Derms Share Their 6 Best Face Serums That Won't Break the Bank

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Face serums are an incredibly underrated part of a daily skincare routine. Sure, face washes will purify, and toners help rebalance the skin, but face serums are filled with highly-concentrated active ingredients that penetrate several layers deep. "Serums can be very hydrating and nourish the skin as they’re often formulated with healing ingredients," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Sperling, DO.

They're also lighter and thinner than face moisturizers and face creams, which typically have a thick or whipped consistency. Someone with oily skin like me, can get away with just using a face serum. For all other skin types, cleanse, tone, apply your new face serum, then a thin layer of face moisturizer. And of course, during the daytime, be sure to top everything off with a final layer of broad-spectrum face sunscreen to protect yourself from sun damage, such as sunburn, skin cancer (yikes!), and fine lines and wrinkles.

Best Face Serums

• Best Overall: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Face Serum

• Best for Banishing Blackheads on a Budget: The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid Blemish + Blackhead Serum
  

• For Sensitive and Irritated Skin: Dermalogica Ultracalming Serum Concentrate

• For Visibly Brighter and Smoother Skin: La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum

• For an Epic Glow: Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

• For a Clean Formula: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum

What to Consider

Skin Sensitivity

Although face serums are generally safe, those with sensitive skin should use one made with skin-calming ingredients, such as oatmeal and aloe vera. "Depending on your skin sensitivity, you can experience some irritation from any new product, i.e., serum. [The] formulation is important as serums generally have higher concentrations of active ingredients," says the Jersey-based doctor. Don't worry: These are relatively gentle options, including the Dermatologica one, designed to treat current concerns, such as redness, while preventing new irritation.

Ingredients

So what ingredients are ideal for your skin type or beauty concerns? "For anti-aging or acne, look for serums with retinol, as it promotes cell turnover, stimulates collagen, reduces discoloration, and restores your skin’s natural texture and tone. Niacinamide is great for all skin types, especially acne, as it decreases oil production and helps with acne to reduce the inflammation and redness," explains Sperling.

As our beauty editor and resident chemistry nerd, I helped create a skincare encyclopedia filled with dermatologist-approved skin and haircare ingredients, so I tapped into those carefully researched articles to bring you a few other standout ingredients ideal for various skin types and concerns:

• Hyaluronic acid is like a tall glass of water for dehydrated skin and works by holding up to 1,000 times its weight in water to moisturize the face and plump up fine lines and wrinkles.

• Squalane is plant-derived and repairs and protects the skin barrier, adds moisture, and soothes.

• Vitamin C, sometimes called ascorbic acid, is rich in antioxidants, neutralizes free radical damage, lightens dark spots, boosts collagen production, and strengthens the skin.

• Alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic acid, target clogged pores, uneven skin tone, improve dry, bumpy, and rough skin texture. Similar to hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid also attracts water, so it also has an anti-aging effect.

• Beta hydroxy acids, including salicylic acid, soften the keratin layer of skin and dissolved debris that causes acne, blackheads, keratosis pilaris (KP), and seborrheic dermatitis.

How We Chose

Now that you better understand why you need a face serum and the best ingredients for treating your skincare concerns, here are a few dermatologist-approved products. I also included face serums that significantly impacted my skincare routine over the years, and I can fully and confidently vouch for their efficacy. They're made with derm-approved ingredients and tackle skin concerns such as dryness, fine lines, and more.

Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Face Serum

Although the PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Face Serum is pricey, I gotta admit it's a damn good product worthy of our best overall distinction.

Whenever I stop using this face serum to try something new, my skin is never quite as moisturized. Introduced to me in 2021 by aesthetician Alessandra Cavallero of Spa Bem-Ti-Vi in San Francisco, this science-backed face serum provides instant and long-lasting moisture.

As its name implies, Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Face Serum is chock-full of hyaluronic acid. It also contains a property blend of HA-Pro Complex that encourages the skin to create its own hyaluronic acid. With regular use, my skin is less dry and flaky in the winter, and my smile lines are less noticeable with consistent use.

More: Anti-Pollution Products for the Clearest Skin of Your Dreams

Beta Hydroxy Acid Blemish + Blackhead Serum

Whether you're into blackhead extraction tools, such as pore vacuums or pore strips, your skin might need an extra anti-acne boost with help from one of Sperling's favorite face serums. The New Jersey-based doctor says it's fabulous because it contains 2% salicylic acid, which is the highest OTC concentration level available. "BHAs penetrate deep into the skin and have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so they are great for treating blemishes and acne-prone skin," she says of this cheap pick. The INKEY List pairs salicylic acid with 1% hyaluronic acid, which sounds minuscule, but it's just enough to help prevent any potential dryness.

Pure Vitamin C Face Serum

Vitamin C is an elite skincare ingredient, and this La Roche-Posay face serum contains an impressive 10% concentration. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Supriya Tomar, M.D., recently explained that vitamin C is such a potent antioxidant that when paired with sunscreen, it acts as a booster to help fill in missing sun protection. "So not only does it help correct existing damage, but it will help prevent additional damage as well,” she says.

It also contains hyaluronic acid for a welcome boost of hydration, while salicylic acid helps loosen congested pores to eliminate blackheads and acne and minimize the look of large pores.

I've noticed my skin looks healthier and more radiant when I use Pure Vitamin C Face Serum, especially when paired with my new favorite sunscreen, also from LRP.

Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

Charlotte Tilbury's signature Magic Cream may get all of the deserved hype, but check out her equally great face serum for a major glow. Supercharged with a stable form of golden vitamin C (how luxe?!) to brighten dull skin, my face is as radiant as the finest Swarovski crystal whenever I use this product. The ivory liquid has slight golden flecks for added luminosity.

Not only does vitamin C target hyperpigmentation, but adding polyglutamic acid visibly brightens by lightening dark spots and leaving my skin looking plump before applying makeup.

Although my skin is oily, I haven't experienced pesky breakouts, clogged pores, or generally looking or feeling overly greasy. In fact, I like mixing the face serum with my 10/10 Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation for a more natural daily look, especially during the fall and winter seasons.

T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum

Sperling highlights this popular Drunk Elephant face serum as one of the best in the game because it contains a blend of AHAs and BHAs, like glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, and salicylic acids. This incredible blend of ingredients gently exfoliates to reveal smoother, more radiant skin.

Most importantly, it's an excellent pick for anyone who is interested in only using clean beauty products. All Drunk Elephant products at Sephora earned the green and white Clean at Sephora seal of approval.

Anyone dealing with oily or acne-prone skin will benefit the most from this face serum because it curbs excessive oil production. "I have oily skin, and it feels so good. My skin is definitely smooth and it does not feel heavy at all. I could feel the difference in my skin right after the first week of using it daily. It will be a keeper on my routine," says a Sephora reviewer who initially tried the mini version before purchasing the larger size.

Ultracalming Serum Concentrate

Sperling's third and final suggestion is from Dermalogica. She appreciates that it contains a powerful blend of oats, botanicals, peptides, sunflower seed, and avocado oil to help calm skin while moisturizing and hydrating it. There's also evening primrose oil, which could help minimize acne and eczema.

This face serum calms sensitive skin, and regular use protects it from irritants that cause flare-ups. "My skin can't survive winter without it! It's also great for use with retinol. I've been using this for years and haven't found a better calming serum," says a 5-star Sephora review.

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