Serums are packed with active ingredients—from hyaluronic acid to vitamin C, retinol and salicylic acid. Actives can help fight wrinkles, add moisture back to the skin, fade sun spots and reduce redness, leaving your complexion looking glowy and refreshed. Here are our anti-aging picks—and remember, to get the most out of your serum, smooth it on after cleansing, but before moisturizing.
Hyaluronic acid is a main ingredient in most anti-agers, but don’t let the “acid” scare you: this one is gentle, non-irritating and very hydrating. When you combine it with antioxidants like vitamins C and E, the result is a free-radical-fighting cocktail that reduces hyperpigmentation and signs of aging, and protects against pollution and sun damage.
Niacinamide balances skin’s oil production and reduces inflammation, while salicylic acid cleanses your skin of blemish-causing buildup. Other notable ingredients in anti-agers include retinol (a.k.a. vitamin A), to calm puffiness and fine lines, and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), which reduces inflammation.
Plant-derived Bakuchiol hydrates and softens sans the sometimes harsh side effects of its closest cousin, retinol. It also plays well with the lightweight emollient squalane, which fights free radicals to promote a hydrated, calmed complexion.
