The 16 Best Face Serums of 2024 Treat Acne, Discoloration, Wrinkles, and More

Best Overall

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

$182 at Dermstore $272 at Skinstore.com $182 at Skinceuticals.com

Benefits: Firms, smooths, evens skin tone, protects against free radicals | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This is the GOAT of all serums, boasting fan-favorite status among consumers, beauty editors, and dermatologists alike. Credit is due to the specially formulated ratio of heavy-hitting antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E—to protect your skin from free radical damage. It’s preventative and protective, yes, but it can also help improve existing signs of aging including sun damage, making it a solid option for pretty much anyone and everyone. Byrdie's editor in chief Hallie Gould is obsessed with this one and has been for years—it's one of the only products that has helped even out her skin tone and protect it from sun damage and pollution.

To love C E Ferulic is to tolerate the strong scent—it’s chemically and might be off-putting for some. Also, there’s no denying that the price tag of this serum is steep, but you get what you pay for: legit results. 

Best Drugstore

Neutrogena Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Face Serum

$35 at Walgreens View on Instacart.com View on Instacart.com

Benefits: Smooths lines, evens skin tone, boosts radiance | Skin Type: Dry, aging | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This well-reviewed formula is inexpensive and effective—the best you can ask for from the drugstore. The star of the show is a unique type of retinol, accelerated retinol SA, that helps address wrinkles, boost radiance, and improve skin texture—in a matter of weeks. Two humectants (ingredients that attract water to the skin), hyaluronic acid and glycerin, help keep skin plump, hydrated, and supple.

As with most retinol products, you need to be careful when using it on sensitive or easily irritated skin. Start by using it a few times a week, and graduate up to every other night. If you think your skin can finally tolerate the retinol, feel free to add it to your skincare regimen nightly. 

Best for Discoloration

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

$110 at Dermstore $110 at Skinstore.com $110 at Skinceuticals.com

Benefits: Fades dark spots, smooths, boosts radiance, exfoliates | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Yep, that’s another SkinCeuticals product on the list. There are all kinds of radiance-boosting and spot-fading ingredients in this effective formula, namely 1% kojic acid, 5% niacinamide, 3% tranexamic acid, plus 5% HEPES, an ingredient that promotes exfoliation. It’s so effective that in a 12-week clinical study, participants saw a 60% reduction in brown spots and patches. Color us impressed.

That said, some might find that this formula takes a bit longer to start seeing results. Remember that consistency is key, and you typically won’t see a quick fix with any facial serum. You can use this one morning and night, but we recommend once per day if you have super sensitive skin. 

Best for Large-Looking Pores

Renée Rouleau Pore + Wrinkle Perfecting Serum

$50 at Reneerouleau.com

Benefits: Exfoliates, clears pores, fades dark spots, smooth fine lines | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Dosage: 1 to 2 pumps | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Fact: There’s nothing you can do (and no product you can use) to change the size of your pores. But you can do things that will help make them appear less prominent, like using this serum, from one of Byrdie’s most beloved estheticians, Renée Rouleau. At work is a potent combo of glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids that help clear clogged pores, making them appear smaller. And, per the name, this blend also exfoliates to help fade hyperpigmentation and smooth fine lines.

"Even though it’s pretty potent, it’s one of the only serums I’ve tried in which I notice an actual difference in the brightness, clarity, and tone of my skin,” explains Erin Jahns, beauty director at Who What Wear. “I use it for three nights straight and then swap in another one for three nights, but this one always keeps my skin glowy while keeping my small (easily clogged pores) in check." 

Best Naturally Derived

Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum

$195 at Nordstrom View on Cosbar.com $195 at Bloomingdales

Benefits: Hydrates, nourishes | Skin Type: All | Dosage: 5 to 6 drops | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This fan-favorite formula is all about harnessing the power of plants. More specifically, it touts 22 active, organic, and wild-crafted botanicals chock-full of everything from antioxidants to vitamins to essential fatty acids. In short, it moisturizes, nourishes, and protects—a universally good pick for anyone looking to improve their skin's overall health and quality. It’s so good and effective that the brand only makes two other products.

This formula is absolutely loaded with oils so if you have acne-prone skin or know that your skin doesn’t tolerate oils well, you might want to skip over this pick and opt for something else. We like this formula for folks with normal to dry skin types and it’s safe to use during pregnancy.  

Best Anti-Aging

SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum

$295 at Skinstore.com

Benefits: Smooths, firms, boosts radiance, soothes irritation | Skin Type: Aging | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Yes, the price tag on this is pretty shocking, but so are its astounding anti-aging results. Another long-time staple of beauty editors and derms alike, it relies on growth factors and a protein and amino acid complex to regenerate skin cells, reduce inflammation, strengthen the skin, and more. (FYI, those growth factors are human-derived, which may be off-putting to some.) Use it regularly, and you’ll absolutely see a difference.

What’s especially cool about this product is the packaging—there are two chambers within the cylindrical pump bottle. One chamber houses the TNS-MR, the next-generation growth factor blend, and the peptide complex, while the other chamber holds the Renessence (RSC) Advanced, French flax seed, marine extract, and green microalgae. By separating the two, it keeps the ingredients fresher for longer.  

Best With Retinol

Dr. Dennis Gross Retinol + Ferulic Texture Serum

$76 at Amazon $76 at Sephora $76 at Dermstore

Benefits: Targets pores, uneven texture, blemishes | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone, aging | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

True story: Our mega-sensitive skin could never tolerate a retinol product until we tried this serum. We’re not entirely sure how the magic formula works so well, without a trace of irritation, but you better believe it does. The first of its two namesake ingredients supports collagen production and minimizes sebum production (the stuff that clogs pores), and the latter offers powerful antioxidant protection. It also contains bakuchiol, a plant-based ingredient that provides similar effects to retinol. The product works super fast; we noticed an improvement in our skin’s texture, tone, and overall smoothness after a week or so.

We love that this formula targets multiple skin concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to uneven skin texture to fading dark spots, boosting collagen, diminishing acne, and more. The formula doesn’t smell great, but we’re down to tolerate the smell for glowy, gorgeous skin. 

Best for Dry Skin

SkinMedica Rejuvenating Hydrator

$184 at Dermstore $135 at Walmart $184 at Skinstore.com

Benefits: Hydrates | Skin Type: Dry, aging | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When moisturizer alone just won’t cut it, layer this super hydrating serum underneath. The name refers to a proprietary mix of five types of hyaluronic acid; the combo delivers instant and long-lasting hydration, up to eight hours worth. Your skin will instantly be more hydrated (as well as smoother, plumper, and more supple), and will stay that way all day long. The primer-like texture layers beautifully under makeup, too.

We love this formula for anyone with super dry or sensitive skin. It’s great for the colder winter months when your face needs extra TLC. It’s on the pricier side at $184 per bottle, but we think the stellar ingredient list justifies the cost. 

Best Splurge

Augustinus Bader The Serum

$195 at Sephora $195 at Saks Fifth Avenue $400 at Violet Grey

Benefits: Hydrates, boosts radiance, smooths fine lines | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This cult-favorite serum uses the brand’s TFC8 patented technology, a combo of over 40 ingredients, and the result of over 30 years of research. In short, it works by basically helping your skin act younger, which is why this formula is ideal for tackling everything from dryness to hyperpigmentation to wrinkles to redness. 

Not only does the formula support skin cell renewal, but it also features vitamin C to boost collagen production and a polysaccharide moisture complex to prevent water loss and leave skin feeling soft and supple. Obviously, the price of this pick is no joke, but for younger skin, we'd shell out the shekles.  

Best for a Compromised Skin Barrier

BYOMA Hydrating Serum

$17 at Ulta $16 at Target View on Byoma.com

Benefits: Hydrates, barrier repair | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

At the risk of greatly oversimplifying matters, the key to healthy (and beautiful) skin is a strong and healthy skin barrier. Essentially, the outermost layer of the skin is responsible for keeping moisture in and irritants out. And three primary components ensure this: ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. They are the stars of this new brand’s tri-ceramide complex. 

All of the Byoma skincare products contain the tri-ceramide complex, and we love that this serum boosts your skin barrier to the next level. Alongside that, there are hydrating squalane and glycerin in the mix which leave your skin feeling softer, smoother, and generally healthier.

Best Exfoliating

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

$85 at Amazon $43 at Sephora $85 at Ulta

Benefits: Improves texture, evens skin tone, hydrates | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, is one of the more gentle acids out there for exfoliation. This makes it a prime pick for either sensitive skin types or those looking for a product they can use every day sans irritation. It’s the key player in this serum, which helps to dissolve dead skin cells to improve the look of lines and wrinkles, and generally leave skin looking smooth and glowing. Fun fact: Lactic acid is also innately hydrating, so you get a little bit of that benefit, too.

Sunday Riley’s Good Genes is a best-seller because it does an effective job of gently exfoliating skin, without drying the heck out of your face. Along with lactic acid, this serum contains licorice and lemongrass to brighten a dull complexion as well as prickly pear extract to help soothe the skin and reduce redness. 

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Dermalogica AGE Bright Clearing Serum

View on Dermalogica $77 at Sephora $77 at Ulta

Benefits: Clears breakouts, boosts radiance, fades dark spots, reduces redness | Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Clear your complexion with this blemish bluster. It relies on salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that’s oil-soluble, it can penetrate pores to break up excess oil and unclog them. That’d be good enough for us, but the benefits don’t stop there. It combines salicylic acid with niacinamide, which is both anti-inflammatory (good for minimizing the redness and discomfort of current pimples) and boosting radiance, helping to ward off any discoloration that can occur after a breakout.

And because the serum boosts skin cell turnover, you can expect to see fine lines and wrinkles diminished, along with any age spots or dark spots lessened, too. 

Best for Deeper Skin Tones

Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum

$68 at Sephora View on Eadem.co

Benefits: Fades dark spots including hyperpigmentation, brightens dull skin, resurfaces acne blemishes | Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, and oily | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This fragrance-free formula is specifically calibrated for skin of color to reduce dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne marks with niacinamide, encapsulated vitamin C, and amber algae. The texture of the Eadem Dark Spot Serum is silky and absorbs easily into the skin, with reviewers noting it works rapidly to diminish the appearance of blemishes from cystic acne.

We don’t love that the bottle dropper makes it difficult to get the formula out. You might have to pour it into your hand if the dropper doesn’t work. 

Best for Sensitive Skin

Vieve's Leaves Restorative Serum

$97 at Amazon View on Vievesleaves.com

Benefits: Calms inflammation, reduces redness, clears acne | Skin Type: Normal, dry, sensitive, combination, and oily | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This ultra-lightweight serum melts into the skin without leaving a sticky residue and reduces redness and inflammation quickly. The proprietary botanical formula is made from fruit stem cell technology and also features broad-spectrum vitamins and antioxidants. Hyaluronic acid and organic aloe make the serum ideal for people with sensitive skin who enjoy botanical products. According to associate editorial director Jill Di Donato, it sinks into the skin within seconds and imparts a velvety feel.

Because this product doesn’t contain any form of acids, it might not be as effective as some of the other face serums on this list. However, it’s a great option for folks with sensitive skin who don’t tolerate acids very well. 

Best for Dewy Skin

Tatcha The Dewy Serum

$89 at Amazon $89 at Sephora $89 at Kohls.com

Benefits: Gently exfoliate, soften | Skin Type: Normal, dry, sensitive, combination, and oily | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This top-rated serum has a milky texture that revitalizes dry skin with just one application. Tatcha's Hadasei-3 complex includes a fermented blend of antioxidants, lactic acid, algae, and green tea extract to effectively exfoliate without irritation. The formula is ultra-hydrating and excellent under makeup, especially if you're after a dewy, glass-skin look.

We love that the formula is moisturizing and lightly exfoliating, but we don’t love that it contains fragrance. Watch out if you are sensitive to fragrances or perfumes in products. 

Best for Sun Damage

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin C Day Serum

$79 at Sephora $79 at Ulta $79 at Kohls.com

Benefits: Moisturizes, Brightens age and sun spots | Skin Type: Normal, dry, sensitive, combination, and oily | Size: 0.94 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Scroll through TikTok (or any other form of social media, for that matter), and you'll spot at least a handful of people using this Drunk Elephant vitamin C serum in their routines. It's for good reason: The formula contains an awesome antioxidant blend of vitamin C and ferulic acid that works to even out skin tone and texture while also fending off damaging environmental factors, like pollution. Commerce Writer Caitlyn Martyn swears that, over time, her sun and acne spots have disappeared almost entirely, leaving her face glowy and more even-toned.

There is a liquid and powder that must be mixed before your first use. We love this concept because it keeps the vitamin C as potent and fresh as possible. It’s an ingredient that tends to degrade easily, unfortunately. Like most vitamin C serums, this pick doesn’t smell great—but works wonderfully.