14 Best Anti-Aging Serums That Really Work, Tested by Beauty Scientists

What made it a winner: This drugstore value No7 serum came out on top of our Lab's previous anti-aging serum test thanks to a combination of hero anti-aging ingredients including peptides, retinyl palmitate, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C. In Lab assessment with the Visia Complexion Analyzer, it received perfect scores for improving skin texture and reducing the look of pores. The serum also boosted firmness by 21% in four weeks per measurements with the Cutometer device.

Testers said: "Within the first 10 days, my wrinkles were less visible," one commented. Another agreed, saying "the skin on my face and neck appears smoother and pores and wrinkles are less noticeable." A 66-year old tester reported: "My skin looks younger." Note that some users experienced irritation likely due to the retinoid in the product.

What made it a winner: This serum from Dr. Dennis Gross was notable for measurably improving the look of our testers’ pores. Our Visia images showed a 9.8% reduction in the appearance of pores after four weeks of use. One-hundred percent of our testers agreed that this gentle serum didn’t cause them irritation, and they also loved its pleasant consistency and how it hydrated and softened their skin.

This serum contains pore-refining niacinamide along with soothing ectoin and hydrating hyaluronic acid to temporarily plump up fine lines. However, many of our testers didn’t see significant improvements to their wrinkles during our test.

Testers said: “My skin feels smoother to the touch,” one tester noted. Another said, “I like how soft and supple this serum made my skin feel.” One tester over 65 shared, “my skin looked healthy and radiant” after using the serum.

What made it a winner: If uneven skin tone is your concern, consider this Dermalogica serum that diminished red and brown spots for our testers in Visia photos. Most of our testers also agreed that they noticed brighter skin. Visia data also showed an improvement in skin texture.

The serum’s brightening and smoothing effects come courtesy of gently exfoliators pumpkin enzyme and lactic acid. Keep in mind that some testers felt that the serum took a while to absorb and could leave skin slightly tacky.

Testers said: One tester raved, “with continued use my skin had a brighter appearance and firmer texture.” Another noticed her “skin took on a polished look and texture” while a third said “it noticeably brightened and improved my skin.”

What made it a winner: This serum made our testers’ skin measurably smoother: according to Visia data, this serum improved texture by an average of 3.3%. Our testers loved how easy this serum was to use thanks to its lightweight texture and push-button dropper that dispenses the perfect amount.

Many testers commented on this formula’s bright blue color, which comes from copper peptide, a trending peptide that has some benefits for skin. The serum also contains the antioxidant glutathione and the skin-supporting emollient squalane. This serum is not fragranced, and some testers said they didn’t like how the formula smelled at first, but that they became accustomed to it.

Testers said: “It made my skin noticeably plumper and it reduced the fine lines around my eyes” one tester raved, while another said “my skin feels softer and more hydrated.” On the packaging, one tester noted, “the dropper made it easy to get the right amount without any waste.”

What made it a winner: Replenish depleted skin and bring bounce back to it with this powerful GH Beauty Award-winning PCA Skin serum, an advanced formula made with growth factors, four types of peptides, and hyaluronic acid. In Lab assessment over four weeks of use, 100% of testers found that the serum effectively hydrated and softened their skin and was easy to dispense and apply.

It also earned the highest score for leaving skin feeling firmer and not causing redness or irritation. One drawback: While it doesn't contain added fragrance, a handful of testers found its natural scent polarizing.

Testers said: “It helped remedy some rough texture on my face and make it smoother," one revealed. Another raved, “I’ve never tested a product that actually tightened my skin before—will pay the price to buy this!”

What made it a winner: The gold standard age-fighting ingredient retinol joins forces with brightening antioxidant vitamin C and clarifying azelaic acid in this GH Beauty Lab test-winning Matter of Fact formula. The serum received top marks for visibly boosting skin’s radiance and firmness and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles in four weeks.

Testers said: Though a few users reported experiencing irritation and dryness, several noted that their skin appeared brighter after using it: “I looked at my before-and-after pictures and was amazed that my skin was brighter and smoother afterward,” a tester enthused.

What made it a winner: To minimize lines and soften skin at the same time, turn to this Biossance serum, a GH Beauty Lab test winner infused with a trifecta of proven skin plumpers (squalane, hyaluronic acid, and ectoin) that leave the complexion “silky smooth.” It got the best rating for reducing the look of wrinkles over the test period and having an unobtrusive smell.

The formula also scored well on several other attributes, including boosting hydration, having a pleasant consistency, and not inflaming skin. (Note that the dual-phase liquid should be shaken before application to disperse the ingredients.)

Testers said: “This made a visible difference in my skin; my lines appear smoother, even the deep wrinkle between my eyebrows,” one raved. “I like it so much that I’ve already bought another bottle so I won’t run out!”

What made it a winner: Boost your beauty rest with Fresh’s GH Beauty Award-winning milky serum, which exfoliates with glycolic acid so you wake up with silkier skin. The combination of acids in the formula can also help clarify, making this ideal for oily or acne-prone skin.

Testers said: In a clinical study, testers’ skin texture was 23% smoother after one application and over time, they saw fewer dark spots and more radiance. The formula should be applied sparingly due to the acid content and may be too strong for those with sensitive skin.

What made it a winner: Wrinkles can be tough to tackle with topical skincare, but this Skinceuticals formula delivered measurable results in the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging serum test. The niacinamide formulation was the best at reducing the look of lines and wrinkles—lessening their appearance by 5% over four weeks. It also rated highly with testers for brightening and firming skin, and 100% found that it didn't irritate.

Testers said: They praised the "almost immediate" fine line improvement: "I was shocked by the plumpness of my skin the next day," one said. "One of the best products I've ever used," another raved. Some shoppers wished for different packaging, noting a fair amount left over that the pump cannot reach and dispense.

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What made it a winner: With an innovative water-like formula, this GH Beauty Award winner Innisfree serum delivers the gold standard texture-refining ingredient retinol along with nourishers like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide and the soothing herb cica to keep even reactive complexions balanced. It proved to be effective on even sensitive and redness-prone skin in Beauty Lab assessments.

Testers said: “My skin was clearer, brighter, softer, and smoother with no discomfort," one tester said. A caveat: Some found it was a bit drying to their skin and the bottle contains a small amount of product.

What made it a winner: RoC's antioxidant serum, a GH Beauty Award winner, is blended with star brightener vitamin C balanced by emollient castor oil and glycerin. GH Beauty Lab data evaluation revealed that after four weeks of once-daily use, 100% of testers had brighter skin in an expert assessment.

Testers said: An impressive 94% of testers found that their skin tone was visibly more even. Some reported skin reactions likely due to the vitamin C in the formula, which can be irritating to sensitive skin.

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What made it a winner: Lightweight yet heavy-hitting, Murad's serum is formulated with two types of retinoids—ingredients known to increase skin's elasticity over time. It performed well in GH Beauty Lab tests, increasing skin firmness by 24% in Cutometer measurements and reducing the appearance of fine lines in four weeks.

Testers said: They reported that it brightened skin and liked the subtle scent; a few testers noted temporary discomfort after application, however. Overall, users praised the visible results: "I noticed my skin looked more toned, brown spots seem faded, and wrinkles reduced," one commented.

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