate Serum, $95 MSRP
From environmental aggressors to everyday stress, there are a variety of factors that can expedite signs of aging on your complexion. Even though we don’t have a time machine to reverse the damage done to your skin, you can still restore your skin’s radiance! Thankfully, there’s products on the market like Biotherm’s Blue Therapy Accelerate Serum. Learn what one of our editors thought after trying this powerful serum, here!
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
How to Visibly Reduce Premature Wrinkles, 16 Simple Life Hacks
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica is a self-professed skin care junkie with a passion for experimenting with the latest beauty products and trends. She helps create engaging content for Skincare.com’s audience.
Glossary
Want More? Sign Up To Be An Insider
From subscriber-only content and exclusive offers to the newest product giveaways, sign up to be a Skincare.com Insider today!
You are already signed up
By signing up, you consent to the privacy policy.
Thanks! You are now signed up.
Look out for exclusive Skincare.com content in your inbox soon!
Oops! Something Went Wrong.
Please try entering your email again.
Let's Stay in Touch
get instant access to expert advice, insider interviews, giveaways, quizzes, and more.
Thanks! You are now signed up.
Look out for exclusive Skincare.com content in your inbox soon!
Oops! Something Went Wrong.
Please try entering your email again.