When confronted by the endless types of serums available in the market, it can seem tempting to add it all to cart. But the key to a successful skincare regimen? Intuitively knowing what your skin needs at every stage of life.
As the skin grows, matures and undergoes changes, you’ll find that your serum shelf is on this journey with you, too. Ahead, get a closer look at the best serums for face—handpicked for the skincare concerns and needs for every age.
Best serums for 20s
You’ve made it through the puberty-induced acne breakouts and hormonal changes—congratulations. But the 20s can be a pivotal decade in understanding what works for your skin.
This is also the age that you can start laying down a rock-solid foundation for a prevention routine—think antioxidants and sculpting and lifting ingredients that your skin will thank you for in a few decades. Your search for the best serum for 20s should hence be guided by vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and bakuchiol as a milder alternative to retinol.
Tira recommends:
Plum 15% Vitamin C Face Serum - Pack Of 2 Boosts Glow Reduces Dark Spots & Hyperpigmentation
Foxtale Keep Calm Daily Hydrating Serum With Hyaluronic Acid, Aquaporin Boosters
Plum 1% Retinol Anti-Aging Face Serum, Bakuchiol Boosts Collagen, Reduces Lines & Wrinkles
Best serums for 30s
Welcome to the most glorious decade of your beauty journey. Your skin is feeling thirty and flirty—with the right skincare ingredients, that is. By now, you have left the trial-and-error phase behind and have a good handle on what your skin needs. While your skin still looks and feels young, this decade is about preparing for what is to come.
This is the age that you’ll need to deliver potent active ingredients that penetrate deeper within your skin—and the best serums for 30s are all too happy to help. The first signs of wrinkles and fine lines means that retinol and AHAs will assume the spotlight. Niacinamide can also be a handy ally for dialling back signs of environmental damage and premature ageing.
Tira recommends:
Foxtale 0.15% Encapsulated Retinol Night Serum (30ml) Pack of 2 Combo
The Derma Co 0.1% Retinol Face Serum
Best serums for 40s
The era of menopause means hormonal changes, yes, but the loss of collagen is not to be ignored either. Skin might feel more dry and less elastic than it did before and if you have been skipping SPF in the formative decades of your life, the cumulative effect may also start making its presence known.
Your best bet for staying one step ahead? Crafting a skincare regimen that champions the best serums for face in your 40s. Unsurprisingly, retinol will be your numero uno pick for addressing fine lines, wrinkles and loss of suppleness. Since retinol can be drying for some skin types, you’ll want to pair it with hydrating agents—hyaluronic acid and peptides work as good team players while allowing retinol to channel its main character energy.
Tira recommends:
Minimalist 0.3% Retinol Face Serum For Anti Ageing fine lines wrinkles With Coenzyme Q10
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Activation Serum with Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin E For Dehydrated Skin
Minimalist Hydration Duo Multi Peptide Night Serum + Pha 03% Face Toner With Multi Biotics Combo
Best face serums for 50s
The big five-oh is the decade that you’ll be more aware than ever of syncing your skincare with the natural changes occurring in your body. Sagging in the skin is common at this age due to the loss of collagen—and, hello, when did all the brown spots enter the chat? While it isn’t possible to turn back the hands of the clock, it is possible to age with grace—all you need are the right actives to accompany you on this journey.
When looking to buy face serums, retinol will undoubtedly be topping your shopping list. Vitamin C will also prove to be a valuable addition to your skincare shelf when addressing dark spots and pigmentation. When done, opt for an additional hand of moisturisation with ceramides to combat dryness and dullness in the skin.
Tira recommends:
Innisfree Retinol Cica Ampoule Limited Serums Set - (3 Pcs)
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Daily Youth Restoring Serum Capsules - (30 Capsules)
Best face serums for 60s and beyond
Turning 60 can mean different things to different people. As you have grown and matured over the years, your skin has been on its own journey as well. Your only priority now? Providing the TLC that it deserves. So, what does this decade mean for your skin? Thinness of the skin is common as well as loss of elasticity. Any impact of sun-related damage can also make its presence known in the form of pigmentation and spots.
However, this is not the age of radically rehauling your routine. Instead, lend a keen ear to what your skin needs and supply just that with a less-is-more routine. Skin feeling dry due to lower production of oil after menopause? Slather on some ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Missing collagen and elastin? Peptides will ride to the rescue for reducing fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
Tira recommends:
Olay Retinol Night Serum (30ml) And Olay Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Face Serum (30ml) Combo
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Aminu The Azure Prevent Copper Peptide Serum
Ultimately, the goal of a skincare regimen isn’t to miraculously reverse the clock but rather, to ensure that you feel confident in your skin at every age of life.