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Serums and treatments

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

A serum delivers targeted active ingredients right where your skin needs them most. It is used every evening, and in the weekly routine. These formulas most often rely on niacinamide to reduce signs of aging and dark spots, hyaluronic acid to protect cells and support deep hydration, and vitamin C to brighten the complexion.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Delivery, 2017

SKIN1004 serums

All SKIN1004 products

What to look for in a serum

From reviews of 25 popular serums.

What reviewers value

  • Improves skin texture and smooths complexion Often Mentioned
    • “skin becomes very smooth — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “skin looks like glass — Differin Gel”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
  • Brightens skin and fades dark spots Often Mentioned
    • “skin looks glowier — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “visibly improves sun damaged skin — Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
  • Lightweight formula and quick absorption Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum”
  • Gentle and non-irritating on sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
  • Provides deep hydration and radiant glow Sometimes Noted
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
    • “Surprisingly hydrated my skin very well in the dry mountain air. — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum”
  • Anti-aging benefits and firming results Sometimes Noted
    • “wrinkles look less deep — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “Nature's botox — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “softens lines and wrinkles — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”

Common complaints

  • High price point for the size Often Mentioned
    • “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
    • “expensive — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Strong fragrance and unpleasant scent Often Mentioned
    • “Smells like pool water — Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray”
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smells like perfume — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
  • Slow or disappointing results Often Mentioned
    • “requires patience — Mederma Advanced Scar Gel”
    • “takes time — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “did nothing for bumps — Mario Badescu Drying Lotion”
  • Causes initial breakouts and skin purging Sometimes Noted
    • “acne got worse first — Differin Gel”
    • “I had full blown acne, everywhere — Retin-A Cream”
    • “face broke out everywhere — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Causes dryness, peeling, and irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “skin flaked off — Differin Gel”
    • “Skin flaked a lot... looked terrible and flaky — Retin-A Cream”
    • “peeling and flaking — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
  • Leaves a sticky or greasy residue Sometimes Noted
    • “pills under makeup — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “tacky finish — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “Tacky at first — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”

The Ordinary serums

All The Ordinary products

La Roche-Posay serums

All La Roche-Posay products

COSRX serums

All COSRX products

Beauty of Joseon serums

All Beauty of Joseon products

Paula's Choice serums

All Paula's Choice products

Medicube serums

All Medicube products

All serums

See all 571 serums

Research behind serum ingredients

Behind these picks

Lovi picks every product by its fit score, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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