Best Face Serums of 2023

Ever see someone walk past you on the street and wonder... "what's the secret behind that skin?"

We would bet big bucks that they use a face serum. Why? Because this skincare secret is one of the most effective weapons against many skin issues. Crow's feet, wrinkles, sagging skin, crepey neck, discoloration, under eye circles, and much more can be helped with the right facial serum. But how do you choose the best face serum? That's what we're here to help you find out.

This article covers the following topics: 

• How to choose the best face serum
• Best overall face serum 
• Fastest working face serum 
• Best face serum for silky skin
• Best face serum on a budget
• Best pressed face serum 
• Best pigment-correcting face serum 
• Getting advice on the best face serum for your unique skin

How to Choose the Best Face Serum 

Serums are part of the best skincare routines because they deliver high concentrations of ingredients required for the skin to be radiant, hydrated, elastic, and even toned. Essentially, the basis of healthy skin is a powerful face serum. 

But how did we come up with this list of the best of the best? The main elements helping us decide include: 

• Focusing on what people need: by listening to customer reviews of the different products. 
• Convenience: a skin care product that’s well packaged is easy to use.
• Providing a solution: it’s clear which problem the product solves. 
• Value for money: the best products make the customer feel that they got value for their money.   

 

Best Overall Face Serum

The SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is the clear winner, as it ticks all the boxes when it comes to key features and benefits, PLUS it delivers results incredibly fast. Wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin are a thing of the past! For firmer, more even, younger-looking skin, this SkinMedica face serum does an excellent job. And with results beginning to show in as little as just two weeks, people will start asking you what YOUR secret is. This lightweight cream is great for sensitive or acne-prone skin and has no artificial coloring or fragrances. It is one of our best sellers, with customers raving about what a difference it has made for them. Just listen to what these customers had to say:

"My skin has become so much firmer...love it. It absorbs so well into skin & feels so smooth."

"Love this product. It smooths and glides over my face. I’ve been using for 4 weeks and my skin looks better."

"I loved the original TNS product but the new advanced serum is even more addictive. Not only do I think it works to postpone wrinkles but it feels so good on my face. I have started to use it on my neck because that is showing age more than my face now!...I have tried other serums and always return to this."

 

FASTEST-WORKING FACE SERUM

There is nothing better than looking in the mirror and seeing your face change, seemingly, right before your eyes! That is just about what you can expect when you use Neocutis BIO SERUM FIRM Rejuvenating Growth Factor & Peptide Treatment. This is one of the fastest working face serums on the market, showing marked improvement only six days after you begin using it. Yes, you read that right. Six days! In less than one week you will start to see improvements in the firmness, elasticity, tone, and texture of your skin. At around week eight of regular use, the changes will begin to really make a difference. Just check out what these users report:

"I can see changes in my face where my lines used to be quite visable with all there products. But this product is really the golden fountain right here. It seems to work the best."

"I have been using Bio Serum Firm Treatment since it was recommended by my Dermatologist two years ago. I love this serum. It gives my skin moisture and radiance. It may be a little expensive, but I am worth every penny."

"I was reluctant to purchase this product because of the price. I took a risk and I am so glad I did! I noticed results almost immediately. Love this and will be purchasing again."

 

Best Face Serum for Silky Skin 

If you’re looking for that rose petal smoothness, then the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% is our pick for the best way to get there. This powerful face serum is gentle on the skin while softening roughness by reducing wrinkles and fine lines. How does it get the job done so well? The most concentrated Obagi serum on the market, this powerhouse uses antioxidants to rehydrate and smooth the skin, without causing redness or irritation. Just five drops a day will reduce the appearance of skin aging and leave skin feeling silky soft. Here is how customers describe it:

"It makes my skin super smooth. I've been using it for two weeks now and the bottle is still full, it lasts. I would recommend this product."

"For someone with very sensitive skin I am always nervous to change up my skincare routine. I am 25 years old and had someone recommend I start using a Vitamin C serum. I am so happy I took their rec! It has helped the overall appearance of my skin by getting rid of lines and brightening places where I have hyperpigmentation. 10/10 would recommend to anyone wanting to start using a Vitamin C serum! I follow it up with the Obagi moisturizer and love the combination!"

 

Best Face Serum on a Budget 

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality face serum that is proven to work. That’s why the Obagi Professional-C Serum 15% is our pick for the best affordable face serum. At around $100 per bottle, it will save you money while still providing a visible difference in your skin. Just like it's more concentrated sister, this product uses antioxidants to fortify skin and safeguard a more youthful appearance.  It will help even out your skin tone, restore your skin's natural antioxidant strength, and help retain moisture while reducing wrinkles. The pure L-ascorbic acid makes it gentle on all skin types (even the sensitive ones). Vitamin C is an essential part of healthy skin. Customers had this to say about it:

"Couldn't do without this. Been using it for 20 years. Really helped with sun damage."

"I have been using this product for about a month every morning. So far, it has brightened my skin...It doesn't have much of a scent and does not sting. I think this is a good product for those starting out using vitamin C."

"Obagi Vitamin C Serum is gentle and effective...I have sensitive and reactivate dry skin. At first I was hesitant about how gentle this product is going to be, but so far I like it. I would not put it on cheeks every day, maybe every other day. But I do like putting this serum on a T-zone every day. It absorbs quickly and does not leave a sticky feeling on the skin. Highly recommend this product!"

 

Best Pressed Face Serum 

The Senté Dermal Contour Pressed Serum is your best choice in the best pressed serum category. The pressed formula maximizes effectiveness by delivering more active ingredients at a time. This leads to beautiful results in just 4 weeks with continued improvement through 12 weeks. So not only is this more concentrated for fast results, but it will also last you longer since a little bit goes a long way. The 2-in-1 formula combines the strength of a serum with the silky hydration of a cream. It’s our product of choice for irritated, damaged skin, as it helps produce skin-repairing collagen. Customers have said: 

 "It’s magic in a bottle. Overall makes my skin glow, look healthy, and moisturized. I’ve been using it loyally for several years."

"I have been very pleased with this product.  I have seen a noticeable improvement on my skin since I started using it. My skin looks brighter and feels more hydrated."

"Can’t say enough about this product. Combined with retinol at night, my skin has never looked healthier or felt more hydrated and smooth- even in the coldest winter months. Been using for almost two years and don’t plan on stopping."

 

Best Pigment-Correcting Face Serum  

Correcting discoloration on your skin is easily achieved with the help of SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum. This hydrating serum is ideal for all skin types and shows visible improvements in as little as 2 weeks. Continue use to see progressively dramatic improvements at 12 weeks and beyond. It also makes a great companion to med spa treatments as it helps optimize the results of multiple treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, and microdermabrasion. And because it is a retinol-free skincare product, it is perfect for sensitive skin and skin that is prone to inflammation. Users of this face serum rave:

"This is an amazing brand and an amazing product! I am 65 and I see real results with this. It lightens sun spots and helps firm and moisturize your skin. You will just love it!"

"Getting older and brown spots started showing up on my jawline. Tried different products without luck. I've been using the Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum for about 2 months now. At first I thought nothing was happening, but then slooooowly the spot (about the size of a penny) started to fade - yay! It's not gone yet, but now I can barely see it. I've got this stuff on auto-replenish and will continue to use faithfully. Love the SkinMedica line of products!"

 

Get Advice on the Best Face Serum for Your Unique Skin

If none of these quite fit the bill, you can browse all face serums and find the perfect solution for your unique skin. Consider a free consultation with a cosmetic surgeon for even more help choosing.