We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
When it comes to achieving great skin, it's not enough to cleanse your face, slap on a moisturiser and hope for the best. Serums are the smart woman's beauty secret; and these days they target specific concerns so you can tailor your regime to your complexion's needs. Just last year, Selfridges noted a 15% rise in serum sales, don't you think it's time you joined the skincare revolution?
Serums contain concentrated ingredients and are often focused to a particular skincare concern such as lines, pigmentation or acne. 'A serum is beneficial for all skin types. You're really betting on the future when you use these products' explains Dr Nadine Pernodet, Executive Director of Skin Biology, Research and Development at Estee Lauder.
Start in your early 20s and you should be able to slow the visible ageing process, but remember, it's never too late to start, 'they are still beneficial, especially for skin that has been subjected to a lot of stress and shows severe signs of ageing' adds Dr Pernodet.
Most serums are water based which enables them to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. 'They target deficiencies and cell damage in the Dermis; the underlying engine room of the skin. While moisturisers stay in the upper Epidermis to moisturise and condition' explains Tom Ogden, UK Brand Manager of Alpha-H.
Layering is essential when using a serum, nourishing moisturisers and oils are much heavier than serums, 'they work on the skin to drive the serum deeper, so the two should be used together' adds Ogden.
Click on to see ELLE's Top 10 Serums...
How it works? We all have naturally occurring enzymes in the skin which help with collagen production and the skin's repair cycle, but these decrease with age. This serum contains a combination of enzymes, peptides and antioxidants to enhance the skin's natural repair process. Also worthy of note, Repairwear Laser Focus has been proven to have 63% of the wrinkle reducing power that a laser treatment does. Impressive.
Is it for you? For anyone with fine lines and wrinkles, especially if you have been considering laser.
Clinique, Repairwear Laser Focus, £35 for 30ml
How it works? The main ingredient in this serum is pomegranate antioxidants from the seeds, moisturising molecules from the pulp and most excitingly an active ingredient from the peel that works like Retinol to increase cell turnover and plump up the skin.
Is it for you? Best for anyone who is new to serums. They can be an expensive step in your skincare regime and this is a mere £7.
The Body Shop, Natrulift Firming Serum, £7 for 15ml
How it works? This all-rounder inhibits melanin production that causes age spots and pigmentation, while also reducing inflammation which leads to redness. Peptides increase collagen production, while fruit acids and vitamin A exfoliate the skin and increase radiance.
Is it for you? It's not a quick fix, it will improve a dull complexion fast, but essentially it works cumulatively. Best for people in their twenties who might have had a penchant for sun worshipping and want to keep age spots at bay.
Alpha-H, Liquid Gold Night Repair Serum, £42.99 for 50m, at QVC
How it works? This serum works in the same preventative way as a traditional vaccine. Vax'in exposes the skin to micro-stresses which act as a catalyst to the skin cells, pushing them into self restoration.
Is it for you? For anyone with damaged skin or those who want to avoid problems later.
Givenchy, Vax'in, £60 for 30ml, at Harrods
How it works? Nude's first serum uses a combination of Probiotics that work deep down to identify and repair damaged cells by restoring cell communication. It also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate, peptides to stimulate collagen production and Japanese sea kelp to boost antioxidant levels.
Is it for you? With age defying ingredients this is a good choice for older skins.
Nude, Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum, £68 for 30ml
How it works? This serum, used over time, increases firmness lost with ageing. 93% of testers noticed a lifting / firming effect in just one month.Impressively it also makes the skin look instantly tighter.
Is it for you? This is for anyone who wants firmer, contoured skin and to reduce enlarged pores.
Jeanne Piaubert, Radical Firmness Serum, £95 for 30ml, at Urban Retreat Harrods. Enq: 020 7893 8333
How it works? Unlike many products for spot-prone skin, this feels and smells luxurious. The ingredients work together to inhibit spot causing bacteria from spreading, as well as soothing skin which is inflamed from existing blemishes. You should notice tighter pores and fewer new spots in less than 4 weeks.
Is it for you? Anyone with problem skin.
Keraskin, Pure 195 Serum, £55 for 50ml
How it works? This night serum has been hailed a hero product. It neutralises 90% of environmental irritants before they can damage the skin; as skin regenerates most effectively at night, this serum also triggers your skin to repair itself more efficiently.
Is it for you? Start using it in your early 20s to slow the ageing process.Estee Lauder, Advanced Night Repair, £38 for 30ml
How it works? Olay's new serum firms in three places face, neck and décolletage. It contains the highest levels of penta-peptides (5 strand peptides), made up of amino acids, they are building blocks giving structure to the skin. They also help to boost collagen and hyaluronic production, which work to plump out the skin. Is it for you? It's best for anyone with saggy skin, especially on the chest area caused by too much sun. You should notice a difference in around 28 days. Olay, Regenerist 3 Point Super Serum, £29.99 for 50ml, at Boots
How it works? This calming serum is just what stressed out skin needs. It contains enzymes, Ayurvedic herbs and Boerhavia Diffusa an Indian root known to soothe inflammation. Use it when your skin is dull, tired or blemished.
Is it for you? This is ideal for city skin, stressed out from the fast pace and pollution.
ARK De-Stress Serum, £34 for 30ml
ELLE Edit: 12 Best Tubing Mascaras
ELLE Edit: 10 Of The Best Make-Up Brush Cleaners
Milk Makeup's Viral Blush Is Back In Stock
ELLE Edit: 15 Best Colour Correctors