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Besides sunscreen, the best antiaging serums might just be among the most effective skin care products out there. While overhyped formulas certainly exist, experts agree that certain ones can actually make a difference in addressing visible signs of aging like dark spots, wrinkles, crepiness, and more.
When used regularly and as directed, Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon confirms, a quality one can make a difference in the appearance of your skin—especially as you get older. “The exact results vary depending on the formula and its ingredients, but many of my patients have seen transformative results—ranging from reduced fine lines and wrinkles to brighter, bouncier and more hydrated skin—when using certain serums,” she says.
To narrow down the hunt for the best antiaging serums for mature skin, we asked leading dermatologists, beauty editors, and Glamour contributors to share their all-time favorite products. Our top overall pick is SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, a bestselling vitamin C serum that protects against free radicals, brightens, reduces the appearance of discoloration, and even helps to soften lines and wrinkles.
Keep scrolling for all the intel on this formula, plus six other options that provide impressive results for sensitive skin, deep wrinkles, and more.
The best antiaging serums, at a glance
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How we tested
To determine this list of the best antiaging serums, we turned to leading dermatologists for their thoughts on the best ingredients for addressing common signs of aging. On top of efficacy, we kept product texture and format top of mind. We favored products that were lightweight, absorbed quickly, and easy to work into a daily skincare routine. The products that made the cut received rave reviews from Glamour testers, beauty editors, and experts for delivering results (fading dark spots, softening wrinkles, reducing laxity) while leaving skin looking and feeling healthy and fresh.
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
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- Pros: Lightweight, fluid-like consistency; tackles tone and texture concerns
- Cons: On the expensive side; some reviewers don’t care for its scent
This little bottle is often dubbed the gold standard of vitamin C serums, thanks to its blend of all-star ingredients and lineup of clinically proven benefits, according to board-certified dermatologist Miriam Hanson, MD. “It combines L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid to deliver powerful antioxidant protection,” she says. “It is clinically proven to deliver advanced environmental protection and reduce oxidative damage from UV, ozone, and pollution. It also visibly improves signs of aging by evening skin tone and boosting firmness, elasticity, and radiance.” It has a lightweight consistency that applies easily to the skin, absorbs quickly, and layers well under moisturizer and sunscreen. While the formula is fragrance-free, some reviewers don’t care for the product’s scent. (However, it’s worth noting that it’s fairly typical for a vitamin C serums to have a slight smell.)
Testing notes: “I’m rarely one to splurge like this on a beauty product, but I truly think SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is worth its weight in gold. I’ve been using the product on and off for a number of years (at least three!) and can really see a difference, particularly in the tone of my skin, when I’m consistent. My skin skews dry, and this product helps take that dull look away, making my skin look overall brighter and more hydrated. Like most vitamin C products, it does have a bit of a stink and that deep amber color that comes along with it, but it doesn’t bother me all that much and certainly doesn’t linger. As far as consistency and absorption, the formula feels nice and silky on skin and readily sinks in, so you can move on with your morning skin care routine. Also, a little bit goes a long way, helping to justify the overall value here,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley.
Best Retinol: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum
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- Pros: Affordable; helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles; improves radiance
- Cons: Includes fragrance
This affordable retinol serum comes highly recommended from board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, who says it’s a gentle yet effective option for aging skin. (Retinol has the reputation of being slightly irritating and drying, so it’s noteworthy when a product delivers results without the flare-ups.) “This lightweight formula offers an effective way to address overall texture, firm the skin, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she says. “In addition to retinol, it is formulated with glycerin and bisabolol to help hydrate and soothe the skin.”
Testing notes: “It comes in an itty-bitty tube that allows for super-precise application, which means you can quite literally squeeze the product along each and every one of your fine lines and winkles. The formula gets its power from the dynamic duo of hyaluronic acid and retinol. It delivers both immediate and long-term effects. The hyaluronic acid slurps water into the skin to instantly—albeit temporarily—plump fine lines and wrinkles, and the retinol boosts the production of collagen to smooth their appearance over time. As a longtime user of this product, I can confirm that it’s got a great delivery system with an even better formula—plus, it’s easy to use,” says Glamour contributor Zoe Weiner.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Cetaphil Healthy Renew Purified Peptides Face Serum
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- Pros: Fragrance-free; affordable
- Cons: Some find the texture to be too heavy.
Searching for a new antiaging serum can be an intimidating process when you have reactive skin. (A formula that addresses signs of aging isn’t so great when it then causes another problem….) Cetaphil’s serum is specifically formulated to improve radiance, hydrate, and plump up fine lines while being gentle on sensitive skin. “This serum uses purified peptides to help improve skin firmness and texture while also incorporating vitamins B3 and B5 to help hydrate and restore the skin barrier,” says Dr. Garshick. “It’s especially great for someone with sensitive skin, as it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, and can be used twice daily.”
Testing notes: “I was startled by how firm the Cetaphil Healthy Renew Face Serum made my skin; my skin felt more plump. The formula absorbed in a snap, so there was no problem with layering on other skin care products, sunscreen, and makeup afterward. After a couple weeks of continuous use, I specifically noticed that my crow’s feet looked softer,” says Glamour copy manager Charlotte Twine.
Best for Fine Lines: SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator
- Pros: Works quickly to smooths the skin texture
- Cons: Some customers find the scent of the product to be unpleasant.
Dr. Engelman is a fan of SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, an all-star hyaluronic acid serum, for those looking to address dryness and the appearance of wrinkles. It smooths the skin texture and dries to a natural matte finish, serving as the perfect prep step for makeup, she says. Looking for even more hydration? The best-selling formula was recently updated with Hydra Collagen to provide even more (and longer-lasting!) hydration. It quenches skin’s thirst for up to 48 hours and is enhanced with a blend of ingredients, like avocado oil esters, vitamin F, and passion fruit seed oil, to help support the skin’s natural ability to hold onto moisture.
Testing notes: “I get the opportunity to try so many great beauty products, so when I keep coming back to something—especially at this price point—you know it’s really good. My dry skin soaks up this hyaluronic acid, creating the perfect base for the day ahead, whether I want a bare-faced glow or a full face of makeup that doesn’t look cakey. The formula is so silky, absorbs quickly, but leaves skin very well hydrated with absolutely no greasy residue,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley.
Glamour tester Janice, 68, also appreciates how this serum glides over the surface of her skin and how quickly it absorbs.
Best for Deep Wrinkles: Filorga Time-Filler Intensive 5XP Face Serum
- Pros: Silky texture; convenient applicator
- Cons: Includes fragrance
Inspired by the results that Botox provides, Filorga’s serum works to improve the look of five different types of wrinkles: expression lines, surface lines, dehydration wrinkles, neck creases, and deep wrinkles. “It incorporates a type of peptide known as a neuropeptide to relax muscle movement in addition to hyaluronic acid offering both immediate and long-term benefits. I love that it’s gentle on the skin and can be used by all skin types.” It’s packaged in a thin bottle with a precise applicator, allowing you to place the wrinkle-plumping formula exactly where you need it.
Best Firming: Dr. Diamond’s Metacine InstaFacial Infusion
- Pros: Targets multiple signs of aging (like sagging skin, wrinkles, and dullness)
- Cons: At over $300 a pop, it’s rather expensive.
Dr. Engelman recommends this cream-gel peptide serum for addressing laxity, wrinkles, and dryness. “Formulated with three forms of vegan, human-identical micro-collagen peptides, this powerful yet gentle formula is clinically proven to improve skin firmness, elasticity, hydration, and softness, and reduce fine lines and transepidermal water loss,” she says. It’s inspired by the last step of double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Jason B. Diamond’s famous in-office Diamond InstaFacial, a procedure that consists of lasers and microneedling with platelet-rich plasma treatments followed by collagen infusion therapy.
Best for Dark Spots and Discoloration: Skinbetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum
- Pros: Absorbs quickly; makes skin feel comfy and hydrated while delivering noticeable results over time
- Cons: Has a subtle orange hue that some say doesn’t totally absorb
Skinbetter’s potent antioxidant serum features vitamin C, vitamin E, and 17 other antioxidants to shield the skin from both environmental free radicals and those that are naturally produced by the body. It has a super-lightweight, fluid-like consistency that absorbs quickly and immediately gives skin a subtle radiance. On top of evening out skin tone and reversing dullness, it helps reduce redness and promotes skin firmness.
Testing notes: After using Skinbetter Science’s Alto Defense Serum for years, Glamour contributor Victoria Moorhouse decided to give the brand’s new Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum a try and instantly fell in love. She’s experienced reduced redness overall, a boost in radiance, and a noticeable improvement in signs of sun damage on her skin—specifically, the sun spots on the side of her cheeks.
Frequently asked questions
Do antiaging serums really work?
Whether or not a product actually meets its claims depends largely on the efficacy and legitimacy of its formula and your own usage habits. “Serums that contain ingredients to target the causes and visible markers of aging can, and do, work—provided they are well-formulated and used consistently,” says Dr. Engelman.
Dr. Garshick agrees, adding that the results you experience depend on what ingredients are used, the specific concern you’re looking to treat, and how consistently you’re applying the product. You shouldn’t expect results overnight either. “Serums work best with consistent, long-term use, with many helping to both prevent and treat signs of skin aging,” she says.
What ingredients are best for aging skin?
As skin ages, Dr. Engelman says, it loses the ability to hold onto moisture as effectively as younger skin, which is why mature skin tends to be drier. On top of that, our body’s production of collagen and elastin begins to decline, which leads to the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Some other common signs of aging include dullness and hyperpigmentation. To target these issues, Dr. Engleman suggests products with ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid , vitamin C, and growth factors. “Epidermal growth factors stimulate cells in the skin called fibroblasts, which help with cellular repair and renewal,” she says. “Similar to retinol, they trigger cell turnover and signal the body to produce more collagen and elastin, supporting firmer, bouncier skin and a brighter, more even complexion.”
As for vitamin C’s superpower? Dr. Garshick says it can protect against free radical damage and environmental stressors, and brighten up dull skin.
Should you use retinol or hyaluronic acid on aging skin?
Again, this answer really depends on your skin type and personal skin concerns, but both ingredients can be beneficial for mature skin and pop up frequently in antiaging products. “Hyaluronic acid can be helpful for aging skin, as it helps to boost hydration as well as plump the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “As we age, our skin becomes dry, so boosting moisture can help to keep the skin looking and feeling healthy.” You’ll find hyaluronic acid in many hydrating antiaging serums that work to plump up the skin and soften the appearance of fine lines.
A retinoid is arguably one of the most effective ingredients you can incorporate into your routine for treating and preventing signs of aging. According to board-certified dermatologist Ashley Magovern, MD, retinol (a type of retinoid and a form of vitamin A that’s available over-the-counter!) is a gold-standard ingredient because of the wide range of benefits it offers. For instance, it helps to stimulate collagen production, increases cell turnover, improves tone and texture, reduces fine lines and hyperpigmentation, and helps to prevent clogged pores. “With consistent use, skin looks firmer, smoother, and more even,” she says. “Retinol is also now available in more elegant, encapsulated forms and lower strengths for sensitive skin types—which means more people can benefit without irritation.”
Retinol also gets the antiaging stamp of approval from both Dr. Magovern and Dr. Engelman thanks to the ingredient’s ability to increase cellular turnover and effectively smooth fine lines and wrinkles over time with consistent use. “Retinol has long been the gold standard of antiaging skin care because it signals cells to act like younger, healthier cells, thus working to build collagen and elastin, improve cell turnover and moisture retention, and improve tone and texture,” says Dr. Engelman. Some other helpful ingredients for addressing visible signs of aging include niacinamide, growth factors, and hyaluronic acid.
Does concentration matter?
According to Dr. Engelman, serums tend to be formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients than products such as lotions and moisturizers. And due to their lightweight, semifluid consistencies, they can deeply penetrate the skin to deliver better results.
The ingredients in the best antiaging serums vary widely, and the best product for you will largely depend on the specific concerns you’re looking to treat. “When purchasing a serum for aging skin, it’s important to consider both the cause and the type of aging—whether it's fine lines, laxity, pigmentation, dullness, or texture changes,” says Dr. Magovern. She also says peptides can help support collagen production and improve firmness, while antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid can be helpful for fighting free radical damage and addressing discoloration.
Meet the experts:
- Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City
- Ashley Magovern, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan Beach California and a Dermstore Medical Advisory Board member
- Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatologist in New York City
- Miriam Hanson, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin and Cedar Park, Texas
