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These top-tested serums basically guarantee glowing skin.

The powerhouses of any skincare routine, face serums are generally made with higher levels of active ingredients. “Facial serums are lightweight formulas that deliver concentrated actives to the skin without any extra ingredients such as heavy oils or sun protection," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Chemist Danusia Wnek. "Serums are to be added to skincare routines for extra benefits." In addition, “applying a face serum is a great way to treat multiple skin concerns or give a boost for a single skin concern,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “There are many different types of serums to combine with your skincare, such as hydrating, retinol and antioxidant."

To find the most effective face serums for various skin types and concerns, GH Beauty Lab scientists regularly test serums, including anti-aging face serums, brightening vitamin C serums, hydrating hyaluronic acid serums and more. We evaluate formulas both in the Lab using technical instruments to measure changes in skin (such as wrinkles, dark spots and pores) after use. They are also distributed to consumer testers for their feedback on factors like ease of use, cosmetic properties and effects on skin. Then, thousands of data points are collated to find the top performing face serums for women that really work. These are the best face serums to get glowing skin, according to the GH Beauty Lab.

Also the best value of the GH Beauty Lab’s top-tested face serums, Good Housekeeping Seal star No7 worked as well or better than pricier options for multiple skin benefits. It increased skin’s firmness by 21% and decreased the appearance of pores by 6% in Lab calculations, plus earned the top marks for smoothing skin’s texture. Described as “lightweight” by many testers, the serum made skin “look younger” and wrinkles “less visible,” though some reported slight irritation.

• Size: 1 oz. • Key ingredients: Peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid • Main benefits: Smoothing, pore minimizing, firming • Best for: Anti-aging, any skin type except very sensitive

This bargain-priced GH Beauty Award-winning Boots Ingredients serum is packed with the hero hydrator hyaluronic acid to add a layer of moisture to any type of skin with no heaviness. The water-like formula “is smoothing and feels hydrating, yet is absorbed quickly,” reports GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann.

• Size: 1 oz. • Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E • Main benefits: Hydration, softening • Best for: All skin types

No product surpassed the SkinCeuticals niacinamide serum in GH Beauty Lab testing for reducing the look of lines and wrinkles, one of the main signs of aging. In Lab measurements, it proved best at diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles (by 5% over four weeks of use). Testers praised the “almost immediate” fine line improvement: “I was shocked by the plumpness of my skin the next day,” a tester said. “One of the best products I have ever used.”

• Size: 1 oz. • Key ingredients: Niacinamide (vitamin B3), peptides • Main benefits: Wrinkle reduction • Best for: Aging skin

True to its name, his GH Seal star No7 serum was created to boost skin’s glow with a blend of brightening vitamin C, line-fighting peptides and revitalizing ginseng. A study on 91 women found that 81% of testers said their skin looked more radiant after one week of use, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation found.

• Size: 1 oz. • Key ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides • Main benefits: Radiance-enhancing, brightening • Best for: All skin types

Smooth a few drops of GH Seal star Mary Kay’s ceramide, hyaluronic acid and glycerin concentrate onto skin to reinforce its moisture barrier. In a study, the GH Beauty Award-winning serum significantly increased hydration within 15 minutes after use, per GH Beauty Lab data analysis.

• Size: 0.5 oz. • Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides • Main benefits: Moisturizing and softening • Best for: Dry and sensitive skin

A unique blend of a high 15% level of antioxidant vitamin C and purifying salicylic acid, this GH Beauty Award-winning SkinCeuticals serum simultaneously protects skin, reduces excess oil and improves signs of aging like lines. “Based on data review, this is effective for improving skin's clarity and texture,” Wizemann notes.

• Size: 1 oz. • Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, vitamin C, ferulic acid • Main benefits: Purifying, clarifying, antioxidant • Best for: Oily, acne-prone, combination skin

A GH Beauty Award winner, the online service Curology works with a certified cosmetic dermatologist or skin expert to deliver a customized prescription serum for your skin concerns like acne breakouts to you. Receive an electronic consultation on your computer, tablet or phone; then a prescription formula is made specially for your skin's needs. An expert evaluator with acne-prone skin found that her prescription was perfect, providing amazing results from the first day. “It's like having a derm on call without pricey, time-consuming appointments or pharmacy stops,” Wnek reports.

• Size: 1.69 oz. • Key ingredients: Depends on custom formula • Main benefits: Purifying, clarifying • Best for: Acne-prone, oily or aging skin

Tackle wrinkles and dehydration of aging skin by applying Isdin’s silky serum, a GH Beauty Award winner packed with two types of hyaluronic acid as well as peptides to plump both inner and outer layers of skin. GH Beauty Lab data evaluations found that the formulation delivers immediate plumping and smoothing effects and will improve skin’s texture over time. “I love how this serum soaks in quickly and smooths my face instantly” and “it left my skin refreshed,” two testers remarked.

• Size: 1 oz. • Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides • Main benefits: Smoothing texture, plumping • Best for: Aging, dry skin

Reduce inflammation that can exacerbate signs of aging with this GH Beauty Award-winning Vichy Laboratoires serum, which contains a prebiotic ferment to improve the health of skin’s barrier. In a study, women showed statistically significant improvements in skin redness, tightness and dryness after 28 days of use, GH Beauty Lab data analysis confirmed. The fragrance-free formulation "calmed my skin and made it soft and less irritated,” a tester reported.

• Size: 1 oz. • Key ingredients: Niacinamide, prebiotic ferment • Main benefits: Soothing, redness reduction, softening • Best for: Sensitive, dehydrated skin

A GH Beauty Award winner and GH Seal star, this Roc serum is based on the gold standard brightener and protective antioxidant vitamin C. Following four weeks of once-daily use, 94% of consumer testers found that their skin tone was visibly more even, and 100% had brighter skin in an expert assessment, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed.

• Size: 1 oz. • Key ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides • Main benefits: Brightening, evening skin tone • Best for: All skin types

Packed with naturally-derived ingredients like white pine, artichoke and black oat extracts, the GH Beauty Award-winning creamy Korres serum boasts science-backed benefits, including smoothing lines, minimizing pores and firming skin. According to a clinical assessment, 97% of women showed an improvement in fine lines, wrinkles and firmness, and 100% in the look of pores after four weeks of use.

• Size: 1 oz. • Key ingredients: Squalane, vitamin E, botanical oils and extracts • Main benefits: Line smoothing, firming, pore reduction • Best for: All skin types except oily and acne-prone

These portable single-use biodegradable Roc Skincare capsules contain softeners like hyaluronic acid and plant oils to nourish skin while you sleep. The GH Seal Star and Beauty Award-winning serum raised skin moisture levels 64% post-application, GH Beauty Lab evaluation showed.

• Size: 0.35 oz. • Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, botanical oils • Main benefits: Moisturizing, softening • Best for: Dry, sensitive, aging skin

Five types of muscle-relaxing peptides and hyaluronic acid in this wrinkle filler mimic pro treatments, targeting stubborn crow’s feet and mouth and forehead creases. After use of the GH Beauty Award winner, lines were less noticeable in under 30 minutes, two expert evaluators reported.

• Size: 0.68 oz. • Key ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid • Main benefits: Line smoothing • Best for: Aging skin

This Murad serum is made with two types of retinoids, the dermatologist gold standard skin-smoothing ingredient. The formula was a strong performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, increasing skin’s firmness by 24% and minimizing the look of fine lines. Consumer testers also commented that it brightened skin and noted that the scent was appealing. "I noticed my skin looked more toned, brown spots seem faded and wrinkles reduced," a fan marveled.

• Size: 0.68 oz. • Key ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, hyaluronic acid • Main benefits: Firming, line smoothing • Best for: Aging skin

Formulated with both antioxidant vitamins C and E, GH Seal star Mary Kay's fragrance-free serum delivers visible firming, line-smoothing and radiance-boosting effects. After eight weeks of use, 87% of users in a study had more radiant skin, 84% had a visible reduction in lines and 89% had noticeably firmer skin, according to GH Beauty Lab data analysis.

• Size: 1.5 oz. • Key ingredients: Vitamins C and E • Main benefits: Radiance boosting, firming, line smoothing • Best for: Any skin type

Shine a light on dull, lackluster skin with Olay's GH Seal star serum with brightening vitamin C and smoothing peptides. The results were almost instant: After only one day of use, 70% of women in a study agreed that it brightened their skin, and after two weeks, the formula significantly improved dark spots in a clinical study, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed. • Size: 1.3 oz. • Key ingredients: Vitamin C, peptides, niacinamide • Main benefits: Brightening and reducing dark spots • Best for: Any skin type

Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists are constantly testing serums for all skin types and issues. In the Lab, serums are label-masked to eliminate brand bias and then sent to dozens of consumer testers, who apply them in their skincare routine daily for a set time period of at least four weeks. Lab experts use technical instruments like the Visia Complexion Analyzer device (below) to track changes in skin over the time of use, including wrinkles, dark spots and hyperpigmentation, pores and acne-causing bacteria.

When applicable, we also use the Cutometer machine, which measures the laxity of skin, to quantify changes in firmness. In addition, consumer testers evaluate the serums based on factors such as ease of use, texture, scent, application, look and feel of skin during and after use and visible skin changes. In the GH Beauty Lab’s latest serums test, 7,820 data points were tallied to find the winning products.

To find the best face serum for you, consider both your skin type and goals, GH Beauty Lab scientists recommend. Here are their general guidelines:

✔️ For glowing skin: Seek out brightening and exfoliating ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide and glycolic acid.

✔️ For dry skin: Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin will help hydrate and soften.

✔️ For oily skin: The active ingredient salicylic acid can help reduce excess oil.

✔️ For acne-prone skin: Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid can help minimize breakouts.

✔️ For aging skin and anti-aging: Dermatologist go-to's for smoothing wrinkles and reducing age spots include retinol, peptides and glycolic acid.

✔️ For sensitive skin: Choose serums made without fragrance, which can irritate, and made with hydrating ingredients (hyaluronic acid, ceramides) and/or soothers such as oat extracts, aloe and green tea.

To get the best results, how you use a face serum is just as important as which one you use. Follow these key tips from Wnek:

✔️ Apply before moisturizer. "Serums are usually the second step in skincare," she explains. "They are applied after cleansing but before moisturizer or SPF." That way, the thinner serum texture can absorb into skin without heavier products to block its penetration.

✔️ Follow the directions. Not all serums are meant to be applied twice daily (morning and evening), Wnek says. Some serums direct the consumer to only apply at night, such as those made with retinol.

✔️ Start small. "Dispense a pea-size amount to the palms of hands and pat it into skin," Wnek recommends. "Applying a larger amount may result in pilling for some formulations."

✔️ Read the ingredient label carefully. "If the product contains any type of retinoid, be sure to follow with a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen each morning even if it’s not listed on the directions or there is no warning," she advises.

✔️ Monitor your skin. Stop product use or skip a day or two in between if you experience redness or irritation, she adds. Note that "it is recommended that consumers not incorporate serums (especially with retinol) into their routines if they are also on prescription topical treatments, as combining products may lead to excessive irritation.

Danusia Wnek, a Chemist in the Good Housekeeping Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, develops and oversees the testing of skincare product categories including serums, moisturizers, eye creams and more, utilizing both lab instrumentation and consumer feedback to recommend the best products on the market.

Sabina Wizemann, a Senior Chemist in the Good Housekeeping Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, develops laboratory protocols using specialized lab equipment, conducts product testing across hair and skincare categories and oversees large consumer studies. She has researched, tested and evaluated thousands of products for almost a decade and has carried out various studies including sunscreens, night creams, eye creams, makeup removers and more. Sabina also researches skincare ingredients and verifies product claims.

April Franzino, the Beauty Director at Good Housekeeping, has over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing skincare-related content, utilizing the expertise of the Institute's Beauty Lab scientists and top industry professionals such as dermatologists and aestheticians. She is an expert in all face and body skincare product categories, including cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, sunscreens, exfoliators, masks, eye creams, professional treatments and more.