12 Best Anti-Ageing Serums for Youthful Skin
See why shoppers can’t stop raving about how ‘obsessed’ they are with this ‘holy grail’ anti-ageing serum.
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We all know ageing is a privilege but some of us still want to delay the signs of it on our skin as much as possible.
If you fall into that category, it’s time to explore the world of anti-ageing skincare – and more specifically, anti-ageing serums.
Think ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, niacinamide and so much more.
To help you find the best anti-ageing serums for your skin concerns, skin type and budget, we’ve researched and tried and tested endless products – both popular and best kept secrets – to find our most effective favourites.
One of our top picks? Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3, it’s a top-rated anti-ageing serum that many happy reviewers have described as “brilliant” and a “holy grail”.
Another five-star shopper also noted they’ve experienced “zero irritation and huge improvements in my skin” with it.
And if you’re interested to learn more, don’t forget to head on over to our roundup of the best anti-ageing creams.
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST ANTI-AGEING SERUMS
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3, $99 at Adore Beauty
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3
Why we love it: This is a popular retinal serum that works as a great starting point for non-sensitive skin types.
What to consider: May be expensive for some – although a little goes a long way.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 30ml
What You Need To Know
This serum in particular is a medium strength retinal for those who have used retinol before, or a starting point for those without sensitive skin.
It works hard to give you a whole range of anti ageing benefits – resurface the skin by removing dead skin cells, and also help boost collagen to reveal a more radiant and youthful complexion.
We also love the Medik8 Crystal Retinal Range because it offers a variety of strengths, depending on your skin type and experience level. The Crystal Retinal 3 is great for almost everyone, so once you find your skin can take more, it’s recommended you move to the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6.
Five-star rating Adore Beauty shoppers are “obsessed” with this “brilliant” and “holy grail” serum, noting they’ve said “goodbye to skin texture” after using it.
Another happy customer said they’ve experienced “zero irritation and huge improvements in my skin”.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, from $135 at Adore Beauty
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Why we love it: This is a highly-rated night serum that’s been tried by almost everyone and their mother.
What to consider: It can be pricey for some, especially if you’re using it every night.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types, including sensitive skin and oily skin types | Size: Multiple sizes available
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
Advanced Night Repair is suitable for all ages and skin types, and this serum will assist in supporting skin’s natural nightly repair mode, so that skin is radiant upon waking.
It also supports your skin barrier with eight hours of antioxidant protection, helps to promote skin’s natural production of collagen, and intensely hydrates the skin and reduces the look of lines and wrinkles.
After trialling it for a couple of months, I’m happy (but also somewhat sad) to say it is 100 per cent worth it. This miracle in a bottle is unlike any other hydrating serum I’ve used and seriously lives up to the hype.
If you’re only going to use one serum, this is the one to use. Key benefits include line reducing, firming, evening tone, strengthening, hydrating and radiance boosting. Hydration and extra radiance were the two I noticed the most improvements in. I received so many compliments from friends and family saying that my skin was “glowing” and asking what I was using.
The lightweight, almost gel-like serum is aimed at revitalising dull or dehydrated skin. Featuring the brand’s Chronolux Power Signal technology, and no powerful acids or vitamin A, B or C, the instantly absorbed formula is suitable for everyone.
Also, despite the gel like consistency, there was no tackiness or greasy residue left on the skin like other hydrating serums.
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Bi-Phase Serum, $108 at Jurlique
Why we love it: It’s a unique oil and water serum that’s supposed to feel super soft and lightweight on the skin.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 30mL
Tried and Tested by Kara Byers, news.com.au checkout eCommerce Content Lead
Winter is upon us and so is my annual dose of gross – dry skin that is.
Enter this light but luxe face oil and serum hybrid that’s made my parched, dull and roughish skin glow again.
It’s also not caused a break out – a hitherto unknown phenomenon when trying face oils and serums. It smells gorgeous and feels luxe to apply yet it sinks in well with no tackiness, residue or transfer.
And it looks like Jurlique’s five-star rating shoppers agree with me.
“I love the scent and the feel of this on my skin”, said one reviewer, with another commenting it “made my skin feel nourished but not greasy”.
Go-To Very Amazing Retinal, $85 at Go-To Skincare
Why we love it: This is a potent formula that’s also super gentle and great for sensitive skin types.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 30mL
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Acting Editor
As someone who is rapidly approaching their mid-30s, a vitamin A serum (most commonly known as a retinol or retinal) is a must-have in my skincare routine. Why? Because it actually makes a difference to my skin.
After testing the Very Amazing Retinal, I can say it has honestly transformed my skin. I don’t mean to brag but the other day I was mistaken for a 25-year-old (I am 33) so I was pretty chuffed to say the least.
The Very Amazing Retinal is a dream to put on; it has a deliciously silky texture that sinks into your skin so well, which feels different to other vit A products I’ve tried. With regular use – I’ve been using it two to four times a week at night, slowly increasing it every week – my fine lines have faded, my skin’s tone and texture has improved, and just generally my complexion is much brighter, smoother and clearer.
Go-To’s Very Amazing Retinal is made with retinal rather than retinol, which works faster and is much less irritating on the skin. It’s also packed with two of my fave skincare ingredients – niacinamide (which brightens and strengthens skin) and peptides (to nourish and help reduce fine lines).
It’s also super gentle on skin, I had zero issues when I started using this, but it still has all the effectiveness and benefits of a vitamin A serum.
Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment, $89 at Paula’s Choice
Why we love it: This is one of Paula’s Choice bestsellers.
What to consider: Can be irritating for some.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 30mL
What You Need To Know
This Seattle-born skincare brand has become renowned for its dedication to ingredients that have been subjected to peer-reviewed research.
The research-backed, anti-ageing ingredients of this particular product? Retinol, vitamin C, and – new additions to this facial creams list – licorice extract and oat extract, tasked with soothing irritation and calming redness.
Customer review upon review attest to its brilliance, with everything from faded scarring, noticeably smoother skin tone and shrunk pores attributed to the 1% Retinol Treatment.
An independent consumer panel concluded 94 per cent of users agreed their skin felt smoother, 91 per cent noticed an increase in skin’s firmness, and 85 per cent saw an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles.
BEST ANTI-AGEING SERUM: BUDGET FRIENDLY
The Inkey List Retinol Serum, $26 at Sephora
Why we love it: Fantastic price point, especially for beginners.
What to consider: It’s not a strong formula, so may not be great for more advanced retinol users.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 30mL
Tried and Tested by Madison Geros, news.com.au checkout Partnerships Manager
I love the fact that for a retinol serum it is cheap, as most retinol serums are around the $120 price point. This serum I was recommended by my dermatologist so if she swears by it so do I! It also cleared up my hormonal acne and I feel like the serum is really light and not heavy – perfect for my skincare routine. Just make sure you limit sun exposure when using it.
BEST ANTI-AGEING SERUM FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum, $148 at Kiehl’s
Why we love it: This daily serum is great for sensitive skin and beginners.
What to consider: High price tag
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types, especially those with sensitive skin | Size: 50mL
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a daily anti-ageing serum, this top pick from Kiehl’s uses a micro-dose strength to deliver results, while still feeling super gentle on the skin.
It’s packed with pure retinol, as well as ceramides and peptides to help your skin’s tolerance and ensure you don’t have to deal with redness, dryness and peeling.
It does have a higher price tag than other serums on our list – sitting at $148 – but you do get more product and a little should go a very long way.
BEST ANTI-AGEING SERUM FOR MATURE SKIN
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum, from $160 at Myer
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum
Why we love it: This is a unique capsule-encapsulated anti-ageing serum.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types, especially those with mature skin | Size: 90 pieces
What You Need To Know
Did you know retinol is extremely sensitive to light and air? That’s why the brains over at Elizabeth Arden have decided to pop it into these handy capsules, increasing their potency.
The serum itself is luxurious and lightweight, containing both retinol and ceramides to increase moisture and hydration. Say goodbye to sagging skin!
BEST ANTI-AGEING SERUM FOR OILY/COMBINATION SKIN
Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate Serum, from $140 at Myer
Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate Serum
Why we love it: This is a complex formula that delivers on microbiome science.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types, especially those with mature skin | Size: from 30ml
What You Need To Know
Lancome’s best selling serum promises to target 10 key signs of ageing, as well as deliver a complex combination of 7 pre and probiotic fractions to your skin.
This all works together to strengthen your skin’s barrier and improve its overall texture, radiance, elasticity and firmness.
It’s racked up a super impressive 15,000 five-star ratings on the Myer website, with many shoppers calling it the “best face serum” and noting it has a “great non-greasy texture” – one point that is especially useful for those with oily, combination and acne prone skin types.
BEST ANTI-AGEING SERUM FOR DRY SKIN
asap super B complex, $90 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: It’s a highly-rated serum that’s both lightweight and fast absorbing.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 30ml
What You Need To Know
This top-rated serum is all about fighting the signs of ageing, while boosting your skin’s hydration. The formulation is gentle – so to reduce sensitivity and minimise redness – and is packed with a load of potent antioxidants to both protect your skin and repair it from past damage.
Named a “holy grail serum”, it’s racked up an average rating of 4.7 out of five from almost 1000 reviews on Adore Beauty.
“This is pricey but worth it. It smoothes out my fine lines and gives me a really nice glow”, said one five-star reviewer.
BEST ANTI-AGEING SERUM WITH NIACINAMIDE
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Niacinamide Serum for Dark Spots, $79.95 at Adore Beauty
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Niacinamide Serum for Dark Spots
Why we love it: This is a hardworking face serum that can dramatically improve the appearance of dark spots.
What to consider: Some customers didn’t see any improvements while using this.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 30ml
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I’ve been using this serum for a couple of months now and am seriously obsessed. My skin has never looked better.
It’s incredibly lightweight and melts easily into the skin. I’ve been using it both morning and night and have had no issues with pilling. It works both with my other skincare products and under makeup too.
Throughout my teens and early 20s I suffered from pretty severe acne and have a few scars to show for it. This serum dramatically reduced my scarring. It’s also generally brightened and evened out my skin tone too. More generally, despite coming into winter when my skin sadly usually looks a bit dull, I’ve noticed it looks way more radiant and glowy. Plus, I also had no issues with irritation so if you sensitive skin this is one you’ll love.
BEST ANTI-AGEING SERUM WITH VITAMIN C
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, $242 at Adore Beauty
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
Why we love it: This is a highly-rated serum that’s been used and loved by editors and beauty influencers all over the world.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Skin types: All skin types | Size: 30ml
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
There’s a bunch of antioxidants packed into this bottle that work to protect your complexion from atmospheric ageing – think things like free radical damage from UV rays, infra-red radiation and ozone pollution.
This is a gold standard vitamin C serum, harnessing a synergistic antioxidant complex that according to Skinceuticals, offers eight times greater environmental protection and increases skin firmness by 37 per cent.
It’s ideal for all skin types and has a unique texture – it’s not like your traditional gel-like serum, but rather feels like a super lightweight oil. I do love how quickly it absorbs into the skin and how easy it is to layer other products over the top.
Yes the price tag is high and while I don’t think you need to spend big bucks on your skincare, there are times where you can see why the price is so high.
This is a high-performing serum that creates a visible difference to your skin. So you’re getting what you pay for.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING ANTI-AGEING SERUMS
When choosing what anti-ageing creams and serums to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Age: Different age groups will require different types of skincare products and ingredients.
Budget: When it comes to skincare, you can find great products at both price points, high and low.
Skin type: To get the best out of your skincare routine, you’re going to want to make sure the products you use are meant for your skin type – whether that be oily skin, dry skin, normal skin or combination skin.
Sensitive skin: Some skincare products contain fragrance, which can be irritating for sensitive skin types. Active ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid can also cause irritation.
Ethics: Is using a vegan and cruelty-free product important to you?
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of products available, it’s impossible to test every one out there. To help you find the best anti-ageing creams and serums we tested a few well-known brands at different price points.
In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best anti-ageing skincare from premium to budget to help you find the right one for you.
To get a better understanding of how anti-ageing serums work, we also spoke to Gemma Rogers, the National Education Manager ANZ at both Estee Lauder and La Mer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO ANTI-AGEING SERUMS ACTUALLY WORK?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is it depends on what sort of key active or ingredients are used in the formula.
According to Gemma Rogers, “a good anti-ageing serum will help reduce appearance and slow down the development of lines and wrinkles, as well as promoting skin radiance, which is a sign of youthful skin.”
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD YOU START USING AN ANTI-AGEING SERUM
This can vary from person to person. But generally speaking, “research has shown that collagen production can start to slow down as early as in your 20s, so it makes sense to start incorporating an anti-ageing serum in your 20s-30s,” Gemma told news.com.au checkout.
WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY ANTI-AGEING SERUMS?
Gemma recommends applying your anti-ageing serum twice a day. Ensure it is before moisturising and if you are using more than one serum, layer from the thinnest to the thickest texture.
WHO SHOULDN’T USE ANTI-AGEING SERUMS?
Gemma notes “some actives in anti-ageing serums can be overstimulating for very sensitised skin, so if you do have skin sensitivity, it’s best to approach with caution, be aware of which ingredients can trigger a reaction and check in with a healthcare provider before starting something new.”
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RETINAL AND RETINOL?
You may have seen both terms used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two.
Both belong in the vitamin A family, also known as retinoids.
Vitamin A works to help boost cell skin turnover, and when retinol and retinal are applied to the skin, they get converted to retinoic acid.
In this process, retinol is two steps away from becoming retinoic acid, while retinal is just one – a direct precursor.
So what are the main differences? Well retinal is known to be faster-acting that retinol, thus being more effective. Although this can make it more irritating for some people and that’s why skincare brands will incorporate skin-loving ingredients alongside their retinal formulation.
Retinol may be considered the safer option for beginners.
More Beauty Coverage
More Coverage
- Best retinol serums and vitamin A creams for women of all ages
- Best Skinceuticals products for your daily beauty routine
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