I've Tried Hundreds of Serums—These Are the Best 17 for Every Skin Type and Concern

Best for: Most skin types

If you're looking for a great all-rounder, you can't go wrong with this option from Bioderma. In fact. Who What Wear UK's junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, swears by this serum.

"My skin can be a little bit all over the place, with dry patches, an oily T-zone, blemishes and sensitivity," says Lindsay. "This is one of the only serums that doesn't irritate my complexion, and instead leaves it looking fresh and glowy. Although it's been designed with dry and sensitive skin in mind, it's so lightweight that I also think it would work well for oily skin types. It's just a great all-rounder to apply before your moisturiser for an extra hit of hydration, and a plump, glowy finish. I'm recommending it to everyone I know."

Best for: Dry skin

When you have dry skin, it can be tempting to skip serum and reach for heavy-hitting moisturisers instead, but they key to targeting dryness is applying multiple layers of moisture—so a serum is key.

"I always describe this Lumene serum as having the potency of a moisturiser, but delivered in serum form," says beauty editor and esthetician, Grace Day. "It contains ceramides (think of them as the building blocks that form your skin barrier) alongside hydrating bilberry water to restore skin moisture. It's fragrance free and has been acknowledged by the Finnish Allergy, Skin and Asthma Federation, making it great for those with sensitive skin too."

Best for: Oily skin

Zinc, niacinamide, and PHAs (poly hydroxy acids) are key ingredients to look out for if you have oily skin—zinc reduces inflammation, niacinamide regulates oil production, and PHAs gently exfoliate pores. This serum combines all three, along with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, to help restore balance.

"Bioderma is such a great skincare brand for oily skin types as it works to restore balance without disrupting the skin's barrier," says Lindsay. "This trio of powerful ingredients will work wonders on your complexion."

Best for: Sensitive skin

If you find that your skin is sensitive by nature, or experiencing a irritated spell, then this is a great serum to add into your routine. Based on the iconic Cicalfate moisturiser (a French pharmacy must-have for all sorts of skin issues) contains Avène's famous thermale spring water to soothe inflamed skin, while helping to balance moisture levels, and strengthen the skin barrier to help prevent future sensitivity.

"Avène is my go-to brand when my skin is feeling extra sensitive," says Lindsay. "This always manages to soothe my skin and get it feeling back to normal."

Best for: Combination skin

Niacinamide is one of those rare but wonderful ingredients that has benefits for both dry and oily skin, making it an excellent choice if you experience a mix of the two skin concerns—what’s known as combination skin. Formulated with 12% niacinamide, this serum helps to regulate oil production, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, and strengthen the skin barrier to prevent dehydration.

"Naturium is such a great brand as it combines efficacious skincare with more affordable price points," says Lindsay. "With 12% niacinamide, this serum is bound to become a staple for anyone with combination skin."

Best for: Dehydrated skin

Hyaluronic acid works by drawing moisture into the skin, so if you suspect dehydration (skin feels tight and itchy, and looks dull), it’s an important ingredient to look out for.

"This lightweight serum contains two types of hyaluronic acid in order to target dehydration in multiple layers of the skin—resulting in improved skin hydration, texture, elasticity, and firmness," says Day.

Best for: Fine lines

Although this serum contains just twelve ingredients, each one has been handpicked in order to deliver really intense results—especially when it comes to addressing the five key signs of ageing. It tackles wrinkles, fine lines, loose skin, pigmentation, and dryness—and clinical studies show improvements of up to 72% in just three months.

Best for: Acne-prone skin

Retinoids may be best known as an anti-ageing ingredient, but they’re also great for addressing the concerns associated with acne-prone skin, such as congestion, breakouts, and post-inflammatory pigmentation. They help to reduce the dead skin cell build up that clogs pores and leads to breakouts. This intermediate level serum is ideal for those who have used retinoids before, but there’s also a beginner level version for retinoid newbies.

Best for: Hyperpigmentation

SkinCeuticals serums may be expensive, but trust us, they’re formulated with high quality and super innovative ingredients which make them worth every single penny. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum is the brand's most iconic serum for good reason. Not only does it help to fade sun damage and pigmentation, but it leaves your skin with both an instant and long-term glow with daily use. It's an investment that you won't regret.

Best for: Reducing redness

If you have sensitive skin then you may already be familiar with cica (also known as tiger grass or centella asiatica), which helps to soothe, calm, and reduce redness. With its watery gel texture, this serum feels cooling upon application, so if your redness is also accompanied by irritation, it offers instant relief.

Best for: Brightening dull skin

Vitamin C is well known for being a skin brightening ingredient, but not all types are created equally. In fact, some vitamin C serums can be quite irritating on the skin, but Dermalogica's version is not one of them.

"I’ve tried many versions over the years that have either had no impact, or worse, have irritated my skin," says Day. "Dermalogica’s was the first vitamin C serum I tried that actually proved to me just how effective the ingredient can be. Using an ultra-stable form of vitamin C, it helps to brighten dull skin instantly, while also working in the long term to target uneven skin tone and pigmentation."

Best for: FIrming skin

Iraye is the first skincare brand to support the skin’s lymphatic system—which is responsible for clearing bacteria and toxins, delivering nutrients to cells, and preventing puffy skin. This first-of-its-kind serum enhances lymphatic activity, helping to drain excess water retention and slowing down collagen break down, so skin appears sculpted and firmer.

Best for: Smoothing skin texture

Glycolic acid—an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) which breaks down dead skin cells—is front and centre in this skin-smoothing serum. The acid works to resurface skin by exfoliating, so touch, coarse, uneven, and congested skin don’t stand a chance. In addition, it also helps to brighten skin and address wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. It can be a little tingly when you first try it, but it soon settles on the skin. Just be sure to wear a dedicated SPF daily when using exfoliating serums.

Best for: Tackling a range of skin concerns

If you’re a skincare minimalist, or you simply want a do-it-all serum to target multiple concerns at once, look no further. This iconic serum combines a cocktail of effective ingredients (including hyaluronic acid and peptides) to target dryness, wrinkles, dullness, uneven skin tone, dehydration, and loose skin, all in one go. Clinical trials show that 91% noticed their skin having a healthy glow after three weeks, but it’s the rave reviews that really sell this serum.

Best for: A little bit of luxury

Heritage beauty brands like the Dior have money to invest in research and formulation, so you can always guarantee that their skincare products will be worth the price tag. This luxurious serum feels like silk on skin, and has impressive data to show that it significantly improves the appearance of pores, wrinkles, fine lines, elasticity, radiance, and firmness.

Best for: A glowy finish

New from Byoma, this Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum is great for whenever your skin is in need of a little boost. Unlike similar serums on the market, this doesn't have that super sticky texture, and instead feels lightweight on the skin. It's packed with plant-powered peptides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, alongside phytomucin, which is a bio-based ingredient that works to even skin tone and protect the skin barrier.

"If you want that really glowy look this winter, then this is the serum for you," says Lindsay. "It sinks into the skin in seconds and adds a naturally radiant finish, so I love wearing it in the mornings under makeup."

Best for: Skin renewal

We've written an entire feature on the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum because it's that good. The reason that we love it is that it contains a high potency of vitamin C alongside ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help support hydration and tolerability, so it doesn't irritate more sensitive skin types. Instead, it adds a noticeable glow.

"I can't believe I am saying this, but I have finally found a vitamin C serum that works for me," says Lindsay. "From the very first day that I started using this product, I have experienced no irritation whatsoever. Instead, my skin is glowing like never before."