Dermatologists Say You Should ‘Splurge’ on These Anti-Aging Serums Because They Really, Really Work

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Nobody can escape aging; it’s simply part of the wonderful cycle that is life. And with aging comes physical changes to the body, one example being your skin. It’s only natural for your skin to experience some or all of the following as time passes: wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, sagging, hyperpigmentation, and lack of moisture. Again, this is normal. If you’re noticing these visible signs of aging, we’re not here to tell you these changes are bad and that you must fix them. Instead, we’d like to explain why your skin might look and feel different, and how to find products that can remedy these concerns, if that’s what you’re looking for.

Best Anti-Aging Serums at a Glance

• Best Overall Anti-Aging Serum: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum, $128
• Best Retinoid: Aesop Resolute Facial Concentrate, $101
  Best Anti-Aging Serum With Ferulic Acid: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, $185
• Best Anti-Aging Serum for Dry Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $15 (was $27)
• Best Anti-Aging Serum for Oily Skin: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum, $90
• Best Anti-Aging Serum for Sensitive Skin: NOW Solutions Bakuchiol Skin Renewal Serum, $11 (was $13)
• Best Drugstore Anti-Aging Serum: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Night Serum, $21 (was $35)
• Best Splurge-Worthy Anti-Aging Serum: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24, $135

We couldn’t do all of this alone, which is why we spoke to Dr. Tiffany Libby, a board-certified dermatologist, director of Mohs Micrographic and Dermatologic Surgery at Brown University and Reserveage‘s resident dermatologist, on the best way to approach aging with skincare.

What are the visible signs of aging?

We’ll start by clarifying that visible signs of aging are almost all out of your control. Part of it is directly linked to your genetics, and another part is the loss of fat and bone and the decrease in collagen production that naturally occur in all people.

In addition, UV radiation from the sun is “responsible for up to 90 percent of visible signs of skin aging on the face. The most common signs are brown spots and dyspigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity and sagging,” according to Dr. Libby. It’s nearly impossible to avoid sunlight 24/7, so to counteract the harmful UV rays, remember to apply sunscreen on your face every single morning.

What makes serums so effective on the skin?

You’re probably wondering why we’re highlighting face serums rather than, let’s say, moisturizers. Well, serums are thin, light, and easily absorbed into the skin. They are also “often comprised of higher concentrations of active ingredients, rendering them the skincare step I recommend patients to ‘splurge’ on,” says Dr. Libby.

Which ingredients should you look for in an anti-aging serum?

There are so many ingredients in the world of skincare that can help your skin age gracefully. However, if you’re looking for hydration, opt for humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, per Dr. Libby. Humectants lock in moisture, which is key to keeping your skin plump and youthful. 

“If you are interested in improving the appearance of dark spots and dyspigmentation, look for serums with vitamin C, azelaic acid, kojic acid, and/or tranexamic acid,” she adds. And for increasing collagen production, vitamin C, peptides, and retinoids are your new best friends.

All of these ingredients make sense, as the natural process of aging can decrease moisture and elasticity (collagen) in your skin, as well as cause age spots. The next time you’re scanning the ingredient list of a skincare product, look out for these powerful anti-aging ingredients. 

Which ingredients should you avoid in an anti-aging serum?

Just as there are certain ingredients that are effective at prolonging signs of aging, there are also ones you should avoid. Dr. Libby suggests you steer clear of serums containing fragrances because of their potential to cause irritation.

How often should you apply an anti-aging serum?

Depending on your preferences (as well as the potency of a formula’s ingredients), apply your anti-aging serum once or twice daily. “If you prefer to use it once daily only, the best time is during your nighttime routine, as the evening is when skin cell growth and repair processes are at their peak,” per Dr. Libby. 

As TikTokers, YouTubers, and derms have probably already told you, there’s an order in which you should apply your skincare products. A serum should routinely be applied immediately after cleansing your face. You need a squeaky clean complexion in order for the serum to penetrate your skin and work its magic.

Our skin expert recommends following your serum with a peptide cream such as Reserveage’s Firming Face Cream. The formula “seals in moisture and delivers copper peptides to the skin to help support collagen production.” When you’re noticing visible signs of aging, you can never have too many products that promote collagen production.

Now that you’ve gotten a crash course on anti-aging serums, it’s time to get into Dr. Libby’s top product picks to decide which one to try next. Keep reading for the best anti-aging serums on the market, what makes them derm-backed, and where you can buy them now.

The 20 Best Anti-Aging Serums to Shop Now, According to Dermatologists