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Why Trust Our Anti-Ageing Serum Reviews?
Jane Druker, an experienced beauty editor who has written for Vogue, The Telegraph, and The Independent, rigorously tested each serum over a three-week period. With expertise in anti-ageing skincare, from tinted moisturisers to night creams, she evaluates products based on efficacy, value, and suitability for different skin types, ensuring only worthwhile recommendations.
What Are Anti-Ageing Serums and How Do They Work?
Gone are the days of simple cleanse, tone, and moisturise routines. Today, anti-ageing serums have become an essential step in skincare, offering potent, concentrated treatments to combat signs of ageing. These lightweight formulas, packed with active ingredients like vitamins, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, target wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness by plumping the skin, smoothing texture, and enhancing radiance.
Key Ingredients to Look For
- Retinol: Widely praised by dermatologists for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, but introduce gradually to avoid irritation.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, providing deep hydration and a plumping effect.
- Antioxidants: Such as Vitamin C and niacinamide, protect against environmental damage and improve skin tone.
- Peptides: Amino acid chains that support collagen production, helping to firm and rejuvenate the skin.
Use a pea-sized amount daily or as recommended, as these concentrates deliver powerful results with minimal product.
The Best Anti-Ageing Serums for 2026
1. Best Overall – Q&A Collagen Booster Serum
Price: £12 | Size: 15ml | Key Ingredients: Seaweed-derived collagen, honey locust seed extract, algae extracts | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: Yes
This entry-level serum offers exceptional value, smoothing skin and boosting hydration with plant-based collagen. Its lightweight texture makes it suitable for all ages, though mature skin may need additional moisturising. Ideal for daily use or twice weekly, it's a steal at £12.
2. Best for Dark Spots – Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Brightening Serum
Price: £30 | Size: 30ml | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, sea daffodil, antioxidant C | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: Disputed
Perfect for sensitive skin, this fragrance-free serum fades dark spots and brightens the complexion. With niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier, it delivers a radiant glow quickly and affordably.
3. Best for 50+ Skin – Skinceuticals P-Tiox Wrinkle-Modulating Peptide Serum
Price: £130 | Size: 30ml | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, advanced peptide complex, 5% PHA | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: No
Dubbed "Botox in a bottle," this potent serum reduces wrinkles and crow's feet, offering immediate plumping and hydration for mature skin. Despite the high price, its effects justify the cost.
4. Best for Beginners – Skin Rocks Retinoid 1 Vitamin A Face Serum
Price: £65 | Size: 30ml | Key Ingredients: HPR retinoid, bakuchiol, soybean extracts, squalane, vitamin E | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: Yes
Formulated by skincare expert Caroline Hirons, this gentle serum introduces retinoids safely, minimising fine lines and even skin tone. Suitable for sensitive skin, it's an excellent start to advanced skincare.
5. Best for the Neck – Origins Plantscription Multi-Powered Youth Serum
Price: £69 | Size: 50ml | Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: Yes
With a delightful orange scent and airy texture, this serum targets lines on the face, neck, and décolleté. It boosts collagen and reduces visible pores, though the price is steep for the bottle size.
6. Best for Overnight Radiance – Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial
Price: £68 | Size: 15ml | Key Ingredients: Vitamins, peptides, omega oils | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: Yes
This oil-based serum improves texture and reduces pigmentation overnight, leaving skin radiant. Use it before bed for best results, as it's not ideal under makeup.
7. Best Daily Serum – Medik8 Advanced Liquid Peptides
Price: £59 | Size: 30ml | Key Ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: Yes
Deeply hydrating with hyaluronic acid, this serum smooths, plumps, and reduces fine lines. It's particularly effective for post-holiday dry skin, though the bottle is small.
8. Best for Exfoliation – Tatcha Dewy Serum
Price: £69 | Size: 30g | Key Ingredients: Hadasei-3, hyaluronic acid, squalane | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: No
A three-in-one treatment that exfoliates, moisturises, and plumps using fermented ingredients and AHAs. It restores a supple, radiant complexion with a light texture that goes a long way.
9. Best for Glow and Reducing Wrinkles – Emma Lewisham Supernatural Vitale Face Elixir
Price: £85 | Size: 30ml | Key Ingredients: Neuropeptides, hyaluronic acid | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: Yes
More like a cream, this refillable serum reduces wrinkles with neuropeptides and hydrates with hyaluronic acid. It stimulates collagen for firmer skin, acting as a moisturiser too.
10. Best Makeup Artist Favourite – Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Multi Recovery Serum
Price: £89 | Size: 50ml | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Cruelty-Free & Vegan: No
Award-winning and trusted by professionals, this serum works overnight to soften, smooth, and plump skin. Its hyaluronic acid formula locks in moisture, delivering a refreshed, vacation-like glow.
Final Verdict on Anti-Ageing Serums
For top efficacy, Estee Lauder and Skinceuticals lead, but their high prices may not suit all budgets. Q&A emerges as the best overall buy for its affordability and performance. Beginners should start with Skin Rocks, while Cetaphil offers great value for dark spot treatment. Incorporate one of these serums into your routine for a visible boost in skin health and youthfulness.
