The fastest way to treat your skin needs? Bag yourself a good serum
With roots in Japanese beauty, the best face serum will deliver a more potent dose of skin benefiting ingredients than your best moisturiser.
Lighter than face creams, they contain a higher concentration of essential oils and active ingredients, and the smaller molecules can penetrate the skin much deeper than a heavier cream.
They can also help combat a number of different skin issues, such as dullness, wrinkles and pigmentation. Once you’re done applying the best face serum, be sure to follow up with one of the best moisturisers for dry skin, or one of the best moisturisers for oily skin, depending on your skin type.
So which ingredients should you be looking out for? Hyaluronic acid is an incredibly hydrating ingredient, which holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, so it will be a key ingredient in many moisturising skin products – including some of the best serums.
Meanwhile Vitamin C is vital in collagen synthesis, making it a key ingredient in many anti-ageing serums. Then there are natural ingredients like avocado oil and white tea, known for their anti-ageing properties.
Best anti-ageing serum
There are serums that will help protect and prevent wrinkles and lines in the early stages. There are those that will stop time in its place. And a few of the very best can almost turn back the hands of time.
Anti-ageing products, particularly those with antioxidants, can be used as early as in your 20s, but the most important thing is to use anti-ageing products that are appropriate for your skin type.
If you’re acne-prone, look for vitamin C. If you have dry skin, look for vitamin E. And if your skin appears dull, look for antioxidants, which will help protect your skin from free radicals, such as pollution. Keep an eye out for Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control, one of our favourite anti-ageing serums out there.

Swisscode Pure Dynalift HYA, £90, pureswissboutique.com
This mighty formula is the ultimate triple threat when it comes to tightening, brightening and smoothing. Created by skin-loving science guru’s with an ethos of using only natural ingredients, dot this powerful serum either under, or over makeup, and the invisible film will instantly get to work to tighten, brighten and firm your skin. You’ll start to see the wrinkle-smoothing effects after five minutes (seriously), with the formula working away for up to four hours. No wonder then, that Jennifer Aniston is said to be a fan of this brand.
Tip: Remember, this is a highly concentrate serum, so a little goes a long way (meaning this bottle will last and last.

Caudalie Premier Cru The Serum, £90, Fabled
When an antioxidant derived from the skin of red grapes meets an amino acid from beetroot and is applied to the skin, the size and quantity of mitochondria increases by 98% and collagen production by 46%. Polyphenols are antioxidants found in grape seeds and protection your face from ageing effects of UV and pollution. Meanwhile hyaluronic acid, together with vine reservatrol, stimulates your skin’s natural production of these hydrating molecules, so that the skin’s surface looks plumper and smoother.

Clarins Double Serum, £57, Boots
The multi-award winning Double Serum is the only intensive anti-ageing treatment serum rich in 20 plant extracts that boosts the skin’s vital functions. An innovative serum with a two-phase system that targets all aspects of skin ageing in one complete skin care concentrate.

Darphin Uplifting Serum Eyelids Definition, £46, Fabled
Best for: Eyes
Specially formulated to tighten, renew and protect the skin around the delicate eye area. Use before bed for an overnight lift or give eyes an instant brighten after a sleepless night.

Origins Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum, £50, Fabled
This beauty editor favourite contains sea buckthorn and skin-repairing reishi, irritant-soothing chaga and cordyceps mushrooms, which are used in Chinese medicine to heal, promote longevity and improve health. The soft and smooth formula is easily absorbed into skin and over time reduces redness and gives skin a more even appearance.

EVE LOM Intense Firming Serum, £75, Fabled
Best for: Daily anti-ageing hit
This beautifully-textured skin serum contains a milk extract to firm, brighten and rejuvenate skin. Use twice a day alongside Eve Lom’s cult classic treatment cleanser.

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum Pump, £26, Boots
Best for: Affordable skin fix
This
cult classic serum is one of the most affordable anti-ageing products that really delivers on the market. Giving skin an instant anti-ageing boost, fine lines and wrinkles appear reduced after a few uses, and results improve over time. Add a little into your foundation to increase its skincare benefits and give a sheer, radiant finish.

Crème De La Mer The Regenerating Serum, £250, Fabled
Best for: Anti-ageing
Containing a high concentration of the brand’s signature miracle broth, this anti-ageing (and super-soft) skin serum plumps skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin feels softer after the first use.

Espa Radiance Intensive Serum, £47 Espa
If, in the morning, you look in the mirror and skin is looking lifeless and dull, then you must invest in this serum. It has super ingredient vitamin C in it, which brightens your skin and also evens out any discolouration.