8 Best Serums For Mature Skin Of 2024, Tested By Dermatologists


8 Best Serums For Mature Skin Of 2024, Tested By Dermatologists

And unlike heavier creams that may not be appropriate for all skin types, serums can be tailored to different complexions and work seamlessly with other products, offering flexibility in layering while addressing concerns in an efficient way, Dr. Kopelman adds.

Sounds pretty good, right?

What to consider

The number of serums that have hit the market over the past ten years is staggering, so it would come as no surprise to me if you were having trouble selecting the best one for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re shopping.

Key ingredients

Anti-aging serums can be extremely effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and even slowing their onset—as long as they contain the right ingredients, says Stacey Tull, MD, a dermatologist at St. Charles County Dermatologic Surgery in St Peters, Missouri. Most skin types—even the most sensitive—can tolerate nourishing peptides and hydrating hyaluronic acid, says Dr. Tull.

If your skin can handle more powerful actives, look for ingredients that repair (with antioxidants like vitamin C and niacinamide) and build collagen (using retinol or retinol alternatives like bakuchiol and human-derived growth factors can increase elasticity by doing just that), says Margarita Lolis, MD, is a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. And all of our experts agree that no serum can do it’s job effectively if you’re not using sunscreen—and some serums are even incorporating SPF into their formulas.

Skin type

“The serum you choose should complement your skin type, whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin,” says Dr. Lolis. For those with acne-prone skin, she recommends non-comedogenic (translation: won’t clog pores) serums with ingredients that can soothe irritation and redness, like niacinamide. “Also, patients with rosacea or just generally sensitive skin should be careful using retinols and potential allergens such as fragrances and parabens.”

For those with dry skin, hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid-based serums can do wonders for restoring a smoother texture and a supple glow.

How we chose

The Women’s Health beauty team spends 365 days a year testing skincare products, including the best serums for mature skin. For this story, the team, including me (beauty contributor Brigitt Earley) and associate commerce editor Lily Wohlner, consulted four dermatologists and WH beauty director Brian Underwood (who’s tested more serums than he can count) for their picks for the best serums to address the visible signs of aging. Then, we put those formulas to the test for a year to narrow the list down to these eight top performers.

From retinol serums to best vitamin C serums, our picks run the gamut—we even have a drugstore favorite that will get you big results for less than $35. Let’s get started.

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