An effective serum can be an excellent way to combat wrinkles, boost collagen and smooth out skin’s texture – but remember, its results take time and must be used consistently in order to see any real change.
An anti-aging serum should be applied at night for optimal results; that’s when your skin naturally repairs itself. To help narrow your options down further, we consulted dermatologists, skincare experts and customer reviews in selecting the ideal serums for every skin type.
1. Vitamin C
Celebrity estheticians (such as Shay Mitchell and Jessica Alba) turn to this serum containing encapsulated retinol and exfoliating acids to soften fine lines, even skin tone, reduce large pores and uneven texture, boost collagen and elastin production for firmer more resilient skin, smooth lines more quickly and improve large pore appearance.
Garshick notes that vitamin C helps protect against free-radical damage while brightening the complexion. A good formula will also contain skin brightening ingredients like bakuchiol and niacinamide as well as hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or silver mushroom extract to maximize effectiveness.
For those suffering from rosacea, Aliksanian advises using serums that are non-comedogenic to avoid flare-ups. One such product we highly recommend is Theraderm’s Theraderm serum: this GH Beauty Award winner soothes and protects without irritation while including tranexamic acid as an ingredient which subdues redness while decreasing dark spots associated with their condition.
2. Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid, more commonly referred to as HA, can be found naturally in skin, connective tissue and joint fluid lubricant fluid. HA holds up to 1,000 times its own weight in water molecules by binds with them through hydration; an essential process in maintaining health.
Soft tissue growth can also be stimulated through vitamin K supplementation, prompting your body to produce more collagen and elastin production. You can find vitamin K products as anti-age serum, cream, gel or ointment; combined with retinol for smoother, younger-looking skin.
But be wary of products claiming to contain high concentrations of HA. Benjamin warns that percentages can be deceiving; only an accurate lab analysis can accurately gauge what the actual concentration is. A good rule of thumb for finding a hydrating serum containing 2 percent or less HA would be OSEA’s High Potency Hyaluronic Intensive Hydrating Serum which contains four forms of HA along with two natural building blocks.
3. Retinol
Retinoids (a generalized term for any vitamin A derivative) are an ideal way to combat fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots and uneven skin tone. Retinol should be found in serums that “cushion it with soothing, hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients”, says Bowe. And ensure only to use it at night as too much sun exposure may wreak havoc on its effects over time.
If irritation is an issue for you, look for a product that combines retinol with bakuchiol (a botanical alternative that may be less harsh). Elizabeth Arden offers one such formula which also contains ceramides to protect and calm skin as well as time release formula that could potentially reduce redness and irritation.
4. Peptides
Peptides, small chains of amino acids that form proteins, play key roles in tissue healing and growth. Peptides also increase skin elasticity while diminishing fine lines, age spots, and dark eye circles.
Popular with skincare enthusiasts, this serum features peptides to soothe fine lines and wrinkles as well as prevent new ones from forming, along with hyaluronic acid for hydration and botanical extracts like Buddleja Davidii and Edelweiss to sooth skin.
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl) is another excellent anti-aging ingredient, increasing collagen production and brightening skin complexion. You’ll find this peptide in face creams, serums and hair care products; its benefits also include reducing fine lines and wrinkles while diminishing age spots and hyperpigmentation, improving cell turnover rates and increasing skin elasticity.
5. Collagen
Collagen is an essential protein found in your body’s cells that is produced naturally to support healthy bones, muscles and joints. Unfortunately, as we age our collagen production decreases and causes dull and dry skin.
Collagen serums can help diminish fine lines and wrinkles, brighten skin tone and texture and even help prevent further acne breakouts. When shopping for one containing glycolic acid, retinol, alpha hydroxy acids (like lactic acid) as these ingredients stimulate collagen production while smoothing complexions and shrinking pores.
Your body naturally produces collagen and you can increase its intake through food such as meat, eggs and fish, bone broth and high-protein foods like beans and legumes. Furthermore, microneedling – an innovative skin treatment using needles to trigger natural collagen production in your body – may also help.
