We've Tried Hundreds of Them—These Are the 17 Best Face Serums for Unbelievably Good Skin

Best for: Tackling a range of skin concerns

Why it's the best: If you’re a skincare minimalist, or you simply want a do-it-all serum to target multiple concerns at once, look no further. This iconic serum combines a cocktail of effective ingredients (including hyaluronic acid and peptides) to target dryness, fine lines, dullness, uneven skin tone and dehydration, all in one go. Clinical trials show that 91% noticed their skin having a healthy glow after three weeks, but it’s the rave reviews that really sell this product.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Serum is absolute game-changer. If you want to wake up with a glowing, hydrated and revitalised complexion, then you need to try this stuff. I'd bathe in it if I could," says deputy editor, Maxine Eggenberger.

Best for: Mature skin

Why it's the best: Another iconic skincare product, the Clarins Double Serum is a must have in your skincare routine. It's especially great for more mature skin as it works to reduce fine lines, refine the skin's texture and add a plump, radiant finish. As the name suggests, it has a unique dual formula that features efficacious plant extracts to protect the skin from environmental stressors. Yes, it's expensive, but beauty editors swear by this stuff.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "I have three serums that I know I will use forever—Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Shiseido Ultimune and this, Clarins Double Serum. All three of these serums offer me similar things in that I know I can slap them onto my face and feel assured my skin is only going to look better for it—trust me, Double Serum is the MVP of any great simple skincare routine. It has remained a cult bestseller for years thanks to its skin-loving formula that couldn’t upset a complexion if it tried. Hyaluronic acid and vegetal squalane nourish and nurture your skin barrier for boosted glow and hydration, while peptides tackle a number of concerns linked to skin ageing. The dual-texture combines a water-based serum with an oil-based serum to mimic the skin’s natural makeup, and it is a total joy to use. If you’re looking for a really great does-it-all serum that your skin will love, just trust me—this is it," says beauty director, Shannon Lawlor.

Best for: Dry skin

Why it's the best: If you're suffering with dry skin this winter, then you need to know about this Vichy serum. This bestselling product is packed with hyaluronic acid alongside the brand's highest concentration of Volcanic Mineralizing Water to drench the skin in moisture. That being said, it's also incredibly lightweight and sinks into the skin in seconds, Yep, it's pretty much magic.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "This serum has transformed my complexion. I recently saw a dermatologist who told me how dry my skin was, and they recommended this serum along with the matching moisturiser from the brand. It has a refreshing, gel-like texture that makes it a dream to use, and it hasn't irritated my sensitive skin once. Instead, my complexion is more hydrated than ever before," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.

Best for: Oily skin

Why it's the best: Yes, even those of you with oily skin types can benefit from an effective face serum. Our top pick? This Skinceuticals option. It has a weightless consistency and sinks into the skin in seconds, so you don't have to worry about a greasy complexion. In fact, this serum actually works to control the appearance of excess oil and shine. It also contains 15% pure vitamin C to brighten the skin alongside salicylic acid to help fight breakouts and skin texture.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "Ok, so I know this serum is ridiculously expensive, but it's honestly one of the best skincare products I have tried. When I apply this in the morning, I always notice that my skin looks less oily throughout the day, and it also adds a beautiful glow. One thing I will say is that the serum does have a bit of a funny scent, but don't be alarmed by this as it disappears as soon as the product sinks into the skin," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.

Best for: Sensitive skin

Why it's the best: If you find that your skin is sensitive by nature, or experiencing a irritated spell, then this is a great serum to add into your routine. Based on the iconic Cicalfate moisturiser (a French pharmacy must-have for all sorts of skin issues), this serum contains Avène's famous thermale spring water to soothe inflamed skin, while helping to balance moisture levels and strengthen the skin barrier to help prevent future sensitivity.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "Avène is my go-to brand when my skin is feeling extra sensitive. This always manages to soothe my skin and get it feeling back to normal. In fact, I even have my mum hooked on this as she also suffers from a more sensitive complexion," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.

Best for: Dark spots

Why it's the best: This serum practically took over the internet when it launched, and for good reason. Not only does it make your skin look like you've just had the glowiest facial known to man, but the formula features the brand's patented Viniferine which works to reduce dark spots, pigmentation and uneven texture. Alongside this magic ingredient you'll find olive squalane that works to hydrate the skin without leaving your complexion with that unwanted greasy feeling.

Best for: Dull skin

Why it's the best: If you're looking for a good retinol serum, look no further. Medik8's Crystal Retinal is loved by beauty editors for its radiance-boosting properties. As you can probably guess, this serum contains stabilised retinal, and comes in a range of different strengths depending on whether you've used retinal before (if you're new to the ingredient, always start slowly and work your way up gradually). This form of vitamin A works to smooth and renew the skin, while hyaluronic acid and glycerin hydrate the complexion and add a beautiful glow.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "I have sensitive skin and this is one of the only retinal products I trust. I began on strength one and am now on strength six, and I've seen my rough skin texture become more buttery and my fine lines have softened. Plus, I've never experienced any irritation," says beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.

Best for: Combination skin

Why it's the best: Niacinamide is one of those rare but wonderful ingredients that has benefits for both dry and oily skin, making it an excellent choice if you experience a mix of the two skin concerns—what’s known as combination skin. Formulated with 12% niacinamide, this serum helps to regulate oil production, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, and strengthen the skin barrier to prevent dehydration.

Best for: Fine lines

Why it's the best: Although this serum contains just twelve ingredients, each one has been handpicked in order to deliver really intense results—especially when it comes to addressing the five key signs of ageing. It tackles wrinkles, fine lines, loose skin, pigmentation, and dryness—and clinical studies show improvements of up to 72% in just three months.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "I knew the Bioeffect EGF Power Serum was working its magic when I recently went for a skin treatment and the practitioner said my skin looked amazing—I owe all credit to this. It contains powerhouse ingredients including growth factors and NAG to plump fines lines and wrinkles, fade pigmentation and improve skin texture for a smooth, glowy result. I use it at night and when I wake in the morning I'm always amazed how glowy and plump my skin looks," says beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.

Best for: Acne-prone skin

Why it's the best: Retinoids may be best known as an anti-ageing ingredient, but they’re also great for addressing the concerns associated with acne-prone skin, such as congestion, breakouts, and post-inflammatory pigmentation. They help to reduce the dead skin cell build up that clogs pores and leads to breakouts. This intermediate level serum is ideal for those who have used retinoids before, but there’s also a beginner level version for retinoid newbies.

Best for: Hyperpigmentation

Why it's the best: SkinCeuticals serums may be expensive, but trust us, they’re formulated with high quality and super innovative ingredients which make them worth every single penny (which is why there are two of them in this roundup). SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum is the brand's most iconic serum for good reason. Not only does it help to fade sun damage and pigmentation, but it leaves your skin with both an instant and long-term glow with daily use. It's an investment that you won't regret.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "After using this serum consistently for two months, my skin is so glowy and the most even-toned it has ever been. Its no wonder that Hailey Bieber, Sienna Miller and Kendall Jenner count themselves as fans of it," says beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.

Best for: Reducing redness

Why it's the best: If you have sensitive skin then you may already be familiar with cica (also known as tiger grass or centella asiatica), which helps to soothe, calm, and reduce redness. With its watery gel texture, this serum feels cooling upon application, so if your redness is also accompanied by irritation, it offers instant relief.

Best for: Uneven skin tone

Why it's the best: This serum from La Roche-Posay has become somewhat of a cult product, and is great for those of you who are wanting to even out your skin tone. The formula was developed with dermatologists and pigmentation experts and the serum itself helps to tackle dark spots, uneven tone and even post-blemish marks. It features a new multi-patented Melasyl™ active alongside vitamin B3 (also known as niacinamide), retinol and hyaluronic acid to improve the overall appearance of the skin, and comes in the form of a lightweight gel-serum hybrid.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "I’ve been incorporating this serum into my skincare routine for about a year now, and I’m honestly so impressed. My skin looks brighter, more even, and some of my dark spots have really started to fade. It’s super lightweight and sinks in fast, so it layers well with the rest of my routine. The mix of niacinamide and Melasyl seems to be doing wonders—my skin feels calmer, smoother, and just overall healthier. I wasn’t expecting to see results this quickly, but it’s made such a difference," says junior branded content editor, Humaa Hussain.

Best for: A glowy finish

Why it's the best: New from Byoma, this Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum is great for whenever your skin is in need of a little boost. Unlike similar serums on the market, this doesn't have that super sticky texture, and instead feels lightweight on the skin. It's packed with plant-powered peptides and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, alongside phytomucin, which is a bio-based ingredient that works to even skin tone and protect the skin barrier.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "If you want that really glowy look this winter, then this is the serum for you. It sinks into the skin in seconds and adds a naturally radiant finish, so I love wearing it in the mornings under makeup," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.

Best for: Skin renewal

Why it's the best: We've written an entire feature on the CeraVe Vitamin C Serum because it's that good. The reason that we love it is that it contains a high potency of vitamin C alongside ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help support hydration and tolerability, so it doesn't irritate more sensitive skin types. Instead, it adds a noticeable glow.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "I can't believe I am saying this, but I have finally found a vitamin C serum that works for me. From the very first day that I started using this product, I have experienced no irritation whatsoever. Instead, my skin is glowing like never before," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.

Best for: Radiance

Why it's the best: This serum is unlike anything we have tried before. It contains micro beads that burst onto the skin and transform into a silky smooth liquid that adds serious radiance. The product itself relies on the skin-repairing powers of honey to add that plump, glowy finish that we're all striving for.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "I wasn't sure on this serum at first, as the name made it sound like it could be a little oily. However, after trying it I am completely hooked. It feels like velvet on the skin and is perfect for these cold winter months when your complexion is in need of a little TLC," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.

Best for: Smoothing skin

Why it's the best: Glycolic acid—an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) which breaks down dead skin cells—is front and centre in this skin-smoothing serum. The acid works to resurface skin by exfoliating, so uneven and congested skin types don’t stand a chance. In addition, it also helps to brighten skin and address fine lines and hyperpigmentation. It can be a little tingly when you first try it, but it soon settles on the skin. Just be sure to wear a dedicated SPF daily when using exfoliating serums.

Who What Wear Editor Review: "I don’t say this lightly, but Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment has made the biggest difference to my acne-prone skin out of any product I’ve tried—and there have been a lot. Targeting skin congestion, a quick swipe of this breaks down dead skin cells and unclogs pores. In the short term, the product reveals a glowier and firmer complexion, and in the long term, it prevents my skin from breaking out nearly as often," says news writer, Natalie Munro.