Byrdie / Brian Kopinski
It’s natural to have complex feelings about noticing signs of aging. You can embrace the beauty and privilege that it is to age, while also not love all of the physical changes that come along with it. If you’d like to soften these signs but don’t want to go the injectables route, there are non-invasive products that can help. Anti-aging serums are a great place to start. “Anti-aging serums have been proven to help reduce the signs of aging by lessening fine lines and wrinkles, fading sunspots, and tightening sagging skin,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Malek Kassir, MD. She explains that the results will vary depending on how severe your signs of aging are, how your skin reacts to the product, and how consistently you use it. “So, while anti-aging serums can be game changers, it's all about finding the right fit for you and sticking with it.”
To find the best options out there, we tested dozens of popular and highly-rated options for eight weeks on editors and testers of various ages and with a variety of skin types and skin concerns. We evaluated each serum based on its ingredients, consistency, absorption, effectiveness, and overall results, and below, we’re sharing which ones impressed us the most.
Best Overall
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Retinol Serum
Target
Lightweight and fast-absorbing
Improves uneven skin texture
Increases skin firmness
Layers nicely with other skincare products
Could be better at addressing fine lines
Key Ingredients: Pure retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Dosage: 3-4 drops nightly | Cruelty-Free: No
It’s no secret that efficacious serums often come with sky-high price tags—but there are high-quality options on the market that won’t cost you hundreds of dollars. Take this from La Roche-Posay, for example. It features an anti-aging ingredient cocktail made of pure retinol, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to promote cell turnover, even skin texture and tone, and support a healthy, moisturized skin barrier. The serum is incredibly lightweight and fast-absorbing, and layers seamlessly with other skincare products.
After eight weeks of nightly use, we were thrilled with the results. It did a fantastic job of evening our skin texture, enhancing firmness, reducing blemishes and discoloration, and making our skin feel significantly smoother and softer to the touch. We did not notice a visible difference in fine lines, but this could be due to the length of the testing period. Considering that it’s suitable for all skin types and relatively affordable compared to similar options on the market, we can’t recommend it enough.
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Estée Lauder Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
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Amazon
Layers nicely with other skincare products
Hydrating with hyaluronic acid
Helps smooth the appearance of fine lines
Makes skin feel soft and plump
Not ideal for smoothing texture and addressing dark spots
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptide | Dosage: A few twice drops daily | Cruelty-Free: No
This serum has been popular for decades, and after putting it to the test, we can see why. It has a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that layers nicely under moisturizer and gives the skin an added boost of hydration. It combines hyaluronic acid and the brand’s exclusive peptide, which work in tandem to plump, firm, and help the skin retain moisture. Peptides are a hero ingredient that work to smooth fine lines and improve collagen production.
We noticed a visible improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles after using it twice daily for two weeks. It helped give the skin a softer look and feel, and we love that it offers moisturizing benefits in addition to its anti-aging capabilities. We didn’t see an improvement in uneven skin texture or sun spots, but if smoothing fine lines is your goal, we think you’ll be quite pleased with this option.
Tester Stacey, 44-50: “My over 40 skin was feeling very dry. Now, when I wake up in the morning, my skin feels so soft and hydrated. This product did help reduce fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes and mouth. My skin is visibly more plump and supple.”
Byrdie / Stacey Wegner
Best Budget
Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum
Versed
Gel-like texture
Lightweight and easy to rub in
Helps smooth and firm skin
Suitable for those with sensitive skin
Not ideal for fading dark spots
Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, arophira | Dosage: Two pumps nightly | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This budget-friendly serum uses gentle encapsulated retinol as well as arophira and bakuchiol— retinol alternatives that are more tolerable for those with sensitive skin. During testing, this cocktail of ingredients really worked to smooth rough and uneven skin texture and helped increase firmness. We loved the gel-like consistency that’s easy to spread and work into the skin, and it layered seamlessly into our skincare routines.
While it claims to fade dark spots over time, we didn’t find it to be effective for that. Perhaps using it for a longer period could yield better results in that area, but regardless, we enjoyed using it and found it to be great for textured and dull skin. Considering that it was formulated specifically for those with sensitive skin, it’s a great choice if you’re a retinol newbie.
Best for Fine Lines
Glow Recipe Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum
Glow Recipe
Lightweight, liquidy consistency
Smoothes the appearance of fine lines
Enhances firmness
Hydrates with peptides and hyaluronic acid
Not ideal for targeting discoloration
Key Ingredients: Polypeptides, pomegranate, hyaluronic acid | Dosage: Two pumps twice daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re noticing fine lines appearing on your skin and you’re looking for a gentle, needle-free way to soften their appearance, we recommend trying this firming serum from Glow Recipe. It has a light, fluid texture that blends into the skin quickly, leaving it feeling soft and non-sticky. It’s powered by peptides and also includes pomegranate, which is full of antioxidants, as well as hyaluronic acid for hydration.
We loved this serum throughout testing. It layered nicely underneath moisturizer and made a visible improvement in the appearance of fine lines. It also boosted the skin’s moisture and helped increase firmness. This isn’t the serum for you if you’re looking to address sun damage or general discoloration, but we love it for smoothing and firming the skin.
Tester Katherine, age 25-34: “I noticed a few fine lines on my forehead at the beginning of the testing period, and when comparing [them] to eight weeks later, they are less noticeable to the eye and have not worsened.”
Byrdie / Katherine Fuller
Best Sculpting
Guerlain Orchidée Impériale The Micro-Lift Concentrate
Guerlain
Fast-absorbing
Reduces puffiness and inflammation in the face
Firms, tightens, lifts, and sculpts
Results are quite noticeable
Priciest option on our list
Key Ingredients: A few drops twice daily | Dosage: Orchid extract, peptides | Cruelty-Free: No
One tester said it best—this stuff is expensive, but it’s cheaper than a facelift and it really works. The formula harnesses the firming benefits of orchid extract and peptides in a gel-like, fast-absorbing serum. It also features seven thousand of what the brand calls “micro-sculptors” to perform a series of thousands of “micro-lifts” on the skin.
And boy do those micro-lifts work—we were pretty blown away by the results we saw after eight weeks of consistent use. It made a significant visible improvement in the skin’s firmness. A tester noted that when looking at her side profile, she could tell how much this formula lifted her skin and reduced inflammation. Someone had even asked her if she’d gotten a neck lift. In addition to the impressive results, we also liked that a little bit went a long way, it absorbed fully within 30 seconds and layered perfectly under moisturizer.
Tester Maria, 56-64: “This stuff made my skin look defined. My face looked more chiseled and tight. I saw a huge reduction in inflammation. I just see so much more definition. Out of every beauty product I've ever used in my life, this is the best.”
Byrdie / Elena Garcia
Best Barrier-Strengthening
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum
Absorbs quickly
Boosts hydration
Reduces redness
Comes with a pump
Not for those looking to address fine lines or dark spots
Key Ingredients: Ginseng | Dosage: Three pumps daily, morning and night | Cruelty-Free: No
Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is essential for your skin health, and it can also help preserve youthful, radiant-looking skin. We love this serum from Sulwhasoo because it works to support a healthy skin barrier while also offering anti-aging properties in one easy-to-use formula. It features ginseng, which studies have shown can be an effective anti-aging ingredient as it may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as inflammation.
While we didn’t notice a reduction in fine lines on the face, we did find that it significantly reduced redness and gave the skin a more even tone overall. It also added moisture and gave the skin a subtle plump look and feel. We loved that the texture felt lightweight and layered seamlessly, and appreciated that the bottle comes with a convenient and mess-free pump.
Byrdie / Jodi Espinosa
Best for Dull Skin
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Ulta Beauty
Lightweight texture
Layers nicely with other skincare products
Hydrates and softens skin
Boosts radiance with vitamin C
Not ideal for addressing fine lines
Key Ingredients: Bifidus prebiotic, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C | Dosage: A few drops daily, morning and night | Cruelty-Free: No
Those who feel like their skin is looking dull should try this ultra-popular serum from Lancôme. It combines bifidus prebiotic (prebiotics can help support a healthy microbiome) as well as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for a dose of moisture, antioxidants, and brightness. With consistent use, we noticed that it improved our skin’s radiance, hydration, and feel. We didn’t notice a change in the appearance of fine lines, so we recommend other options if smoothing lines and wrinkles is your goal. But if you’re looking for a gentle, daily serum to give your skin a boost of moisture and glow, this is a great choice.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Collagen + Niacinamide Activating Serum
Sephora
Feels soft and comfortable on the skin
Smoothes uneven skin texture
Subtly reduces fine lines
Fragrance-free
Comes with a pump
Could be more plumping
Key Ingredients: Lipid and peptide complex, polyglutamic acid, niacinamide | Dosage: 1-2 pumps daily, morning and night | Cruelty-Free: Yes
According to Dr. Song, people with sensitive or dry skin should opt for anti-aging serums that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and contain peptides and other hydrating ingredients. This one from Skinfix checks all the boxes. It’s gentle on sensitive skin but truly works to smooth texture and fine lines.
It’s made with a lipid and peptide complex to support a healthy skin barrier, as well as niacinamide and polyglutamic acid to level skin texture and retain hydration. It has a creamy but lightweight texture that feels soothing on the skin, and after eight weeks of twice-daily use, we noticed a visible improvement in texture and fine lines. We didn’t find it to be particularly plumping, which it claims to be, but it’s effective and a pleasure to use nevertheless.
Tester Ally, 35-44: “The fine lines around my eyes look a little less noticeable, and the skin on my cheeks feels more supple. Overall, my skin feels more buoyant, smoother, and softer upon application.”
Best Radiance-Boosting
Drunk Elephant Resurfacing Serum
Amazon
Lightweight
Leaves a glow on the skin immediately after application
Smoothes skin texture
Subtly fades dark spots
Results are quite subtle
Key Ingredients: Peptides, lactic acid, amino acids | Dosage: A few drops daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Skin can get duller with age, but it’s a relatively easy thing to address, especially with serums like this one from Drunk Elephant. It features peptides to plump and firm the skin, amino acids to soothe, and lactic acid to resurface the skin. Housed in a lightweight formula, these ingredients helped us achieve smoother, more radiant skin both directly after application and over time. We saw a subtle improvement in dark spots and skin texture and our complexions looked more glowy. For the price, we do wish the results were a bit more significant, but it’s a great option for anyone looking to incorporate a daily resurfacing and radiance-boosting serum into their skincare regimen.
Ulta
Layers nicely in a skincare routine
Helps smooth fine lines
Smoothes uneven skin texture
Firms skin
Not ideal for those looking to fade dark spots
Key Ingredients: Bitter orange, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid | Dosage: 3-4 drops daily, morning and night | Cruelty-Free: No
It can be tricky to find an anti-aging serum at the drugstore that actually does something, but this one fits the bill. It has a lightweight consistency that layers beautifully underneath a moisturizer. It’s formulated with an antioxidant complex made with bitter orange, as well as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to moisturize and support a healthy skin barrier.
It helped smooth skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines after just eight weeks. But where we noticed the most significant change was in its ability to firm the skin overall, making it ideal for those with sagging or mature skin. It’s not for those hoping to address dark spots, but perfect if firming and smoothing is what you’re looking to accomplish.
Best for Textured Skin
Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol and Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum
Dr. Dennis Gross
Lightweight, fluid texture
Reduces uneven skin texture
Makes skin feel soft and smooth
Could be better for smoothing fine lines
Key Ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol | Dosage: 8-10 drops once or twice daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re struggling with uneven skin texture, we highly recommend checking out this retinol serum from Dr. Dennis Gross. It uses a combination of retinol and bakuchiol to resurface dead skin cells and even skin texture over time—and it does just that. We found that using it just once daily during the testing period helped to significantly smooth our skin. We didn’t feel like it improved in the appearance of fine lines, but perhaps using it twice daily (which the brand says you can) would make a difference—just remember to be diligent about applying sunscreen when using retinol.
While some retinol products are sensitizing, can be hard to rub in, or cause pilling, this one was a pleasure to use. It layered nicely in our skincare routines and didn’t cause sensitivity or irritation.
Tester Karah, 35-44: “This serum is intended to correct skin texture and I feel like it did that. My skin looked better to me at the end of the testing period—it felt smoother and looked more even. It was rather gentle for a retinol and it wasn't irritating in any way.”
Byrdie / Karah Rosa
Best Plumping
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides Serum
The Ordinary
Suitable for all skin types
Layers well
Smoothes skin texture
Makes skin feel soft and bouncy
Could be more effective for addressing fine lines
Key Ingredients: Copper peptides, amino acids, hyaluronic acid | Dosage: A few drops daily, morning and night | Cruelty-Free: Yes
According to Dr. Kassir, our skin loses elasticity and buoyancy as we age (starting in our 20s), so if you’re looking for an anti-aging serum to give your skin a softer, more plump appearance, it’s important to find something that supports elasticity. This one from The Ordinary is great because it’s chock full of peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid, three ingredients known for their plumping properties.
We saw a visible improvement in our skin texture and plumpness after eight weeks of use. Our skin felt smoother, softer, and bouncier. We didn’t feel like our fine lines were smoother, but if you’re more concerned about elasticity and skin feel, we think you’ll enjoy this serum.
Read Our Full Review: Is The Ordinary Copper Peptides Serum "Nature’s Botox"? I Tried It
Best Hydrating
Clinique Smart Clinical Repair
sephora
Lightweight and easy to layer
Subtly smoothes the appearance of fine lines
Leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated
Results are quite subtle
Key Ingredients: Retinoid, peptides, hyaluronic acid | Dosage: 1-2 pumps twice daily | Cruelty-Free: No
Anti-aging serums, especially those that include retinol, can be drying. And if you already have dry skin, it can make using these products challenging. Enter this wrinkle-correcting serum from Clinique that features both a retinoid (basically a more potent version of retinol) to target lines and hyaluronic acid and peptides to hydrate and support a healthy skin barrier. This ingredient cocktail is housed in a lightweight formula that absorbs quickly and layers seamlessly with other products in your skincare routine.
While the results were quite subtle, we did see a small improvement in fine lines and found our skin maintained its hydration and softness. Introducing this serum into our routines didn’t cause dryness or sensitivity. So while it’s not ideal if you’re looking for something that produces quick, dramatic results, it’s great for those with dry skin who need a serum formulated with moisturizing ingredients.
Byrdie / Maggie Andrew
Best Softening
Macrene Actives High Performance Face Serum
Sephora
Gives skin a glow
Helps smooth skin texture
Feels very soft and hydrating
Luxe, creamy texture
Not ideal for smoothing fine lines or firming
Key Ingredients: Peptides, vitamin C, algae extract | Dosage: A pea-size amount once or twice daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re looking for a luxurious-feeling serum that has a soft and creamy texture, this is the one for you. It’s calming and enjoyable to apply and leaves the skin feeling silky and supple. It features peptides, vitamin C, and algae extract, which can help support a healthy skin barrier and prevent premature signs of aging.
During testing, we found that it improved our skin texture and made our complexions look more glowy. We didn’t notice a difference in fine lines or firmness, but it generally made our skin look and feel smoother and softer. We love it for maintaining soft skin, supporting your skin barrier, and preventing early signs of aging like free radical damage and loss of elasticity.
Byrdie / Michelle Garza
Best for Under Makeup
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Ulta
Lightweight and non-sticky
Feels moisturizing
Makes skin look glowy and plump
Results are more temporary
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Dosage: A few drops twice daily | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Anti-aging serums don’t always sit nicely underneath makeup, especially if they’re sticky or cause pilling. But this one from Peach & Lily beautifully preps your skin for makeup application. While we didn’t find that it created lasting results in terms of firming or addressing fine lines or texture, it made our skin look beautiful after applying it. It has a lightweight but moisturizing formula that glides onto the skin and leaves it feeling nourished and looking incredibly radiant and plump. It doesn’t pill or feel sticky, perfect for applying under makeup or wearing on bare skin days when you want to amp up your glow. It’s also a nice option if you want to add another hydrating product into your routine—we found that it helped smooth dry patches when we tested it during the frigid winter months.
Byrdie / Rebecca Park
What to Look for When Buying Anti-Aging Serums
- Retinoids: Both Dr. Kassir and board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Teresa Song, MD, highly recommend looking for serums that contain retinoids. “Retinoids stimulate collagen production, promote cell turnover, and improve skin texture. [They] are the family of products which contain vitamin A—the most powerful ingredient to help us stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in our skin,” says Dr. Kassir. Dr. Song notes that the powerful ingredient can improve pigmentation, skin texture, and clogged pores that contribute to acne.
- Peptides: “Peptides are a game changer,” Dr. Kassir says. “These amino acids can help improve skin firmness and elasticity by stimulating collagen production”
- Antioxidants: According to Dr. Song, antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extracts “can help neutralize free radicals, which contributes to skin aging and damage from UV radiation.”
- Hyaluronic Acid: “Hyaluronic acid is another hero must have in every skin routine,” says Dr. Kassir. “This is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, helping to plump and hydrate, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing anti-aging serums for a few years, and she’s tried several on this list for herself. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
She also spoke to experts to discuss important things to consider when looking to purchase anti-aging serums. Those experts included:
- Dr. Sheila Malek Kassir, MD, a German board-certified plastic surgeon and co-founder of Kassir Plastic Surgery and Inside Beauty Spa.
- Dr. Teresa Song, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical.
