I really should get into a more predictable skin-care routine. But at 46, and with so many anti-aging serums to choose from, I feel like a kid in a candy store where all the sweets magically stimulate collagen production. Don’t get me wrong: I am loyal to some formulas, like SkinCeuticals’s C E Ferulic for morning, and Dr. Julius Few’s Clean Retinol for night. But with other dermatologist-adored classics and buzzy new launches to choose from, it’s hard to narrow down the best treatments for my particular skin concerns. Do I use peptides to target my fine lines? Or is it time to get serious about exosomes? Is hyaluronic acid still the best thing for hydration? Or is PDRN the ingredient my skin has been missing?
Vogue’s Favorite Anti-Aging Serums:
- Best for Wrinkles: SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Serum, $150
- Best PDRN Serum: Rejuran Dual Effect Ampoule, $55
- Best Retinoid: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 Serum, $56
- Best Antioxidant-Rich: Elm Biosciences A3O Elemental Serum, $135
- Best Exfoliating: Allies of Skin Mandelic Advanced Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum, $105
- Best Hydrating: Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum, $155
- Best Growth Factor Serum: Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Instafacial Growth Factor Serum, $110
Before my internal monologue spun out too far, I asked Carol Eisenstat, MD, a board-certified physician specializing in facial aesthetics, how the pros pick a lane. “The best serum is the one you’ll use daily, and that has data behind it,” she said. “When recommending a skin-care product to patients, I look for formulations that have clinical data published on them, incorporate ingredients that have a mechanism of action that makes sense, and also fit into my patients’ daily routines. The serum doesn’t have to be the most expensive or the most trendy.”
That said, some trending skin-care ingredients—including growth factor technology and exosomes—have impressed Dr. Eisenstat for how well they improve texture, firmness, and speed healing after in-office procedures. At the same time, classic anti-aging ingredients like retinoids and gentle AHAs still have a place in a modern regimen, and K-beauty serums—focused less on correction and more on barrier support—are increasingly in demand. Which formulas are the best from each category? Ahead, find the top dermatologist-approved serums for brightening, hydrating, exfoliating, and tackling other signs of aging.
Best Retinoid: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 Serum
- Why We Love It: Any dermatologist will tell you that retinoids are a staple of a solid anti-aging routine, but integrating them can be a bit nerve-wracking as they can cause sensitivity. With this formula from Medik8, you’ve no need to worry, as it’s a fantastic foray into the category, says Dr. Reszko. “It delivers the smoothing, brightening benefits of vitamin A with minimal irritation, making it ideal for beginners,” she explains. This product gets its power from 0.01% retinal, a form of the active that’s stronger than retinol yet weaker than prescription retinoids. Once your skin has acclimated to this gentle formula, you can move on to the next serum in the Crystal Retinal collection—it’s available in six progressive potencies to help you maximize this critical step in your anti-aging regimen.
- Editor’s Experience: “I recommend this to anyone who asks me which retinoid to try. What I like most is that you can choose between five potency levels—opting for the one that suits your tolerance and skin goals. I’ve been using Retinal 3 for a while now—a level that hasn’t caused any purging or irritation. Since incorporating, my skin feels bouncy, smooth, and luminous. What more could I ask for?” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
- Key Ingredients: 0.01% retinal, squalane, sodium hyaluronate
- Best For: Fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture and tone
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best for Wrinkles: SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Anti-Wrinkle Peptide Serum
- Why We Love It: Inspired by the results of neurotoxins, this SkinCeuticals serum is clinically proven to target and smooth areas that treatments like Botox and Daxxify can (like crow’s feet and glabellar lines), as well as spots that injectable wrinkle reducers can’t address (cheek folds and marionette lines). The blend of neuropeptides, antioxidants, and gentle exfoliant gluconolactone is an easy, needle-free way to leave skin looking smoother and more radiant. “It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a professional-grade formula that delivers visible results without irritation,” says Dr. Yadav.
- Editor’s Experience: “I began using the SkinCeuticals P-Tiox Serum roughly four months after my last set of neuromodulator injections—which I’d gotten around my forehead, between my brows (in the glabellar muscles), and around my crow’s feet—and their effects had begun to wear off. When my face was at rest, my skin looked line-free in all of those areas, and my crow’s feet were noticeably less exaggerated when I smiled. What was impressive, however, was the more immediate change in my skin texture. I have oily skin with breakouts and the dark spots that often follow, and I saw that my typically large pores looked less noticeable after just several days of using the serum. My skin looked smoother too—not necessarily in terms of wrinkles, but in its overall consistency and feel—and my hyperpigmentation appeared less noticeable.” —Deanna Pai, contributor (read Pai’s full review of the SkinCeuticals P-Tiox serum here)
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, gluconolactone
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, uneven texture, mature skin
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best Exosome Serum: Plated Skin Science Intense Serum
- Why We Love It: The buzz around regenerative skincare isn’t dying down, and exosomes are one of the most coveted ingredients in the rising category. Relatively new to U.S.—though they’ve been used in Korean treatments for years—“Exosomes are especially notable for their regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties, making them valuable in enhancing the skin’s natural repair processes,” double-board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Eunice Park previously told Vogue. Plated Skin Science’s formula is one Dr. Eisenstat recommends: “More and more for patients who want to see an improvement in their skin quality,” she says. “Its technology is designed to harness platelet-derived exosomes, which increase the skin’s natural healing process. This makes it a great option to incorporate after laser treatments or microneedling, but it also helps to create healthier skin overall.” Nikki Glaser is such a fan of the product, she won’t let a single drop go to waste—no joke.
- Key Ingredients: Platelet-derived exosomes, hyaluronic acid, antioxidant blend
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, uneven tone, radiance
- Size: 15 ml
Best PDRN Serum: Rejuran Dual Effect Ampoule
- Why We Love It: Designed to target firmness and elasticity, Rejuran’s multitasking serum is infused with c-PDRN—the buzzy, salmon DNA-derived ingredient said to rejuvenate aging skin. “In clinical and experimental settings, [PDRN] is believed to work by activating adenosine A2A receptors—helping calm inflammation, stimulate new blood vessel formation, and support the skin’s natural processes of healing and collagen renewal,” Babak Azizzadeh, MD, board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, previously explained. Fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested, this gentle formula also contains adenosine for elasticity, trehalose for moisture, and squalane to strengthen the skin barrier.
- Key Ingredients: DOT Double PDRN, adenosine, trehalose, squalane
- Best For: Firmness and elasticity, overall skin health
- Size: 1.01 fl oz
Best Antioxidant-Rich: Elm Biosciences A3O Elemental Serum
- Why We Love It: Every day, our skin encounters invisible assailants known as free radicals—unstable molecules caused by exposure to blue light from your devices, UV from the sun, and pollutants like smog and smoke. Antioxidants play defense against these pesky free radicals, making them skin-care must-haves; in this formula, you’ll get them via the proprietary A3O complex. “It acts like a daily environmental shield, keeping skin balanced and luminous even on stressful days,” says Dr. Reszko. A3O combines acetyl zingerone, a ginger-derived antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, with plant-based retinol alternative (and fellow antioxidant) bakuchiol to provide comprehensive protection against daily damage without any sensitivity.
- Editor’s Experience: “Whether I’m having a no-makeup morning or doing my full beauty routine, this serum always makes the cut. It gives my complexion a luminous, filter-like appearance immediately, yet it disappears into my skin—it never pills, no matter how many products I choose to layer on top. The more consistently I use it, the happier I am with my skin quality and tone. Not only does this serum fade the stubborn redness I have around my nose, it just makes me look more awake and healthy.” —Emily Orofino, contributor
- Key Ingredients: Acetyl zingerone, bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, blue tansy, squalane
- Best For: Uneven texture and tone, redness, dry skin, fine lines
- Size: 1.35 fl. oz.
Best Brightening: Arencia Vitamin C Booster Shot
- Why We Love It: One of Vogue’s niacinamide serums for smoother, bouncier skin, this brightening formula has a plush, creamy texture—and an ingredient list that dermatologists approve of. “The inclusion of glutathione alongside vitamin C is a powerful combination that can help support antioxidant protection and brighten the appearance of skin,” board-certified dermatologist Lauren Moy, MD, previously told Vogue. Though its primary ingredient is vitamin C, the addition of niacinamide and glutathione contributes to “a more balanced approach to treating dullness and pigmentation,” Dr. Moy says.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, allantoin, ascorbic acid (10ppm), glutathione, panthenol, tocopherol
- Best For: Antioxidant protection, brightening, dullness, hyperpigmentation
- Size: 2 oz.
Best Exfoliating: Allies of Skin Mandelic Advanced Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum
- Why We Love It: Mandelic acid, a gentle AHA that provides anti-aging benefits for all skin types, is the star ingredient of this exfoliating salve. “This brightening serum also contains lactic acid, salicylic acid, and bakuchiol to reduce the appearance of pores and diminish the appearance of uneven skin tone,” double board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, previously told Vogue, adding that the product is best used sparingly and intentionally. Due to its cocktail of exfoliants, this is a more intensive treatment—and those with supersensitive skin should proceed with caution. However, those who can tolerate the product find it a well-rounded solution for both dullness and discoloration.
- Key Ingredients: 11% mandelic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, 1% bakuchiol, brighteners, antioxidants, peptides
- Best For: Dullness and discoloration
- Size: 1.01 oz
Best Hydrating: Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum
- Why We Love It: Chanel’s effervescent serum is the bubbliest path to smooth, plump skin at any age. “What makes this serum special is its micro-bubble technology,” board-certified physician assistant Paula Brezavscek previously said. “Each tiny bubble holds camellia extract and oil, keeping the ingredients fresh until you apply it. The bubbles burst on contact with your skin for a rejuvenating release of intense nourishment that penetrates deeper into the skin for deeper penetration.”
- Key Ingredients: Micro-bubbles, hyaluronic acid, white camellia extracts, blue ginger extracts
- Best For: Hydration, strengthening the skin barrier, rebalancing the complexion
- Size: 1 fl oz, 1.7 fl oz
Best Growth Factor Serum: Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Instafacial Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum
- Why We Love It: Don’t be put off by the eerie reddish hue of this serum—it’s likely a nod to the “vampire facial,” a treatment powered by platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the inspiration behind the formula. It’s packed with lab-engineered peptides that mimic human growth factors and stimulate PRP to help rejuvenate the skin. “It brings an in-office feel to your at-home routine, helping to firm, smooth, and restore radiance for that post-facial glow without the appointment,” says Dr. Reszko. That said, this face serum can be used post-procedure to max out the benefits of any in-office treatment too.
- Key Ingredients: Growth factor peptides, collagen peptides, sodium hyaluronate
- Best For: Skin laxity, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture and tone, discoloration, mature skin
- Size: 0.5 fl. oz.
Best Firming: Alastin Skincare Restorative Skin Complex
- Why We Love It: Vogue’s top peptide serum for collagen stimulation contains the patented TriHex Technology, which blends signaling and structural peptides. “Signal peptides essentially tell the skin to make more collagen and other structural proteins that help keep skin looking firm and resilient,” Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, previously explained. Carol Eisenstat, MD, a board-certified physician at Line Eraser MD in New Jersey, is partial to this particular peptide complex. “I love this product as a total skin rejuvenation serum to recommend to patients,” she says. “It helps support the skin’s extracellular matrix and improve elasticity. It also works incredibly well with your favorite in-office procedure.”
- Key Ingredients: L-Ornithine, Hexapeptide 38, TriHex Technology
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, tone and texture, hydration and elasticity, volume and laxity
- Size: 1 fl oz
Best for Uneven Skin: Goop Beauty Youth-Boost Peptide Serum
- Why We Love It: Gwyneth Paltrow, who developed this formula with renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Julius Few, uses the cushiony serum alongside her retinol. The peptide-rich blend gives Paltrow’s vitamin A routine: “A plump, hydrating finish,” she once told Vogue. Designed as an all-around salve for key signs of aging—including firmness, elasticity, and volume loss—the formula contains black tea ferment and niacinamide to promote a more even, radiant complexion.
- Editor’s Experience: “Now that I’m 46, I’m trying to stack my morning routine with more products to protect my (increasingly precious) collagen. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been following my SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic with Goop’s Youth-Boost Duo, which pairs this serum with a complementary NAD+ peptide cream. Both have a cocooning texture that makes me feel pampered before I’ve finished my morning coffee, and I’ve been looking a little fresher by the time my first meeting of the day rolls around.” —Jenny Berg, contributor
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, microalgae, black tea ferment, niacinamide, Bifidus postbiotics, ceramides, Safflower oleosomes, dragon’s blood
- Best For: Firming and lifting, smoothing wrinkles, evening skin tone, refining texture, targeting dullness
- Size: 1.0 fl oz
Best Multipurpose: Eighth Day Regenerative Serum
- Why We Love It: Founded by board-certified dermatologist and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Antony Nakhla, Eighth Day specializes in high-performance formulas that streamline an anti-aging skincare routine by targeting multiple concerns at once. In the Regenerative Serum, the patented Peptide-Rich Plasma—made with bioidentical peptides, amino acids, and growth factors—supports the skin’s natural repair processes and targets multiple signs of aging. (Fine lines and wrinkles, loss of volume—gang’s all here.) Vogue editors have found it particularly effective at brightening dark spots, and makeup artist Dani Kimiko Vincent considers it a must-have. “The first time I used it, I saw my inflamed skin calm down,” she previously said. “I kept using it, and within the first week, I saw tightening around my neck and refined pores.”
- Key Ingredients: Peptide-Rich Plasma, nonapeptide-1, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, GABA
- Best For: Fine lines and wrinkles, loss of volume, firmness, elasticity
- Size: 0.5 oz
Best for Sensitive Skin: Symbiome The Answer Reparative Serum
- Why We Love It: Made with 50% stem-cell-conditioned media—including peptides, growth factors, exosomes, and cytokines—Symbiome’s Repairative Serum helps address dark spots, wrinkles, and skin laxity. Derived from human-fat stem cells, its core ingredients help promote collagen production and speed wound healing while offering innate anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Editor’s Experience: “I sought out this serum to help my skin recover from a recent laser treatment, and boy, am I obsessed. What initially drew me to it is the impressively minimal ingredient list, packed to the brim with many of anti-aging’s superstar ingredients. Despite its potency, it’s shockingly gentle. The texture is almost cooling, sinking into skin with ease.” —K.M.
- Key Ingredients: Stem cell conditioned media, lactobacillus ferment, caesalpinia spinosa gum, geranium leaf oil, breu resin
- Best For: Mature, dry, and sensitive skin
- Size: 30 ml
Best K-Beauty Serum: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum
- Why We Love It: Long before it became a K-beauty darling, ginseng was used in traditional herbal medicine. Sulwhasoo, the luxury Korean skin-care brand, is credited as the first to use the antioxidant-rich ingredient in cosmetics. Its proprietary Ginsenomics uses an ultra-concentrated ginseng extract to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce inflammation, and it’s the kind of ingredient that “you can build a routine around,” Michelle Lee, chief marketing officer of K Beauty World, once said. Why is that? “Ginseng supports microcirculation, helps defend against environmental stressors, and may assist in collagen preservation,” board-certified dermatologist Jane Yoo, MD, has said. The ingredient is featured here in a fast-absorbing formula that also contains firming Ginseng Peptide, ginseng capsules with retinol, and radiance-boosting niacinamide.
- Key Ingredients: Ginsenomics, Ginseng Peptide, ginseng capsules with retinol
- Best For: Fine lines, fitness, moisture, improving skin texture
- Size: 0.5 oz, 1 oz, 1.7 oz
Best Oil Serum: Aesop Resolute Facial Concentrate
- Why We Love It: From its Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash—scented with essential oils of vetiver root, petitgrain, and bergamot—to its hand balms made with botanical oils, Aesop delivers products that pamper the skin and the nose. Launched in early 2026, the Aussie brand’s first retinoid serum pairs Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) with a silky oil-serum and a cedar scent. Recommended for more sensitive skin types, HPR requires fewer conversions on the skin than other forms of vitamin A, and is less likely to irritate. In this concentrate, it works with complementary ingredients, including squalane and vitamin E, to target fine lines, uneven skin tone, and loss of firmness.
- Editor’s Experience: “For years, my go-to retinoid has been Dr. Julius Few’s, but now and then, I sneak in a little tryst with this. Its gossamer texture and grounding scent make it a sensorial delight; and by the next morning, my skin looks smooth and bright. If you really want to add to the experience and feel like you’re doing your skincare at a mountain spa, light up a stick of woody Aesop incense (I like the hinoki-cinnamon Murasaki) to accompany your routine.” —J.B.
- Key Ingredients: Retinoid, cedar atlas, squalane
- Best For: Surface renewal, smoothing and strengthening the skin, sensitive skin
- Size: 0.8 oz
Everything You Need to Know
What do dermatologists recommend for aging skin?
When it comes to caring for aging skin, dermatologists recommend a comprehensive and consistent approach—one that combines skin care with healthy habits. Both our experts agree that the most important step in an anti-aging skin-care routine is SPF. “UV exposure is the biggest external cause of premature aging,” explains Dr. Yadav. “Using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day helps prevent fine lines, pigmentation, and loss of firmness.” You’ll also want to protect your skin with free-radical-fighting antioxidants, promote cellular turnover through gentle exfoliation, and support your skin barrier.
Beyond topical treatments, you’ll want to closely consider your daily routine. “A balanced diet, adequate sleep, stress management, and not smoking all play key roles in preserving skin vitality,” says Dr. Reszko.
Ingredients to look for in anti-aging serums
The sheer volume of serums in the anti-aging category can make shopping feel overwhelming, but you can narrow down your search to formulas that include these types of active ingredients—they’ll provide the most benefit to aging skin.
Antioxidants: “You’ll also want a strong dose of antioxidants to protect against environmental stress and keep your complexion glowing,” explains Dr. Reszko. These ingredients help combat the damaging effects of free radicals while supporting skin-barrier function. Some antioxidants to look for include vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, and niacinamide.
Retinoids: Often referred to as the gold standard in anti-aging by dermatologists, retinoids like prescription-strength tretinoin, OTC retinal (a.k.a. retinaldehyde), and retinol are derivatives of vitamin A that work by stimulating collagen production, which helps improve texture and reduce wrinkles, according to Dr. Yadav.
Exfoliating Acids: Ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids and polyhydroxy acids help slough away dead cells on the skin’s surface that make skin look dull and uneven, promoting a fresher, more radiant complexion. “For anyone dealing with redness or uneven tone, azelaic acid is a multitasking hero that calms irritation while brightening,” adds Dr. Reszko. The other acid, beta-hydroxy acid—otherwise known as salicylic acid—is excellent as well, though its better suited to prevent and diminish blemishes.
Growth Factors: Your body naturally produces growth factors, a type of protein, to stimulate collagen production and promote wound healing for healthier-looking skin. Growth factor serums may contain human-derived or synthetic growth factors, or lab-made peptides that have been engineered to function like growth factors to help firm and smooth skin.
Peptides: Peptides are short chains of amino acids (the building blocks of protein, as you may recall from middle-school science classes) that can have multiple functions. There are peptides that can help hydrate skin, promote collagen synthesis to firm and lift, or brighten uneven tone. Some peptide serums even act similarly to injectable neurotoxins, though they’re not as powerful as an in-office treatment.
When should you start using an anti-aging serum?
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies here: Staving off signs of aging in your mid to late 20s or early 30s, when your collagen production naturally starts to slow down, will go a long way towards preserving a youthful quality to your skin. “Think of it as a preventative step that helps maintain the skin’s structure and delay the onset of fine lines, rather than trying to correct them later,” explains Dr. Yadav. If you’re not yet seeing concerns like dullness, fine lines, or discoloration, Dr. Reszko recommends prioritizing antioxidants and hydration. However, those noticing texture changes—or spent a lot of time in the sun without SPF in your younger years—may want to start incorporating retinoids, peptides, and exfoliating acids sooner rather than later.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to anti-aging serums, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, packaging, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Anetta Reszko is a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
- Dr. Geeta Yadav is a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto.
- Carol Eisenstat, MD is a board-certified physician at Line Eraser MD in New Jersey.