We tested and selected the best anti-aging serums of the year. During testing, we considered the ease of application, texture and feel, skin comfort, and effectiveness of the anti-aging serums.

Best Anti-Aging Serums of 2026

• Best Overall: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
• Best Multi-Action Anti-Aging Serum: Clarins Double Serum
• Best Luxury Anti-Aging Serum: Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum
• Best Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum: DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum
• Best Plumping Anti-Aging Serum: COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster
• Best Value Anti-Aging Serum: The Ordinary GF 15% Serum for Visible Skin Repair and Wrinkles

Best Anti-Aging Serums Comparison Table

Anti-Aging Serums	Active Ingredients	Primary Benefit(s)	Skin Types	Size	Price Per Ounce
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair	Night peptide, hyaluronic acid	Deep skin renewal	All	1 oz	$88
Clarins Double Serum	22 botanicals and 5 active molecules	Targets wrinkles, dark spots, and volume	All	1 oz	$96
Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum	Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid	Diminishes fine lines, brightens pigmentation	All	1 oz	$129
DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum	Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Cerapep® technology	Diminishes fine lines, brightens pigmentation	All	1 oz	$69
COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster	6 peptide complex	Addresses fine lines, uneven texture, loss of firmness	Sensitive skin	5.07 oz	$4.93
The Ordinary GF 15% Serum for Visible Skin Repair and Wrinkles	15% solution of growth factors	Minimizes and repairs visible skin damage	All	1 oz	$15.50

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Active Ingredients	Night peptide, hyaluronic acid
Primary Benefit(s)	Deep skin renewal
Skin Types	All
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$88
Clarins Double Serum
Active Ingredients	22 botanicals and 5 active molecules
Primary Benefit(s)	Targets wrinkles, dark spots, and volume
Skin Types	All
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$96
Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum
Active Ingredients	Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Primary Benefit(s)	Diminishes fine lines, brightens pigmentation
Skin Types	All
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$129
DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum
Active Ingredients	Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Cerapep® technology
Primary Benefit(s)	Diminishes fine lines, brightens pigmentation
Skin Types	All
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$69
COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster
Active Ingredients	6 peptide complex
Primary Benefit(s)	Addresses fine lines, uneven texture, loss of firmness
Skin Types	Sensitive skin
Size	5.07 oz
Price Per Ounce	$4.93
The Ordinary GF 15% Serum for Visible Skin Repair and Wrinkles
Active Ingredients	15% solution of growth factors
Primary Benefit(s)	Minimizes and repairs visible skin damage
Skin Types	All
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$15.50

Best Overall: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Our Thoughts on Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair is our pick for the best overall anti-aging serum because it absorbs very quickly, almost instantly. Our tester found it very easy to use daily and didn’t have to wait to apply her moisturizer afterward, which is great for leaders who are short on time in the morning. This serum also layers well with moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup. Our tester’s skin felt brighter after using it and more evenly toned. She even got a compliment that her skin was glowing!

Priya tested Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair. Her skin is normal, occasionally a little oily. She has dark circles and fine lines. Priya’s primary skin concerns include dullness, uneven texture, and aging. She rated the application of this serum a 5 out of 5. “This product has a dropper, which makes it easy to get the amount you need. I used 5 to 6 drops (dime-sized amount). It spread easily over my face,” she said.

When it comes to texture and feel, Priya liked the consistency of this serum. She said, “It’s not too thick or watery. It felt very light and left no residue or visible signs of product after use; it felt refreshing on my face after application.” She rated this serum a 5 out of 5 in this category.

Our tester rated the overall effectiveness a 4 out of 5. “My skin looks brighter, and my fine lines are slightly less visible,” Priya said. “I do think it gave me a more even skin tone overall, and in the morning, my skin feels firmer.”

Specs

• Active ingredients: Night peptide, hyaluronic acid
• Primary benefit(s): Deep skin renewal
• Skin types: All
• Size: 1 oz
• Price per ounce: $88

Best Multi-Action Anti-Aging Serum: Clarins Double Serum

Our Thoughts on Clarins Double Serum

Clarins Double Serum is our pick for the best multi-action anti-aging serum because it works to firm your skin, reduce wrinkles, boost radiance, and refine your pores, per the brand. It also layers well with protective skin products and makeup. Our tester noticed almost immediate benefits. We like this serum because it doesn’t add any unnecessary steps to your skincare regimen; it earned a permanent spot in our tester’s routine because of how well it worked for her.

Meredith tested Clarins Double Serum. She has combination skin, and her primary skincare concerns are acne, excess oil, and uneven texture. She rated the application of this serum a 5 out of 5. “The packaging is really nice,” Meredith said. “It closes up easily, which some products don’t do, and it’s also easy to use the pump. Just one pump of the product provides me with enough coverage to spread evenly across my entire face. Sometimes I do treat myself to two pumps of serum if my skin is feeling a little extra dry that day,” she said.

Our tester also rated the texture and feel of this serum a 5 out of 5. “It’s just watery enough to spread easily and absorb quickly; it has a silky and luxurious feel to it at the same time,” she said. “It’s among the top tier of all products that I’ve used, in terms of texture. It feels so smooth and rich on my skin. This serum doesn’t leave behind any residue or stickiness. My skin feels so great after use: moisturized and supple.”

She also loved the effectiveness of this serum, rating it a standout 5 out of 5. “It’s HIGHLY effective,” Meredith wrote. “It almost immediately made my skin feel more hydrated and smoother. This serum also made my skin a more even texture after just the first few uses. I’ve been using it for a few weeks consistently, and my skin stays feeling hydrated and smooth, even on days when I don’t use it.”

Specs

• Active ingredients: 22 botanicals and 5 active molecules
• Primary benefit(s): Firms and smooths
• Skin types: All
• Size: 1 oz
• Price per ounce: $96  

Best Luxury Anti-Aging Serum: Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum

Our Thoughts on Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum

Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum is our pick for the best luxury anti-aging serum because it contains advanced ingredients, including niacinamide, micro hyaluronic acids, instant tightening sugars, and Caudalie’s Longevity Patent. It also has a 100% natural-origin fragrance that blends rose, geranium, violet leaf, and white cedar—nice and light for when you’re in the office. This product sits really nicely under sunscreen and makeup, making it a must-have if you’re spending an entire day at the office.

Gwen tested Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum. She has normal skin, which can get a little sensitive if she stacks too many active ingredient products. Her skincare concerns are aging and fine lines. Gwen rated the application of this serum a 5 out of 5. “The pump is extremely easy to use, and only a pea-sized amount of product is needed to cover your whole face,” she said.

When it comes to texture and feel, Gwen rated this serum a 4 out of 5. “Thanks to the consistency, the texture is gel-like and absorbs incredibly quickly,” she said. “It leaves my skin feeling smooth, though it is a little bit tacky on its own. However, this isn’t really an issue because you should generally follow a serum with a moisturizer and SPF (if it’s daytime), which eliminates any feel from the serum.”

Our tester rated the effectiveness of this serum a 4 out of 5. “My face looks brighter and more hydrated when I use this product,” she said. “It certainly has a plumping effect, which I love. The product does note a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles, but I don’t have any deep-set lines on my face, so I can’t speak much to that. However, I do have volume loss in my cheeks and temples; I notice this product plumps up the overall look of my face, which is great.”

Specs

• Active ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
• Primary benefit(s): Targets wrinkles, dark spots, and volume
• Skin types: All
• Size: 1 oz
• Price per ounce: $129

Best Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum: DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum

Our Thoughts on DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum

DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum is our pick for the best hydrating anti-aging serum because it includes restorative peptides and ceramides, a copper peptide complex, and hyaluronic acid. For folks who prefer to move quickly through their morning skincare, the serum instructions suggest waiting until the product is fully absorbed before adding other products, so it may be better to use it at night.

Charlotte tested DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum. She has acne, along with oily skin. Charlotte took Accutane® in 2024. She currently manages discoloration, scarring, and occasional breakouts. She rated the application of this serum a 4 out of 5. 

“The dropper is easy to use; however, it is difficult to determine how many drops are going to come out! If I put it directly on my face, I use more than is probably intended. I can drop it onto my hand and work it into my face, but then I end up with excess product on my hands instead of directly on my face. Otherwise, it comes out smoothly and is really simple/easy to use,” she said.

When it comes to texture and feel, Charlotte rated this serum a 4.5 out of 5. “It feels smooth when you first apply it but is a tad bit tacky as it dries. The directions say to wait until it’s fully absorbed before putting other products on top of it. Once it dries, you can hardly tell that anything is on your face and the tacky texture is gone,” she said.

She was pleased with its effectiveness, rating it a 5 out of 5. “After two weeks of using this serum, I’ve noticed that my fine lines are way less noticeable. The crow’s feet around my eyes aren’t as prominent, and my under-eye area looks brighter and less puffy when I wake up,” Charlotte said. “I also noticed my smile lines and slight wrinkles on my forehead are way less noticeable too! This is working just as intended.”

Specs

• Active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Cerapep® technology
• Primary benefit(s): Diminishes fine lines, brightens pigmentation
• Skin types: All
• Size: 1 oz
• Price per ounce: $69  

Best Plumping Anti-Aging Serum: COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster

Our Thoughts on COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster

COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster is our pick for the best plumping anti-aging serum because it’s a peptide workhorse, containing a six-peptide blend, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to help enhance the volume of your skin. We also like that it absorbs quickly when added to a morning routine and allows you to skip other skincare steps to save time before heading off to the office.

Bridget tested COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster. She is 46, and her skin is generally dry. She manages uneven skin tone, early skin laxity, and fine lines and wrinkles. 

She rated the application of this serum a 4.5 out of 5. “There’s nothing particularly innovative about the product’s packaging or design, but it works consistently well,” she said. “It comes in a tall, plastic bottle with a pump and a cap over the pump. This is my third bottle, and I have yet to have an issue with the pump dispenser or the amount distributed. It’s easy to use with wet hands.”

When it comes to texture and feel, Bridget was pleased, rating it a 5 out of 5. “This product is watery and absorbs really quickly. It leaves behind no residue and generally makes my skin feel more moisturized. I apply this serum as my first step after cleansing and toner. The instructions say to use this serum before other serums and ampoules.”

Our tester rated the overall effectiveness of this serum a 4.5 out of 5. I’ve been using this serum for months now, maybe close to a year, and I think my skin looks smoother and more even overall. It makes my skin appear more hydrated and brighter overall. It hasn’t erased freckles or hyperpigmentation spots, but it has improved my skin’s overall glow and texture,” she said.

Specs

• Active ingredients: 6-peptide complex
• Primary benefit(s): Address fine lines, uneven texture, loss of firmness
• Skin types: Sensitive skin
• Size: 5.07 oz
• Price per ounce: $4.93

Best Value Anti-Aging Serum: The Ordinary GF 15% Serum for Visible Skin Repair and Wrinkles

Our Thoughts on The Ordinary GF 15% Serum for Visible Skin Repair and Wrinkles

The Ordinary GF 15% Serum for Visible Skin Repair and Wrinkles is our pick for the best value anti-aging serum. It costs just $15.50 for one ounce, and if you choose to select other products from the brand’s lineup, your skincare stack can suit any budget. Our tester is a busy professional in a city who spends her days bouncing between meetings and events. She found this serum to be a perfect addition to her daily routine; she enjoyed the no-fuss design, easy packability, and efficiency.

Susan tested The Ordinary GF 15% Serum for Visible Skin Repair and Wrinkles. She has normal to combination skin, and her primary concern is keeping her skin hydrated all day long (she has a hectic work and personal schedule). Susan wants to minimize fine lines while maximizing even texture, with bright, refreshing-looking skin that isn’t left oily. 

She rated the application a 5 out of 5. “Everything about this product is simple, user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to use. The bottle itself is sleek and simple, while the pump dispenses product efficiently and effortlessly. It spread well over my skin, although the product itself is a little runnier than I expected. Since controlling the amount of product that comes out is so easy, I was able to manage the watery consistency of the product well,” she said.

Our tester rated the texture and feel of this serum a 5 out of 5 as well. 

“If it wasn’t for the clear results I saw in using this serum, I would almost think that I was simply dropping water on my skin. The consistency feels just like water and has no noticeable or recognizable scent. Because of the watery texture, it also absorbed into my skin really quickly, which bodes well for my morning routine before heading to work. It also left my skin feeling refreshed and hydrated before applying moisturizer and sunscreen,” she said.

Susan was pleased with the effectiveness of this serum, rating it a 4.5 out of 5. “I use this serum twice a day. In the time that I’ve used it, I’ve noticed a marked difference in some of the discolored areas of my face and improvement in the fine lines around my eyes. Overall, my skin also appears and stays hydrated throughout the day, which says a lot since I’m bouncing between meetings and exposing my skin to all different kinds of elements all day long,” she said.

Specs

• Active ingredients: 15% solution of growth factors
• Primary benefit(s): Minimize and repair visible skin damage
• Skin types: All
• Size: 1 oz
• Price per ounce: $15.50  

Why the Right Anti-Aging Products Matter to Professionals 

An anti-aging serum can be a convenient way to sneak in multiple skincare steps in one product: hydration, brightening, evening skin tone, and compatibility with your existing routine.

If your mornings are too busy for a lengthy skincare regimen, a serum that absorbs quickly and layers well with moisturizer and sunscreen will have you out the door sooner. Several of the anti-aging serums we tested absorbed almost immediately (like Estée Lauder).

If most of your days are spent on camera or presenting, you may want to improve dryness or dullness for your own comfort and appearance. While serums don’t erase (or prevent) wrinkles, we recommend an anti-aging serum with vitamin C.

If you’re looking for skin hydration that lasts throughout a packed day, consider tester data on how their skin felt after application. Our tester for The Ordinary reported that her skin stayed hydrated throughout days spent moving between meetings and events.

If you’re considering making a premium purchase for a luxury experience, the higher price should come along with an obvious reason to pay more. Reasons could be convenient packaging and portability, a high-quality texture, or it may be part of a brand’s customized regimen for you. Look at the benefits compared to more affordable alternatives before purchasing.

Specifically looking for a retinol serum? Check out our guide to the best retinol serums.

How We Tested and Selected the Best Anti-Aging Serums

Here’s how we tested and selected the best anti-aging serums:

Application

Testers shared the type of dispenser the anti-aging serum came in: a bottle or container with a dropper or a pump dispenser. They also made note of how easy it was to get the right amount of product for their entire face, or if too much product (or not enough) was left on their hands. Testers rated application on a scale of 1 to 5.

Texture and Feel

Testers provided notes on how the anti-aging serum felt to them, considering aspects such as wateriness, thickness, tackiness, smoothness, and how quickly (or not) the serum absorbed into their skin. Testers rated the texture and feel of the anti-aging serums on a scale of 1 to 5.

Skin Comfort 

Testers made note of how the anti-aging serum made their skin feel. Was it immediately comfortable, or did they experience any irritation, redness, or other sensitivity? Testers then rated how comfortable their skin felt after using the anti-aging serum on a scale of 1 to 5.

Effectiveness 

Testers reported back to us on how their skin looked and felt after using the anti-aging serum: did they notice immediate effects? Did their skin feel smoother, firmer, and more hydrated? They rated the effectiveness of the anti-aging serum for managing their skincare concerns on a scale of 1 to 5.

Value

Anti-Aging Serums	Active Ingredients	Size	Price Per Ounce
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair	Night peptide, hyaluronic acid	1 oz	$88
Clarins Double Serum	22 botanicals and 5 active molecules	1 oz	$96
Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum	Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid	1 oz	$129
DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum	Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Cerapep® technology	1 oz	$69
COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster	6 peptide complex	5.07 oz	$4.93
The Ordinary GF 15% Serum for Visible Skin Repair and Wrinkles	15% solution of growth factors	1 oz	$15.50

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
Active Ingredients	Night peptide, hyaluronic acid
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$88
Clarins Double Serum
Active Ingredients	22 botanicals and 5 active molecules
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$96
Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum
Active Ingredients	Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$129
DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum
Active Ingredients	Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Cerapep® technology
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$69
COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster
Active Ingredients	6 peptide complex
Size	5.07 oz
Price Per Ounce	$4.93
The Ordinary GF 15% Serum for Visible Skin Repair and Wrinkles
Active Ingredients	15% solution of growth factors
Size	1 oz
Price Per Ounce	$15.50

Benefits of Anti-Aging Serums

“Anti-aging serums have many benefits,” said Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Dr. Jaliman is a clinical assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the author of Skin Rules (St. Martin’s Press).

There are different kinds of anti-aging serums, too. Here are some benefits, per Dr. Jaliman:

• “Vitamin C serum stimulates collagen production, so it helps fine lines and wrinkles, and it also evens the skin color.”

• “Retinol serum helps with fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to improve skin texture, lighten brown spots, and reduce sun damage.”

• “An anti-aging serum with peptides helps stimulate collagen production and improves fine lines and wrinkles.”

If you’re looking for a retinol serum, our guide to the best retinol serums compares products for beginners, more advanced users, and folks with sensitive skin.

What to Avoid in Anti-Aging Treatments 

• Fragrance: It can be irritating to the skin. Look for fragrance-free skincare products
• Botanical oils: These are also highly fragranced, so avoid these ingredients when shopping for anti-aging treatments
• Serums with too many active ingredients: For example, a retinol with acids. It can be too irritating for many skin types

How to Find the Best Anti-Aging Treatment for You

Here’s what to consider when shopping for an anti-aging serum.

Your Age and Skin Type

Consider your age and skin type along with your primary skincare concerns. You can do your own research, but we recommend talking with your doctor or dermatologist about the types of skincare products that will work best for you.

Primary Skin Concerns

Make note of the primary skin concerns you’d like to address with an anti-aging serum: acne, dehydration, aging/fine lines, excess oil, uneven texture, redness, dark spots, or dullness.

Formula

There are multiple types of anti-aging serums that work for different skin goals. For example, a serum with peptides may help increase the firmness of your skin, while a serum with exfoliating acids (such as glycolic acid) may remove surface buildup to enhance the smoothness of your skin.

Think about how a new anti-aging serum will fit in with your existing skincare routine. If you’re also looking for a new cleanser, our guide to the best facial cleansers compares formulations in cream, gel, and oil form.

Fragrance

Fragrance is often added to anti-aging serums and other skincare products. If you have sensitive skin or want to stick with a simple routine, avoid products with fragrance and botanicals.

If you prefer to avoid fragrance, consider it when shopping for products across your routine. Our guide to the best face washes for sensitive skin includes feedback related to performance, hydration, and skin comfort. 

Cost

Consider how frequently you will use the anti-aging serum: once or twice a day, every day? You may go through the bottle quicker than you expect, so be sure to budget for this product along with the others in your skincare stack.

Fortune’s Final Thoughts

Fortune’s best overall anti-aging serum pick is Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair because our tester experienced a lightweight feel with nearly immediate product absorption. She also reported brighter and more evenly toned skin. It works well when layered with other skincare products and makeup, making it a practical option for hectic mornings.

Clarins Double Serum earned high marks from our tester for providing a smoother and more hydrated feel to her skin. Caudalie Premier Cru is another luxury option for folks who want plumper skin, though our tester did notice some tacky texture when using the product by itself. The Ordinary GF 15% Serum and COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster are our budget picks, both costing far less than the other options on our list. 

Fortune recommends choosing an anti-aging serum based on your primary skin concerns, how it fits in with your existing skincare regimen, and your budget. And as always, talk with your doctor or dermatologist about any new skincare products you plan to start.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best serum for anti-aging skin?

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair is our pick for the best overall anti-aging serum because it absorbs very quickly, almost instantly. Our tester found it very easy to use daily and didn’t have to wait to apply her moisturizer afterward, which is great for leaders who are short on time in the morning.

What does collagen serum do for your face?

“I wouldn’t recommend collagen serum as an anti-aging treatment for the face,” says Dr. Jaliman. “Collagen is a very large molecule. It doesn’t penetrate into the skin, and there are no good studies on its anti-aging benefits.”

Should you use an anti-aging serum in the morning or at night?

“The good thing about a serum is you can use it [both] morning and night, so for an anti-aging serum, as long as it doesn’t contain retinol, you can definitely use it twice a day,” said Dr. Jaliman. “Retinol makes you sun sensitive, so I always recommend that my patients use retinol at night and an SPF 30 to 50 in the morning.”