If youre doing all the right thingscleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, SPFingand your skin is still looking blas with a side of meh, a face serum could be exactly what you need. Face serums are thinner than a traditional moisturizer and contain higher concentrations of active ingredients, explains Sapna Palep, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. The specific benefits of a serum depend on the actives in the formula, but all are meant to help you hone in on particular issues, such as fine lines, discoloration, and dryness.

The best part is how easy they are to integrate into your skincare routine. Serums are most effective when applied after an exfoliating cleanser to enhance penetration, and before an emollient moisturizer that will seal the serum in the skin, says Illinois-based board-certified dermatologist Jessie Cheung, M.D.

Apply your protective antioxidant serums in the morning (vitamin C, for example) and your repair and regenerate serums at night (hello, retinol), when your skin is resting. As for what you should look for in the serum itself, that depends on the specific skin woes youre looking to conquer.

For wrinkles: Retinol, glycolic acid, growth factors, and bakuchiol will help build collagen and improve skin texture, says Melanie Palm, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at Scripps Encinitas Memorial Hospital in California. Hydrators, like hyaluronic acid or ceramides, will also plump skin and reduce irritation.

For daily protection: Look for a serum that contains antioxidants, such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin B3 (niacinamide), green tea polyphenols, and resveratrol. They act as a shield against environmental and lifestyle elements (UV rays, air pollutants, alcohol, smoking) that suck the life out of your face.

For dark spots and uneven skin tone: Antioxidants brighten skin while also protecting against environmental factors. Other color-correcting ingredients that get the job done include kojic, glycolic, and lactic acids, as well as licorice root, mushroom extract, and botanical extracts, like soy.

For dryness: Look for a creamier serum that contains hyaluronic acid to pull water to the skin, niacinamide to boost ceramide levels (a natural component of the skin barrier), and vitamin E to soothe and protect your skin from environmental damage, says Ramya Kollipara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Texas.

For redness and inflammation: Sensitive skin types should look for anti-inflammatory ingredients like zinc, green tea, licorice root, and aloe vera, says Dr. Kollipara. Opt for a fragrance- and preservative-free serum to reduce potential irritation. Avoid using retinoids or acids too frequently if your skin is sensitive, says Dr. Cheung.

For breakouts: Acne serums should be noncomedogenic (meaning they wont clog pores) and oil-free. Look for exfoliators like glycolic acid, says Dr. Palep. Retinol is also handy, since it increases cell turnover and improves absorption of your other acne treatments in the process. Seek out hydrators, like hyaluronic acid, and inflammation-fighters, like niacinamide.

For overall radiance: If you dont have specific skin issues per se, but want to spruce up your skin in general, look for serums that contain hydroxy acids, which exfoliate skin and may improve collagen production.

Phew, got all that? Its a lot to take inbut now that you know what to look for, you can get to the fun part. Here, the best face serums for every skin type and budget, according to top dermatologists.

BEST OVERALL

Melatonik contains bakuchiol, a plant-derived active that behaves like a retinol without the irritation or dryness, says Dr. Palm. It also contains topical melatonin, which acts as an indirect antioxidant, helping to repair the skin during the restorative period of our skins circadian rhythm.

BEST VALUE

Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, is a soothing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory ingredient that can be combined with other actives to minimize irritation and soothe sensitive skin, says Dr. Shainhouse. This serum the all-star add-inwith 1% zinc, which has oil-controlling properties.

RAVE REVIEWS

Slather on this night serum from Neutrogena to reduce the look of fine lines and stimulate new collagen growth. This product contains a specialized delivery system that reduces potential irritation but maintains the effectiveness of the retinol, saysJoshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

CULT FAVORITE

Also named one of our top vitamin C serums (and a go-to for Lady Gaga), this product contains collagen, orange and green tea extracts, and aloe vera juice to brighten, firm, and soften the skin. The texture glides on silky-smooth, and never feels sticky.

BEST ANTIOXIDANT SERUM

A tried-and-true vitamin C serum, this is a great way to help fight free radical damage while helping to brighten the skin and even out skin tone, says New York-based board-certified dermatologist Marisa Gashick, M.D.

BEST FOR DULL SKIN

This sugarcane-derived alpha-hydroxy acid can penetrate the top layers of skin and help to exfoliate the dulling, dispigmented, dead cells to reveal smoother, glowing, less-lined skin with a more uniform texture, tone, and color, says Dr. Shainhouse.

BEST FOR DARK SPOTS

Azaleic acid is a natural yeast byproduct that not only blocks tyrosinase enzymes to break down unwanted pigment, but has anti-redness, anti-rosacea, and anti-acne effects that are safe for sensitive skin, says Beverly Hills-based board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D.

BEST FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN

This cult-favorite oil-based serum contains 1.5% salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and black cumin seed to unclog pores and keep acne acne at bay. Licorice root extract tames inflammation and naturally brightens, while aloe vera hydrates and soothes.

BEST FOR WRINKLES

Suitable for all skin types, RoCs retinol serum makes skin look firmer and more radiant in just four weeks. It contains oodles of anti-aging ingredientsretinol, magnesium, zinc, and copperto help bring newer skin to the surface and reduce signs of aging. (Take that, wrinkles!)

BEST FOR DRY SKIN

This vitamin C serum also happens to be incredibly lightweight and hydrating. Its formula includes vitamins C andB5, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, whichwork together to improve skin tone, smooth texture, and amp up hydration while giving the skin a lovely luminosity. Dermatologists love that its fragrance-free and noncomedogenic too.

BEST FOR REDNESS

Recommended in our list of the best anti-redness solutions by Angela J. Lamb, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, this cooling serum from La Roche-Posay leaves out fragrances, preservatives, dyes, parabens, and alcohol to ensure sensitive skin has nothing to react to.

BEST FOR OVERALL RADIANCE

This serum combines brightening soy and kiwi extracts to even skin tone and enhance radiance, says Dr. Zeichner. It also smells incredibly energizing and leaves the skin looking plump and hydrated.

13First Aid Beauty Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate

First Aid Beautys retinol serum contains, well, retinol (a 0.25% concentration to be exact), as well as peptides to smooth skin and a signature blend of ingredientshyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, aloe, ceramides, vitamins C and Ethat ban together to protect and boost the health of maturing skin. Its a great option for someone wanting to incorporate a retinol, as its gentle and easy to tolerate, says Dr. Gashick.

14Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum

Drunk Elephants night serum has a signature blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, and citric acids to send dead skin cells packin, leaving a smoother, brighter complexion behind. Salicylic acid also helps control oil production and unclogs pores to keep pesky blackheads and whiteheads away. Testers swear it makes a difference with just one use.

15SkinMedica HA5Rejuvenating Hydrator

This hydrating serum packs hyaluronic acid, a peptide complex, and vitamin E. All of these ingredients draw in moisture from the air and deliver it to your skin for up to 8 hours after application, says Dr. Kollipara. Its great for fine lines and works almost immediately.

16Emepelle Serum

This serum activates skin estrogen receptors to help restore lost collagen, and improve dryness, dullness, and laxity, says Dr. Cheung. It also contains peptides and antioxidants to give your skin added oomph.

Read more:
16 Best Face Serums for Every Budget and Skin Type in 2020 - Prevention.com