Best Serums

Serums are the workhorses of a skincare routine. Their lightweight, low-viscosity formulas deliver concentrated active ingredients deeper into the skin than heavier creams and lotions. Where cleansers and moisturizers handle the basics of cleansing and hydration, serums target specific concerns: niacinamide serums regulate oil and calm inflammation, hyaluronic acid serums provide intense hydration, peptide serums signal collagen production, and multi-active serums address several concerns simultaneously. The key to choosing a serum is matching the active ingredient to your primary concern at a concentration proven to be effective. Marketing claims about proprietary blends rarely matter -- what matters is what ingredient is inside, how much of it there is, and whether your skin can tolerate it. Every serum below has been scored for the specific conditions its actives target.