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This post has been updated since its initial 05/09/21 publish date to include more expert insight.
A good serum can make all the difference in your skincare, especially when it comes to hiding signs of aging. Whether you’re concerned about wrinkles, sagging skin, or uneven skin tone, chances are there’s a product designed particularly for your needs. The challenge? Finding the right one for you. To make it a little easier (and much less daunting), we rounded up 4 face serums that work better than botox. With incredible customer reviews and ratings, these facial serums address key signs of aging, helping you achieve the youthful complexion you’re after.
Drunk Elephant Protini™ Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum ($82)
Drunk Elephant is a super popular skincare brand, and it's totally worth the hype. As with any brand, certain products will work better with certain skin types, but Drunk Elephant takes a lot of the guesswork out of picking a serum. Their labeling and marketing simplifies that process by telling you exactly what is in their products, the kind of results you can expect, and the skin types it works best with. It's definitely a pricier line of products, but a great option if you have a more generous budget.
Their Protini™ Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum is just one of their anti-aging products that reviewers cannot stop praising. This product is designed to target uneven texture, dullness, and loss of firmness. It's a powerful exfoliator that doubles as a potent moisturizer – an ideal combination for those who want a more youthful complexion. One reviewer gushed that it transformed her skin, making it "hydrated, plump[ed], healthy, and even." She also swore she was planning to "use it forever." If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is.
Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum ($68)
Youth to the People is another trendy brand, but it's definitely earned its stellar reputation. This 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum is a particular favorite with over 43K "loves" on the Sephora website. In other words, over 43K people have this item saved as one of their favorites. The combination of vitamin C and caffeine makes for an unbeatable anti-aging formula – perfect for targeting dark spots, sagging skin, and dullness.
Although it's another pricy option, the benefits are worth it, according to customers. As a general rule, it seemed that most reviewers noticed two main areas of improvement: skin tone and firmness. "My skin is brighter, [and] my face is a lot less puffy," one gushed. Some even went a step further, insisting that this serum helped reduce their wrinkles and curb their breakouts. That being said, if you're looking for an all-around beneficial serum, this is definitely an option to consider.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid* 2% Emulsion ($9.80)
If there is one ingredient you need to remember when it comes to anti-aging, it's retinoid. Wondering why? "Retinoids are powerhouse multitaskers that work by increasing collagen production as well as increasing the rate of skin-cell turnover," Shari Marchbein, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City, tells Glamour. In other words, if younger skin is your goal, retinoids are your best bet. With that in mind, this budget-friendly option is a great face serum for combatting signs of aging – and it has almost 150K "loves" to prove it.
To put it simply, reviewers are obsessed with the product – especially those who were beginning to notice wrinkles. One chimed in that her skin "has never looked better." High praise! But for good reason. According to her review, this serum helped make "the fine lines under [her] eyes... less noticeable." That's not all. This product can also help those struggling with acne. Anti-aging and acne-fighting for under $10? It's no wonder why this Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion serum is a customer favorite.
Tatcha The Dewy Serum Resurfacing and Plumping Treatment ($88)
Tatcha is yet another popular skincare brand with a hefty price tag. But it's also very highly rated. We're talking 4.7/5 stars. Here's what all the fuss is about: The Dewy Serum Resurfacing and Plumping Treatment covers all the bases when it comes to skincare. First, it's anti-aging, formulated to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Second, it's moisturizing, using hyaluronic acid to plump skin. Third, it's long-lasting; the hydration from this serum will last you throughout the day.
That all sounds very promising, but does it live up to its reputation? According to reviewers, the answer is a resounding "YES." One exclaimed that this serum covered all of the bases for her skincare needs, making her skin look "plump[er], brighter, smoother, [and] younger than ever!" Another common theme in the reviews? This serum is *great* for dry skin – a rarity when it comes to anti-aging products.
