The Most Powerful Skin Serums, According to Expert Reviews and Dermatologists

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I’ve always believed that when you have one or two potent serums doing most of the work, you don’t need to clutter your skincare routine with numerous steps. A couple of dermatologist-approved serums packed with effective active ingredients can do wonders for your skin, far more than jumping on every new skincare trend.

Continue reading to discover which ones you can add to your routine for youthful skin and prepare to bask in the compliments.

1. iS Clinical Super Serum

2. Sunday Riley Good Genes serum

3. The Inkey List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum

4. Dieux Deliverance Serum

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Serum is a powerful serum designed to address redness, discoloration, and promote clearer, more even skin.

Naturium's 12% Mandelic Topical Acid is a potent serum designed to exfoliate the skin gently while promoting an even complexion and addressing concerns like acne and pigmentation.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil is a luxurious nighttime oil that helps regenerate skin while you sleep, leaving it nourished and rejuvenated by morning.

Caudalie Premier Cru Serum with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid is an advanced skincare treatment designed to deeply nourish and hydrate the skin while addressing fine lines and skin damage.

I’ve always believed that when you have one or two potent serums doing most of the work, you don’t need to clutter your skincare routine with numerous steps. A couple of dermatologist-approved serums packed with effective active ingredients can do wonders for your skin, far more than jumping on every new skincare trend.

For those refining their beauty routines or simplifying to just a couple of key products, it’s important to seek out proven ingredients like azelaic acid, mandelic acid, vitamin C, retinol, and lactic acid. These ingredients are adored by skincare aficionados and dermatologists alike. When formulated correctly and paired with stabilizing ingredients to enhance their effectiveness, they become truly transformative for common skin concerns. They tackle issues such as dark spots, melasma, acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness.

Continue reading to discover which ones you can add to your routine for youthful skin and prepare to bask in the compliments.

1. iS Clinical Super Serum

2. Sunday Riley Good Genes serum

A model showing a noticeably clearer forehead after just seven days of using the serum.

Reviewer's image showcasing the effects of the serum

3. The Inkey List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum

A model showing redness on the cheek followed by the same model with visibly soothed skin after six weeks of use.

Dr. Adeline Kikam, a board-certified dermatologist who shares insights on @brownskinderm, highly recommends this azelaic acid serum. She shared with HuffPost that "it is gently formulated with 10% azelaic acid and .3% allantoin for added moisture." It calms irritated skin and reduces redness. Additionally, it contains micro-fine green color particles that help mask existing redness, acting like a color corrector.

Notable review: "Helped my rosacea and PD. I bought this three days ago and am actually super surprised and impressed with this product. I’ve used azelaic acid before but found it irritating and the silicones in those formulas broke me out. I struggle with perioral dermatitis and rosacea. I was going through a bad flare-up three days ago, and as of today, it’s 90% gone. I have some tips for using the product: 1. Apply to dry skin only. Applying it to wet or damp skin makes it super itchy and can cause irritation. I’m really impressed. This helped clear up my latest flare, and I’m excited to have found something that works for me. I’ll continue using and buying it as long as these results continue!" — Becca

Available at Inkey for $17.99.

4. Dieux Deliverance Serum

Dieux

Discover why Dieux's fan-favorite Deliverance serum continues to sell out. This formula tackles three major skin concerns: irritation, uneven skin tone, and the appearance of fine lines. The lightweight serum leaves your skin feeling soft, soothed, and glowing. It’s perfect for anyone looking to elevate their skincare routine or as a stellar addition to an existing regimen. Packed with cannabinoids, niacinamide, peptides, and other powerful ingredients, it works to make your skin look and feel its best.

Rave reviews: "Amazing. I've been using this for a few weeks and already notice a significant improvement in my skin. My redness has decreased, and my skin now has a beautiful glow! I’m in love with this product!" —Grace B.

"A game-changer. I’ve struggled with hormonal acne for years and have tried countless products, but nothing worked until I found this. It’s helped with my dry, sensitive skin, increasing hydration and reducing breakouts. Old acne scars fade faster than before. Charlotte truly knows her stuff." —Mary T.

Available for purchase at Dieux for $69.

5. Vintner's Daughter active botanical serum

Vintner's Daughter

This renowned face serum is a must-have for anyone who wants to tap into the power of plant-based ingredients. Filled with hydrating fatty acids, nourishing omegas, and antioxidants, it fights free radicals and helps to repair and fortify the skin. The active botanical serum leaves the skin feeling moisturized, replenished, and refreshed — a truly luxurious experience.

Customer review: "If I had to choose only one product for my skincare routine, it would undoubtedly be the Active Botanical. I’ve tried so many others, working in fashion and being exposed to a variety of skincare, but this one stands out as my favorite." —Verified customer

Available for purchase from Vintner's Daughter starting at $195+ (available in two sizes).

6. True Botanicals chebula active serum

7. The Ordinary mandelic acid 10% + HA

Sephora

The Ordinary's Mandelic acid is perfect for my acne-prone skin. This high-concentration anti-bacterial AHA exfoliant is both affordable and effective. It's highly recommended for sensitive skin by two experienced dermatologists, Dr. Purvisha Patel from Memphis, Tennessee, and Dr. Jennifer MacGregor from UnionDerm in New York City. Hyaluronic acid in the formula adds extra moisture, which makes it an excellent choice for introducing mandelic acid to your routine. Ideal for treating acne-prone skin, it also reduces the appearance of fine lines and offers chemical exfoliation.

Promising review: "I’ve been using this for just a week and I can already see improvements on my hormonal pimples. It's a perfect solution for controlling breakouts." —VickyRambo

Get it from Sephora for $7.50.

8. Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum

A model showing redness on her cheeks, followed by the same model 42 days later with the redness diminished

9. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Acid Serum

A bottle of serum, offering concentrated skincare benefits.

If you're passionate about skincare, you've probably heard of the iconic SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum. It's a dermatologist-recommended product known for its ability to reduce fine lines, firm the skin, protect against environmental stressors, and brighten a dull complexion. The stabilized formulation ensures that all ingredients work synergistically at their best. Promising reviews: "I've tried several vitamin C serums, but I always come back to this one. It works wonders for my skin, and although it’s expensive, the results are absolutely worth it. One major benefit I've noticed is its ability to fade my acne scars quickly." —GG "At first, I was hesitant to buy this because of the price. However, it really does deliver! Consistent use over a few weeks shows amazing results, and it’s definitely worth the cost. A little goes a long way." —Emma Available at Dermstore for $182.

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Serum is a powerful serum designed to address redness, discoloration, and promote clearer, more even skin.

A reviewer shows their skin after one month of using the serum, with scars visibly faded, highlighting the product's effectiveness.

Naturium's 12% Mandelic Topical Acid is a potent serum designed to exfoliate the skin gently while promoting an even complexion and addressing concerns like acne and pigmentation.

Topical acid, designed to address skin concerns like acne, discoloration, and oil control.

An open bottle of serum, ready for use in your skincare routine.

This serum is featured on Kikam's must-have list. It’s a lightweight formula with 10% azelaic acid, complemented by calming ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, and coffee seed extract. It’s known to help with oil control and discoloration, penetrating the skin gradually to encourage cell turnover, leaving the complexion looking brighter, youthful, and radiant. Promising review: "This product is gentle yet effective. It's perfect for sensitive skin that's prone to breakouts. I used to rely on Salicylic Acid, but now I use this, and it works wonders. In winter, I stick to PHA, but I’ll use this once or twice a week as my skin can be both acne-prone and sensitive." —Jenny Marie "I've used hydroquinone for years, but this fades spots more effectively than any expensive hydroquinone formula. I’ve noticed significant improvements with my acne scars and sun spots, even more than with clinical hydroquinone treatments." —Kennedy Available at Target for $20.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil is a luxurious nighttime oil that helps regenerate skin while you sleep, leaving it nourished and rejuvenated by morning.

A reviewer's photo showcasing the serum, emphasizing its quality and effectiveness.

Caudalie Premier Cru Serum with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid is an advanced skincare treatment designed to deeply nourish and hydrate the skin while addressing fine lines and skin damage.

Before and after images of a model using the serum, showcasing the visible improvements in their skin's texture and radiance.

Caudalie's lightweight Premier Cru serum is ideal for anyone seeking intense nourishment. It combines niacinamide to improve skin texture with hyaluronic acid for lasting hydration. The serum helps to plump, moisturize, and repair damaged skin. Promising reviews: "I’ve noticed a visible reduction in fine lines after using this serum. It’s also non-greasy and leaves no sticky residue, which is perfect for my skin. Plus, it has clean ingredients and very little fragrance, which is a relief for my sensitive skin." —Daniii89 "I love it! I’ve been using it daily, and I can already see a difference in my skin. Highly recommend this serum." —Kary9103 Available at Sephora for $139.

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