Dermatologists Actually Recommend This Anti-Aging Serum To Their Patients

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As much as we wish we had the ability to rewind the clock, unfortunately those super powers aren't available for us yet. However, the next best solution is within reach: anti-aging serums. According to dermatologists, these products are not just wishful thinking—they actually work. And, you don't have to wait until you're in your 40s, 50s, or 60s to use them—you can actually get ahead of wrinkles on your face before they even appear.

"If they contain effective ingredients, anti-aging serums certainly work and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and even slowing the onset of them ," says Dermatologist Stacey Tull, MD. However, it all comes down to ingredients. "Things like growth factors, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides are ingredients to look out for," she notes. But more on this later!

From retinol serums to the best vitamin C serums, Dr. Tull, along with two other dermatologists and WH's beauty director Brian Underwood (he's tested more serums than we can count!), walk us through the absolute best options to buy for your exact skin type, below.

TNS Advanced+ Serum

Dr. Tull has been using the SkinMedica TNS Serum for more than twenty years (yup, you read that right!). "At first, I was using it to help with the appearance of acne scars, but now it keeps my 52-year-old skin looking nearly the same as it did 20 years ago," Dr. Tull says.

She tells us that its hard-hitting powers are all thanks to the active ingredient, which is a "proprietary blend of human growth factors created through concentrating the nutrient broth and by-products of engineered skin used for grafting and reconstruction."

According to Dermatologist Mamina Turegano, MD, another ingredient you can find in the serum are growth factors (the derms in this story all agree this is a must in anti-aging serums!). "Weakened collagen results in wrinkles in the skin, but these molecules send signals to increase collagen production," Dr. Turegano says. She also tells us that this serum contains a blend of botanicals and marine extracts to support the skin's renewal process and support collagen and elastin levels.

Bio Serum Firm Growth Factor and Peptide Treatment

Another favorite of Dr. Tull's, Neocutis' Bio Serum Firm is "one of the only anti-aging products with human growth factors that specifically engineers cloned human skin cells." In simpler terms, it helps reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles by supporting the skin's natural collagen and hyaluronic acid production. This fragrance-free serum also has a proprietary blend of peptides, which Dr. Tull says "helps to nourish the skin as it grows."

If you're looking for a serum to reduce the appearance of fine lines and boost the skin's resilience for a youthful glow, this one is for you. Just look at the before and afters on the brand's website if you need more convincing.

Super Serum

WH beauty director Brian Underwood has tried a lot of skincare products, but only a few actually make it into his daily routine. Olay's Super Serum is one that made it through testing and into his vanity, and it's become a daily staple in his anti-aging lineup. Plus, it's super affordable, so he doesn't think twice about re-purchasing it.

"You'd think a serum priced this well wouldn't do much, but you'd be wrong," Underwood says. "This all-purpose anti-ager brightens, hydrates, and firms with a potent blend of vitamin C, niacinamide, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and collagen peptides." According to him, it's like the Swiss Army knife of beauty products, and that's saying a lot for just $30.

Read more: The Best vitamin C Serums

Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum 2.0

Dr. Turegano recommends serums with antioxidants for their anti-aging benefits, and this one harnesses one of the most powerful antioxidants in the skincare game: Idebenone. This hard-hitting ingredient, along with 10 other powerhouses like anti-aging ginger, clary sage, and peptides, not only reduces lines and wrinkles for smoother-looking skin, but also claims to refine and clarify pores and even skin tone and texture.

According to the brand, 100 percent of users in a clinical trial experienced improvement in radiance, clarity, texture, photo damage, skin tone and overall look of skin. Now those results are definitely worth the investment.

C E Ferulic

Both Dr. Lolis and Dr. Turegano are big fans of this cult-classic serum because its formula—it contains a powerful and patented blend of vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid—truly delivers results. "Vitamin C helps boost collagen production, brightens the skin, and reduces the appearance of age spots," notes Dr. Lolis. "In this serum, there's a concentrated dose of vitamin C paired with vitamin E, which further enhances the anti-aging benefits of the vitamin C," she adds. Dr. Turegano points out that the inclusion of ferulic acid in the formula not only enhances the antioxidant advantages but also stabilizes vitamins C and E. The three of them work together seamlessly to unleash a perfectly bright complexion.

Bright Reveal Dark Spot Serum

L’Oréal has just unveiled their latest skincare line, Bright Reveal, with a focus on improving skin tone and texture. Among its long list of offerings, the Bright Reveal Dark Spot Serum stands out, harnessing the power of key ingredients such as niacinamide, amino sulfonic acid, and ferulic acid. These ingredients work together to gently exfoliate the skin's outermost layer, targeting the appearance of dark spots, imperfections, and acne scars.

Per the brand's claims, this serum doesn't just moisturize and enhance skin radiance upon application; within a week, it might visibly reduce the prominence of dark spots. After just two weeks, you may also notice a more refined skin texture.

Read more: The Best Niacinamide Serums

Resveratrol Lift Instant Firming Retinol Serum

Resveratrol is another potent antioxidant for anti-aging, and Dr. Turegano says it's especially great for those who are sensitive to vitamin C or retinols. Her favorite resveratrol-boosted product? Caudalie's Resveratrol-Lift Serum, which claims to visibly lift, firm, and smooth wrinkles.

Also included in the formula: hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin and leaves it feeling soft, and vegan collagen to visibly firm and smooth facial contours. According to the brand, this blend of ingredients, along with resveratrol, is "three-times more effective than retinol to firm and lift the appearance of the skin."

Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Serum

Struggling with red, aggravated skin that just won't seem to calm down? DW, this serum has got you. Within just 30 minutes of application, it claims to deliver hydration at the cellular level for stronger, healthier skin. Plus, it visibly smooths and evens the skin texture for a flawless finish you'll want to show off.

Included in the formula: biomimenic hexapeptide-9, which restores damaged skin by reducing water loss, refined bilberry seed oil, rich in omega 3 and 6, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin plump and hydrated.

Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex Technology

Dr. Tull swears by the skin-nourishing power of peptides, especially when it comes to aiding skin growth. This serum is loaded with them, with a focus on L-Ornithine and Hexapeptide 38. The dynamic duo works wonders by restoring volume to thinning skin and enhancing elasticity.

But that's not all—the serum packs a punch with its patented TriHex technology, a game-changer that supports your skin's natural ability to generate fresh, healthy collagen and elastin. Throw in the tag team of niacinamide and snow mushroom and watch your pigment and dehydration concerns widdle away.

Still skeptical? Just take a look at the before-and-after shots on the brand's website—those anti-aging, toning, and smoothing results are convincing enough to make anyone a believer.

Luxury Face Serum

This serum is not only a 2023 Women's Health Skincare Award winner, it's one of Underwood's absolute favorite anti-aging serums. "What seems like a simple, straightforward serum is actually power-packed with antioxidants and plant-derived anti-agers that protect skin and help to revitalize it," he says. "Plus, the lightweight texture absorbs beautifully into skin."

The label boasts additional ingredients such as moisturizing and soothing grape water, plumping hyaluronic acid, and anti-aging chamomile and green tea extracts. To me, it sounds like a potent anti-aging blend, and Underwood agrees.

Superflower Detox Serum

According to Saint Jane, this serum is basically a green juice for your skin—and they're not kidding. Loaded with millions (yes, you read that correctly) of essential micronutrients like vitamins and antioxidants, it works wonders to purify and balance your skin, leaving you with a refreshed and radiant complexion.

What's more, they've thrown in their special Active Flower Concentrate with rose, neroli, and chamomile. This not only shields your skin from environmental stress but also detoxifies your pores and smooths out those fine lines and wrinkles. The end result? A visibly smooth complexion that you probs never thought was possible.

Advanced Night Repair Serum

"This classic nighttime serum is beloved by skincare enthusiasts for a reason: The texture is beautiful, the results are noticeable, and a little goes a long way," says Underwood. He's been using it on-and-off for years, and he tells us that he's always amazed at how bright and glowy his skin looks after.

Per the brand, it may also help diminish the appearance of pores, lock in hydration for up to 72 hours, provide eight-hour antioxidant power, strengthen the skin barrier in just four hours, and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles in just three weeks. No wonder it's a favorite among skincare enthusiasts and editors alike.

Noni Night AHA Pore & Resurfacing Serum

Getting bright, firm, and well-hydrated skin boils down to a key player: exfoliation. And Kora Organics' serum nails it. Packed with potent lemon peel extract, it serves up a natural dose of AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids), visibly refining your complexion and reducing the appearance of dark spots. Plus, there's tonka bean bio-ferment, a real powerhouse of polyphenols with antioxidant perks that will blow you away. Topping it off is willow bark extract, a gentle exfoliator that reveals fresh, visibly glowing skin with every single use. According to a clinical study with 53 participants performed by the brand, 91 percent of users noticed skin appeared more youthful after using it nightly for four weeks.

This serum does the exfoliation job so well, you won't need a separate step in your routine for it. Not only does it simplify your life, but it might just give your skin that refreshing boost it's been craving.

Storm Serum

I'm not gonna lie to you—I'm not usually a serum girl. As someone with sensitive skin, I stick with my basic but daily effective cleanser and moisturizer routine. When I add in a serum into the mix, it usually throws my skin for a loop. This one, on the other hand, was one of the few I was able to seamlessly integrate into my daily routine.

The Isla Storm Serum does a little bit of everything—it increases hydration, combats environmental damage, maintains supple appearance, improves skin texture, smooths rough skin, blocks collagen degradation, and improves dullness. But, most importantly, it does all of this without any signs of acne flare ups or irritation.

It's powered by Chronopower, the brand's patented ingredient delivery system, which drives this serum's 17 actives—think hyaluronic acid and glycerin—deeply into the skin. This ensures that the ingredients work with your skin instead of against it for a more youthful complexion people will ask about. It also features the brand's proprietary Isla-E Complex, which is full of powerful antioxidants that fight glycation (uh, this can lead to wrinkles!) by blocking the degradation of collagen proteins that keep skin firm.

How our team chose the best anti-aging serums

For the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including associate commerce editor Lily Wohlner, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated anti-aging serums. Our team consulted three dermatologists and WH beauty director, Brian Underwood, for opinions, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best anti-aging serums for a wide range of needs and preferences.

Meet the experts

• Stacey Tull, MD, MD, dermatologist at St. Charles County Dermatologic Surgery

• Margarita Lolis, MD, dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group

• Mamina Turegano, MD, dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist

What should I look for in an anti-aging serum?

Stick to the basic ingredients.

When it comes to anti-aging serums, Dr. Tull and Dr. Lolis recommend keeping an eye out for specific ingredients. Dr. Tull suggests focusing on nourishing peptides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, but points out that, although they're perfect for the right skin types, optional extras like retinol and vitamin C can be a bit much for sensitive skin. Dr. Lolis simplifies it by saying that, if your skin can handle it, you should look for ingredients that protect (like SPF), repair (with antioxidants like vitamin C and niacinamide), and build (using retinols, bakuchiol, and growth factors for collagen). It's all about finding ingredients that do the job without causing any fuss.

Look out for growth factors.

Speaking of growth factors, Dr. Tull says that "human or plant-derived growth factors should be on the top of the list of ingredients to look for in anti-aging serums." According to her, they work by supporting collagen production and increasing the skin’s elasticity. "Human derived growth factors (engineered from cloned cells) are the most effective, but for anyone put-off by human derived cells, there are many products made from botanical growth factors."

Make sure the formula is right for your skin.

"The serum you choose should complement your skin type, whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin," says Dr. Lolis. For those specifically with acne-prone skin, Dr. Lolis recommends looking for serums that are non-comedogenic and have ingredients that can soothe irritation and redness. "Also, patients with rosacea should be careful using retinols and patients with sensitive skin should stay away from potential allergens such as fragrances and parabens."

Look for products that are backed by data.

"Having clinical and scientific research demonstrating the efficacy and tolerability of a product is key, because you know you are getting your bang for your buck," says Dr. Lolis. "Serums are formulated with different concentrations, some of which may not be as efficacious at their concentration," she notes. The bottom line: Do your research on the product and how it's made before buying it.

Don't just go for the pretty package.

Dr. Lolis tells us that serums should be packaged in opaque and air tights containers to preserve the stability and efficacy of the ingredients. "Lastly, you should choose a serum with a texture that you like and is easy to incorporate into your skincare routine."

Do anti-aging serums really work?

The short answer is yes! "If anti-aging serums contain effective ingredients, they can certainly work," says Dr. Tull. "Most clinical trials track patients for 12 to 16 weeks to observe noticeable results, emphasizing the importance of consistent usage." But, no skincare regimen is effective without the daily use of SPF, she adds. Make sure you're using one every single day on top of your serums.

When should you start using anti-aging serums?

If you're not dealing with specific skin issues, Dr. Lolis suggests incorporating anti-aging serums into your routine in your late 20s to early 30s. "This is when collagen production begins to decline, and you may start noticing the first signs of aging, such as fine lines or uneven skin tone," she notes.

According to her, anti-aging serums can also be used as a preventative measure. "If you’re concerned about aging and want to maintain youthful skin, incorporating these products into your skincare routine earlier may help delay the onset of visible signs of aging."

How do you apply anti-aging serums?

"Most anti-aging serums can be used twice a day," says Dr. Turegano. However, if your serum contains retinol, reserve its use for nighttime, and opt for a vitamin C serum in the morning, she notes. "In addition to applying a thin layer to your face after cleaning and exfoliating, I also recommend applying a thin layer to your neck and décolletage."

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