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Elevating your summer skincare game can be accomplished by introducing a firming, anti-aging face serum to your routine. The beauty of these serums lies in their ability to be tailored to suit individual skin types and concerns, whether you’re combating dryness, wrinkles, or discoloration.
To aid in your quest for the perfect hydrating, lifting serum, we enlisted the expertise of board-certified dermatologists who have curated a list of six must-have anti-aging serums. By incorporating these products into your morning and night routines, experts say you’ll be one step closer to achieving firm, supple, and radiant skin this summer.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, board-certified dermatologist and writer at My Psoriasis Team, Dr. Daniel Lévy, MD, board-certified dermatologist, master physician injector and educator at Nue Vue Plastic Surgery and Dr. Elaine F. Kung, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology.
6 Essential Anti-Aging Serums That Target Wrinkles, Fine Lines And Dark Spots, According To Dermatologists
1. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil
Chacon deems retinol to be a "dermatologist-recommended type of vitamin A" and a "potent ingredient in this anti-wrinkle serum that fights fine lines, dullness, wrinkles, and dark spots." She recommends keeping an eye out for Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil when perusing the aisles of your local drugstore for a retinol serum.
This serum, available at Neutrogena's website for $30.99, also "contains hyaluronic acid," which Chacon says adds "plumping moisture to help hydrate and revitalize the appearance of skin." As for how often to use it, Chacon recommends "applying to a clean face and neck two times per day."
A pearl-sized amount should be "distributed evenly and massaged in until fully absorbed," she advises. When not in use, Chacon says to always "replace and tighten the cap."
2. Thrive Causemetics Overnight Sensation™ Gentle Retexturizing Solution
This serum solution is perfect for mature beauties over 40 who might struggle with sensitive skin or often find that retinol is too harsh for their complexions. "I personally recommend the Bigger Than Beauty Skincare Overnight Sensation Gentle Retexturizing Solution to my clients with specific anti-aging needs," Lévy says.
"Not only does it have bakuchiol, an excellent retinol alternative, it also has blend of 10% AHA + BHA to help with pore minimizing, pore tightening, skin texture, overall gentle but efficient exfoliation," he explains. You can pick up this serum solution for $59 via the brand's website.
Lévy continues: "Bakuchiol is a great retinol alternative, it is plant-based, gentle, and visibly firms skin and diminishes signs of aging while you sleep. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to other skin conditions, bakuchiol is definitely preferred over retinol but can deliver similar results."
3. Urban Skin Rx Advanced Even Tone Day & Night Treatment
This serum-like formula is especially helpful for diminishing stubborn dark spots or acne scars over 40 while also promoting more supple skin, Kung says. "Some skincare ingredients that have been scientifically and clinically studied to help with discoloration include kojic acid, tranexamic acid, and bakuchiol, which are all found in this product," she explains.
For $58, you can grab this clean serum product via the Urban Skin Rx site, and Kung says it has the ability to effectively combat hyperpigmentation. Kung points out that this product's ingredients function to decrease the appearance of persistent dark spots, refine uneven texture, and visibly diminish signs of aging skin.
Moreover, it is gentle enough for use twice daily, enabling users to target dark spots throughout the day and night.
4. SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Serum
When discussing effective skincare ingredients, one cannot overlook the exceptional properties of retinol. Derived from vitamin A, retinol has been scientifically proven to boost collagen production and diminish fine lines and wrinkles, making it an excellent anti-aging agent. In addition to its ability to thicken the skin, it also helps to exfoliate it, which accelerates skin cell turnover and reduces the occurrence of acne.
While various retinol-based products are available over-the-counter, a visit to a dermatologist for a prescription retin-A is often the best choice for optimal results. Your doctor may begin with a lower percentage of the ingredient until your skin adjusts to it. SkinCeuticals retinol is a popular OTC pick among dermatologists and is available in three different strengths: 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0. This $90 non-comedogenic product (via Dermstore) is free of parabens, fragrance, and gluten.
According to the manufacturer, it “Improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, pores, and blemishes.” Use it at night and make sure you follow up with a good moisturizer — retinol can be very drying.
5. SkinMedica TNS Advanced + Serum
SkinMedica TNS Advanced + Serum ($295 via Dermstore) is highly praised by dermatologists due to its innovative formula that contains a mixture of growth factors that are specially crafted to promote the renewal of skin cells, improve the levels of collagen and elastin, and tighten sagging skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Additionally, it features a blend of potent botanicals, peptides, and marine extracts and is free from fragrances, making it a suitable option for individuals with all skin types, including those with sensitive skin.
According to one reviewer, “The SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is my can't-live-without-it part of my skin care routine! I'm completely addicted to this serum for how smooth it makes my skin feel. Just last night I got 3 compliments about my complexion, which used to be problematic with dry, ruddy creepy skin. Highly recommend this serum to improve appearance of aging skin!”
6. Senté Bio Complete Serum
Kung also recommends this serum for women over 40 and describes it as a "complete" serum that can be used at nighttime. "I'm a simple skincare person who just wants to use one product after cleanser and before moisturizer to take care of all my skin care concerns - discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, and skin barrier repair," she shares, while explaining how this serum is effective for those reasons.
This product, while pricer than the others on this list ($118 via the Senté site), is a viable solution for those with sensitive skin, as it can effectively reduce the visibility of fine lines and result in a more refined and balanced complexion. Moreover, Kung says it is gentle enough to be utilized by individuals who have never used retinol before.
The Bottom Line
Retinols, like in several of these products, have been "scientifically and clinically studied to help skin turnover and stimulate collagen," Kung says.
Retinols in serum or cream form are "probably in every dermatologists' skincare routine because we know that long-term use helps prevent and treat skin discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, and skin laxity," she concludes.
Good to know!
