11 best face serums – everything you need to know if you’re a serum newbie

There's one perfectly suited to you ✨

best face serum

by Georgia Scott |
Updated on

Let's talk the best face serums. The bookends of your skincare routine as we know are of course a reliable cleanser and your go-to moisturiser - but what goes in the middle? The answer is a serum. Treating your main skin concerns all comes down to the power of a face serum. Typically serums are lightweight in texture and can be absorbed into the skin in seconds without feeling greasy or heavy on the skin.

What does a serum do for your skin?

A face serum is one of most powerful products in your skincare routine that typically focus on one or two ingredients and target specific concerns. Wondering how you might target pesky blemishes? Or craving super glowy skin that looks brighter and firmer? Finding the best salicylic acid or the best vitamin c serum to add to your skincare routine will transform how your skin looks.

Closer's best face serums 2025 at a glance:

Editor's choice: Naturium Vitamin C Super Serum Plus - View offer on Space NK

Best vitamin C serum for radiance: Ole Henriksen Truth Serum - View offer on Ole Henriksen

Best hyaluronic acid serum: Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid Serum - View offer on Beauty Pie

The best thing about serums? You can mix and match them depending on how your skin looks and feels. We love a hyaluronic acid serum in a skincare routine for those times you need some extra moisture and want your skin to look plump, and as we start moving into the colder months

How we tested the best face serums

As a beauty writer, I'm lucky enough to try a range of skincare products all in the name of journalism...we know, it's a hard life! As someone obsessed with skincare, I understand the importance of serum in any skincare routine to intensely treat a specific skin concern rather than just caring for your skin type. I have dry yet combination skin that can sometimes look dull and lacklustre, with this being said I tried a range of serums that focused on bringing some glow and moisture back to my skin.

Here at Closer, we have found the best face serums ideally suited to you depending on what concerns you want to address. Keep scrolling to shop Closer's best face serums.

SHOP: The best face serums for every skin concern

Editor's choice

Naturium Vitamin C Super Serum PlusNaturium

Looking for a daily face serum that does it all? The Vitamin C Super Serum Plus from Naturium is jam-packed full of ingredients to target a full range of skin concerns. The blend of vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid can be used on pretty much any skin type for those looking to brighten, combat blemishes, target fine lines and instantly hydrate. The lightweight formula is comfortable to wear under your moisturiser and make-up as it gets to work instantly targeting the overall appearance of your skin.

Tried and tested by beauty writer, Georgia Scott: "When it comes to trying a new facial serum, I can never have enough products on rotation. I typically use a vitamin C serum as part of my morning skincare routine so when I tried the Super Serum Plus from Naturium - I was excited to see how it would differ with the added ingredients. It's safe to say, this serum has become one of my all time favourites. I always notice when I stop using this serum as my skin looks brighter, firmer and more even with every use."

Pros

  • Fragrance free
  • Great for all skin types

Cons

  • Hard to tell when the product has ran out

Best vitamin C serum for radiance

Ole Henriksen Truth SerumOle Henriksen

If you're looking for brighter, firmer, and more radiant-looking skin, vitamin C is the ingredient for you. Ole Henriksen's Truth Serum works to hydrate, brighten, and firm while leaving a super glowy finish. The vitamin C is stabilised with collagen and aloe juice, so every use has the same effect on the skin. Apply this serum daily to see results and add lots of glow. Reviewers love this serum to help brighten and hydrate and one reviewer found that this serum felt silky on the skin. They went on to say that a little goes a long way so the product lasts.

Pros

  • Stabilised vitamin C suitable for all skin types
  • Hydrating formula

Cons

  • None!

Best plumping hyaluronic acid serum

Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid SerumBeauty Pie
Price: $24 (with a membership)

www.beautypie.com

Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients to treat dry, dehydrated and textured skin. The Triple Hyaluronic Acid Serum from Beauty Pie uses three different molecular levels of hyaluronic acid to target different layers of the skin to see a much plumper and firmer appearance after the first use. This must-have serum is also made with ceramides to transform and boost the skin's natural barrier and help banish any unwanted texture. Craving some much-needed hydration? This serum is one to add to your routine. One reviewer said they'd been using this product for four weeks and can see a noticeable difference. They claimed they have always had dry and textured skin and after using this serum they noticed how soft the skin feels and looks healthy.

Pros

  • Super hydrating formula
  • Targets different levels of the epidermis

Cons

  • Glass bottle hard to travel with

Best retinol serum

Looking to start your retinol journey? Medik8 know about keeping ingredients simple and easy to use - the Crystal Retinal system is the perfect way to get started on retinol by slowly building up the levels of strength to see results. The encapsulated system releases the retinol slowly over time so you can see gradual resurfacing and collagen-boosting over time results to build up the skin's resilience. Many customers rave about Medik8's Crystal Retinal Serums and how you can gradually build up your tolerance to continue to see results. One reviewer said that they'd be using this serum for three weeks consecutively and is very happy with the results. They went onto say that they were in the market for a product that has positive results and how they can't wait to level up to a stronger serum in the range.

Pros

  • Recreates a professional treatment at home
  • Suitable for blemish-prone skin

Cons

  • Gradually building up strengths can become pricey

Best salicylic acid serum

When it comes to banishing any unwanted blemishes, the trick is to keep it simple. The Vinopure Blemish Control Salicylic Serum works with niacinamide to gently treat and diminish the appearance of blemishes while keeping the skin feeling calm and looking smooth. Reviewers claim this product is is best for oily, acne-prone skin and we couldn't agree more. The lightweight formula is comfortable to wear under make-up without peeling.

Pros

  • Formula gently treats blemishes
  • Safe to use daily

Cons

  • Can't tell when product has ran out

Best hydrating eye serum

L'Oréal Paris 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid Eye SerumL'Oréal Paris

You might've heard of this viral eye serum - and for good reason. The Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Eye Serum from L'Oréal Paris has amassed a following of celebrity fans including Molly-Mae Hague and Mary Bedford for it's soothing, de-puffing and hydrating properties. The cooling applicator glides over the skin to gently de-puff and calm as the hyaluronic acid and caffeine serum hydrates and treats dark circles with consistent use.

Tried and tested by beauty writer, Georgia Scott: "Typically when a product is viral, I expect to see results after a couple of uses, however with this serum, I was pleasantly surprised to see results instantly. As someone who has dry skin and dark circles, this serum is like a breath of fresh air. The soothing rollerball applicator instantly depuffs and the hydrating serum works to hydrate and solve discolouration over time - I'm obsessed."

Pros

  • Cooling applicator works to soothe and calm the under eyes
  • Product can be used day or night

Cons

  • Some reviews say product can feel sticky

Best serum for super sensitive skin

Following the love of the Aveeno Oat Moisturiser, we spotted that those on TikTok flooded to try the matching Triple Oat Serum and were super impressed. For those who struggle with sensitive skin that lacks moisture, this serum will work wonders. Enriched with 100% pure oats combined with antioxidants, this serum provides up to 24 hours of comfort and hydration that helps repair and soothe sensitive skin.

Tried and tested by beauty writer, Georgia Scott: "As someone who struggles with dry and sensitive skin, this serum came as such a treat. My skin felt instantly nourished and moisturised - I also noticed my skin looking glowy under make-up. I will definitely continue to use this serum as part of my daily skincare routine to help soothe and plump."

Best niacinamide serum

Simple Booster Serum 10% NiacinamideSimple

Simple's Booster Serums have been designed to be easily added to any skincare routine either on it's own or dropped into your go-to moisturiser. Looking to solve any unwanted texture or improve dark spots? Niacinamide is the ingredient for you. This gentle skin-loving ingredient has a full range of benefits to the skin and works to calm, soothe and keep the skin feeling balanced regardless of your skin type. One reviewer took to Boots to say how pleased they were with their purchase as this serum helps to add a glow to their skin when it looks lifeless in the mornings.

Pros

  • Can be used alone or with your exisiting products
  • Great value

Cons

  • Can't tell when product has ran out

Best fake-tan serum

Looking or a new serum that hydrates and leaves your skin with a sunkissed glow? Look no further than Tan-Luxe's Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum. This everyday essential not only leaves your skin with a radiant, tanned finish but floods the skin full of moisture and leaves a plump finish thanks to the power of hyaluronic acid. This must-have serum can be worn alone or mixed in with your favourite moisturiser.

Pros

  • Multipurpose serum for those who like to tan
  • Hydrates and plumps

Cons

  • Glass bottle not ideal for travel

Best rosehip oil serum

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed OilThe Ordinary

Struggling with some dry skin drama? A rosehip oil serum is the answer. Whether your skin is dry, sensitive or dehydrated, choosing an oil based serum will promise to treat and transform the way your skin looks and feels. This must-have rosehip oil is best applied at night for a real shot of hydration and can also be used around other areas of the body that might be feeling dry. The best bit? It's under £10 - result.

Customer review: "Been using this for over a week and love how my skin feels. It takes a while to absorb into the skin but my face definitely feels smoother."

Pros

  • Great price-point
  • Soothes and hydrates the skin

Cons

  • Glass bottle not ideal for travel

Best anti-aging serum

Beauty Pie Super Retinol Ceramide-boost Anti-aging Face SerumBeauty Pie
Price: $19 (with a membership)

www.beautypie.com

Beauty Pie's Super Retinol Anti-aging serum is ideal for those beginners who are looking to get into the world of retinol. The encapsulated retinol is blended with ceramides, hyaluronic and lactic acid to lightly exfoliate and flood the skin full of moisture as the retinol gets to work on any fine lines and wrinkles. The texture is light enough to wear during the day but remember to wear SPF when applying retinol.

Pros

  • Gentle formula keeps skin hydrated
  • Can be worn during the day as a moisturiser

Cons

  • Bulky packaging

When should I apply serum?

Typically, you should apply your chosen serum after cleansing to a clean face but before applying your moisturiser and SPF. If it's a vitamin C serum - we would suggest applying in the morning before make-up. If you're wondering when to apply your retinol serum - we would recommend applying at night before you head to sleep, ensuring you apply some SPF the following day.

What ingredient should I look for in my serum?

We want to break down any confusion over ingredients to keep skincare simple. Depending on what your skin concerns are - simply look for your skin type when shopping for new skincare to lead you to the perfect ingredient. For example, if you fancy trying a niacinamide serum - they work well to combat dark spots and irritated skin. A rosehip oil serum will work wonders on those struggling with dryness and dehydration.

Georgia Scott is a beauty and fashion product writer writing for heat specialising in all things lifestyle and trending. Before starting at Bauer, Georgia completed her degree in Journalism at University and worked as a retail beauty advisor and make-up artist.

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