13 Finest Face Serums in 2025 to Stage Up Your Pores and skin Care

Key substances: arnica, phytoene, phytofluene | Who it is for: individuals who have tremendous delicate pores and skin and constantly get in-office procedures | Major advantages: strengthening, smoothing, calming | Perfume-free: sure

Finest Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5 % Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Why it is price it: Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in La Jolla, California, loves the light, hydrating nature of the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5 % Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. “This light-weight hyaluronic acid serum delivers intense hydration by combining high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to visibly plump and clean the pores and skin,” she says. Offering completely different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid permits this serum to quench a number of floor layers of the pores and skin at completely different ranges, abandoning a smoother, plumber look. This serum pairs the humectant with hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, also referred to as HEPES or sulfonic acid, to reinforce radiance and reduce darkish spots.

Key substances: hyaluronic acid, HEPES (hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid) | Who it is for: anybody who has dry or delicate pores and skin | Major advantages: hydrating, brightening | Perfume-free: sure

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

What are the advantages of utilizing a face serum?

Serums are likely to include increased concentrations of their energetic substances than different skin-care merchandise, resulting in extra dramatic leads to a quicker time interval. On high of their potent formulations, facial serums are a mainstay for skin-care novices and lovers alike due to their light-weight textures. “Serums are the brand new moisturizers,” New York Metropolis-based board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, tells Attract. “They’re good for layering—like a primer on clear pores and skin earlier than make-up or sunscreen.”

When ought to I exploit my serum in my routine?

In keeping with New York Metropolis-based dermatologist David Kim, MD, you must apply your serum after cleaning and earlier than your moisturizer. “Serums have extra energetic substances in increased focus, and they’re formulated to both brighten, hydrate, or calm the pores and skin,” he says. “Then a moisturizer goes on high to lock within the moisture and to restore the pores and skin barrier.”

Can I exploit a number of serums directly? What cannot be blended?

Dr. Kim says you possibly can tag-team a number of serums to deal with quite a few skin-care issues, however ensure you aren’t flooding your pores with too many harsh energetic substances directly—that may result in sensitivity and irritation. “For instance, you possibly can apply a light-weight vitamin C serum with a hydrating serum on high earlier than sunscreen,” says Dr. Kim. “That is notably efficient for individuals with oily acne-prone pores and skin who don’t love a heavier, thicker moisturizer.”

As for dangerous mixtures? “I do not suggest layering sturdy, energetic substances as a result of it will possibly result in irritation, corresponding to combining a retinol with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs),” Nina Desai, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in California, beforehand advised Attract. “I discover the mixture will be too drying and aggravating to the pores and skin.” Dr. Desai additionally warned in opposition to utilizing benzoyl peroxide with actives you would possibly discover in your serum.

Meet the consultants

• Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Connecticut
• Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis
• Heidi Prather, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in Austin, Texas
• Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in La Jolla, California
• Shari Marchbein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis
• Kenneth Howe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York Metropolis
• Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis
• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in New York Metropolis
• Nina Desai, MD, a board-certified dermatologist primarily based in California

How we take a look at and evaluate merchandise

When Attract exams a product, our editors take a look at it from each angle in an effort to finest serve you. We evaluate substances, scrutinize model claims, and, when crucial, study peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing each product that’s included in each evaluate, we depend on consultants who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and drugs, to assist us vet the substances and formulation.