Face serums are skincare products that are designed to target specific skin concerns, such as dryness and the appearance of dullness, fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, and uneven skin tone or texture. These products often feature concentrated formulas with a lightweight texture and complexion-enhancing ingredients. Popular serum ingredients include retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid and lactic acid, vitamin C, and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid.

Face serums can offer many benefits when used as part of a well-rounded skincare routine. But remember: These products address specific skin issues, so the exact benefits of your serum will depend on the formula you choose. For example, you can find serums that are formulated to improve the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone or texture. Depending on your skin concerns, you can choose a face serum that primarily hydrates, firms, exfoliates, smooths, or brightens your complexion. CeraVe recommends choosing formulas that are developed with dermatologists, gentle on your skin, and fragrance-free.

Including a face serum in your skincare routine can be an effective way to achieve your skincare goals, but it’s important to choose the right formula for your skin type and skin concerns. Those with dry, flaky skin, for example, may want to choose a serum with hydrating ingredients that can help replenish much-needed moisture, like hyaluronic acid.

If dark spots or uneven skin tone are among your skin concerns, a brightening serum with vitamin C (like CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum) may be your best bet. For anti-aging concerns, try facial serums formulated with ingredients such as retinol and AHAs (like lactic acid and glycolic acid). Those with oily, acne-prone skin may benefit from a different kind of targeted treatment with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid. Regardless of your skin type or skin concerns, CeraVe recommends choosing serums that are gentle on your skin, fragrance-free, allergy-tested, and developed with dermatologists.

Many face serums are designed for once-daily or twice-daily application. However, every serum comes with its own set of instructions that will tell you when and how often to apply it. Always read the product packaging carefully before applying your facial serum and use only as directed on the label. All CeraVe face serums are developed with dermatologists, gentle on your skin, and suitable for daily use. We recommend using your serum consistently for best results.

In general, skincare products should be applied from the lightest, thinnest formulas to the thickest, heaviest formulas—this means that facial serum should usually be applied before moisturizer (unless otherwise directed on the product label). After cleansing and before moisturizing, apply a thin layer of serum over your entire face and neck. Allow the serum to absorb fully before moving on to the next step in your skincare routine.

For daytime, we recommend applying a facial moisturizer with broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) after your serum, like CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. In the evening, a nourishing facial moisturizer with niacinamide—like our PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion—can make an excellent pick. Always refer to the instructions on your serum’s packaging and apply as directed.

Skin that appears dull with an uneven skin tone may benefit from a brightening antioxidant serum with vitamin C, like CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum. This allergy-tested serum with 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) helps visibly brighten your skin and promotes radiant, soft, and healthy-looking skin. With consistent use, our vitamin C serum helps improve the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.

Plus, it’s suitable for all skin types (including sensitive skin) and features moisturizing hyaluronic acid and soothing vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) to help improve skin hydration. We recommend applying an even layer of this brightening serum to your face and neck each morning after cleansing.

For dry, flaky, and dehydrated skin on your face, we recommend using a facial serum with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, like CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Hyaluronic acid is a powerful hydrating ingredient that works as a humectant—helping your skin attract and bind moisture from the environment. When used regularly, our hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid and ceramides provides your skin with much-needed moisture, delivering up to 24 hours of hydration and helping to restore your skin’s protective barrier.

The formula is ideal for those with normal to dry skin looking to enjoy smoother, softer, and intensely hydrated skin. For best results, apply this refreshing gel-cream serum at least once per day after cleansing, either alone or layered with other serums and moisturizers.

All CeraVe serums are formulated with three essential ceramides that are identical to those found naturally in your skin. Ceramides are a key component of your skin barrier, and they play a vital role in maintaining healthy-looking skin. Research shows that these lipids comprise up to 50% of your skin’s natural barrier.^1,2 You can think of ceramides as the “glue” that holds your skin cells together to help seal in moisture and block out harmful substances. Developed with dermatologists, our gentle, fragrance-free products help maintain the skin’s protective barrier for hydrated, comfortable-feeling skin.

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that’s commonly used in anti-aging serums and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for blemish-prone skin. According to the Cleveland Clinic, retinol helps promote your skin’s natural exfoliation process, which can improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, skin discoloration, and large pores.³ Using a gentle yet effective retinol serum can help you achieve a complexion that looks fresher and more plump.

If your primary skin concerns include fine lines, wrinkles, and rough skin texture, we recommend trying CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. This nighttime serum with encapsulated retinol, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide provides your skin with a variety of anti-aging benefits. When first using a retinol serum, it can take some time for your skin to adjust—we suggest starting slowly and working your way up to daily application to avoid irritation. If redness or irritation persists, stop use and consult a board-certified dermatologist.

Retinol serums can help improve your skin texture and reduce the look of post-acne marks. For post-acne skin, we recommend trying a resurfacing serum, like CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. This gentle yet effective serum with encapsulated retinol works to help smooth your skin’s texture while improving the appearance of post-acne marks.

Using this face serum as part of your PM skincare routine can help reduce the look of large pores and enhance your skin’s surface. It also features three essential ceramides and is formulated to refine your skin without compromising its natural protective barrier.

When using this (or any) product with retinol, it’s essential to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher during the day (and reapply it at least every two hours in addition to other protective measures, like seeking shade and wearing protective clothing). Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays. We recommend trying a moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen, such as CeraVe AM Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30.

1. Fujii M. “The Pathogenic and Therapeutic Implications of Ceramide Abnormalities in Atopic Dermatitis.” Cells. 2021 Sep 10;10(9):2386. doi: 10.3390/cells10092386. PMID: 34572035; PMCID: PMC8468445.
2. “How To Tell if Your Skin Barrier Is Damaged and What To Do About It.” Cleveland Clinic, 13 Dec. 2022.
3. “Retinol.” Cleveland Clinic, 17 Jun. 2022.