Anti-ageing serums that will completely transform your skin

A great anti-ageing serum can take your skin from so-so to super. Read on for our favourite buys

best anti-ageing serums
(Image credit: Shutterstock/Rex)

A great anti-ageing serum can take your skin from so-so to super. Read on for our favourite buys

We all now know how important the best face serum is. It's the hardest working product in our skincare routine, packed full of amazing skin replenishing and boosting ingredients. Introducing one into your daily regimen will do wonders for the condition and appearance of your skin. So imagine how fantastic the best anti-ageing serums must be...

As with most products that suddenly gain hype there comes a slew of different products to choose from, which can make it quite difficult to choose one that'll work for you. But, if you're in the market for one, you've come to right place as we've done all the hard work for you.

Over the course of time, through a lot of beauty editor trial and error, we've pulled together a list of the most effective and subsequently, best anti-ageing serums out there. There are serums that will help protect and prevent wrinkles and lines in the early stages and some ingredients, like retinol, can even reduce the appearance of existing damage.

When to use the best anti-ageing serums

Anti-ageing beauty 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. Remember that serums contain the highest concentration of active ingredients that you can get without a prescription, so it's important to get the right one for you.

If you're acne-prone, the best vitamin C serums are your BFF. 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 like pollution.

How to apply face serum

After cleansing your skin, smooth your anti-ageing serum over slightly damp skin. Then, press the serum into your skin with an open palm instead of fingertips to release the active ingredients. Leave it to sink in properly for at least five minutes.

If you've come across the best moisturiser for your skin type, apply it afterwards. But, if your skin feels nourished enough just from using the serum, simply add a sun protection product (SPF) and you're ready to go.

Scroll through the best anti-ageing serums below to find your perfect match.

Katie Thomas

Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over 10 years of experience on women's luxury lifestyle titles, she covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She started her career on fashion desks across the industry - from The Telegraph to Brides - but found her calling in the Tatler beauty department. From there she moved to Instyle, before joining the Marie Claire digital team in 2018. She’s made it her own personal mission to find the best concealer in the world to cover her tenacious dark circles. She’s obsessed with skincare that makes her skin bouncy and glowy, low-maintenance hair that doesn’t require brushing and a cracking good manicure. Oh and she wears more jewellery than the Queen.