Best Anti-Aging Serum: 14 Options to Hack Aging

Serums are often called a central part of any skincare routine, even more so as skin matures. 

Anti-aging serums are full of active ingredients and help address the signs of aging. If you’re dealing with wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, pigmentation, dryness, and uneven skin tone, these formulas can deliver assistance to combat or at least minimize these signs.

Browse our round-up of the best anti-aging serums to buy now.

Top 3 Anti-Aging Serums

14 Best Anti-Aging Serums Right Now

Everybody’s skin ages, but that doesn’t mean you can’t intervene and slow the process or diminish the appearance of tell-tale signs. The plentiful list below comprises the best picks for addressing mature skin concerns, covering all budgets and skin types.

#1 SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Acid – Best overall

This product comes highly rated, gracing the lists of many top-pick serums. 

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum is a potent vitamin C serum with 15% L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C). With the addition of vitamin E, this antioxidant combination protects skin from free radical damage generated by UVA and UVB rays, ozone pollution, and diesel engine exhaust fumes.

In addition to its protective benefits, it brightens the skin, increases firmness, and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ultimately, it’s a multi-talent that keeps skin looking radiant and youthful while working on a deeper level to keep skin healthy.

#2 Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum – Best for moisture retention

If you’re looking for a serum to counter deep wrinkles, this wrinkle-fighting formula from Peter Thomas Roth is designed to do just that. The blend of peptides, neuropeptides, and gamma proteins targets the face and neck to produce skin that appears noticeably younger.

The 73% peptide and neuropeptide complex helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Gamma proteins boost elasticity and radiance while improving uneven tone and skin texture. 

It has hyaluronic acid, a humectant that hydrates the skin and locks in much-needed moisture. As well as combating dry skin, hyaluronic acid is beneficial for acne-prone skin in some people.

#3 Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment – Best with niacinamide

This anti-wrinkle product’s rich, buttery texture doubles as a hydrating serum for dry to normal skin types and a moisturizer for oily skin. It is an overnight treatment that repairs skin while you sleep, allowing you to wake up with a visibly firmer complexion.

Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is considered an effective substance for slowing the aging process, making this retinol treatment appealing. Retinol penetrates the dermis and strengthens the protective function of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin).

It also exfoliates and boosts collagen production, helping to correct fine lines and wrinkles caused by natural collagen decline.

It has ferulic acid, an antioxidant compound known to reduce signs of photoaging, with moisture-inducing and redness-reducing qualities.

#4 Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum – Best for exfoliation

The Glycolic Night Serum is an AHA/BHA gel formulated with glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric, and salicylic acid. It ultimately serves to gently exfoliate and eradicate dull and tired-looking skin to reveal a brighter, more luminous complexion overnight.

This night serum minimizes the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles while improving skin tone and texture. Other ingredients like raspberry fruit extract and horse chestnut seed extract soothe skin and defend against harmful free radicals.

The philosophy behind Drunk Elephant is to skip the 6 potentially troublesome ingredients for the skin. These include essential oils, alcohol, silicones, chemical sunscreens, SLS, fragrances, and dyes.

#5 Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum – Best for skin plumping effect

As the name suggests, this anti-aging retinol serum focuses on restoring youthful skin. It uses three retinol technologies – a fast-acting retinoid, a time-release retinol, and a retinol booster to quickly improve 5 key signs of aging in as little as 4 weeks. 

Retinol can be drying at first, but Murad adds hyaluronic acid to combat this issue and ensure adequate hydration. Hyaluronic acid is also great for plumping the skin. Swertia flower extract helps the skin build resilience to enhance protection while clearing imperfections.

#6 The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% – Best with copper peptides

The Ordinary is one of the best brands when you want something powerful without the hefty price tag. “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% is an intense advanced serum offering age support. It targets multiple signs of aging, including crow’s feet which many people battle daily.

The formula is enriched with peptides, amino acids, and multiple hyaluronic acids. Collagen and elastin production slow with age, but “Buffet” supports your skin’s overall elasticity to help plump, smooth, and firm the skin.

Direct copper peptides specifically target signs of aging associated with free radical damage, making way for a healthier-looking appearance. At just $30.90, this anti-aging serum is well worth a try.

#7 Tula Deep Wrinkle Serum – Best for skin smoothing and plumping 

You can apply this milky anti-aging serum in the morning and at night to improve the look of stubborn wrinkles. It uses a botanical retinol alternative, peptides, prebiotics, and probiotic extracts to achieve various goals, including nourishing, brightening, firming, and hydrating the skin.

Eye, neck, and lip wrinkles are common with aging skin, but boosting the skin’s elasticity can help to smooth away these lines. Reviews suggest this might be the best anti-aging serum for plumping and minimizing deep wrinkles without retinol.

#8 Shani Darden Retinol Reform – Best for quick results

The encapsulated retinol in this reforming potion releases the retinol more slowly to prevent the traditionally irritating effects of ordinary retinol. It works hard overnight to reduce the signs of aging, allowing you to wake up with firmer, younger-looking skin.

The lactic acid gently exfoliates, creating a smoother, more even surface on the face with quick-acting brightening results. It can also help to maintain the integrity of the epidermal barrier and provide moisturizing benefits.

#9 Current State Retinol + Marula Renewing Serum – Best for tired and dull skin

This is a serum that, according to the makers, dials back the signs of skin damage for an ageless appearance. Due to its renewing effects from a combination of encapsulated retinol and kojic acid, it can help to fade fine lines and dark spots.

It also has aloe, marula, and jojoba oils to nourish, protect, and balance the retinol to prevent potential irritation. Apply it generously to help counter face, neck, and chest wrinkles.

#10 Saint Jane Superflower Detox Serum – Best for textured skin

If you’re after a super detoxifying formula, the Saint Jane Superflower Detox Serum offers a ton of benefits. From hydrating the skin and clearing the pores to eradicating rough patches, you can expect a more balanced complexion after use.

Described as a nourishing green juice for your skin, it’s packed with moisturizing rose, soothing chamomile, and neroli essential oil to smooth fine lines.

#11 Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum – Best for acne-prone skin

This gentle daily retinol serum works on the skin’s elasticity and firmness for a clearer complexion. It not only targets wrinkles and rough texture but also helps improve acne-prone skin.

It contains salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, and a known acne treatment that decreases skin lipids and calms inflammation. It also features hyaluronic acid to relieve dryness and excess sebum production – two common acne triggers.

Meanwhile, antioxidants from vitamin E fight free radical damage induced by environmental factors.

#12 L’Oreal Paris 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum – Best if you’re on a budget

The 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a must-have for hydration. It contains a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, one of the best anti-aging ingredients for skin moisture, as it has a unique capacity for holding water. Hydration is essential for mature skin since it naturally loses moisture through daily injury and natural aging.

The hydrating properties contribute to plumper skin and aid wrinkle reduction. You can expect a dewy glow following the application. It’s best for dry, sensitive, mature, and sagging skin.

#13 Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Serum – Best for retinol beginners

Another retinol anti-aging serum, this best-seller from Kiehl’s, is made for daily use to minimize wrinkles, balance skin tone, firm skin, and improve texture. Pure retinol, ceramides, and peptides stimulate cell turnover to release fresh skin that looks more youthful.

It’s free from irritating ingredients, making it a good choice for sensitive skin. You can apply it carefully under the eyes and in the crow’s feet area, avoiding the eyes and lids. The brand recommends using it alongside other targeted serums for dark spots, plumping effects, and more.

#14 RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum – Best for improving stubborn fine lines

This wrinkle serum with retinol helps to reduce the appearance of deep-set wrinkles on the face and neck, promoting smoother-looking skin in just 4 weeks. It accelerates the body’s natural removal of dead skin cells to reveal new skin cells for more vibrant and healthy skin.

Its benefits come from retinol, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production. Users report less noticeable crow’s feet, smaller-looking pores, and skin-tightening effects that result in plumper skin. It has a silky texture without leaving the skin feeling oily.

Comparison Table

How We Picked the Products

To compile our list, we rated each formula based on its quality, how well it works, the cost, and the brand’s reputation. This helps us to develop a clear picture of the best skincare products available right now, allowing us to recommend a select few.

Here’s a little more detail:

Quality

Although our picks include a variety of price points, we have included only high-quality serums. They are well-formulated with a blend of safe and active ingredients and are made without rubbish or unnecessary ingredients that don’t deliver.

Price

The price of a product is a pivotal part of the shopping process. It determines whether or not a product is sustainable to use long-term or if it’s only accessible as a treat. Ideally, a serum should be affordable and suitable for consistent use. The serums in this review range in price to suit a variety of budgets, as everyone can benefit from using an anti-aging serum.

Brand reputation

If you’re going to trust a product to work magic on your skin, you must trust the brand behind it. We picked serums from reputable brands in the skincare industry to ensure their safety and reliability and meet customer expectations.

Effectiveness

We put these serums to the test by studying their formulas and assessing the function of their anti-aging ingredients. We understand that anti-aging products are no good if they don’t contain key ingredients that actually work to support and protect the skin from signs of aging.

FAQs

Conclusion

Depending on your goals, these serums could be a winner for your anti-aging skincare regimen. For a supreme serum that handles a range of jobs, we prefer SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. It improves the appearance of your skin while keeping it safe from oxidative damage, improving existing signs of aging and preventing future ones.

Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Serum and Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment follow closely behind. These serums work hard to tackle wrinkles and leave your skin looking and feeling flawless.