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I absolutely love to use serums in my skincare regime and if you want specific results, it’s most probably a good idea to find one that works for your skin type and skin concerns. Whether you want to improve hydration, target lines, wrinkles or dark spots, I have something here for you. Check out the Best Serums for 2023.
Do you need to use a face serum?
Serums are all about addressing specific skin concerns and are usually a lightweight formula with concentrated active ingredients designed to penetrate more deeply into the skin than a moisturiser. I think if there are certain skin concerns you wish to work on, then a moisturiser won’t be enough on its own.
You will see great benefit from layering a serum under your moisturiser when tackling issues such as dullness, fine lines and wrinkles, texture or pigmentation.
Best Serums 2023 for Dry Skin
Tatcha Dewy Skin Serum
This is a new discovery for me! I love Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Cream and the Dewy Skin Mist, but only had the opportunity to try the Dewy Skin Serum towards the end of 2022. It is so lovely and hydrating, that it literally feels like a drink of water for the skin. What’s really important is that the hydration doesn’t flash off like many serums and is formulated to be long lasting.
The lasting hydration is achieved via a big dose of Hyaluronic Acid which is locked in with Squalane. There’s also gentle AHAs and lactic acid to help remove the dead skin cells and make sure that nothing can dull that glow.
Shop it at Space NK*.
Curél Anti-Wrinkle Hydrating Serum
This is one of the newest launches from Curél and it is fantastic for boosting hydration and achieving a really smoothed out, plumped up complexion.
It has a gorgeous lightweight gel texture that spreads effortlessly across the skin and it is super calming and soothing. There’s Ceramides to deeply moisturise the skin and also ginger root extract to revitalise the skin and reduce the visible signs of ageing. It’s a lovely addition to any skincare routine.
Shop it at Boots*.
NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex
This is an absolutely amazing serum for the delivery multi-depth hydration to the skin. It includes a range of molecular sizes of Hyaluronic Acid, in fact there are a total of 15 forms of HA, HA precursors & an HA support technology, to ensure that skin is hydrated at all levels.
It has a beautiful texture that sinks into the skin effortlessly and you will notice more plumped, juicy skin very quickly.
Read NIOD MMHC2 review.
You can buy it at:
Kiehl’s Vital Skin Strengthening Serum
This serum contains Adaptogens which are big in skincare and wellness right now. Adaptogens are clever herbs help with the absorption of nutrients and utilisation of oxygen and help the body adapt to what it needs. They are particularly useful in antiaging formulas.
The texture of this serum is so beautiful. It is instantly quenching and soothing and is great for strengthening the skin barrier and promoting resilience, suppleness and plumpness. I love it because you can fit it into any regime and be sure that it won’t clash with any other active ingredients.
It sits really well under under other serums, oils or moisturisers and is just such a pleasure to use.
It is available at:
Read the full Kiehl’s Vital Skin Strengthening Serum review.
Best Serums 2023 for Sensitive Skin
Medik8 Clarity Peptides
This serum from Medik8 is a Niacinamide powerhouse which makes it amazing for sensitive skin.
There is a 10% concentration of Niacinamide in this formula which is great for calming and soothing the skin, whilst also tackling redness and blemishes. It’s also great for hyperpigmentation, so definitely one to use if you want to improve the evenness of your skin.
Shop it at:
Read about all My Favourite Medik8 Products.
La Mer The Concentrate
This icon from La Mer got an upgrade in 2021 and now has added pollution protection.
I always want this in my life because the second I have a skin issue, like redness, soreness or an eczema flare up , I use this and it fixes it. It simply works wonders for me.
It is the most amazing barrier strengthening serum, however, I mainly save it for any localised skin problems. I also use a light layer all over if my skin is feeling sensitive due to environmental factors or if an active or facial treatment has caused any kind of reaction. It soothes and calms extremely quickly.
When I have spoken about The Concentrate on social, lots of people have shared stories about how they rely on it for their Eczema, and if they have a burn, and many see it as a bit of a miracle worker.
It is available at:
Read the full La Mer The Concentrate review.
Elemis Superfood Cica Calm Hydration Juice
If you love hydrated glow, you will love this serum!
It is formulated with soothing Cica, which works to calm and refresh the skin and also floods the complexion with hydration. It uses 75% Organic Aloe and also a Prebiotic blend making it great for dehydrated or sensitive skin. This can also be used as a moisturiser but I love it as a serum step.
Shop it at:
Best Serums 2023 for Combination & Oily Skin
Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
Naturium launched in the UK at Space NK* in 2022 and it has been very well received.
The Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% is a great serum to pick up if your concern is combination and oily skin because its combination of Niacinamide and Zinc is designed to refine and purify the skin.
It is nice and hydrating and layers well under other serums and moisturisers.
Shop it at Space NK*.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Anhydrous Solution
This is a new addition to Deciem’s The Ordinary line-up and I absolutely love it.
The 2% concentration of Salicylic Acid means it’s super effective at decongesting pores and tackling any breakouts, meaning skin looks smoother and pores look smoother.
It also includes a healthy dose of Squalane as a base, which enables the the Salicylic Acid to be released slowly for gentle exfoliation, whilst maintaining optimum hydration levels in the skin. It is fab.
Read The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution Review.
You can buy it at:
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
This is a classic serum that has been consistently updated and upgraded over the years, meaning that it stays in my permanent stash of favourites.
It is super hydrating, amazing on lines, wrinkles and pores, and also brilliant if I feel like there’s a spot coming. It always seems to stop a pimple in its tracks!
You can use it day and night and it layers beautifully under other products. A staple!
You can buy it at:
Best Serums 2023 for Lines & Wrinkles
Medik8 Crystal Retinal
Crystal Retinal from Medik8 is amazing if you want to embark and continue on a Vitamin A journey.
Medik8 have formulated an ultra potent form of Vitamin A in a Crystal Retinal programme. There’s a whole system to introduce your skin to retinoids and then increase levels to ensure that performance never plateaus and always progresses. I use Crystal Retinal 3, which is a starter strength, a couple of times per week.
If I didn’t test loads of other products, I’d more quickly move up to number 6, and then keep moving up the ranks. Read more about Medik8 in my favourite Medik8 products post.
Shop Crystal Retinal at:
Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily micro-dose serum
This is a clever Retinol because the formula has been designed to deliver the active ingredient in small doses over time, to avoid overloading the skin. It means that it doesn’t cause any dryness or irritation often associated with retinols.
You can buy it at:
If you want to step up from this serum, Kiehl’s launched a high strength version in the second half of 2022.
Kiehl’s Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing 0.3% Night Serum
The new Kiehl’s Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing 0.3% Night Serum is a more targeted form of retinol with a fast action for faster skin renewal. If you already use Retinol, this is a great one to move up to.
You can buy it at:
Bioeffect EGF Serum
This is one of those serums that I think everyone will see skin improvement with. Bioeffect’s barley-based EGF acts as a signalling protein to communicate with cells and tell them to start repairing.
It has an interesting light oil texture and you literally only need 2 or 3 drops. I love the way it spreads over my skin, instantly hydrating and firming. This is one of my favourite ever serums!
You can buy it at:
Best Serums 2023 for Dull Skin
Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum
Having fallen in love with Tatcha’s Violet-C Radiance Mask*, I was desperate to try the matching Brightening Serum and I was not disappointed!
This serum packs a true brightening punch with 20% vitamin C and 10% AHAs. There are 2 forms of Vitamin C which work on hyperpigmentation, dark spots and discolouration, and mild fruit acids help to resurface and smooth.
It has a beautiful light texture that sinks into the skin effortlessly. And whilst it’s pretty concentrated, it doesn’t sensitise my skin at all.
Buy it at Space NK*.
Goldfaden MD Radiance Repair Daily Renewal Serum
This is such a beautiful serum that recently launched from Goldfaden MD. If you love a hydrating glow, you will absolutely adore this.
The texture of this serum is lovely. The formula is packed with ingredients for fortifying, firming and energising the skin, including Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Plant Stem Cells (edelweiss), Baobab Oil (high in Vitamin C), Niacinamide, Vitamin C-rich Raspberry Seed oil and Bakuchiol Extract.
It uses ‘reverse emulsion technology’ to ensure your skin is receiving all the nutrients it needs to fortify and strengthen the natural lipid barrier. It provides a cushiony barrier to protect the skin which is nourishing enough that you could skip moisturiser if you wanted to.
The instant glow makes it completely addictive!
You can buy it at:
Best Serums 2023 for Uneven Skin Tone & Texture
Medik8 Liquid Peptides
This is one of my favourite ever serums because it does so much. It’s firming, plumping, hydrating and great for building strength in the skin. As soon as you apply it you see an instant smoothness to the skin. It’s fabulous!
It’s the kind of serum you can slot into any routine if you want to give your skin a real strengthening, firming boost.
Buy it at:
Origins Plantscription Multi-Powered Youth Serum
This is another of my top favourites because it is such a brilliant multi-tasker.
It is super hydrating and is also packed with Niacinamide that helps to smooth pores and generally brighten skin tone. It leaves my skin plumped up, super juicy and lines are smoothed and softened. Plus it’s fabulous under makeup.
You can buy it at:
Best Serums 2023 for Mature, Menopausal Skin
If you have mature skin, then definitely check out my recommendations in this post for dry skin, and also the one for lines and wrinkles. However, here are a couple of recommendation designed specifically for menopausal skin.
Vichy Neovadiol Meno 5 Serum
I absolutely love this serum and think it would actually work very well for all skin types.
It’s super light, almost like an essence, and it sinks into the skin effortlessly and feels super calming, soothing and intensely hydrating.
It has been designed to address the five key visible signs of menopause on the skin which include dryness, dullness, uneven skin tone and texture, and loss of firmness.
It includes proxylane, niacinamide, Vitamins C and E, glycolic acid and skin-nourishing omegas 6-9. It is so light that it slots perfectly under any other serum or moisturiser I choose. have used 2 bottles!
Buy it at:
No7 Menopause Skincare Instant Radiance Serum
This is part of a whole collection from Boots. This serum comes with a cooling roller which is great if your skin is feeling hot.
The formula contains peptides, lipids and ceramide, boosted with Hyaluronic Acid.
Shop at Boots*.
Best Luxury Serums for 2023
Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
I have love this serum for a long time, and in 2021 it got a brilliant upgrade to make it even better!
It now uses ImuGenerationRED and Lifeblood Technology that boosts skin immunity plus a powerhouse blend of antioxidant ingredients. The new formula delivers increased visible radiance to skin in 3 days so if you like quick results, this could be the one for you!
It’s a great one to slot into any skincare regime if you need a boost. I finished my bottle to the very last drop. In fact, a bottle of Ultimune is sold every 7 seconds!
You can buy it at:
Sisley Sisleya L’Integral Radiance Anti-Dark Spot Serum
This serum is pretty pricey but it delivers the most amazing radiance that lasts all day. Loads of products give an instant glow, but this glow stays put for hours and hours which is super impressive!
The formula uses a triple pronged approach for renewing the skin. Lansium extract, a new Sisley key ingredient works on dark spots alongside Hexylresorcinol, to fade hyperpigmentation day by day.
There is also a mineral complex designed to brighten and refresh the complexion, while soy peptides combined with Adenosine work on luminosity and smoothness.
Oat extract helps to soothe and comfort the skin. The serum has a beautiful light gel-serum texture that sinks into the skin effortlessly. You can’t feel it but you can really see the glow.
You can buy it at:
Kate Somerville Kateceuticals Firming Serum
This is a brilliant serum for really strengthening the skin and boosting collagen production.
It uses a tri-peptide complex to firm, Hyaluronic Acid to intensely hydrate, Nasturtium Flower to plump and Pea Extract to boost radiance.
It has a wonderful texture that works to increase firmness and elasticity with brilliant results for both fine lines and deeper wrinkles.
Read about the KateCeuticals collection.
You can buy it at:
Best Budget Serums for 2023
Vichy Mineral 89
This is the most amazing hydrator with a simple ingredients list that will slot in as ‘step zero’ into any skincare regime.
It contains 89% Mineralizing Water combined with Hyaluronic Acid to flood the skin with hydration.
It is a beautifully light and fast absorbing formula which instantly quenches thirsty skin and gives it a lovely plumpness. Great for sensitive skins.
Read Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster Review.
You can buy it at:
This serum boasts an excellent formulation and uses multi weight Hyaluronic Acid (low, medium and high) to ensure multi-depth hydration while B5 maintains surface hydration.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
It instantly plumps the skin and gives it a beautiful dewy look. It is best used as a first step after cleansing.
You can buy it at:
CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
This is a super gentle lightweight serum that provides 24 hour hydration and moisture to the skin.
Within the formula there are 3 Essential Ceramides combined with Hyaluronic Acid, to boost moisture levels and protect the skin barrier. It’s really easy to layer under your other skincare products and can slot into pretty much any routine.
You can buy it at:
I hope you found this guide to the best serums for 2022 helpful. You might also like to check out:
Please shout if you have any questions!
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