19 Serums That Helped Solve Our Biggest Skin Concerns — and Can Help You, Too

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Chances are, if you start dishing on a skin-care concern you're facing — whether it's breakouts and maskne or extreme sensitivity — you'll find someone who feels the same way. But before you start approaching strangers on the street or group texting your friends for recommendations, POPSUGAR editors are trying out tons of products every single day and, between all of us, we have so many serums we'd recommend to you that we've tried — and loved — for our own concerns.

Since we're all in this together, we narrowed it down to 19 favorites that each tackle a specific problem (or desired outcome), and we're sharing them with you here. From dullness to dryness and everything in between, read our reviews ahead to see which serums get our stamp of approval, and then decide what fills the next empty spot in your shopping cart.



For Hyperpigmentation
sephora.com

For Hyperpigmentation

Item: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum ($80)

What our editor said: "I have some of my quickest, all-over results with [this serum]. It has 15-percent l-ascorbic acid plus ferulic acid and vitamin E, which fades dark patches and leaves my skin more luminous overall. (I store it in the fridge to make sure it stays potent and apply it in the morning right after I use my ice roller from the freezer.)" — Morgan Ashley Parker, contributing editor, Beauty

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Lackluster Skin
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For Lackluster Skin

Item: Tan-Luxe Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum ($49)

What our editor said: "You know that glow you get when you're standing under the twinkle lights at a nighttime rooftop party? Warm, radiant, slightly lit from within — that's what I want my skin to look like 24/7. Usually that would require a heavy hand of bronzer (and very nice friends with roof access), but [this self-tan serum] makes it easy. The formula has all the good stuff you'd want from a hydrating face serum — hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, vitamin E — plus a small percentage of DHA, which makes it easy to build a believable tan that'll last long after summer ends." — Kelsey Castañon, beauty director

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Fine Lines
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For Fine Lines

Item: The Inkey List Retinol Antiaging Serum ($10)

What our editor said: "I'm impressed with the results. It includes a 1 percent stabilized retinol and .05 percent granactive retinoid, so it's strong but not harsh, and the squalane helps with any dryness you might typically incur from a retinol. (Granactive retinoids deliver the same benefits of retinoids and retinols but with less potential for irritation.) My skin over the past few weeks has looked smoother, and my pores less noticeable. And since it's only $10, you have nothing to lose, really. (Except, like, two cups of coffee.)" — Kirbie Johnson, beauty contributor

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Dry Patches
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For Dry Patches

Item: Tatcha The Serum Stick: Treatment and Touch Up Balm ($48)

What our editor said: "Straight from Meghan Markle's favorite brand comes this serum stick — a solid, deeply hydrating balm loaded with squalane and hyaluronic acid that'll give dry patches the royal treatment. (Even if you're not officially part of the family. Wink.)" — KC

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Dark Circles and Undereye Bags
sephora.com

For Dark Circles and Undereye Bags

Item: Kiehl's Since 1851 Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark-Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum ($50)

What our editor said: "When I'm not wearing makeup on my face (#work-from-home life), I've been relying on this serum to make me look more awake (and hide the embarrassing amount of time I spent binge-watching TV the night before). However, for those days when I do need to apply makeup on top of it, I'm happy to report that the eye serum absorbs quickly and leaves behind no traces of greasy residue. Its consistency is similar to that of a good blurring makeup primer and, if I'm being completely honest, I've thought about putting it on my entire face more than once. Don't judge — try it for yourself and you'll see what I mean." — Jessica Harrington, associate editor, Beauty

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Dryness
sephora.com

For Dryness

Item: Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Oil-Infused Serum ($59)

What our editor said: "[This serum] delivers seriously dewy, hydrated skin with a single use. The lightweight oil-serum hybrid layers well under a moisturizer or, if you want a glass-skin like appearance, wears well on its own when pressed into the skin. This is my signature work-from-home beauty look on days without meetings." — JH

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Sensitive Types
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For Sensitive Types

Item: Herbivore Bakuchiol Antiaging Serum ($54)

What our editor said: "Bakuchiol is a botanical extract that mimics the effects of retinol but also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a more soothing alternative. This serum is kind of life-changing. I apply it before bed a few times a week, and I've seen an improvement in the texture and tone of my skin. Plus, I haven't felt any irritation or redness from this product, which is a huge win for me. If you too thought the benefits of retinol were out of the question, well, you're in luck. Here's to glowing skin all year long." — India Yaffe, assistant editor, Shop

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Enlarged Pores
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For Enlarged Pores

Item: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting and Refining Serum ($65)

What our editor said: "I've been looking for a magic pore eraser ever since I first noticed a pore on my face, and I'm excited to say that [this serum] is the closest I've come to finding one. It's a blend of acids and mushroom extract that both clean and tighten pores, making them appear smaller. The best part? I noticed a difference after only a week." — Dawn Davis, senior editorial director, Brandshop

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Dullness
sephora.com

For Dullness

Item: Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C Serum ($64)

What our editor said: "I wake up in the morning and my skin is glowing like I cannot believe. Plus, it doesn't have a weird smell, and it doesn't dry out my skin, make it overly oily, or make me break out. It comes in a great little bottle that's easy to travel with, too.

Perhaps my favorite thing about the Summer Fridays serum is that it doesn't oxidize. Has your vitamin C serum ever turned brown or started to smell differently? If it has, you're not alone; that's the vitamin C oxidizing. It essentially means that the ingredient is no longer active, and is a relatively common issue, but it's not fun to spend lots of money on a serum only for it to go bad quickly. This bottle lasted me months without oxidizing, which means the ingredients are potent and packaged properly." — IY

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Redness
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For Redness

Item: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum ($88)

What our editor said: "I'm not entirely sure what happened to my skin as of late, but if I had to guess, it's a mix of this lifestyle change, constantly pumping the dry heater in our house, and just general waves of anxiety and stress. Nonetheless, my cheeks have been getting beyond red. Not painful or anything, just rosacea-y red. I'd bought [this serum] prior to sheltering in place and thought this was the perfect time to try it out. I was admittedly new to retinol, so I tested a small amount during the daytime first just to see how my skin would react. Once I gave myself the go-ahead, I started using the serum at night after I cleaned my face. The result? When I wake up in the morning, my skin is even-toned again. It's still a little dry, but the redness dissipates. It's such a nice treat to wake up, look at myself in the mirror, and see evidence that something is working." — Rebecca Brown, contributor

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Uneven Skin Texture
sephora.com

For Uneven Skin Texture

Item: Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum ($62)

What our editor said: "This serum boasts tons of amazing reviews on Sephora, which is what initially drew me in. Users have said they were able to see drastic results overnight — a bold claim, and one I was fully game to put to the test. I've been using this serum for about three weeks, but I didn't have to wait three weeks to see an improvement. I noticed a change in my skin's texture in less than a week, and I noticed my dark spots fade within two weeks.

As the days went on, I noticed a significant difference in the look and feel of my skin. If I happened to be experiencing a breakout, this product helped speed up the healing time. My pores looked clearer, my dark spots were lighter, and the texture of my skin looked more even than it's ever been. I was actually kinda glowing, and I'm loving it." — Renee Rodriguez, contributor

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Dehydrated Skin
sephora.com

For Dehydrated Skin

Item: Sulwhasoo Bloomstay Vitalizing Serum ($90)

What our editor said: "When you get sent products to test for a living, it becomes a mundane routine at times. Sometimes you're amazed, sometimes you aren't. When I brought home Sulwhasoo's Bloomstay collection, it was business as usual, but [this serum] stopped me dead in my regimen. The texture of this serum is unlike anything I've felt before — it's thick and has a honey-like consistency that melts into the skin. It's straight-up luxurious (including the price tag, unfortunately). My goal is always to remain mindful of the cost of the products I recommend, and in this case, the serum is worth every penny. The Vitalizing Serum is made with ingredients like green plum blossom, a flower with a high antioxidant content, and a fruit-and-seed compound that is exclusive to the brand. If your skin looks dull and parched, this serum is like giving your skin a hydration IV." — KJ

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Acne Scars
sephora.com

For Acne Scars

Item: Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum 20% Vitamin C + 10% AHA ($88)

What our editor said: "I started to notice dark spots (the ones along my cheek bones from faded acne scars) started to disappear by the third week. By week four, my skin experienced a full-blown transformation. My skin was glow-y — so much so, I'd started using less concealer and skipping foundation completely. It was also extremely soft and even in tone." — Jesa Marie Calaor, contributor

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Instant Hydration
sephora.com

For Instant Hydration

Item: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($42)

What our editor said: "I'm not exaggerating when I say this serum made my skin feel hydrated pretty much immediately and, hours later, still felt like I'd just put it on. It wasn't so much that I could see a difference, but it was a good thing I was inside with clean hands, because I couldn't stop touching my face. It just felt plumper, like I had (what I assume people mean by) 'bouncy skin.'" — MAP

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Dry Yet Acne-Prone skin
sephora.com

For Dry Yet Acne-Prone skin

Item: Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum ($48)

What our editor said: "After my first use, I knew my skin loved this product. It instantly soaked in the serum without feeling too thick or greasy. My skin simply felt hydrated, light, and fresh. Plus, although my skin is oily, I also get dry patches, and those were instantly relieved. I use it both in the morning and at night, and for the last few years, I've suffered far fewer breakouts than ever before. I'm not sure I could ever live without it now." — Krista Jones, associate editor, Shop

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Pre-Foundation Use
sephora.com

For Pre-Foundation Use

Item: Yves Saint Laurent Pure Shots Lines Away Antiaging Serum ($88)

What our editor said: "I've always struggled with finding a hyaluronic acid serum that doesn't pill. No matter what kind of formula I reach for or how long I wait before applying makeup, I've always found myself covered in teeny, tiny serum balls when I tap on my foundation. It not only makes my routine a lot longer because I have to patch up the parts the slip off, but it also makes me feel like the serum I'm using isn't doing what it's supposed to. Needless to say, I was pretty floored when I tried the YSL Beauty Pure Shots Lines Away Anti-Aging Serum Refill ($70). It's the first HA serum I can proudly say absorbs immediately and makes my skin feel plumped, hydrated, and ready for that next makeup step. The best part? I noticed my complexion was brighter and more smooth after just a week of application, and I haven't seen a pill in sight since." — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, associate editor, Makeup.com

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Rough Skin Texture
sephora.com

For Rough Skin Texture

Item: Kora Organics Noni Night AHA Resurfacing Serum ($72)

What our editor said: "I am very passionate about having soft skin, and in order to achieve that, I need a gentle yet potent exfoliator, which is exactly what [this] serum does. I use two pumps and apply it all over my face, which is refreshing in and of itself, since I usually have to carefully pick and choose the parts of my face that won't get inflamed. Plus, I love that Kora Organics is just that: organic. The ingredients are clean and nontoxic, and they're also cruelty free. As if that wasn't good enough, my skin has truly never been this soft. Like, can't-stop-touching-my-face soft." — IY

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Dull Skin
sephora.com

For Dull Skin

Item: Herbivore Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum ($54)

What our editor said: "Fans of Herbivore Botanicals might remember the brand's OG Prism Exfoliating Glow Potion — a serum housed in a bottle so pretty, it practically begged to be Instagrammed. Herbivore somehow made its second iteration even more beautiful. Stored in a light-reflecting rainbow bottle is a thin liquid that is potent with 2 percent AHA and 3 percent BHA to exfoliate the skin. I applied three drops to my hands before tapping and massaging it into my skin, which felt firmer in seconds. The next morning, my skin was visibly more even in tone, an effect that made me want to skip the light-coverage foundation I typically wear every day." — JMC

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.

For Maturing Skin
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For Maturing Skin

Item: Belif Youth Creator Age Knockdown Bomb ($65)

What our editor said: "Losing my bottle of this serum caused a fight between my partner and me. I had just begun falling in love with how it restored my skin's radiance and made it feel plump and bouncy with moisture, with just the very first application. (It contains cedrol and a flower called winter aster to do that.) One night, I showed it to my partner, who then said he loved how firm it made his skin feel . . . and that was the last time I saw the bottle. He swears he doesn't have it, and I guess I believe him (for the most part)." — JMC

If you want to read more, here is the complete review.