Time is the only asset that can’t be bought; though, if you’re concerned about how the years have been treating you, you can invest in the best anti-aging serums. Unlike moisturizers, which are formulated primarily to, well, moisturize, anti-aging serums are targeted, concentrated treatments that work to combat common signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging skin.
Vogue’s Favorite Anti-Aging Serums
SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Serum
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Paula’s Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum
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“When it comes to anti-aging serums, it’s all about choosing ingredients that work smarter for your skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anetta Reszko. “The key is tailoring ingredients to your skin’s tolerance and introducing actives gradually.” Here, we share the best anti-aging serums to make it seem like you’re aging in reverse, Benjamin Button style, as well as the efficacious ingredients you need for maximum benefits. Just remember: unprotected sun exposure is the top cause of premature aging, so don’t skip out on sunscreen!
In This Story
Best Retinoid: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 Serum
- Why We Love It: Any dermatologist will tell you that retinoids are a staple of a solid anti-aging routine, but integrating them can be a bit nerve-wracking as they can cause sensitivity. With this formula from Medik8, you’ve no need to worry, as it’s a fantastic foray into the category, says Dr. Reszko. “It delivers the smoothing, brightening benefits of vitamin A with minimal irritation, making it ideal for beginners,” she explains. This product gets its power from 0.01% retinal, a form of the active that’s stronger than retinol yet weaker than prescription retinoids. Once your skin has acclimated to this gentle formula, you can move on to the next serum in the Crystal Retinal collection—it’s available in six progressive potencies to help you maximize this critical step in your anti-aging regimen.
- Editor’s Experience: “I recommend this to anyone who asks me which retinoid to try. What I like most is that you can choose between five potency levels—opting for the one that suits your tolerance and skin goals. I’ve been using Retinal 3 for a while now—a level that hasn’t caused any purging or irriation. Since incorporating, my skin feels bouncy, smooth, and luminous. What more could I ask for?” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: 0.01% retinal, squalane, sodium hyaluronate
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture and tone
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Antioxidant-Rich: Elm Biosciences A3O Elemental Serum
- Why We Love It: Every day, our skin encounters invisible assailants known as free radicals—unstable molecules caused by exposure to blue light from your devices, UV from the sun, and pollutants like smog and smoke. Antioxidants play defense against these pesky free radicals, making them skin-care must-haves; in this formula, you’ll get them via the proprietary A3O complex. “It acts like a daily environmental shield, keeping skin balanced and luminous even on stressful days,” says Dr. Reszko. A3O combines acetyl zingerone, a ginger-derived antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, with plant-based retinol alternative (and fellow antioxidant) bakuchiol to provide comprehensive protection against daily damage without any sensitivity.
- Editor’s Experience: “Whether I’m having a no-makeup morning or doing my full beauty routine, this serum always makes the cut. It gives my complexion a luminous, filter-like appearance immediately, yet disappears into my skin—it never pills, no matter how many products I choose to layer on top. The more consistently I use it, the happier I am with my skin quality and tone. Not only does this serum fade the stubborn redness I have around my nose, it just makes me look more awake and healthy.” —Emily Orofino, contributor
- Key Ingredients: Acetyl zingerone, bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, blue tansy, squalane
- Best For: Uneven texture and tone, redness, dry skin, fine lines
- Size: 1.35 fl. oz.
Best Brightening: Paula’s Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum
- Why We Love It: Vitamin C is one of the most frequently recommended antioxidants, yet can cause irritation in sensitive skin. If you’ve fallen victim to this powerhouse ingredient, we encourage you to eschew L-ascorbic acid in favor of THD, or tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Though the former is more powerful, it’s also less stable and more irritating than THD. This Paula’s Choice formula contains a high concentration of this gentler form of the active, along with glutathione, which works in tandem with vitamin C to combat hyperpigmentation and dark spots. “If brightness is your main goal, this serum is a true glow-getter—it helps even tone and fade dark spots while instantly revitalizing the complexion,” confirms Reszko.
- Editor’s Experience: “Until trying this formula, I’d avoided vitamin C serums—they often smelled funky, left my skin sticky, or broke me out (or in some cases, all three). This creamy, nourishing serum smells pleasantly citrusy, leaves me feeling moisturized, and never sensitizes my skin, even when I layer it with other potent actives. Within a week of using this product daily, it delivers a very satisfying glow.” —Emily Orofino, contributor
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate), glutathione, ergothioneine
- Best For: Dullness, uneven tone, discoloration, dryness
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Exfoliating: Anfisa Skin ÂN-DEW 10% Azelaic Acid + PHA Serum
- Why We Love It: This is a rare chemical exfoliant that truly suits all skin types and tones. “It gently smooths and brightens while calming redness, which makes it a great pick for sensitive or acne-prone skin,” explains Dr. Reszko. The secret sauce here is a blend of azelaic acid and polyhydroxy acid gluconolactone, two actives that combat inflammation, quelling redness, and soothing irritation as they work to slough away dead skin from even the most reactive complexions (including those with rosacea). For added calming benefits, the formula also boasts licorice root and green tea extracts.
- Editor’s Experience: “This serum crossed my desk while I was struggling to manage the worst bout of hormonal acne I’ve ever experienced—which turned out to be pregnancy-induced! As azelaic acid is one of the few potent pregnancy-safe actives, I have been slathering my skin with this formula morning and night. In addition to shrinking the painful cysts along my jawline and keeping future blemishes at bay, it’s also worked to soften expression lines, a much-appreciated benefit as it’ll be a while until I can book my next Daxxify treatment.” —Emily Orofino, contributor
- Key Ingredients: 10% azelaic acid, gluconolactone, licorice root extract
- Best For: Dullness, uneven texture and tone, dark spots, fine lines, sensitive skin
- Size: 1.69 fl. oz.
Best Hydrating: Elemis Pro-Collagen Future Restore Serum
- Why We Love It: Dr. Reszko calls this bestselling British formulation a “moisture-charged lift in a bottle,” with a deeply hydrating and silky formula that helps plump and firm skin, smoothing out even deep creases and wrinkles with a blend of peptides and seaweed extracts. These marine botanicals work to boost cell turnover, promote collagen synthesis, fight free radicals, and support the skin barrier, leaving skin looking healthier, tauter, and brighter in just a few days.
- Key Ingredients: Microalgae, collagen amino acids, squalane
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, dry skin
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Growth Factor Serum: Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Instafacial Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum
- Why We Love It: Don’t be put off by the eerie reddish hue of this serum—it’s likely a nod to the “Vampire Facial,” a treatment powered by platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the inspiration behind the formula. It’s packed with lab-engineered peptides that mimic human growth factors and stimulate PRP to help rejuvenate the skin. “It brings an in-office feel to your at-home routine, helping to firm, smooth, and restore radiance for that post-facial glow without the appointment,” says Dr. Reszko. That said, this face serum can be used post-procedure to max out the benefits of any in-office treatment, too.
- Key Ingredients: Growth factor peptides, collagen peptides, sodium hyaluronate
- Best For: Skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture and tone, discoloration, mature skin
- Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Best Firming: Chanel Le Lift Sérum
- Why We Love It: The star ingredients of this luxurious serum are peptides, antioxidant rich peppermint, and alfalfa, a plant-based retinol alternative that helps stimulate collagen and improve firmness, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav. “It gives skin that subtly lifted, more resilient look that people love about peptide-based treatments,” she adds. The unique gel-cream texture of this serum also absorbs instantly, leaving skin feeling plump and velvety without weighing it down.
- Key Ingredients: Alfalfa extract, peptides, peppermint extract
- Best For: Skin laxity, uneven texture, fine lines, sun damage
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best for Wrinkles: SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Serum
- Why We Love It: Inspired by the results of neurotoxins, this SkinCeuticals serum is clinically proven to target and smooth areas that treatments like Botox and Daxxify can (like crow’s feet and glabellar lines) as well as spots that injectable wrinkle reducers can’t address (cheek folds and marionette lines). The blend of neuropeptides, antioxidants, and gentle exfoliant gluconolactone is an easy, needle-free way to leave skin looking smoother and more radiant. “It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a professional-grade formula that delivers visible results without irritation,” says Dr. Yadav.
- Editor’s Experience: “I began using the SkinCeuticals P-Tiox Serum roughly four months after my last set of neuromodulator injections—which I’d gotten around my forehead, between my brows (in the glabellar muscles), and around my crow’s feet—and their effects had begun to wear off. When my face was at rest, my skin looked line-free in all of those areas, and my crow’s feet were noticeably less exaggerated when I smiled. What was impressive, however, was the more immediate change in my skin texture. I have oily skin with breakouts and the dark spots that often follow, and saw that my typically large pores looked less noticeable after just several days of using the serum. My skin looked smoother, too—not necessarily in terms of wrinkles, but in its overall consistency and feel—and my hyperpigmentation appeared less noticeable.” —Deanna Pai, contributor (Read Pai’s full review of the SkinCeuticals P-Tiox serum, here.)
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, gluconolactone
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture, mature skin
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Trinny London Naked Ambition Azelaic Exosome and Vitamin C Serum
- Why We Love It: This combination of slow-release vitamin C in a gentle form (ascorbyl glucoside) and skin-calming azelaic acid makes for a one-step solution for an uneven complexion. Dullness, redness, and dark spots—whether caused by sun damage or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—fade with regular use while sitting smoothly under SPF and makeup. “It’s a smart, multitasking serum that targets both clarity and radiance,” Dr. Yadav confirms.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C (ascorbyl glucoside), azelaic acid, red algae
- Best For: Uneven texture and tone, dullness, discoloration, redness, sun damage, mature skin
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
Best Multipurpose: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment
- Why We Love It: Anti-aging all-star retinol is combined here with two plant-based retinol alternatives—bakuchiol and rambutan leaf—as well as antioxidants ferulic acid and niacinamide for a formula “that supports collagen renewal while defending against free radical damage,” explains Dr. Yadav. “It’s a results-driven option for smoother, more radiant skin that still feels comfortable to use.” This retinol serum not only helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, but improve skin’s elasticity and other visible signs of aging.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan leaf extract, ferulic acid, niacinamide
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture and tone, skin laxity, dullness
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Preventative: U Beauty The Smooth Dynamic Wrinkle Defense Serum
- Why We Love It: This comprehensive and comfy-to-wear formula from U Beauty combines multiple peptides with retinol esters, plus antioxidants to strengthen and firm the skin over time. It has a modern, streamlined formula that focuses on performance and skin health, leaving the complexion visibly smoother and more refined. And to offset any irritation or drying of the complexion, this formula leans upon centella asiatica and squalane which keep the skin barrier balanced and nourished after each use.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol esters, collagen peptides, centella asiatica, squalane
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Everything You Need to Know
What do dermatologists recommend for aging skin?
When it comes to caring for aging skin, dermatologists recommend a comprehensive and consistent approach—one that combines skincare with healthy habits. Both our experts agree that the most important step in an anti-aging skin-care routine is SPF. “UV exposure is the biggest external cause of premature aging,” explains Dr. Yadav. “Using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day helps prevent fine lines, pigmentation, and loss of firmness.” You’ll also want to protect your skin with free radical-fighting antioxidants, promote cellular turnover through gentle exfoliation, and support your skin barrier.
Beyond topical treatments, you’ll want to closely consider your daily routine. “A balanced diet, adequate sleep, stress management, and not smoking all play key roles in preserving skin vitality,” says Dr. Reszko.
Ingredients to Look For in Anti-Aging Serums
The sheer volume of serums in the anti-aging category can make shopping feel overwhelming, but you can narrow down your search to formulas that include these types of active ingredients—they’ll provide the most benefit to aging skin.
Antioxidants: “You’ll also want a strong dose of antioxidants to protect against environmental stress and keep your complexion glowing,” explains Dr. Reszko. These ingredients help combat the damaging effects of free radicals while supporting skin barrier function. Some antioxidants to look for include vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, and niacinamide.
Retinoids: Often referred to as “the gold standard” in anti-aging by dermatologists, retinoids like prescription-strength tretinoin and OTC retinal (aka retinaldehyde) and retinol are derivatives of vitamin A that work by stimulating collagen production, which helps improve texture and reduce wrinkles, according to Dr. Yadav.
Exfoliating Acids: Ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids and polyhydroxy acids help slough away dead cells on the skin’s surface that make skin look dull and uneven, promoting a fresher, more radiant complexion. “For anyone dealing with redness or uneven tone, azelaic acid is a multitasking hero that calms irritation while brightening,” adds Dr. Reszko. The other acid, beta-hydroxy acid—otherwise known as salicylic acid—is excellent as well, though its better suited to prevent and diminish blemishes.
Growth Factors: Your body naturally produces growth factors, a type of protein, to stimulate collagen production and promote wound healing for healthier-looking skin. Growth factor serums may contain human-derived or synthetic growth factors, or lab-made peptides that have been engineered to function like growth factors to help firm and smooth skin.
Peptides: Peptides are short chains of amino acids (the building blocks of protein, as you may recall from middle-school science classes) that can have multiple functions. There are peptides that can help hydrate skin, promote collagen synthesis to firm and lift, or brighten uneven tone. Some peptide serums even act similarly to injectable neurotoxins, though they’re not as powerful as an in-office treatment.
When should you start using an anti-aging serum?
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies here: Staving off signs of aging in your mid- to late 20s or early 30s, when your collagen production naturally starts to slow down, will go a long way towards preserving a youthful quality to your skin. “Think of it as a preventative step that helps maintain the skin’s structure and delay the onset of fine lines, rather than trying to correct them later,” explains Dr. Yadav. If you’re not yet seeing concerns like dullness, fine lines, or discoloration, Dr. Reszko recommends prioritizing antioxidants and hydration. However, those noticing texture changes—or spent a lot of time in the sun without SPF in your younger years—may want to start incorporating retinoids, peptides, and exfoliating acids sooner rather than later.
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to anti-aging serums, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, packaging, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
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