Looking for the best face serum to enhance your beauty routine? But not sure which product to choose, or even what a serum actually delivers? Keep reading for the real deal on serums, plus the top 10 product recommendations to select a serum for oily skin, an anti-aging serum and so much more.

The term serum describes a combination of skincare ingredients designed to nourish and hydrate skin. Available in oil-or-water-based formulations, serums contain additional active ingredients that vary based on the specific skin condition they’re meant to target.

In some cases, that means reducing the visibility of dark spots; in other blends, the mix will focus on improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; fighting acne breakouts or scarring; or simply delivering a supercharged dose of hydration.

As such the best face serum to purchase will depend on the specific skin condition being targeted. Regardless of the blend, it’s best to incorporate serum into the daily skin care routine in a specific order.

In the morning, begin with a gentle face washing, then delicately pat the skin until dry. Next, squeeze out just a few drops of serum, blending over the entire face. Afterward, moisturize as always, followed by sunscreen application, unless the moisturizer already contains SPF-30 or higher.

Now that it’s clear how to use a serum daily, let’s focus on the best face serum for the most common skin care concerns, beginning with signs of aging.

As skin ages, it loses collagen, volume and elasticity. This means lines and wrinkles will become a more pressing concern. Equally, dark spots tend to become more prominent as we age, likely due to years of built-up sun exposure. Fortunately, it’s possible to reverse or reduce the appearance of many of these signs of aging, simply by choosing the right skin care product.

When dark aging spots are a pressing concern, this Caudalie Perfect Radiance Serum provides a powerful solution. Packed with viniferine—which research suggests is more effective than vitamin C for targeting dark spots—and olive extracts for maximum hydration, this plant-based anti-aging serum lessens the appearance of dark spots for up to 95% of users. At the same time, it helps even out skin tone, leaving users with a brighter, smoother complexion.

This Dermalogica overnight repair anti-aging serum does double duty, reducing the appearance of existing signs of aging, while also combatting future deterioration thanks to the peptide power of argan and rose oils. To get best results in the areas of cell renewal, hydration and skin recovery, this is the best face serum for overnight use.

Before heading to the local medi-spa, try giving Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty lifting and filling face serum a try. Infused with a proprietary blend of all-natural orchid extract, this product is considered a dual-action serum because it targets two separate signs of aging: sagging skin as well as wrinkles.

Almost every serum on the market offers some form of hydration, but these three selections go the extra mile to revitalize a dull, dry complexion.

For anyone who’s been plagued with foundation that flakes off due to dry skin, this Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum will solve that concern for good. Instead of applying before moisturizing, this product goes on afterward. Then, thanks to its blend of oil-and-water based hydrating ingredients, this Korean beauty product boosts shine while extending the life of makeup applied afterward.

Not one for a multi-step beauty routine? This COOLA illuminating probiotic is the best face serum for so-called “lazy” skincare. Delivering next-level hydration thanks to probiotics that help skin hold on to natural moisture, along with SPF 30 to prevent sun-damage, this powerful product even targets the stress of blue-screen exposure to produce a more radiant, resilient complexion.

Another winning Korean skincare product, this Sulwhasoo First Activating serum is great for dry or combination skin. Formulated from a blend of ingredients such as Membranous Milk, Dwarf Lily and licorice, it moisturizes while delivering essential nutrients to the skin for a more balanced complexion.

One final skincare concern that can improve with a serum is acne: both breakouts and scarring. Regardless of age, many still regularly deal with pimples and blackheads. Thankfully, using a serum for acne scars can improve the appearance of damaged skin, while also preventing future breakouts.

Murad is known for its acne fighting prowess, coming out with breakout-fighting face washes, sunscreens and more. Choose the Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Correcting serum, and the active glycolic acid will get to work lightening old acne scars as well as age spots, which is great for anyone dealing with hormonal or stress related breakouts long after puberty has ended.

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Exfoliant is a great serum for oily skin, since the 2% BHA salicylic acid targets excess sebum production to reduce the appearance of blackheads and enlarged pores. At the same time, this is also a great anti-aging serum since the exfoliating ingredients included in the blend reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Trust the skincare experts at Roche Posay to develop a product that offers moisturizing and anti-aging benefits for acne-prone skin that won’t trigger a new breakout! Thanks to a blend of glycolic and lipo-hydroxy-acids, the Effaclar Pore Refining Serum can clear out clogs and smooth out wrinkles simultaneously, leaving skin visibly clearer, smoother and with an overall more youthful appearance.

Acne-prone skin is often dry and sensitive—hence the need to seek out the best serum for combination skin. This Tula Skincare serum is a strong contender because it works to reduce irritation with a calming blend of four types of Vitamin B, while also boosting skin resilience to prevent future breakouts. Basically, a win-win for tricky combo skin!

Ready to find the best face serum for your skin’s needs? Which products are going to hit your shopping cart? Comment Below!