Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients should I look for in a serum for mature skin?
“Retinoids are the gold standard ingredient in skin-care products [addressing aging skin],” says Dr. Sun, noting that they decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while stimulating collagen production for firmer, smoother-looking skin.
Hydration matters, too, especially since dryness can make texture and lines more visible. “Hyaluronic acid is also great because it draws moisture into the skin while helping skin look plump,” she adds. Emollients like squalane aid in softening dry skin and preventing that tight, parched feeling.
For discoloration and uneven texture, look to brightening ingredients like azelaic acid, as well as exfoliating acids. Glycolic and lactic acids loosen and sweep away dead surface cells to reveal smoother, more radiant-looking skin, while salicylic acid can be particularly useful for clogged pores and uneven texture. You certainly don’t need all of these ingredients in a single serum: Choose a formula based on the changes you’re most interested in addressing, whether that’s fine lines, dryness, dark spots, or loss of firmness.
Are face serums safe for sensitive or thinning mature skin?
Face serums are very safe for all skin types when chosen thoughtfully. “If you have irritation-prone or sensitive skin, use gentle, well-tolerated forms of active ingredients,” says Dr. Foad. For example, lower-strength or encapsulated retinoids can support collagen, smooth texture, and soften lines with less irritation, while ingredients like niacinamide, bisabolol, and ceramides maintain a steady, comfortable barrier. Dr. Foad also recommends introducing one new product at a time and avoiding multiple strong actives in the same routine. And since mature skin can be more delicate, “patch testing before full-face use is always a smart step.”
How are face serums for aging skin different from face oils?
Face serums and face oils for mature skin serve different purposes in your skin-care routine and are not interchangeable. “Serums are lightweight formulations designed to deliver concentrated active ingredients, such as retinoids, antioxidants, peptides, or hyaluronic acid, deeper into the skin,” says Dr. Foad. “They can support collagen production, cellular renewal, and can protect against intrinsic as well as environmental aging.”
Face oils, on the other hand, “focus primarily on moisturizing and reinforcing the skin barrier.” They’re excellent for sealing in hydration and pairing with moisturizers to improve comfort across skin types, but typically don’t contain actives at sufficient levels to drive structural change. For mature skin, Dr. Foad notes that serums address the underlying signs of aging, while oils can be used alongside them to support moisture and barrier health.
Meet the experts
- Alexandra Bowles, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology based in Cincinnati
- Mona Foad, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology based in Cincinnati
- Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan based in New York City
- Heidi Prather, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin
- Dawn Queen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Park Ave Derm based in New York City
- Christina Sun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Partners based in Philadelphia
- Jane Yoo, MD, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best face serums for aging skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Done reading? Steal some inspo from our favorite celebs’ speedy 10-minute routines:
