
Super-charged: The best face serums for every skin type
Level up your skincare routine with concentrated serums designed to tackle every skin concern
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
We’ve all been there. You’re busy living your life, your skin barely warranting a second thought, when suddenly that skincare routine carefully honed through trial-and-error doesn’t quite seem to be having the same effect any more. Perhaps it’s an unexpected break out. Maybe you’ve started noticing fine lines creeping in around your eyes and mouth. Or maybe your complexion simply isn’t as bright and smooth as it once was. Time, then, to call on the aid of some great face serums.
There are a seemingly endless number of factors which could be affecting the health of your skin: hormonal changes, the natural processes of ageing, and environmental factors, such as the weather, pollution and sun exposure, can all have an impact. Handily, there are face serums on the market to cater to just about every skin concern, no matter how niche; you simply need to be clued up on what will work for you.
But, let’s start at the beginning: what exactly are face serums? “A serum is an opportunity to introduce rapidly absorbed actives and nutrients into the skin immediately after cleansing and exfoliating,” explains Dr. Dayal Mukherjee, aesthetic physician and founder of luxury skincare brand Sapphire Dust. “By nature, a serum should be thin, easy to spread and well absorbed, immediately leaving the skin feeling nourished and hydrated.”
Design to be applied after cleansing and before your usual moisturiser or night cream, think of a serum as a way of tailoring your skincare routine to your specific needs. Accordingly, serums are far from one-size-fits-all. When choosing a serum, Mukherjee advises, “Pick one or two main skin concerns and focus on them, don’t try to address everything at once. For example, if firmness and skin elasticity is the issue, choose a high quality hyaluronic acid serum that can stimulate collagen production in your skin. If it’s blemishes, choose an antioxidant serum.”
It’s also important to remember that, as the active ingredients in a serum are often far more concentrated than in a standard face cream, you may need to introduce a new serum slowly or apply only at certain times of day. Retinol, for example, is an increasingly popular serum active thanks to its intensely hydrating and firming properties. However, in high concentrations it can aggravate skin and cause sun sensitivity – best, then, to apply overnight and slowly build up the percentage in your serum as skin becomes more tolerant.
Equally, be aware of how the ingredients in your serum may react with actives in your other skincare products. “Strong ingredients like retinol, acids, and vitamin C are best kept separate as applying at the same time can be too much for the skin and cause reactions and sensitivity,” explains Mukherjee. “In general, it’s best not to clutter your routine with too many actives, choose your battles one or two at a time!”
Best all rounder: Cellcosmet CellEctive CellLift Serum

If the name didn’t give it away, this serum is all about supporting the natural repair and restorative function of skin cells. Created by cutting-edge science-based skincare brand Cellcosmet, the CellLift serum is packed with proprietary ingredient complexes, including CytoPep cellular extracts, Expert Hyaluron complex, Phyto-Tensor complex, and Ferméclat Peptide complex, to take on a range of common skin concerns.
I could tell you exactly what each one does but suffice to say, in clinical trials, the CellLift Serum scored 90 per cent or more in categories including improved skin radiance, hydration, elasticity, firmness, plumping and complexion evenness. In other words, worth saving up for.
Best hydrating serum: Valmont Moisturising Serumulsion

Unlike a mask, moisturiser or face oil, serums can come in a huge array of weights and textures, from super-lightweight water-like formulations to gels and viscous liquids. Which can be a bit of a gamble if you’ve got skin prone to blemishes or would simply rather avoid sticky or less breathable textures.
Step in Valmont and its Serumulsion: a hybrid offering that promises the intensive hydration of a serum with the lightweight comfort of an emulsion. One of a number of serums offered by the Swiss skincare brand, the Serumulsion is specifically designed to relieve dryness via a blend of shea butter and the brand’s unique Hydra-fix complex. Even better, it’s so gentle you can even layer it with other serums.
Best anti-ageing serum: Sapphire Dust Illuminating Serum

One of just three products offered by newly-launched British skincare brand Sapphire Dust, the hero here is the brand’s patent-pending Saphir-5-8 complex. This blend of hyaluronic acid and peptides includes acetyl hexapeptide-8 – a peptide which mimics the effects of Botox – and detoxifying glutathione for a formula that is quickly absorbed, penetrates deeply and visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles in a matter of days.
Best retinol serum: Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum

Anyone with even a passing interest in skincare knows that retinol has been on the ascendance over the past few years. Rising from relative obscurity to a skincare non-negotiable thanks to its dual anti-ageing and anti-blemish properties, there are very few brands who now don’t include a retinol serum among their nighttime skincare lines. So how to sort the wheat from the chaff? Stick to what you know. If you’ve ever tried Augustinus Bader’s signature Rich Cream, you’ll know this is one brand worth the (considerable) price tag. Its retinol serum is no different; also featuring the brand’s TFC8 targeted delivery system, apply nightly to wake up to clear, even and radiant skin.
Best hyaluronic acid serum: Perricone MD High Potency Hyaluronic Intensive Hydrating Serum

Already a hyaluronic acid fan? With its deeply hydrating and restorative properties, how could you not be. Like retinol, hyaluronic acid serums have been coming thick and fast over the past few years and, as with retinol, if you’ve never used one before you should introduce this powerful active gradually. The general rule is to begin by using a hyaluronic acid serum 2-3 times per week and slowly working up to every day application but, happily, they’re suitable for use morning or evening so you can also apply a vitamin C serum or similar in tandem. Perricone MD’s hyaluronic acid offering is formulated with no fewer than four forms of the ingredient meaning you’ll see results with even minimal usage.
Best vitamin C serum: Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

A best-seller for the eponymous brand from veteran cosmetic chemist Sunday Riley, this daily-use serum contains THD ascorbate – a highly-stable and super-concentrated form of vitamin C. Beloved for its illuminating and evening properties, here it’s enriched with toning and protecting saccharide isomerate to lock in moisture, reduce dark spots and leave skin firm and plump.
Best serum for sensitive skin: MZ Skin Calming Rescue Serum

Many of the actives commonly used in face serums are so potent that their use is limited by law, with, for example, new EU regulation stating that facial retinol products may include no more than 0.3 per cent concentration to limit overuse and irritation. Accordingly, buying a serum can be a bit of a minefield if you suffer from sensitive skin. Your best bet is to opt for one that promises to take on skin concerns such as redness and reactivity to external stressors. MZ Skin’s Calming Rescue serum contains pro-vitamin D3 to regulate skin barrier function, red sage root to detoxify and protect, and centella asiatica to calm and smooth the complexion.
Best antioxidant serum: Susanne Kaufmann Ectoin Repair Serum

You heard it here first: ectoin is about to be everywhere. Naturally found in plants living in some of the most hostile environments on the planet, ectoin forms a protective shield to prevent damage from environmental stressors – and this is exactly what it promises to do for your skin. It also promises to hydrate like hyaluronic acid, soothe like niacinamide, repair like ceramide and brighten like vitamin C. You can see why you might want to give it a go.
Billed as a transformational product for those living in cities rife with pollution, the latest launch from highly-regarded Austrian skincare pro, Susanne Kaufmann, blends ectoin with antioxidant Q10 to neutralise free radicals, improve penetration and balance the skin’s microbiome.
Best niacinamide serum: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops

A runaway best-seller for Korean skincare brand Glow Recipe, this cruelty-free, vegan formula spotlights the hydrating, brightening properties of niacinamide in a multi-use product that also acts as a pre-makeup primer, can be mixed with your usual foundation for a extra dose of glow or can even be patted onto the high points of the face like a highlighter. If you’re looking for bang for your buck, you really can’t go wrong.