These Anti-Aging Serums Will Help Reverse The Sands of Time (2024)

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic consistently earns kudos from dermatologists for one simple reason: It works. The potent blend of Vitamin C with E and Ferulic neutralizes free radicals, visibly brightening skin and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.

A reviewer reports: "Game-changer for my skin! Helps tighten pores and smoothens my skin. It's a must-have in my beauty regimen."

Key Ingredients: 15% Pure Vitamin C, 1% Vitamin E, 0.5% Ferulic Acid

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Reduces signs of UV damage, evens skin tone

Usage: Apply AM/PM after cleansing

MORE: The Best Vitamin C Serums for Brighter, Tighter Skin

In the world of reasonably-priced drugstore serums, this one reigns supreme. (We've honestly never seen a serum with as many Amazon reviews.) Dermatologists often recommend it as an anti-aging secret weapon, especially for those looking to reverse sun damage and smooth out their skin.

A reviewer reports: "I have 72 year old skin and few wrinkles. Been using this for years and I think this is the reason."

Key Ingredients: Retinol

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, diminishes signs of UV damage

Usage: AM or PM after cleansing. Apply every other day, then gradually increase to daily.

MORE: The Best Retinols and Retinoids to Tighten and Brighten Skin

Like most Tata Harper products, this collagen-boosting serum is a serious multitasker that addresses multiple signs of aging with every application. Boasting a highly concentrated and rejuvenating ingredient list that includes hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and natural neuropeptides, skin will look plump and hydrated, while also receiving some serious longterm smoothing and softening benefits.

A reviewer reports: "This serum gives results. I can see a difference in my skin when I am not using it. It is very lightweight and hydrating. I've grown to like the smell however it does have a very strong floral smell."

Key Ingredients: Peptides from Spanish Lavender, Hyaluronic Acid, Natural Sugar Polymers from Larch Tree

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Brightens and plumps skin

Usage: Apply AM/PM after cleansing

Lauder's iconic Advanced Night Repair boasts an enhanced capacity to quell free radicals and neutralize the damage cause by pollution, in addition to fortifying the skin's delicate barrier and addressing multiple early signs of aging.

A shopper raves: "I have been using this product for 10 years now. It has changed my face. I use to get acne and had dark spots on my skin. This product changed my face, made my skin softer and removed lines and discoloration."

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Fine Lines and Addresses wrinkles, dullness, and Loss of firmness and elasticity

Usage: Smooth one dropper over face and neck every AM and PM.

Consider this classic a two-for-one. Yes, it boasts some serious hydrating capabilities thanks to fragmented hyaluronic acid, but the formulation also includes rhamnose, a naturally-derived plant sugar, that works to tighten skin and smooth wrinkles and lines within 10 days of use. You'll be kissing dryness and dullness goodbye in no time.

A reviewer raves: "Vichys LiftActiv Supreme Serum 10 is part of my daily skin routine! It helps with wrinkles & firming. It goes on nicely & absorbs great. It doesn't feel sticky or leave any residue. My skin appears more youthful & healthier looking. I'll keep this in my skin routine!"

Key Ingredients: Rhamnose, Hyaluronic Acid

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Smooths fine lines and increases firmness

Usage: Apply AM/PM

A dual action water and oil soluble serum whose ratio can be altered depending on the needs of your skin. Over 20 plant extracts work together to target lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, and boost radiance.

One reviewer says: "Amazing double serum with luxurious smell. Makes my face radiant, firm and plump. What I really like about the pump bottle is that you can control the amount of product that you want to use. The texture is oily but spreads evenly with no grease."

Key Ingredients: Turmeric, Banana, Mary's Thistle

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Enhances radiance and evens skin tone

Usage: AM/PM under moisturizer

A cult-classic oil serum with over 22 botanical ingredients (including dandelion to tighten and evening primrose to balance and tone) that work together stimulate cell turnover, boost elasticity and brighten the skin, as well as oxygenate and reverse free radical damage. Skin will be calm, balanced, and protected with every use. Oh, and it smells heavenly.

One reviewer raves: "I am 44. I’ve used this for 3 years. The minute I started using it- from the first week until now, I feel like my skin has aged backwards. That’s bold, I know! But I would eat bread and water in order to sacrifice for this stuff. Our skin is the largest organ on our body. This stuff is pure gold in a bottle and everyone who has samples mine has wanted to buy it after one use."

Key Ingredients: Evening Primrose, Calendula, Turmeric

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Hydrating, plumping, radiance-boosting

Usage: Warm 4-5 drops in the palms of hands before pressing into the face and neck every morning and night.

Should your skin need a fast fix, reach for Lancome's Absolue Bi-Ampoule, which delivers an overnight hit of hyaluronic acid and ceramides, plus rose oil, antioxidants, and clarifying salicylic acid. Skin feels bouncier the next day, and as cell renewal is revved up, signs of aging diminish with regular use.

A reviewer reports: "This serum is the greatest. I could see the wrinkles disappearing more and more each day. Truly worth getting this product and highly recommend. I have tried a lot of products but nothing has worked as well and consistently as this Absolue serum."

Key Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid, Salicylic Acid

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Repairs skin's moisture barrier, boosts radiance

Usage: Squeeze the rubber dropper to release 4–6 drops onto the palms. Apply to cleansed skin.

Holistic facialist Tammy Fender developed this serum to heal seriously chafed and upset skin that her clients exhibited due to sun damage, ski slopes, and laser treatments. A rich, silky blend of all-natural ingredients—including calming frankincense and rose oil—it feels nourishing the moment you put it on (and it smells amazing, too).

A reviewer raves: "This is the most beautiful of serums. The consistency truly is like liquid silk, and the scent is beautiful. I apply this serum after using a retinol product, and the results are immediately noticeable - mine is calmed and plumped and smoothed all at once. I find the formulation quite potent and can cover my face with one pump, with two covering my face and neck perfectly. It's a penetrating serum that lays down heavy, but feels so comfortable on - not sticky or tacky at all - and can be worn under makeup. It's probably my favorite serum of all time, which is a big statement for me. I enjoy all of TF's products, but this is hands down my favorite, simply for the results."

Key Ingredients: Sunflower See Oil, Frankincense, Rose Oil

Skin Type: Dry, sun-damaged

Benefits: Deeply nourishing, hydrating, and reparative

Usage: 1-2 drops applied to skin as needed

Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas's Rescue Serum is a cult favorite for a reason: It absorbs instantly, and delivers serious brightening and firming over time, thanks to powerful (but non-irritating) vitamin C.

A reviewer raves: "I spent a lot of time looking for the perfect Vitamin C serum and this is the one! Goes on super light under my makeup and gives my skin a glow all day long!"

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Collagen-building, skin-firming, brightening

Usage: 1 to 2 pumps onto dry skin. Follow with sunscreen in AM.

Cult favorite Augustinus Bader continues to expand, offering yet more ways to revitalize skin. This hydrating concentrate, which contains the brand's patented TFC8 complex, addresses loss of firmness and elasticity while also erasing fine lines.

A reviewer raves: "Oh my goodness serum is amazing. It melted into my skin, my skin drank it up! I only use it before bed just a couple time a week... this serum is gold for me. I always rub on my neck and chest any left overs on the backs of my hands. Gotta spread the love with skin care."

Key Ingredients: TFC8, Vitamin C, Polysaccharide Moisture Complex

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Increases hydration and firmness

Usage: Apply AM/PM under moisturizer

Developed by a reconstructive cancer surgeon, Eighth Day Regenerative Serum is a multi-tasking wonder product, that addresses 10 different signs of aging, including dryness, fine lines, sagging contours, and uneven skin tone.

A reviewer reports: "This serum is a life saver. Compared to other high end serum brands, (I’ve tried them all), this one blows them out of the water, making my skincare routine so much simpler. My skin has never looked so supple and smooth. I will never be without it."

Key Ingredients: Peptide-Rich Plasma, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Lifts, firms, reduces redness, strengthens skin barrier

Usage: Sweep one pipette over face and neck AM and PM

If you feel your skin is worth investing in (it is), this is one very wise investment. Luxe Sisleÿa L'Intégral Anti-Âge serum targets the degradation of collagen and elastin by reactivating key enzymes and providing an overall lifting and plumping effect over time.

A reviewer writes: "I love this serum! I use it in the evening. I love the texture and I noticed my skin looking more fresh and plumper. Absolutely great serum!!!! Everyone with mature skin should have it. It's worth it!!!"

Key Ingredients: Sweet Marjoram Extract, Lindera Extract, Persian Acacia Extract

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Combats loss of elastin to lift and firm skin

Usage: Warm with fingertips, apply to face and neck AM and PM

Organic, plant-derived ingredients with clinically proven anti-aging prowess power this beautifully formulated serum. Even a single application delivers a boost in hydration and plumpness that will last all day.

A shopper says: "I have used this product for several years and it never fails to deliver results. I am especially pleased with how moisturizing and 'dewy' it keeps my skin looking during the harsh winter months - proven by the many compliments I receive on my skin!"

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, Vitamin C

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Anti-aging, evens skin tone, hydrates and firms

Usage: Apply after cleansing AM/PM

For post-laser or post-peel skin, this stuff is golden. It will reduce redness and quickly work to reinforce the skin's barrier function so that serious healing can begin. Also, this mini size is ideal for travel—especially if you will be hitting the skin-drying slopes.

One Sephora shopper says: "My skin looks fantastic! I’m 47 and get mistaken for late 20’s. Adds hydration, perfects skin without blemishes, great for eczema as well."

Key Ingredients: Stabilizing Ferment, Concentrated Miracle Broth, Lime Tea Concentrate

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Repairs and strengthens skin barrier, calms redness and inflammation

Usage: Smooth onto skin twice daily or as needed

"If this product was a person, we would be fast friends," , which comes packed with retinal—a vitamin A derivative that's 11x faster than retinol. Better still: The product is available in progressive strengths depending on your tolerance.

One shopper says: "This is by far the best product I’ve used on my skin. My skin loves this stuff improved fines lines and skin texture without any irritation. About to take the next step up and look forward to seeing the results."

Key Ingredients: Retinaldehyde, Hyaluronic Acid, ​Vitamin E, Glycerin

Skin Type: All

Benefits: Brightens, firms, and diminishes look of fine lines and wrinkles

Usage: Apply 2 pumps over face and neck after cleansing in PM

An anti-aging serum is essential for combatting fine lines and wrinkles, boosting collagen, and deeply hydrating skin. When it comes to picking out the right formula for your skincare needs, dermatologists say it's important to look out for the following ingredients:

• Vitamin C: Both Dr. Peredo and Dr. Hartman, agree that vitamin C, a potent and powerful antioxidant that helps prevent damage to skin cells, is essential. "Collagen production peaks at age 22 and decreases every decade thereafter," explains Dr. Hartman, "so it is imperative to produce and prevent breakdown as much as possible."
  
• Retinol: The derms also recommend retinol, which is a vitamin A derivative that increases cell turnover and makes for a youthful-looking appearance, for your nighttime routine. People with rosacea or overly sensitive skin might not be able to tolerate it, says Dr. Hartman, so it's crucial to speak to a dermatologist first.
  
• Peptides: According to Dr. Peredo, peptides—which are amino acids—help form the building blocks of proteins, including collagen and elastin. When applying a peptide-packed anti-aging serum to your skin, the result is a youthful-looking complexion.
• Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B, niacinamide is another ingredient to look out for. "Its primary benefit is being an anti-inflammatory, and it can also decrease pore size and regulate sebum production," says Dr. Hartman. "Since it helps repair cells, it can also reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation on the skin’s surface and lessen fine lines and wrinkles, as well as strengthen the skin’s barrier and boost the skin’s hydration levels."

• Dr. Marina Peredo, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skinfluence in NYC.
• Dr. Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL.