14 Hero Serums That Can Fix Any Skin Issue (2024)

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.