Lightweight, easy to layer, and oh-so potent, serums are super-concentrated skin saviors that deliver actives to deep layers of the skin that traditional, heavier moisturizers and oils simply cannot. Serums can target the most specific and complex skin concerns, whether it’s fading hyperpigmentation and scarring, shrinking enlarged pores, or even turning back the hands of time. Whatever your concerns may be, there’s a serum for it.
Because serums are formulated with such powerful actives, they can potentially cost you a pretty penny. However, a hefty price tag doesn’t necessarily mean that a product is more effective—there are plenty of affordable options that work just as hard for a fraction of the cost. “Quality skincare can definitely be found at the drugstore,” says New York-based, board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick. “The most important factor is looking for key ingredients and finding a formulation that is both easy and enjoyable to apply.”
So, to figure out which drugstore serums are best, we conducted in-depth research, consulted experts on what to look for, and took our editor’s favorites into consideration. We evaluated each one based on its formula, application, feel on skin, and effectiveness, and ahead, we’re sharing the best of the best.
Below, we rounded up the very best drugstore serums the beauty aisle has to offer, no matter your skin type or skin concerns.
Best Overall: Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
A favorite of Dr. Garshick’s, this beloved serum from Vichy is our best overall pick for several reasons. First, it’s extremely lightweight and hydrating without creating a sticky or oily residue on the skin. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and the brand’s signature mineral-rich volcanic water to deeply hydrate the skin, but it also helps to strengthen the skin barrier and help protect it from pollution. Garshick loves that it gives the skin a dewy glow, and she also notes how easy it is to layer with other products. “It can be easily layered underneath a thicker moisturizing cream to help hydrate the skin leaving it looking healthy and refreshed,” she says. And we agree—it applies seamlessly underneath moisturizer and SPF. We also appreciate that it’s free from synthetic fragrance and drying alcohol.
Best Budget: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Chances are, you’re already familiar with The Ordinary and its wallet-friendly but quality assortment of serums, oils, and more. This best-selling serum from the brand is a fan favorite, offering deep hydration and skin barrier support thanks to hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. Since it uses a combination of different hyaluronic acid molecules that vary in molecular weight, this lightweight gel reaches multiple layers of the skin. Sounds pretty high-tech for such a low price tag, right? Trust us when we say it’s an absolute must—especially if you skin is craving an extra boost of moisture!
Best for Dry Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum
A tall glass of water for extra-parched skin, Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid to attract and lock in moisture while strengthening the skin’s natural moisture barrier. This quenching formula is a favorite of Byrdie associate editor Holly Rhue because it leaves the skin deeply hydrated, supple, and glowy. Also nice: It’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, so you can rely on it to moisturize without ever clogging pores and causing a breakout.
Best for Oily Skin: Versed Just Breathe Clarifying Serum
The Just Breathe Clarifying Serum from Versed is a must for anyone suffering from oily, blemish-prone skin. The combined forces of willow bark extract, niacinamide, and zinc work nix breakout-inducing excess sebum, calm inflammation, and soothe redness and irritation. It’s also fragrance-free and clean, making it ideal for sensitive skin types, too.
Best Brightening: Acure Brightening Glowing Serum
Looking to revive dull, dry skin? This brightening serum from Acure is your ticket to an out-of-this-world glow sans irritation. Formulated with moisturizing argan oil and soothing borage oil, it’s deeply nourishing, albeit slightly heavier than the average serum. It also contains cranberry and pumpkin seed oil, which add some major antioxidant benefits. Best of all? It’s 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free, as well as cleanly formulated—meaning it’s totally free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, or formaldehyde.
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum
When you need something efficacious to combat the effects of hyperpigmentation, whether, from acne or sun damage, Differin’s Dark Spot Correcting Serum is a pretty potent option. It’s formulated with two percent hydroquinone, the most effective brightening agent you can buy without a prescription, which fades and corrects dark spots and scarring. This stuff may be powerful, but it’s also gentle enough for daily use and can be applied either AM or PM. Plus, the addition of sea buckthorn berry oil and citric acid help to soothe and renew the skin.
Best Anti-Aging: Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum
The cult-favorite Regenerist Regenerating Serum from Olay is a true anti-aging powerhouse, firming and plumping the skin while fighting pesky lines and wrinkles. Thanks to its specially formulated Amino-Peptide Complex II, this lightweight gel-serum delivers moisturizing ingredients ten layers deep into the skin’s surface, regenerating surface cells while restoring skin elasticity from within. You’ll start to reap powerful skin-refining benefits after just one use, but after four weeks, you can expect much smoother, firmer skin with a noticeably reduced appearance of lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
Best Exfoliating: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Another fan favorite from The Ordinary, the exfoliating Lactic Acid 10% + HA serum treatment is the secret to radiant, glowing skin. Applied in the evening, this AHA formula—supported by hyaluronic acid and Tasmanian pepperberry—smoothes skin texture, evens skin tone, reduces congestion, and fights signs of aging, all while you catch some Zs. “I love that this serum helps to smooth my skin texture and I can always count on it to layer seamlessly underneath whatever night cream or face oil I apply on top,” says Commerce Writer, Alyssa Kaplan.
Do keep in mind that this stuff is pretty potent. Because lactic acid is an AHA, be sure to load up on SPF and limit sun exposure while using this and for a week afterward. While AHAs are safe to use with other ingredients, experts recommend starting with one active ingredient at a time to avoid irritation.
Best Vitamin C: Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Face Serum
If your skin is dull, bumpy, sun-damaged, or could use a general boost in the radiance department, you should consider incorporating vitamin C into your routine. Dr. Garshick explains that it works wonders for the skin, as it’s responsible for brightening dark spots and dullness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and boosting its overall glow. This Vichy serum contains 15 percent pure vitamin C—a pretty high percentage—plus hyaluronic acid to transform your complexion in as little as ten days. It certainly doesn’t hurt that this non-sticky formula is clean, containing only 11 different ingredients. And we love that it comes in dark glass packaging to protect the formula from oxidation.
Best Hyaluronic Acid: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
As you may already know, hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient in truly hydrating skin down to a cellular level, which is why so many serums on the market today contain this beloved, skin-nourishing ingredient. A molecule that’s naturally found in the skin, topical application increases moisture levels instantly, leaving the skin supple and plump. That’s why we’re major fans of this serum from L’Oréal, which is formulated with 1.5 percent pure hyaluronic acid. In as little as a week, you can expect a major radiance boost, making this affordable option an absolute must. “I appreciate that this serum is incredibly lightweight and it spreads easily,” says Alyssa Kaplan, Commerce Writer. “It gives my oily skin an added boost of moisture without contributing to a greasy finish.”
Best Retinol: RoC Retinol Correxion Smoothing Night Serum Capsules
“As a vitamin A derivative, retinol helps to regulate skin cell turnover and helps to boost collagen production improving the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also improving the overall skin tone and texture,” says Dr. Garshick. This RoC serum offers the real-deal results of a prescription retinoid without the irritation typically associated with it. Suitable for all skin types, you can expect some pretty dramatic results from this potent serum, with studies showing a visible reduction in lines and wrinkles in just one use and a significant skin transformation in as little as four weeks. We also love that each dose is packaged in its own biodegradable capsule, guaranteeing ingredient freshness and potency. And for the price? You can’t beat it.
Best Niacinamide: La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Niacinamide Face Serum
Dr. Garshick loves this serum, saying that it works to address discoloration and dullness while helping to even out the skin tone. “It contains 10 percent niacinamide which can make it helpful even for those with acne-prone skin to also help address post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” she explains. We also appreciate that it contains hyaluronic acid to give the skin a moisture boost and help create a more plump appearance. If you’re struggling with dark spots or dullness, we recommend checking this one out.
Best Smoothing: CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
If you’re dealing with rough and bumpy skin texture, whether it be from acne scarring or extra-dry skin, CeraVe’s Revitalizing Retinol Serum will totally renew your complexion. Formulated with encapsulated retinol, it helps to resurface the outermost layer of the skin without any of the irritation or negative side effects typically associated with retinol use. Additionally, ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II restore the skin’s delicate barrier while licorice root extract minimizes pores and acne scars. Finally, niacinamide helps to calm and soothe the skin. It’s also fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and allergy-tested, so even those with more sensitive complexions can reap its benefits.
Best for Large Pores: Melé Smooth Pore Minimizing Serum
If large pores are plaguing your complexion, look no further than this pore-minimizing serum by Melé, a skincare brand created with dermatologists of color formulated specifically for melanin-rich skin. Not only does it visibly blur the appearance of pores, but tripeptides and rosehip extract reduce pore size and rebalance the skin’s oil levels, ensuring you stay shine-free all day long. Not to mention, it’s clean and formulated without parabens, phthalates, alcohol, or mineral oil, which is a major plus.
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is the Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum. It’s lightweight, deeply hydrating, fragrance and alcohol-free, and layers beautifully with other products. But if you’re in the market for a serum that will help smooth skin texture and even tone, we recommend the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
What to Look for When Buying a Drugstore Serum
Ingredients
It’s always wise to consider the ingredients in a skincare product before you purchase it. Of course, considering the active ingredients is key in order to reap the benefits you’re seeking (more on that below), but you’ll want to look out for things like synthetic fragrance, drying alcohols, and potential irritants for you. The Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum has a simple ingredient list that doesn’t contain alcohol or fragrance, making it one of our favorites. It’s also good to seek out a serum that has moisturizing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
Benefits
Before buying a serum, it’s important to understand what you’re looking to get out of it. In need of extra hydration? Looking to smooth uneven skin texture? Hope to smooth the appearance of wrinkles? Be sure to consider your skincare goals before looking for a serum, that way you can find one that’s actually suited to you.
‘For those looking to help with anti-aging concerns, a retinol serum, as well as a vitamin C serum, can be helpful,” says Dr. Garshick. If a retinol serum is what you’re looking for, we recommend the RoC Retinol Correxion Smoothing Night Serum Capsules. “For those looking to help with discoloration, a vitamin C serum or serum containing AHAs can be helpful. For those with dry or sensitive skin, using a hyaluronic acid serum to boost moisture can help.”
FAQ
What does a face serum do?
Face serums provide multiple benefits depending on the ones you choose. Often they provide nourishing and moisture-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. They typically contain other potent ingredients that treat skin concerns like acne, dryness, aging, or dullness.
How often should I use face serum?
“Depending on the specific ingredients, serums can be used as often as 1-2 times daily, though certain exfoliating serums may only be recommended 1-2 times per week,” explains Dr. Garshick. It’s always best to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging of the product you’re using.
Do I need both serum and moisturizer?
You can use both serum and moisturizer. Some skin types may not need both, but using a moisturizer is still wise since it can protect the skin’s barrier and help seal in the moisture obtained from serums.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, formulas, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources, like a board-certified dermatologist. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives.
