The 6 Best Serums for Every Skin-Care Concern

We thought we had moved on from acne, but it turns out that’s not the case. With the recent addition of bangs, we ended up with a cluster of whiteheads all over our forehead. Thankfully, this serum is clearing things up quickly using a potent blend of exfoliating extracts like willow bark and bilberry. And though it’s definitely on the pricier side, we’ve found the thin, watery texture of the serum spreads easily so you get more mileage out of each bottle.

If you’re struggling with hyperpigmentation and discoloration, we’d recommend adding some vitamin C to your routine—and not just any ol’ vitamin C, but a powder formula. The notoriously finicky ingredient is prone to destabilizing in water and sunlight, making it less effective overall. So for maximum brightening, we like to sprinkle equal parts of this powder into our oil or moisturizer to give it (and our complexion) a quick boost.

By now, you’ve probably heard the mighty tales of hyaluronic acid; that it’s a magical ingredient able to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. What you might not know is that the molecular size of HA plays a significant part in how effective it will be. Which is what makes this formula so special. Using a blend of 0.5 percent high molecular weight and 1 percent low molecular weight HA, it absorbs quickly and delivers lasting hydration. (Tip: Apply it to slightly damp skin and seal everything in with moisturizer to maximize the benefits.) 

A key ingredient that will help firm skin? Peptides. This cult serum has multiple variants of it to target multiple signs of aging (like fine lines, wrinkles and uneven texture), as well as the aforementioned hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated (which is like instant gratification for fine lines). Apply a few drops to cleansed skin every morning and evening and you’ll notice a gradual smoothness and glow. 

Whether you’ve always been sensitive to most skin-care products or you recently overdid it with an aggressive acne treatment that’s left your face red and raw, this soothing serum can help. Packed with vitamin B3 and tamanu oil (which was traditionally used to heal wounds), it brings things back to happy equilibrium.

Given the price we didn’t want to fall in love with this serum, but we did; we fell hard. For starters, the texture is similar to a very lightweight oil that melts beautifully into your skin. Then, there’s the subtle citrus scent that’s not too sweet or sticky, just uplifting. But the thing that sealed the deal for us was how it made our skin look and feel: brighter, softer, imperceptibly better somehow.