Why a serum for the face? It’s the workhorse of any skincare routine. No matter what skin issue you’re trying to address, the serums are faster, go deeper and are more concentrated.
Not sure where to start? The Dermatology Review has reviewed hundreds of products with a scientific lens to ensure you’re creating a skincare regimen that’s safe, clean and effective.
A Summary of The Clean, Natural, Face Serums
Best Face Serums of 2025
BEST OVERALL
BEST NIGHT SERUM: Carrot and Stick Repair Serum
Apply this anti-aging serum daily to keep skin hydrated and protected from free radical damage. The Repair Serum by Carrot & Stick helps lift, tighten and firm the look of skin thanks to seven plant-based neuropeptides, while synthesized growth factors help keep skin looking radiant. It’s the best anti-aging serum for 30s — and beyond.
BEST DAY SERUM Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum
It contains 3 distinct types of vitamin c that work together to help fight free radical damage. Use every morning.
We recommend Day and Night Routine or Complete Collection as it bundles both serums in a routine.
FULL LIST
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum
This silky serum glides onto the skin and has a refreshing, citrusy scent. Ole Henriksen’s Truth Serum is spiked with skin-brightening vitamin C, as well as collagen to help firm skin and leave it looking more luminous. Aloe juice and green tea extract nourish and hydrate.
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum
Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Radiance Serum harnesses the power of viniferine, which is derived from grapevine sap and is believed to be a brightening powerhouse. The oil-free, lightweight formula sinks into the skin and tackles dark spots, acne scars, and other forms of discoloration. Skin is left nourished and soothed thanks to olive squalane, organic chamomile, and organic grape water.
Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum
This clean beauty brand is an Instagram favorite, and its devoted fans say it helps leave skin look and feel softer and smoother. The serum is formulated with 10% vegan lactic acid made from sustainably sourced sugar, which helps exfoliate the skin, clover to add moisture boost, and hydrating squalane.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
The star ingredient in this cult favorite face serum is skin-brightening vitamin C. It’s formulated with 15% L-ascorbic acid along with ferulic acid to give the skin a from-within glow. Pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract help dissolve dead skin cells, while a version of hyaluronic acid adds a moisture boost.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the best serum is Carrot and Stick Repair Serum. Followed by Carrot & Stick’s The Defence Serum.
We recommend Day and Night Routine or Complete Collection as it bundles both serums in a routine.
A facial serum is the workhorse of any routine. No matter what skin issue you’re trying to address, the best face serum can help.
While you may be looking specifically for a face serum for women or a face serum for men, the reality is, a well-formulated product that contains evidence-based ingredients is not gender-specific. When choosing a facial serum, it’s about taking your skin type and concerns into consideration.
Many serums are multi-taskers, addressing more than one skin issue. They’re suitable for any age (prevention is essential) but can be especially helpful for those with older, more mature skin.
Serums do tend to be pricey, but they last for a long time; if you break down a bottle into a per-use cost, the sticker shock is softened. Another way to think about the price is that serums are highly potent, so you’re getting a lot of ingredients for your money.
When shopping for the best serum, look for ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, vitamins C and E, glycolic acid, retinol, and peptides.
What’s the best face serum, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below!
FAQs
Most face serums are safe to be applied twice daily — morning and night — but just make sure to read the instructions on the package first. Some face serums are better in the a.m. versus the p.m. and vice versa.
Most dermatologists and estheticians suggest prioritizing your skincare routine (a face serum included) around the age of 25 — a few years before you have to start thinking about collagen and elastin depletion and increased dryness, both of which lead to the signs of aging skin.
Sometimes, a serum’s liquid or gel-like texture can be a poor choice for skin conditions like rosacea or eczema because they weaken the skin’s barrier. Since serums penetrate quickly and deeply, they could cause further irritation. A rich moisturizer is a better match in this case.Also, powerful serum ingredients can irritate sensitive skin, so always conduct a patch test first — especially when combining face serums that contain acids along with other acid-containing products (think vitamin C and retinol.)
To allow serums to absorb fully, wait approximately five minutes before applying your moisturizer. You’ll know if a face serum is well-formulated if it absorbs quickly and disappears into your skin.
There’s no such thing as a one-sized face serum. How well a facial serum works depends on the formulation. You’ll find experts who believe that price doesn’t matter either. It’s all about the quality of ingredients and their concentration.
You’re investing in the best face serum, so you want to get the most out of it, right?
Cleanse Thoroughly: While it should go without saying, start with a clean canvas before applying your serum. After washing your face, rinse with tepid — not hot or cold water. Hot water could inhibit the absorption of the face serum, while cold water will close pores, making it more difficult to penetrate.If you don’t typically wash your face in the morning (and assuming you don’t sleep with your makeup on), at least make sure you’re sweeping a cotton pad saturated with micellar water, essence, or toner suitable for your skin type.
Damp Skin Versus Dry: Many experts say that applying a face serum to damp skin can increase its efficiency up to ten times. While this is true, this rule does not apply to all ingredients like actives such as vitamin C, retinol, and exfoliating acids. In that case, wait until your face is dry before using.
Less is More: Since face serums are super concentrated, you only need a few drops — no more than the total size of one pea — for your entire face and neck. Any more product and it’s a waste of your money. Press the serum into your skin with an open palm to release active ingredients.
Wait to Moisturize: Yes, you need a face serum and a moisturizer, but wait until your serum fully absorbs (about two to three minutes) before moisturizing. A well-formulated facial will absorb quickly into your skin. If it leaves an oily or sticky residue, it’s not doing its job.
Sources:
“Cosmetic Face Serum Market Size,” Allied Market Research.
“What a Serum Can and Cannot Do,” Harvard Health Publishing.
