The 13 Best Face Serums to Achieve Your Skincare Goals

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A face serum is what really takes your skincare from I have some stuff that I use on my skin to I have a skincare routine. Face serums are lightweight products with a higher concentration of ingredients that target your specific concerns; while your face wash and moisturizer might have ingredients to target your needs, a serum is what really kicks things up a notch, delivering active ingredients directly to your skin.

When you're looking for a face serum to add to your skincare routine, keep in mind your skin type and your skin goals. Just as the expanse of skin types and skin concerns is wide, the range of serums and ingredients is wide, too. Those with dry skin might want to deliver hydration and plumpness, and opt for a serum with hyaluronic acid, peptides, or AHAs. Those with oily skin, on the other hand, may want to control oil production and minimize their pores with niacinamide and zinc. Ingredients like vitamin C and retinol brighten and reduce fine lines and discoloration, so having a serum formulated with those ingredients is handy for anti-aging.

As with all skincare products, tailor your usage to what works best for you. In general, serums can be used in the morning and at night, with one or two drops applied before your moisturizer. There are hundreds of face serums out there, but below are 13 editor-approved ones that we love.

Niacinamide 15% Face Serum

Many people—including myself—swear by niacinamide as a holy grail skincare ingredient. CosRX's serum is packed with it, along with zinc, and the two work together to minimize pores, control sebum production, fade dark spots, and improve skin texture.

Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

L'Oréal Paris' hydrating serum is widely loved in the skincare community, thanks to its hyaluronic acid and vitamin C power combo. Where vitamin C is great for targeting discoloration and brightening, hyaluronic acid works to hydrate, plumpen, and revive your skin.

Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum with Lactic Acid

Drunk Elephant has garnered a cult following, and it's partially in thanks to this exfoliating serum. With lactic acid and 11 peptides, the lightweight formula is meant to address fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven texture.

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum

At less than 10 bucks a bottle, The Ordinary is small but mighty. This vegan serum is meant for all skin types, and is packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, which work together to combat dryness.

Dewy Serum

If you're willing to splurge a little bit for your skincare, don't overlook Tatcha. This three-in-one serum has lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, which smooth fine lines, hydrate, and lock in moisture respectively.

Hyaluronic Serum

This moisture-boosting serum puts the spotlight on hyaluronic acid to deliver nearly instant hydration and plumping to your skin.

Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

With 10 percent pure vitamin C, this serum is effective at brightening and soothing discoloration and uneven skin tones and textures. Although it works to replenish the skin barrier, especially sensitive skin types might find this one a little potent.

Resurfacing Face Serum

Malin+Goetz is all about simplicity. This serum, with AHAs and vitamin C, is an exfoliating and brightening agent with niacinamide, which helps soothe the skin and protect it from environmental stressors.

Magic Serum Crystal Elixir Face Serum

Ask any girl in your life how much they love Charlotte Tilbury makeup, and then apply that enthusiasm to Charlotte Tilbury skincare. Luxurious yet affordable, this serum has vitamin C and polyglutamic acid to brighten skin and reduce fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles.

Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum

For those who want anti-aging benefits, Kiehl's is a great choice. With potent retinol, this serum is all about combating wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.

C15 Super Booster

Lightweight yet powerful, this serum is packed with 5% pure vitamin C and ferulic acid, which work together to visibly brighten and smooth skin.

Hydra Beauty Mirco Sérum

Meant to deliver hydration, plumpness, and glowiness to your skin, this dewy, water-light serum with camellia oil extract and polyfractioned blue ginger restores your skin's barrier and revives it from within.

Lifting Firming Serum

For lifting and firming, La Mer's anti-aging serum with sea kelp and other pure ingredients from the ocean is worth every penny.

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