We’ll be the first to say it: getting older is a gift, and wrinkles on your face are nothing to be ashamed of. Embracing fine lines is a reminder of the life you’ve lived thus far, and how much you’ve grown and experienced. But it’s also your choice to address signs of aging if you choose to, and if this is the case, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’re diving into all things serums for mature skin, the best ingredients to address wrinkles, dullness, and aging, and the products to incorporate into your regimen if you’re in search of a softer, smoother, more youthful-looking complexion. And if you’re not, we support that too!
Experts In This Article
- Allyson Brockman-Bitterman, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Millburn, NJ
- Hope Mitchell, MD, FAAD, Hope Mitchell is a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Mitchell Dermatology.
- Nazanin Saedi, MD, Dr. Nazanin Saedi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Plymouth Dermatology in Plymouth, Pennsylvania.
- Serena Mraz, MD, board certified Dermatologist of Solano Dermatology and Associates, Vallejo, CA
Our top 15 serums for mature skin, at a glance:
- Best overall: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, $182
- Best for dryness: Farmacy Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum, $49
- Best for fine lines: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum, $17
- Best for brightness: Biossance Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, $65
- Best collagen boosting: Doctor Babor Lifting Collagen-Peptide Derma Filler Serum, $179
- Best for sensitive skin: No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum, $24
- Best for loss of firmness: Glow Recipe Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum, $45
- Best retinol alternative: Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Instant Firming Serum, $84
- Best for uneven texture: CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, $14
- Best budget pick: The INKEY List Collagen Booster Firming Peptide Serum, $16
- Best for overnight: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum, $125
- Best splurge serum: ALASTIN Skincare C-RADICAL Defense Antioxidant Serum, $211
- Best for post-procedure: Peter Thomas Roth Peptide Skinjection Wrinkle-Fix Serum, $65
- Best drugstore pick: La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Face Serum, $45
- Best barrier-supporting: Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip, $44
Shop the 15 best serums for mature skin
Best overall: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic — $182.00
Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid (vitamin c), ferulic acid, vitamin e
There’s good reason why this serum is often referred to as liquid gold — it has a combination of 15% L-ascorbic acid and 0.5% ferulic acid to improve skin firmness, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and add clarity and radiance to the skin and neck. It’s a cult-favorite amongst users, dermatologists, and beauty editors alike which earns it the best pick for mature skin overall.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Protects against free radicals
- Visibly improves wrinkles
- Suitable for all skin types
Best for dryness: Farmacy Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum — $49.00
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, vegan collagen peptides
Dry, mature skin types will love this plumping serum that has hyaluronic acid, thyme extract and vegan collagen peptides. It visibly plumps skin, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and deeply moisturizes patchy areas.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Dry-skin friendly
- Clean formula
- Reviewers dislike the smell
Best for fine lines: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum — $17.00
Key ingredients: retinol, glucose complex, hyaluronic acid
Dr. Mitchell recommends this pick as a great over-the-counter retinol option. It also has a glucose complex plus hyaluronic acid to help restore the skin and smooth out fine lines and uneven texture. Bonus: it can be used on the under eye area to curtail the appearance of dark circles.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Available at the drugstore
- Dermatologist recommended
- May be unsuitable for certain skin types, if you have a sensitivity to retinol
Best for brightness: Biossance Squalane + 10% Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum — $65.00
Key ingredients: vitamin c, squalane, shiitake mushroom extract
Discoloration can be a sign of aging skin, and this potent pick can help. It addresses dark spots and dullness with 10% vitamin C plus white shiitake mushroom extract to even out skin tone and minimize fine lines. Better yet, it also contains squalane to help restore the skin barrier.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Targets discoloration
- Fragrance-free
- Some reviewers reported redness after use
Best collagen boosting: Doctor Babor Lifting Collagen-Peptide Derma Filler Serum — $179.00
Key ingredients: collagen, peptides
“This peptide serum is light, comes with an easy to apply dropper and will absorb quickly into the skin,” says Dr. Saedi. She explains that peptides and glycerin help pull moisture into the skin, temporarily giving it a smoother, plumper, more hydrated appearance.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Improves skin elasticity and firmness
- Suitable for all skin types
Best for sensitive skin: No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum — $24.00
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, antioxidants
Another recommendation by Dr. Mitchell, this OTC anti-aging formula is suitable for sensitive skin types. It has hyaluronic acid for major hydration, antioxidants to protect the skin, niacinamide to restore and smooth, plus a proprietary peptide complex to support cell turnover.
Size: 0.84 fl oz
- Available at the drugstore
- Sensitive-skin friendly
- Difficult to pump out product, according to some reviewers
Best for loss of firmness: Glow Recipe Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum — $45.00
Key ingredients: copper peptides, pomegranate, hyaluronic acid
Restore a firm, taught complexion with this peptide serum that hydrates, repairs, and smooths out fine lines and wrinkles. It has a combination of copper peptides, pomegranate and hyaluronic acid to improve elasticity for an overall lifted appearance.
Size: 30 ml
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Can be used on the face and neck
- Some reviewers dislike the smell
Best retinol alternative: Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Instant Firming Serum — $84.00
Key ingredients: resveratrol (retinol alternative), vegan collagen, hyaluronic acid
If retinol is too potent for your skin type, might we recommend this alternative with proprietary resveratrol that firms and lifts. It also contains vegan collagen plus hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and smooth out fine lines.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Great alternative to retinol
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Best for uneven texture: CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum — $14.00
Key ingredients: encapsulated retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
Dr. Mitchell recommends this renewing retinol serum, and we love it too for uneven skin texture. Encapsulated retinol allows the ingredient to penetrate deeper into the skin to boost cell turnover to help retexturize its surface, while hyaluronic acid and niacinamide calms and hydrates.
Size: 1 fl oz.
- Available at the drugstore
- Dermatologist recommended
- May be unsuitable for certain skin types, if you have a sensitivity to retinol
Best budget pick: The INKEY List Collagen Booster Firming Peptide Serum — $16.00
Key ingredients: matrixyl 3000 (proprietary), syn-tacks peptide complex (proprietary)
Smooth and hydrate mature skin with this firming peptide pick. It contains two proprietary complexes: matrixyl 3000 and syn-tacks to boost uneven or sagging skin texture. It’s not only suitable for all skin types, but also very suitable for your wallet at under $20.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Under $20
- Contains wrinkle-fighting proprietary complexes
- Consistency is a little sticky and runny
Best for overnight: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum — $125.00
Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants
Wake up with soft, smooth skin thanks to this luxe overnight serum with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and an antioxidant complex. It visibly firms and improves skin texture and resiliency, all while protecting the skin from aging culprits like free radicals.
Size: 1, 1.7, 3.9 fl oz
- Visibly renewed skin by morning
- Luxurious texture
Best splurge serum: ALASTIN Skincare C-RADICAL Defense Antioxidant Serum — $211.00
Key ingredients: vitamin c, green tea
“[This serum] is a splurge, but it will boost collagen, while protecting healthy elastin — which not all vitamin C serums do,” says Dr. Saedi. Vitamin C will protect the skin from pollution, help fade the appearance of sun spots, and stimulate collagen production. “This one is light, feels silky, and has no odor,” she says.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Dermatologist recommended
- Antioxidant-packed
Best for post-procedure: Peter Thomas Roth Peptide Skinjection Wrinkle-Fix Serum — $65.00
Key ingredients: peptide complex, squalane
Use this serum in lieu of a procedure for a plump, youthful appearance, or use it as a compliment to your in-office injectables. It contains a proprietary peptide complex to tighten the skin and improve elasticity, wrinkles, and sag.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Can be used to complement in-office injectable procedures
- Suitable for all skin types
Best drugstore pick: La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Face Serum — $45.00
Key ingredients: pure retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
For a drugstore option that won’t break the bank, try this serum that doesn’t compromise efficacy for affordability. With gradually released retinol, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, it improves the appearance of dull skin and fine lines for a clarified and smooth finish.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Affordable
- Available at Target
- Sensitive skin friendly
- Has fragrance, which can be irritating to some
Best barrier supporting: Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip — $44.00
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid spheres, superfood blend (kale extract and broccoli seed oil)
This serum prides itself as a “multi-vitamin” for your skin, thanks to its vitamin-rich ingredients and superfoods like kale extract, broccoli seed oil, and dandelion root. It also contains niacinamide, plus hyaluronic acid spheres and ceramides to replenish the skin barrier, ensuring a glowing, healthy, and youthful-looking finish.
Size: 1 fl oz
- Multivitamin for your skin
- Supports barrier function
Do anti-aging serums really work?
Anti-aging serums can be effective, but their efficacy can vary depending on factors such as ingredients, formulation and skin type. “These serums often contain active ingredients which can help improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance overall skin health,” says Dr. Mitchell. It is important to manage expectations though, as results might not be as dramatic or immediate as you might expect, but consistent application is key when looking to achieve optimized results. “Reducing stress, getting enough sleep, not smoking, staying diligent with sun protection during peak sun hours, and exercising are added ways to protect and maintain the youthfulness of your skin,” Dr. Saedi notes.
What ingredients are best for treating wrinkles?
The anti-aging serums that provide the best results have a few gold-standard ingredients in common: retinoids, vitamin C, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and peptides are the most effective. “Retinoids stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles, antioxidants such as vitamin C and E protect against free radicals, peptides improve skin firmness, and hyaluronic acid hydrates,” says Dr. Mitchell.
Efficacy of these ingredients also depends on your skin type, according to Dr. Brockman-Bitterman. “If you have dry skin, look for products with hyaluronic acid, glycerin or ceramides. If you have issues with hyperpigmentation look for products with vitamin c, tranexamic acid or kojic acid,” she says.
Meanwhile, retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) might be best suited for those with fine lines and loss of elasticity, because retinol promotes collagen production and can help increase cellular turnover. However, products with retinol can be drying, says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman. “If you have sensitive skin you might want to find products that include niacinamide which can make [retinol] more tolerable,” she says. As a reminder, it’s important to build up your tolerance to retinol if you’re a first time user. Start with application a few times per week, and once your skin is acclimated, you can increase frequency and try higher strengths.
There is also one other vital anti-aging ingredient that should come after serum application, according to Dr. Saedi. “Sunscreen is perhaps the most important anti-aging step!” she urges. “[SPF] protects your skin from the damaging effects of UV light like collagen break-down, elastic tissue, and discoloration, like sun spots and melasma.” While sunscreen is a preventative measure, it should still be a key player in a mature-skin routine post serum-application.
Are creams or serums better for mature skin concerns?
When it comes to deciding between anti-aging serums or creams, the experts note that using both in tandem is better than applying just one. “Both serums and creams play important roles, but they offer slightly different benefits,” says Dr. Mitchell. She explains that serums are often tailored to specific skin issues, like fine lines, wrinkles, acne or hyperpigmentation. “They contain concentrated active ingredients like retinoids or peptides that penetrate deeply into the skin to target these concerns effectively,” she says. Creams, on the other hand provide intense moisture and work to help maintain overall skin health and hydration. Because of this, Dr. Mraz suggests using one after the other to lock in active ingredients. “I recommend applying a potent skin serum to clean dry skin and then follow with a moisturizing cream,” she says.
What are the must-have steps in a mature skincare routine?
All the experts recommend starting with a gentle cleanser, followed by exfoliation to help promote cellular turnover. Next, apply a targeted serum containing ingredients like retinoids, vitamin C, antioxidants or peptides to address fine lines and wrinkles, and finish with a hydrating moisturizer with hyaluronic acid to nourish and protect the skin. “I usually recommend applying preventative serums in the AM, like those containing vitamin C, and retinol at night” says Dr. Brockman-Bitterman.
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