Experts Say You Need These Anti-Aging Serums for Smoothing Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Figuring out the best way to battle the signs of aging can be a seriously expensive and time-consuming task. To demystify the anti-aging process, we sat down with board-certified and nationally-acclaimed dermatologic surgeon Dr. Dendy Engelman and award-winning esthetician Jeannel Astarita, owner of Just Ageless, for their expert take on all things anti-aging serums.

What to Know About Anti-Aging Serums

Both Engelman and Astarita agree that antioxidants, retinols, and hyaluronic acid are some of the key ingredients to look for when selecting an anti-aging serum. "It’s important to look for products that don’t just make claims about reducing the appearance of fine lines," Astarita said. "You want products that contain ingredients that really help support skin health. Healthy skin will look and behave like younger skin."

Selection of anti-aging serums is key, but there are also some other factors that can make these products even more effective to help correct lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven texture. Dr. Engelman and Astarita both agree that skincare products should be layered thinnest to thickest.

"A good rule of thumb is to start with the lightest product and finish with the thickest, allowing each layer to be fully absorbed by the skin," Dr. Engelman explained. "A serum placed on top of a moisturizer will not allow the serum to be fully absorbed since the smaller molecules cannot penetrate the larger ones."

Dr. Engelman also encourages the use of at-home devices like microneedling rollers and toning devices to allow maximum absorption of your anti-aging serums. "I recommend the Conture Kinetic Toning Device. It has a multitude of benefits with over 250,000 hours of research behind it. With three settings for face, neck, and delicate areas, the device combines Isometric compression and low frequency vibrations. The device also prepares the skin for up to 300% more absorption of active ingredients up to 45 minutes after use."

The Best Anti-Aging Serums

• Best Collagen Booster: The INKEY List Collagen Booster Firming Peptide Serum
• Best for Quick Results: iS CLINICAL Active Serum
• Fan-Favorite: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
• Best for Brightening: Illumi-Nation Anti-Fatigue Power Serum
• Best for Dark Spots: Caudalie Vinoperfect Anti Dark Spot Serum
• Best for Prevention: Supergoop! SPF 30 Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum
• Best for Lines & Wrinkles: Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum
• Best Scent: Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum
• Best for Large Pores: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum
• Best for Hydration: SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

How We Chose

If you want professional results, you should always start with an actual professional. That's exactly what we did: We decided to tap our go-to skincare experts for their thoughts on the best serums you can implement into your routine. The following products were either hand-selected by Dr. Engelman, Astarita, or by us with the guidance of our experts' tips.