We Tested 26 Anti-Aging Serums Over 8 Weeks — These 11 Reduced Dark Spots and Demolished Crow's Feet

Glow Recipe was our obvious winner, and not only for its vibrant packaging and fruity scent. It’s well-priced and required a pea-sized amount of product per use, according to our tester, so one bottle will last. It absorbed quickly and felt “nourishing,” layering well under her nighttime retinol and morning makeup (and not leaving sticky residue). 

It uses firming polypeptides to boost collagen production, hyaluronic acid to attract water and minimize the appearance of fine lines, and antioxidant-rich pomegranate to soften skin. Using it five times a week for two months, our tester saw drastic improvements in all areas of concern and didn’t experience any skin irritation.

Size: 1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Polypeptides, pomegranate, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Fragrance: Pomegranate

We loved the consistency, quick absorption, and effectiveness of this Clinique serum. Our tester applied it nightly between cleansing and moisturizing and described it as “very lightweight,” without any stickiness or interference with her other skincare products. 

Our tester saw a slight difference in her fine lines after our test, but nothing drastic — though she posited she’d see further results with continued use. Overall, she was very pleased by how soft, hydrated, and even her skin looked. She attributed it to the formula’s balanced combination of retinoids (which can be drying for some) and hydrating hyaluronic acid. This is an excellent option for those new to using retinoids. 

Size: 1 oz. | Key Ingredients: 1% retinoid, 9.5% peptides, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Fragrance: None

At $22, this is the least expensive serum we tried. It’s best suited for someone targeting texture rather than tone, as it smoothed and firmed our tester’s skin but didn’t improve her dark spots. However, she liked how quickly the gel-like serum absorbed into her skin. 

This is a gentle alternative to pure retinol for those sensitive to the ingredient, as the formula also contains bakuchiol, a “botanical alternative that gently retextures skin,” says Dr. Camp. He and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD agree that the ingredient is shown to be less irritating. 

Size: 1 oz. | Key Ingredients: 0.03% encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, arophira | Skin Type: All, including sensitive skin

This drugstore formula claims to deliver firmer, smoother skin via its patented skin-renewing antioxidant, healing vitamin E, and moisture-locking hyaluronic acid. Based on our testing, it delivers. 

The most significant improvement our tester noticed was in her forehead lines: They were less visible after two months of consistent use, day and night. Elsewhere, her skin felt smoother, firmer, and plump. We wish the bottle was a bit bigger, but overall, it’s an accessible serum that should noticeably improve the appearance of fine lines. 

Size: 1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All, particularly dry | Fragrance: Not overpowering

Dark spots occur when the skin increases melanin production, which could be caused by sun exposure, acne scars, genetics, and some medications. Those with darker skin tones tend to see more dark spots than others. Dr. Camp suggests using a serum containing niacinamide to combat them; this Peach & Lily serum also contains radiance-boosting peach extract and other hydrating and firming ingredients that make it an anti-aging powerhouse. 

Our tester loved its thick, fast-absorbing consistency, pump dispenser, and overall size. “It made my skin look dewy, and I often just wore it with some moisturizer and light makeup,” she said after using it twice daily for two months. Her dark spots visibly faded, and her complexion looked less red.

Size: 2.36 oz. | Key Ingredients: Peach extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid complex, peptide complex | Skin Type: All | Fragrance: Light floral scent

If you struggle with redness and uneven skin tone, consider this Sulwhasoo serum. The Korean skincare brand uses proprietary Bioconversion Technology to reap the rejuvenating, anti-aging benefits of ginseng extract, the star ingredient of this best-selling formula that reviewers say is “hydrating” and “refreshing.”

Applying it twice daily, our tester’s complexion appeared more balanced and noticeably less red and splotchy (during a cold, dry Iowa winter, no less). It didn’t change her fine lines, but it  improved dullness and dryness. Despite the hefty price, the bottle’s size makes it a good value. 

Size: 2.2 oz. | Key Ingredients: Ginseng extract, Korean herb extract, vitamin C derivative | Skin Type: All

Dry skin affects most people at some point, and this serum is a much-needed glass of water for a dehydrated complexion. In fact, this lightweight, fast-absorbing formula earned a near-perfect score on key metrics from our tester. It uses Alguronic Acid, a patented ingredient derived from algae that claims to strengthen the skin’s barrier and boost the benefits of other ingredients. 

The serum had a cooling effect, layered well under skincare and makeup, and left our tester’s skin noticeably smoother, hydrated, and with improved texture. “It stands out as one of the best serums I’ve used to date, delivering exceptional results and surpassing my expectations,” she said.

The scent isn’t great, but it fades quickly, and given the quality, we aren’t phased by the price.

Size: 1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Alguronic acid, phloretin, niacinamide | Skin Type: All | Fragrance: Strong

Anti-aging serums have potent ingredients that can sound off alarms for sensitive skin. That’s why we appreciate Skinfix’s formulation, which protects and restores the skin barrier. It’s vegan, allergy-tested, and free of fragrance, parabens, sulfates, essential oils, and other potential irritants.  

It didn’t cause any reactions and felt “cloud-like” on our tester’s complexion, absorbing within seconds. After twice-daily use, the serum visibly softened, smoothed, and hydrated her skin. While it didn’t plump her skin as promised, it evened out texture and made fine lines less visible.

Size: 1 oz. | Key Ingredients: 9% Patent-Pending B-L3™, 3% Polyglutamic Acid Complex, 2% niacinamide | Skin Type: All

Uneven skin texture includes enlarged pores, rough patches, surface irregularities from genetics, acne scars, air pollutants, sun exposure — TheShockNews goes on. Dr. Garshick suggests using a retinol serum to address texture concerns, as it boosts collagen production, and exfoliating acids that remove dead skin cells to reveal softer, smoother skin. This formula has both. 

Our tester’s skin consistently felt smooth each morning after using the serum. For daytime wear, we recommend applying an SPF after, since retinol can make your skin more sun-sensitive. The thin, “sticky water-like” consistency had an enjoyable cooling effect, our tester added.

As for drawbacks, the woodsy scent was a bit much, it’s pricey, and it didn’t change our fine lines as claimed, but we think it’s worth it if skin texture is your main concern. 

Size: 1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Retinol, ferulic acid, bakuchiol, rambutan | Skin Type: All | Fragrance: Woodsy

Our tester loved how quickly The Ordinary’s lightweight formula absorbed into her skin. After testing concluded, her complexion appeared smoother, plumper, and without rough patches thanks to the serum’s copper peptides, a regenerative antioxidant thought to boost skin’s collagen, among other anti-aging benefits. 

While the serum claims to target signs of aging, such as crow’s feet, it didn’t make any noticeable changes to our tester’s fine lines. She also noted a faint, unpleasant vinegar smell, but it faded after the serum absorbed into the skin. 

We recommend alternating this between skin-targeting treatments because it doesn’t play well with vitamin C or other retinols.

Size: 1 oz. | Key Ingredients: Copper tripeptide, lactococcus ferment, sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) | Skin Type: All | Fragrance: Faint vinegar scent