5 Serums That Make Your Skin Glow

Serums are the epitome of “quality over quantity.” These super concentrated beauty products pack a big punch for their size—they can increase firmness, smooth fine lines, speed cell turnover, correct discoloration, and provide lasting hydration. Here are my favorite skin-pampering serums. (And learn the 5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Serum.)

1. Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum

What: A creamy serum with 29 active, natural ingredients to boost collagen, smooth fine lines, retain moisture, and increase elasticity.

Benefits: Narcissus bulb extract improves firmness and skin cell durability. Date Palm extract minimizes wrinkles. Natural sodium hyaluronate promotes moisture retention. Nutrient- and vitamin-rich alfalfa extract restores and rejuvenates skin. Menyanthes flower extract protects cells from oxidative stress and stimulates collagen production.

Why I love it: Tata Harper’s hand-crafted products have a super-natural pedigree. This potent-feeling serum delivers softening, firming results with an intoxicating flora scent from the essential oils of jasmine, chamomile, lavender, and immortelle.

$95, 1 oz., tataharperskincare.com

2. Spa Technologies Omega-Ceuticals Repair Serum

What: A marine-based serum enriched with antioxidants, omega oils, and enzymes to protect, restore, and revitalize skin.

Benefits: Laminaria seaweed, rich in anti-inflammatories and minerals, firms skin and strengthens elastin. Omega-7, from sustainably sourced micro-algae, soothes, hydrates, and protects skin cells. Enzymes in marine plankton help repair DNA and prevent cellular damage. Liquid oxygen stimulates skin metabolism to increase cell turnover.

Why I love it: The slightly creamy formula absorbs quickly, leaving soft, supple results without any sticky residue. The scent is light and natural, without added fragrances. And thanks to the hydrating Omega-7 and moisture-retaining sodium hyaluronate, a bit of light moisturizer is all you need on top.

$96, 1 oz., spatechnologies.com

3. Amala Brightening Corrective Concentrate

What: An über-concentrated serum loaded with potent botanicals to amplify radiance, diminish discoloration, and increase skin’s elasticity.

Benefits: Organic narcissus flower and bulb extract smoothes fine lines, increases elasticity and inhibits the production of melanin (the pigment that contributes to dark spots and uneven skin tone). Antioxidant-rich algae extract boosts skin’s natural exfoliation enzymes to revitalize surface cells and even skin tone. Alpine herbs—including certified organic mallow, cowslip, lady’s mantle and yarrow—reduce dark spots and reverse melanin synthesis at its source.

Why I love it: Amala’s divine formulations contain super effective active ingredients (many of which are certified organic). As someone with freckles, this serum is a go-to to for evening out my skin’s tone and texture. The longer I use it, the brighter and smoother my skin looks! Although the price tag reflects the quality of this serum, a little goes a long way and it is absolutely worth every drop.

$192, 1 oz., amalabeauty.com

4. Suki Healthy Aging Serum + Vitamin Peptide Complex

What: A regenerative complex of peptides, vitamins, and antioxidants to restore skin’s strength and elasticity, renew cells, correct damage and diminish the signs of aging.

Benefits: Vitamin C liposome peptides provide powerful, time-released antioxidant protection and renewal. CoEnzyme Q10, an antioxidant enzyme, protects against photo-aging and speeds cell turnover and rejuvenation. Antioxidant powerhouse resveratrol brightens skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid helps skin retain moisture in the layers where it’s needed most.

Why I love it: This serum is a perfect multi-vitamin for the face. The lightweight formula absorbs immediately to make skin look brighter and feel silky smooth. As an oil-free serum, it’s a prime choice for blemish-prone skin, but it’s also nourishing and balancing on drier skin.

$50.95, 0.5 oz, sukiskincare.com

5. ARCONA Instant Magic Reversal Serum

What: An innovative formula to nourish, protect and rejuvenate skin on a cellular level, with pigment-correcting botanicals and vitamins, and potent cell-defending antioxidants for fresh, dewy, youth-restored skin.

Benefits: Plant-based osmoprotectants proline and trehalose help prevent cellular water loss and balance intracellular fluid to reduce puffiness. Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, (the most stable and absorbable form of Vitamin C) and arbutin clarify and brighten skin, correct pigment imbalances and promote collagen synthesis. Antioxidant-rich milk thistle and spin trap guard against oxidative and environmental aging stressors.

Why I love it: This skin-quenching, lightweight serum absorbs instantly and makes skin feel like flower-petal velvet. After a few days of using religiously, my skin is visibly smoother, has more even tone and feels supple and über-hydrated. Verdict: I am completely addicted.

$105, 1.3 oz, nordstrom.com