The 10 Best Anti-Aging Serums to Use Right Now, According to Experts
Fine lines and wrinkles beware.
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Figuring out the best way to battle the signs of aging can be a seriously expensive and time-consuming task. To demystify the anti-aging process, we sat down with board-certified and nationally-acclaimed dermatologic surgeon Dr. Dendy Engelman and award-winning esthetician Jeannel Astarita, owner of Just Ageless, for their expert take on all things anti-aging serums.
What to Know About Anti-Aging Serums
Both Engelman and Astarita agree that antioxidants, retinols, and hyaluronic acid are some of the key ingredients to look for when selecting an anti-aging serum. “It’s important to look for products that don’t just make claims about reducing the appearance of fine lines,” Astarita said. “You want products that contain ingredients that really help support skin health. Healthy skin will look and behave like younger skin.”
Selection of anti-aging serums is key, but there are also some other factors that can make these products even more effective in helping to correct lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven texture. Dr. Engelman and Astarita both agree that skincare products should be layered thinnest to thickest.
“A good rule of thumb is to start with the lightest product and finish with the thickest, allowing each layer to be fully absorbed by the skin,” Dr. Engelman explained. “A serum placed on top of a moisturizer will not allow the serum to be fully absorbed since the smaller molecules cannot penetrate the larger ones.”
Dr. Engelman also encourages the use of at-home devices like microneedling rollers and toning devices to allow maximum absorption of your anti-aging serums.
The Best Anti-Aging Serums
- Best Collagen Booster: The INKEY List Collagen Booster Firming Peptide Serum
- Best for Quick Results: iS CLINICAL Active Serum
- Fan Favorite: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
- Best for Brightening: Illumi-Nation Anti-Fatigue Power Serum
- Best for Dark Spots: Caudalie Vinoperfect Anti Dark Spot Serum
- Best for Prevention: Supergoop! SPF 30 Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum
- Best for Lines and Wrinkles: Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum
- Best Scent: Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum
- Best for Large Pores: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum
- Best for Hydration: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
How We Chose
If you want professional results, you should always start with an actual professional. That's exactly what we did: We decided to tap our go-to skincare experts for their thoughts on the best serums you can implement into your routine. The following products were either hand-selected by Dr. Engelman, Astarita, or by us with the guidance of our experts' tips.
Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
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