13 Best Anti-Aging Serums That Really Work, Tested by Our Scientists
These products are proven to measurably reduce wrinkles, dry skin, dark spots and more.
Tested by Danusia WnekSenior ChemistMedically reviewed by Mona Gohara, M.D
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In the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, our scientists and beauty editors are strong advocates for incorporating face serums into an effective skincare routine suitable for all skin types and ages — from your 30s and 40s to your 50s, 60s and beyond. Among the various types of serums available, anti-aging serums stand out for their ability to address common skin concerns that arise with age, such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and sagging. "Serums are liquid formulas with higher concentrations of active treatment ingredients and fewer emollients compared to moisturizers," explains GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. "Anti-aging serums can help soften lines, brighten dark spots, firm skin and smooth texture."
But how to know which anti-aging serums really work? Enter the GH Beauty Lab, which rigorously tests them using technical instruments that measure changes in wrinkles, dark spots, pores and firmness. The serums are also evaluated by consumer testers, who rate them on factors like ease of use, scent, texture and look of skin after use. In the most recent anti-aging serum test, GH Beauty Lab scientists tallied a total of 8,330 skin assessment data points to find the most effective formulas that even dermatologists stand by.
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Pros
- Increased skin firmness by 21% in Lab tests
- Smooths skin texture
- Reduced the appearance of pores
Cons
- Some reviewers said bottle didn't last long
Get a drugstore value anti-aging serum that works just as well (if not better) than much pricier options. This No7 serum improved skin texture, reduced the look of pores and boosted firmness by 21% after four weeks, in the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging serum test.
Powerful peptides, retinyl palmitate, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C antioxidant complex prove to regenerate skin with less irritation. It also delivers in under two weeks: "In 10 days, my wrinkles were less visible!" a tester said, though some wished the bottle lasted longer.
Skin type: Sensitive | Key ingredients: Peptides, retinol, vitamins C and E | Size: 1 oz. | Fragrance-free: Yes
Pros
- Evens skin tone
- Smooths texture
- Doesn't cause irritation
- Bargain price
Cons
- Bottle doesn't last long
More than just a pretty serum, Olay’s luxe-for-less liquid earned a GH Beauty Award for its formula packed with star age-fighting actives. It utilizes a next-generation version of brightening niacinamide boosted with age-fighting vitamin C, peptides and lactic acid. The drugstore bargain formula evened skin tone effectively and smoothed texture without irritation in four weeks of use, an expert evaluator found.
"This serum was well-tolerated on my sensitive and easily reactive skin," says GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. "I did not experience inflammation flare-ups like I normally do with products containing strong ingredients." Another user found that the bottle didn't last as long as other serums, however.
Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, vitamin C | Size: 1 oz. | Fragrance-free: No
Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Resurfacing Dream Serum
Pros
- Smooths and clarifies
- Boosts radiance
- Exfoliating effects
Cons
- May be too potent for sensitive skin
Boost your beauty rest with Fresh’s GH Beauty Award-winning milky serum, which exfoliates with glycolic acid so you wake up with silkier skin. The combination of acids in the formula can also help clarify, making this ideal for oily or acne-prone skin.
In a clinical study, testers’ skin texture was 23% smoother after one application and over time, they saw fewer dark spots and more radiance. Though the bottle is small, the formula should be applied sparingly due to the acid content and may be too strong for those with sensitive skin.
Skin type: Normal, combination, oily and acne-prone | Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, citric acid | Size: 1 oz. | Fragrance-free: No
Pros
- Instantly plumps dehydrated skin
- Smooths texture
- Absorbs fast
Cons
- Some users didn't like the added fragrance
Dehydrated, crepey skin will soak up Isdin's silky serum, a GH Beauty Award winner with two types of hyaluronic acid and peptides that work to plump skin and leave it feeling moisturized. Though a bit pricey, the serum had immediate plumping and smoothing effects in our GH Beauty Lab data evaluations. Testers found that the formulation helped improve skin texture over time.
“I love how this serum soaks in quickly and smooths my face instantly,” and “it left my skin refreshed,” two testers remarked. A few reviewers online, however, had qualms about its added fragrance, which may increase the potential of irritation for some.
Skin type: Dry, mature | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides | Size: 1.7 oz. | Fragrance-free: No
RELATED: Best Face Moisturizers for Dry Skin
Pros
- Reduced wrinkles by 5% in four weeks in Lab tests
- Scored high for brightening and firming skin
- Doesn't irritate
Cons
- Users noted the pump packaging didn't dispense all the serum in the bottle
Wrinkles are totally natural, but if you'd like to minimize their appearance, SkinCeuticals has the serum you need. This niacinamide formulation was the best at reducing the look of lines and wrinkles in the GH Beauty Lab's test — lessening their appearance by 5% over just four weeks. It also rated highly with testers for brightening and firming skin, and 100% found that it didn't irritate.
Users praised the "almost immediate" fine line improvement: "I was shocked by the plumpness of my skin the next day," one said. "One of the best products I've ever used," another raved. Some shoppers wished for different packaging, noting a fair amount left over that the pump cannot reach and dispense.
Skin type: All | Key ingredients: Niacinamide and peptides | Size: 1.7 oz. | Fragrance-free: Yes
RELATED: Best Wrinkle Creams
Pros
- Smooths skin and boosts radiances
- Coupled with a soothing moisturizer
- Gradual regimen is proven to build tolerance
Cons
- Pricey
Dosed with a potent 0.5% retinol active, Mary Kay's Clinical Solutions serum is proven to boost collagen while its oil-infused milk helps prevent irritating side effects. Ideal for those with sensitive complexions, this GH Beauty Award winner and Good Housekeeping Seal star Mary Kay retinol kit is a gradual regimen made to build tolerance with each use.
The set is expensive, but worth it: After eight weeks of use, 100% of users saw improvement in skin smoothness and radiance, Lab data analysis found. "My skin felt very plump and smooth in the morning," GH's former Beauty Lab Executive Director said.
Skin type: Mature, sensitive | Key ingredients: Retinol, glycerin and squalane | Size: 2.5 oz; 1 oz. | Fragrance-free: Yes
RELATED: Best Retinol Serums
Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum
Pros
- Smooths and brightens skin
- Not irritating
Cons
- Some users called it drying
Of the 370+ skincare products we considered for the 2023 GH Beauty Awards, the Innisfree formula sailed to the top. The anti-aging serum delivered the gold standard anti-aging ingredient retinol in an innovative water-like texture. It also contains nourishers like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide and soothing cica to tamp down irritation.
Even sensitive and redness-prone skin enjoyed this anti-ager. “My skin was clearer, brighter, softer and smoother with no discomfort," one tester raved. A caveat: Some shoppers found it was a bit drying to their skin and the bottle contains a small amount of product.
Skin type: Sensitive | Key ingredients: Retinol and cica | Size: 1 oz. | Fragrance-free: Yes
RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Advanced Retinol Serum
Pros
- Fills in fine lines and smooths wrinkles
- Offered a noticeable plumping effect
- Targeted applicator
Cons
- Very small amount of product
Made in collaboration with dermatologists, RoC's serum blends hyaluronic acid and retinol to target fine lines and wrinkles. Their unique combination of ingredients delivers both immediate and long-term results, filling in lines and smoothing wrinkles in target areas, like the forehead, around the mouth and between the brows.
In a four-week clinical study using image analysis, 97% of users demonstrated significant improvement in the appearance of fine and deep face lines, according to the Beauty Lab assessment. Be aware that because it's created to be applied directly to wrinkles (not all over the face), the bottle contains a very small amount of serum.
Skin type: Mature | Key ingredients: Retinol and hyaluronic acid | Size: 0.5 oz. | Fragrance-free: Yes
Shiseido Bio-Performance Skin Filler Serums
Pros
- Reduced the appearance of wrinkles and crow's feet
- Firmed skin after four weeks of use
- Contains advanced hyaluronic acid technology
Cons
- Expensive
This GH Beauty Breakthrough Award-winning two-step system is unlike anything we’ve seen before. The set includes a night serum that shrinks hydrating and smoothing hyaluronic acid molecules so they can penetrate skin and a day formula that re-plumps them to maximize line-filling effects, Beauty Lab analysis found.
It may be a major splurge, but the serums showed visible results upon first use, per the Lab's evaluation of clinical data. After eight weeks of use, they also produced a significant reduction in wrinkles and crow’s feet. Testers saw firmer skin after four weeks.
Skin type: Mature | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Size: 1.01 oz. each | Fragrance-free: Yes
RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Vitamin C Serum
Pros
- Lab data showed it brightens and evens skin tone
- Contains skin-softening ingredients
Cons
- Bottle may not last long
RoC's antioxidant serum, a GH Beauty Award winner, is blended with powerhouse brightener vitamin C balanced by emollient castor oil and glycerin. GH Beauty Lab data evaluation revealed that after four weeks of once-daily use, 94% of consumer testers found that their skin tone was visibly more even, and 100% had brighter skin in an expert assessment.
Note that since a vitamin C serum should be used daily for best results, the small bottle may not last long.
Skin type: Dry, combination and oily | Key ingredients: Vitamin C and peptides | Size: 1 oz. | Fragrance-free: No
Murad Resurgence Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Pros
- Increased skin firmness by 24% in Lab tests
- Reduced the look of lines
- Testers found it brightened skin
Cons
- Retinol may cause flaking and redness
This lightweight Murad serum is formulated with two types of retinoids — ingredients known to increase skin's elasticity over time. It performed well in GH Beauty Lab tests, firming skin by 24%, and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Testers liked the scent (it’s fragranced) and said it brightened skin.
Though it's pricey for the amount of product, users praised the visible results: "I noticed my skin looked more toned, brown spots seem faded and wrinkles reduced," one raved.
Skin type: Mature | Key ingredients: Retinol and hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 oz. | Fragrance-free: No
OAM by Ciara 20% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Pros
- Significantly boosted radiance in a study
- Absorbs quickly
- Appealing scent
Cons
- Not a large size bottle for the price
A GH Beauty Award winner, OAM's featherlight liquid is like radiance, bottled. Made to protect and brighten skin, it boasts a high 20% concentration of antioxidant vitamin C. “The water-like formula soaked instantly into skin, leaving no residue and has a pleasant citrusy scent unlike some other vitamin C serums,” says one tester.
In a study evaluated by the Beauty Lab, 96 women of different skin tones were assessed using image analysis, and after eight weeks of use, observed significant improvement in skin radiance. The bottle isn't very large for the cost, however.
Skin type: Normal, dry, combination and oily | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides | Size: 1 oz. | Fragrance-free: No
No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum
Pros
- Showed visible lifting and tightening of neck skin in Lab imaging tests
- Testers found it smoothed lines and hydrated
- Soaks in quickly
Cons
- Small amount of product
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s neck firming cream test, No7’s serum for face and neck effectively tightens sagging, crepey neck skin. The Lab’s before-and-after digital imaging revealed the most improvement in lifting and tightening neck skin of all products tested over 12 weeks of daily use. Consumer testers also ranked it highly for its fast-absorbing texture, smoothing lines and making skin feel firmer and more hydrated.
“My neck was more firm,” a tester reported. Another commented that it "seemed to reduce fine lines on my décolleté area." The small amount of product in the tube is a drawback, though.
Skin type: Mature and sensitive | Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, retinol and peptides | Size: 1 fl. oz | Fragrance-free: No
RELATED: Best Skin Tightening Creams
How we test anti-aging serums
The GH Beauty Lab is constantly testing the latest anti-aging serum formulations to gauge their efficacy. Beauty Lab experts scan the market for the newest and most popular anti-aging serums across price points and ensure the companies behind the products are reputable. These selections are then label-masked to eliminate brand bias.
In the Lab, dozens of consumer testers of a range of ages and skin types sit in one of the GH Beauty Lab's climate-controlled rooms to prep their skin before Lab scientists use the Visia Complexion Analyzer (pictured) to take high-resolution digital images of their faces at three angles.
For the next four weeks, testers regularly use their assigned anti-aging serum at home as part of their skincare routine. Afterward, GH Beauty Lab scientists record data on changes in wrinkles, dark spots, pores, skin tone and texture using the Visia.
GH Beauty Lab scientists also measure changes in skin's firmness before and after the same time period with the Cutometer machine, which gauges skin laxity. Finally, consumer testers report their personal feedback on the products, including perceived changes in skin tone, firmness, wrinkles, brightness and softness, plus ease of use (texture, scent, absorption and any irritation). In the most recent anti-aging serums test, Lab scientists recorded 5,610 Visia images and data points and 2,720 Cutometer measurements to find the best formulas.
What to look for in an anti-aging serum
These are the key ingredients to seek out in an effective anti-aging serum, according to GH Beauty Lab experts and dermatologists:
✔️ Retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, stimulate cell turnover to increase collagen production, reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
✔️ Peptides, made of amino acids, which are the building blocks of collagen and can boost its production to smooth lines and increase skin's firmness.
✔️ Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that brightens and evens skin tone, boosts collagen production and calms inflammation. It's used for "its anti-inflammatory and brightening benefits [and] has been shown to soothe the skin and even out hyperpigmentation," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology in New York City.
✔️ Hyaluronic acid, a strong skin hydrator and plumper. Hyaluronic acid also works to plump skin "[improving] the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles," says Dr. Zeichner.
✔️ Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea and resveratrol, which protect skin against damage. These ingredients help prevent and repair signs of hyperpigmentation, lines and wrinkles, inflammation and dullness, per Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.
Do anti-aging serums actually work?
Yes! Some anti-aging serums, like those above, have produced measurable results over time in the reduction in the look of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and pores and increased skin firmness in GH Beauty Lab testing.
Because the formulas are lighter-weight than other skincare treatments like lotions or creams, they tend to work for all skin types, from oily to dry. But consistency is key: "Anti-aging serums need to be used regularly over time, usually at least four to eight weeks, to show results," Butler says. And know that "they won’t have effects as dramatic as those of dermatologists treatments or surgery," she adds.
At what age should you start using anti aging serum?
Using an anti-aging face serum daily (both morning and evening or as indicated on the product's packaging) can diminish lines and pores plus firm and brighten skin, Dr. Zeichner says. Dermatologists recommend serums for almost any age from the 20s, 30s and 40s to the 50s, 60s, 70s and above for both preventative and reparative benefits.
How do you apply anti-aging serums?
Serums are usually the second step in your skincare regimen, applied after cleansing and toning, but before layering on moisturizer and sunscreen. Dispense a pea-sized amount in the palm of your hand and gently pat it into skin. More isn’t always better: Depending on the formulation, putting on too much could lead to pilling.
Should you apply anti-aging serums in the morning or evening?
That all varies depending on the ingredients. While some serums are made to be used in the morning and at night, it’s not true for all, so always follow the directions on the product's packaging. Generally, anti-aging serums containing retinol are used before bedtime, to allow them to work as the skin regenerates overnight, according to Monica Li, M.D., F.A.A.D., a clinical assistant professor of dermatology and skin science at the University of British Columbia.
Those with vitamin C should be used in the morning. Others, such as serums with hyaluronic acid, can be used morning and evening — as the first layer after the skin is cleansed. The key to deciding the frequency of use per day and per week is to see how your skin tolerates the product which is individualized.
April (she/her) is the senior beauty and style director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
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