I've Tried Hundreds of Serums—These Are the Best 14 for Every Skin Type and Concern

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. 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.

Customer Review: "I have tried many serums at all different price points - but this one is lovely for my sensitive, easily inflamed skin. It feels instantly soothing and hydrating and sinks in quickly without any residue - no stickiness or tackiness. It really does feel 'weightless' and doesn't cause any irritation or redness. Perfect!"

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.

Customer Review: " I absolutely love this Byoma Clarifying Serum, it was great for my oily, acne prone skin. It kept my breakouts at bay while I was using, I applied both morning and night and I noticed my skin looked clearer and it helped a bit with redness. It also had a light scent, and I love the applicator and how easy it is to use. Also, a little product goes a long way! I would recommend!"

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 moisturier (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.

Customer Review: "Highly effective product for repairing and soothing damaged or irritated skin, which provides anti-inflammatory benefits and promotes healing. Improve skin texture and reduced redness, making it ideal for post-procedure care or to calm reactive skin. The lightweight, non-greasy serum absorbs quickly, leaving the skin feeling hydrated and comfortable. Overall, it's a reliable choice for those seeking a gentle yet powerful solution for skin recovery."

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.

Customer Review: "I have been seriously impressed with this product. I'm prone to large pores above my nose and on my forehead and since using this serum, my skin has become incredibly smooth. The difference is incredible. I'll definitely keep using this product. Quality at a reasonable price."

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.

Customer Review: "Can’t survive without this product. I even had a skin scan over the weekend and my moisture levels in my skin are significantly better than they were a year ago."

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.

Customer Review: "I discovered Bioeffect a couple of years ago, and since then I’ve transitioned nearly all of my skincare to their products. The power serum and power cream especially have made more immediate difference than any other skincare I’ve used. Pricy but you won’t be disappointed."

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 idea for those who have used retinoids before, but there’s also a beginner level version for retinoid newbies.

Customer Review: "I have definitely noticed an improvement with my skin whilst using this retinoid... less breakouts and better skin texture! Really enjoy using this product—it’s not too harsh on my skin, and is still really moisturising. Will continue to have this in my skin care routine!"

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.

Customer Review: "This product has so much improved the condition of my skin. My skin is brighter, clearer and more luminous. I am now on my third bottle. Can’t recommend enough."

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.

Customer Review: "This Re.pair Serum is really good at calming the redness down and healing an outbreak of spots. I can’t recommend it enough as it worked for me when I recently had some spots appear over my face. Would definitely recommend."

Vitamin C is well known for being a skin brightening ingredient, but not all types are created equally… I’ve tried many versions over the years that have either had no impact, or worse, have irritated my skin. 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.

Customer Review: "Visibly a marked improvement in the brightness of my skin and less pigmentation."

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.

Customer Review: "I've been using this for over 4 weeks now, Firstly the serum has given me glowing skin pretty much instantly……But better than that it really has made a huge difference to my jawline."

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.

Customer Review: "This is a fantastic product. It’s really improves the texture of one’s skin overnight. It makes my skin feel softer and look more radiant! I am so impressed I’ve bought the biggest size available."

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.

Customer Review: "Before trying this product I wanted to not like it as it is so pricey but it does wonders for my skin. It makes it smoother, less oily, more radiant...the list goes on and on. You only need to use a little so the bottle will last a long time. I still think it's very expensive but if you want to treat yourself then I think it is worth it."

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.

Customer Review: "I have been using this religiously for a year now and I honestly surprised by the number of people who ask me about my skincare routine.A little of this serum goes a long way and leaves my skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated."