Experts' guide to new age serum

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The expert's guide: serums to know now

Searching for the perfect product to supercharge your skincare routine? Look to serums. These lightweight, easily absorbed elixirs ‘deliver high-strength ingredients into the skin with a very small amount of product,’ says London-based aesthetic expert and surgical doctor, Dr. Deepa Panch. Discover our guide to the must-try serums, formulated to target every skin concern.

THE VINTNER'S DAUGHTER ACTIVE BOTANICAL SERUM

If you’re in need of moisture or some TLC for your skin barrier, this oil-based serum is a must-try as it’s packed with fatty acids and plant-based ceramides — two ingredients key for a healthy and balanced complexion. Formulated with 22 botanicals that are extracted from whole plants in a careful process that takes three weeks, its blend of powerful antioxidant-rich oils also help to calm inflammation, refine texture, and protect your skin from external and environmental stressors.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Serum

Sought-after aesthetic expert Dr. Barbara Sturm has turned anti-inflammatory skincare into an artform by creating products that boast gentle, science-backed formulations to restore and renew the skin — and this serum is no different. Its revitalizing formula boosts elasticity, smooths fine lines and nourishes with an antioxidant-rich cocktail of ingredients including reparative glutathione, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and the botanical extracts skullcap and purslane to stimulate collagen and strengthen skin against damage.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum

This transformative product is on wishlists everywhere for its innovative combination of hard-working actives. Featuring resurfacing glycolic acid, cell-renewing granactive retinoid and cell-repairing ferulic acid, the powerhouse serum should be slowly added into your routine to build up your skin’s tolerance. Use it as little as once or twice a week to target stubborn pigmentation, uneven texture, fine lines, dullness and congestion.

Medik8 Intelligent Retinol 3TR serum

Retinol is a gold-standard beauty ingredient that’s proven to increase cell turnover, and as a result it decreases congestion and breakouts, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, stimulates collagen production and lightens hyperpigmentation. In this lightweight formulation from dermatologist-approved brand Medik8, the potent antioxidant is joined by calming vitamin E, a retinol booster called climbazole and moisturizing squalane — a skin-identical oil that deposits the retinol deeply into the skin’s moisture barrier. This potent formula is also available in two higher strengths.

Irene Forte Hibiscus Serum

Good for skin and kind to the environment, Irene Forte’s B-Corp-certified skincare range is a must-try for natural skincare buffs. Our pick from the vegan, dermatologically tested lineup is the Hibiscus Serum — an elixir formulated to rejuvenate the skin with ethically sourced active ingredients that complement the body’s natural biochemistry. It contains a replenishing mix of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, ceramides and peptides, and boasts the addition of Myoxinol — a patented extract found in hibiscus seeds that smooths fine lines and texture.

FaceGym Youth Reformer Firming Vitamin C Face Serum

The brand behind some of beauty world’s trendiest skincare tools introduces an exciting vitamin C serum that brightens, renews, calms and refines. Designed to be used in the morning (followed by SPF) and at night, it contains a medley of science-backed ingredients to restore the skin’s youthful glow. With each application, you can expect the likes of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, andiroba oil, microalgae and patchouli to tackle dehydration, dull skin, fine lines, stress and inflammation.

Natura Bisse Inhibit Tensolift Neck Serum

Take your skincare routine one step further by dedicating time and attention to the delicate skin on your décolletage. Blending shiitake extract and niacinamide to firm and lift, this serum promises to improve the definition of the chin, encourage skin renewal, refine texture, boost elasticity and dial-up radiance. To get the most out of this serum, the experts at Natura Bisse advise you to warm a few drops in your hands before applying the product in firm upward strokes from your chest to your neck. Once you reach your chin, follow the natural contour of your jaw and massage the skin back gently towards your ears.

Augustinus Bader The Serum

Aside from being a stylish addition to your beauty lineup, this serum has also been tried, tested, and approved for performance and payoff by Violet Grey’s council of industry experts. The lightweight, milky formula combines high-potency botanical ingredients such as rice bran oil, edelweiss and pomegranate seed extracts to give skin a smoother appearance, boost hydration and collagen, as well as promote healing.

Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C Serum

This serum contains a blend of brightening agents, each doing their part to help you achieve maximum radiance by targeting the common causes of dullness. While the antioxidant powers of vitamin C reduce the appearance of dark spots and stubborn pigmentation, glycolic acid sloughs off dead skin, phytosterols combat uneven redness, and saccharide isomerate extract soothes and strengthens the skin against damage.

By Terry Hyaluronic Global Serum

You may know By Terry for its best-selling makeup, but the brand also has a standout skincare offering, including this deeply replenishing serum with eight hyaluronic acids in three different molecular weights. A must-have for all skin types, Dr. Panch explains, ‘the hyaluronic acid in this serum will intensely hydrate, while the niacinamide will help minimize hyperpigmentation and work to even out skin tone and texture.’