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The 14 Best Face Serums For Men, Tested by Grooming Editors
Serums are to skincare as a shot of espresso is to your morning coffee.
ALL EFFECTIVE skincare routines, even the most basic ones, have four major tenets: cleanser, treat, moisturize, and protect. Three of those are self explanatory, but lots of guys get tricked up on the “treat” step. Basically, that means that after you wash your face, but before applying moisturizer is the perfect time to tackle any specific skin issues you’d like to improve like acne, redness, wrinkles or anything else. And the best way to do that? Use a serum.
Think of serums as a power boost to your skincare routine—like the fire flower in Super Mario Bros or the espresso shot in your morning drip. In skincare terms, serums are highly concentrated with active ingredients that are designed to target and treat specific issues. Adding one into your skincare routine could mean you're on your way to seriously next level skin. No matter what you’re hoping to improve, there is a serum on this list for you.
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Pros
- High concentration of niacinamide for oil control
- Contains zinc to help calm skin
- Lightweight and non-greasy
Cons
- Formula may feel slightly greasy to some people
Niacinamide gets a lot of hype for its dark spot-lightening abilities, but it’s also tops at controlling oil production, making it an essential for anyone with oily skin or who struggles with breakouts. This formula contains a high concentration of the stuff as well as zinc to help calm irritated skin and others that help smooth skin texture.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
Pros
- Contains gold standard ascorbic acid
- Offers wide range of vitamin-c benefits
- Doesn’t oxidize as quickly as other vitamin c serums
Cons
- Pricey
- May be too strong for very sensitive skin
- Some people may not like the mix yourself formula
Ascorbic acid, the form of vitamin C found in this formula, “is the gold standard because it has the widest range of benefits,” according to Drunk Elephant founder Tiffany Masterson. This version comes in powder form, which you mix into the pump yourself to make sure it’s as fresh (and effective) as possible. Other vitamin C serums oxidize quickly when exposed to air, but because you mix it yourself, this one stays fresh for around 6 months, she says.
Read more: Best Anti-Aging Products for Men
Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum
Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum
Pros
- Quick-acting formula with high concentration of retinol
- Dispenser bottle makes sure you use the right amount
Cons
- Expensive
- Not suitable for retinol beginners
This quick-acting formula has a high percentage of retinol (0.3% to be exact) that powers the fine line and wrinkle-reducing results. The ingenious pump button on the bottom of the bottle is the goldilocks of dispensers, making sure you use just the right amount. One caveat: it’s strong, so if you’ve never used retinol, this one isn’t for you. If you’re a retinol pro, this one’s for you.
CeraVe Anti-Aging Retinol Serum
CeraVe Anti-Aging Retinol Serum
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Can double as a moisturizer
- Suitable for retinol beginners
Cons
- Experienced users may want more retinol power
- Daily sunscreen is essential when using retinol
Even if you aren’t looking for a retinol serum, this multi-tasking serum has a place in your nighttime routine. The aforementioned retinol is in there to help address signs of aging, but there is are also ceramides to help strengthen your skin, niacinamide to help calm irritation and hyaluronic acid for hydration. Basically, it’s everything your skin wants in one squeeze. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and hydrating enough that if you want to skip moisturizer, you can—we won’t tell.
Read more: Best Night Creams for Men
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Anti-Wrinkle Face Serum
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Anti-Wrinkle Face Serum
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to find at the drugstore
- Contains multiple proven ingredients
Cons
- Experienced retinol users may need a higher concentration
- Retinol may cause skin sensitivity at first
- Wearing daily sunscreen is essential when using retinol
Vitamin A-derived retinol is the gold standard for fighting wrinkles, but it can also help with dark spots, uneven skin tone and texture, and even breakouts by helping to speed cell turnover. This effective serum contains retinol as well as ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid for a one-two punch.
Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Serum
Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Serum
Pros
- Contains multiple antioxidants
- Peptides help to strengthen skin
- Easy to find
Cons
- May be too heavy for very oily skin
Yes, there is antioxidant powerhouse vitamin C in this serum, but it also contains skin-building peptides to help strengthen your skin. That's not to mention the inclusion of niacinamide, a powerful antioxidant in itself, which helps fade dark spots and assists in skin cell regeneration.
The INKEY List BHA Blemish + Blackhead Serum
The INKEY List BHA Blemish + Blackhead Serum
Pros
- Budget friendly
- Salicylic Acid targets congestion in pores and zinc helps control oil
- Ideal for oily skin
Cons
- May irritate sensitive skin
To fight clogged pores that show up on your face as blackheads, turn to salicylic acid. Unlike other hydroxy acids which exfoliate the surface of your skin, salicylic acid actually gets down into your pores to help clear up blockages gently.
Read more: Best Blackhead Removers
Topicals Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration
Topicals Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration
Pros
- Mix of ingredients effectively target dark spots and discoloration
- Suitable for darker skin tones
Cons
- Thicker formula may feel heavy
- Most effective with consistent use
Fading dark spots and smoothing acne scars is one of the hardest things to do in skincare. Thanks to the combination of niacinamide and a variety of acids like kojic and tranexamic in this formula (as well as antioxidant botanical extracts), this serum is incredibly effective for treating discoloration and related skin concerns.
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
Pros
- Specifically designed for oily skin
- Salicylic acid helps control breakouts
- Strong antioxidant protection
Cons
- Very expensive
- Could be too strong for sensitive skin
Vitamin C serum has an important place in everyone’s skincare routine, but come vitamin C serums don’t play well with oily or blemish-prone skin. This one, however, is specifically formulated for oily skin and not only provides strong antioxidant protection but also contains silymarin and salicylic acid to help control oil and fight breakouts.
Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum
Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum
Pros
- Super hydrating
- Protects against environmental damage
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- Expensive
Not only does this moisturizing serum deliver a tidal wave of hydration to your skin (so much you can see it instantly plump), but it also contains ceramides which help strengthen your skin like mortar in a brick wall. It also protects against environmental damage throughout the day.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The reason you see hyaluronic acid in so many skincare products, particularly moisturizers, is that the magical ingredient can hold 1,000 times its molecular weight in water—which translates to incredible hydrating abilities when applied to the skin. Give your skin a good drink with serum every morning and night.
Read more: Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums
Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum
Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum
Pros
- Works fast
- Attacks several issues at once
Cons
- Expensive
- May be too strong for sensitive skin or retinol beginners
You usually find antioxidant ferulic acid in vitamin C serums because it enhances the skin-protecting factor. In this serum, however, it’s combined with retinol—and that pairing helps smooth uneven texture, shrink the appearance of pores and reduce fine lines revealing smoother, clearer skin.
Dermalogica Smart Response Serum
Dermalogica Smart Response Serum
Pros
- Can address multiple common issues
- Great if you don’t know what specific issue you want to target
- ”Smart” ingredients work with your skin
Cons
- Expensive
- Consistency is essential
Inspired by technology like your iPhone that can predict what you need, this advanced serum targets four issues: redness, dehydration, wrinkles, and dull skin. Targeted ingredients go to work when they detect one (or more) of these issues in your skin without you doing anything besides slathering it on.
La Roche-Posay AR Intense Redness Reducing Serum
La Roche-Posay AR Intense Redness Reducing Serum
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to find
- Gentle enough for very sensitive skin
Cons
- May be too heavy for oily skin
- Can feel slightly greasy if your skin isn’t dry
Not only does this serum deeply moisturize even the driest skin, but it’s specifically designed for sensitive skin, reducing the redness and irritation that can come along with it. Apply it morning and night to calm down irritated skin and protect it from environmental factors that can make redness flare-up.
How We Selected
For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the top face serums for men. Experts including our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, tried over 200 serums and evaluated their ingredients, feel, consistency, and effectiveness. We also considered top-reviewed face serums that had at least 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.
Ingredients to Look For In A Serum
Often, serums will be named for what they do (anti-aging or hydration, for example), which makes decoding ingredients easy. But you’ll also usually see ingredients listed on the outer packaging to tell you what is doing all the work. Depending on what you’re treating, you’ll likely see some of these common players:
Hyaluronic Acid: Our bodies naturally produce hyaluronic acid which can absorb and hold 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a powerful ingredient to help maintain healthy moisture levels in your skin. Hyaluronic acid is important for everyone, but especially if you struggle with dry skin issues.
Vitamin C: Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals from sunlight and even counteract the skin impacts of pollution, which can cause dullness, uneven skin tone, and even skin cancer. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants out there and is typically the most common antioxidant you’ll see in skincare.
Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, but it’s also an antioxidant. It can lighten dark spots, smooth skin texture, even out skin tone, and generally strengthen the skin from the inside out.
Retinol: Derived from vitamin A, retinol is one of the most well-studied and powerful ingredients in skincare. It helps speed up cell turnover, which in turn not only helps prevent wrinkles and signs of aging but can also help treat and prevent acne breakouts. It can sensitize the skin, especially when you first start using it, so apply it only at night and always wear a facial sunscreen during the day.
How Do I Use A Serum?
Adding a serum to your routine is pretty simple: Apply serum on clean skin after washing your face. Use a patting motion with your hands to help press it into your skin instead of rubbing it on like a moisturizer. Some hydrating serums can be used in place of moisturizer, but you generally want to follow a serum with some sort of moisturizer to help lock it in your skin. Retinol should only be applied at night, but most other serums can be used in the morning, too. When in doubt, read the usage instructions on the label.
How Do I Know If A Serum Is Working?
The biggest thing is that results are rarely instantaneous. Even though serums contain highly concentrated and targeted ingredients, it will still take a while to see results. Remember that the key is consistent use. Read the package to see if the serum is meant to be used morning and night or just one time a day and then use it as directed for about six to eight weeks. If you don’t see improvement by that time, then you know it’s not the one for you.
Garrett Munce writes about men's style and grooming. He's written for Esquire, New York Magazine, Spotlyte, and Very Good Light and held staff positions at GQ and W. Follow his skincare obsession on Instagram at @garrettmunce.
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