The Only Serum Ingredients You Need In your Skincare Routine

Find your favourite from our expert-recommended collection

With the immense number of skincare ingredients available, it can be difficult to choose the right ones to add to your skincare routine. We help you select your next staple serum by active compound. Hyaluronic acid-based serums aid hydration and radiance. Vitamin C serums brighten and fight the signs of ageing. Niacinamide brightens while minimising pores. Retinol resurfaces deep layers of skin targeting wrinkles, lines and impurities. Resurfacing acids smooth texture and fight fine lines. Antioxidants boost radiance and skin health by fighting oxidative damage. Peptides boost hydration and may have a collagen-stimulating effect. CoQ10 boosts cellular activity fighting the ageing process.

Whether you want anti-ageing, acne-fighting or hydrating skincare, you’ll find the perfect serum from our collection. Read our expert recommendations from a range of popular Irish and global brands.

Hyaluronic acid

The most popular hydrating factor occurs naturally in the skin and is responsible for maintaining plumpness and hydration. We lose natural hyaluronic acid with age, which can lead to dehydrated skin, fine lines and wrinkles. Topping up your levels of HA with a daily hydrating serum is a smart move, especially for more mature skin. Larger hyaluronic acid molecules also create a water-tight barrier effect which helps to maintain all-day hydration and protect against environmental stressors.

Our top picks for hyaluronic acid serums

1. Skingredients Skin Veg Pre-Seum

This lightweight serum contains hydrolysed hyaluronic acid, pro-collagen peptides and botanical extracts to soothe and nourish the skin from the first use. Low molecular weight hyaluronic acid penetrates deeply into the epidermis where it can revitalise tired skin.

Try this 50ml bottle for €55.00 - Shop Now

2. Ella & Jo Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Another staple from bestselling brand Ella & Jo contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, green tea extract and collagen-boosting peptides to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, minimise pores, reduce redness and enhance radiance.

Try this 50ml bottle for €42.00 - Shop Now

3. SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier

Hyaluronic acid has a filler effect as it draws and maintains moisture in the skin. However, no serum demonstrates that effect more than this one. It boosts HA levels in the skin by 30%, skin firmness by 10% and facial plumpness by 23%. Target deep wrinkles and deflated skin.

Try this 30ml bottle for €55.00 - Shop Now

4. La Roche Posay’s Hualu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum

This one satisfies La Roche Posay fans and sceptics alike. It contains vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid and hydrolysed hyaluronic acid creating deep hydration, a water-tight barrier and more resilient skin with every use. Users report more hydrated skin and minimised lines and wrinkles.

Try this 30ml bottle for €45.00 - Shop Now

5. Avene Hydrance Hydro Boost serum

This one is perfect for sensitive skin. Its ultra-lightweight formula contains 96% natural origin ingredients. Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and Avene Thermal Spring Water help to soothe, hydrate and balance stressed skin.

Try this 30ml bottle for €32.50 - Shop Now

Find the best hyaluronic acid serum for you - read the guide

Vitamin C

Another staple in every skincare fanatic’s collection is a vitamin C serum. This active ingredient has taken the industry by storm and this simple compound is worth the hype. It fights the signs of ageing and provides an instant radiance boost. Stability is the key when looking for a vitamin C serum. We explore our favourite products to include in your routine and why.

1. IMAGE Vital C Hydrating Anti-Ageing Serum

The bestselling IMAGE Serum contains potent concentrations of vitamin C, stabilised for prolonged efficacy. The ultimate skin saviour combines aloe vera, peptides and hyaluronic acid with four types of vitamin C for timeless radiance.

Try the 50ml bottle for €90.00 - Shop Now

2. Murad Environmental Shield Vita- C Glycolic Brightening Serum

Fight dark spots, uneven skin texture and the first signs of ageing with this ultra-stable and potent vitamin C serum. Use daily for smoother, more radiant skin that fights environmental damage and boosts collagen production.

Try this 30ml serum for €95.00 - Shop Now

3. Pestle & Mortar Vitamin C Phase 2 Serum

Experience the ultimate skin transformation. This serum offers deluxe formula packed with three types of stable vitamin C for an immediate radiance boost and long-term anti-ageing benefits. Fight the number one cause of skin ageing - oxidative damage

Try the 40ml serum for €76.00 - Shop Now

4. The Inkey List Vitamin C 15% + EGF Serum

The most affordable vitamin C serum on our list competes with some impressive features. It contains 15% stabilised vitamin C for long-lasting antioxidant action. Moreover, it contains Epidermis Growth Factors which may help fight the signs of ageing.

Try this 30ml serum for €17.99 - Shop Now

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a derivative of vitamin B3 and has transformative effects for oily and acne-prone skin types. It can reduce sebum production, minimise pores as well as fight discolouration and acne scars. This ingredient is commonly found combined with other actives such as hyaluronic acid or skincare acids because of its versatility and tolerance. Here are our top picks for serums containing niacinamide

● The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum

This serum is perfect for oily or acne-prone skin and enlarged pores. This serum contains hyaluronic acid, squalane and probiotics as well as niacinamide for additional skin comfort and barrier support.

Try this 30ml serum for €10.99 - Shop Now

● SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defence Serum

With added kojic acid, tranexamic acid and enzymes, this niacinamide serum targets pigmentation and dark spots and is perfect for those with acne scars, age spots or hyperpigmentation.

Try this 30ml bottle for €110.00 - Shop Now

Find the best niacinamide serum for your skin - read the full guide

Retinol

You may know that retinol is the go-to ingredient in anti-ageing skincare, but it has a wide range of benefits for all skin types. It has the unique ability to modulate gene expression, and boost collagen production and cell turnover - the result is smoother, more youthful and radiant skin. Target wrinkles, fine lines, acne, pigmentation and more with this skin-saving ingredient.

Unfortunately, retinol increases sun sensitivity and can be irritating to sensitive skin types so we explore our recommendations for retinol serums. Here are our favourites and why.

1. Skingredients Retinol 1% + B3 Anti-Ageing Night Serum

Most retinol serums contain 0.3-0.6% retinol so this one is not for the fainthearted. If you’re ready to level up your retinol game this one is effective at resurfacing deep layers of the skin to reveal healthy and vibrant skin underneath. Target deep wrinkles, stubborn marks and chronic acne with this potent formula.

Try the 50ml bottle for €55.00 - Shop Now

2. La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum

If you’re new to retinol or want a gentle formula, you should try this dual retinol formula. It uses immediate-release and time-release retinol for optimal efficacy. It’s tested on sensitive skin and its 0.3% retinol concentration makes it suitable for nightly use. Users felt an overnight transformation in their skin’s texture.

Try it for yourself for €48.00 - Shop Now

3. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

CeraVe delivers yet again with their encapsulated retinol serum cream. If you have dry or sensitive skin, this retinol formula will be your best friend - gentle but effective retinoids reach the target area without causing irritation. Hyaluronic acid, ceramides and liquorice root extract help soothe and hydrate while revealing a radiant complexion.

Try this 30ml bottle for €24.00 - Shop Now

4. The Inkey List Retinol Serum

The budget brand strikes again with this gentle anti-ageing formula. It contains 2 types of active retinoids, hyaluronic acid and peptides for stimulating collagen, hydrating and buffing away tired skin cells. Niacinamide helps improve the appearance of skin after just one use.

Try the 30ml bottle for €15.99 - Shop Now

Find the best retinol serum for your skin type - read the full guide

Resurfacing Acids

1. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum

This lightweight serum contains a tri-acid complex, niacinamide and thermal spring water. It’s ideal for preventing a breakout, unclogging pores and buffing away acne scars and discolouration.

Try this 30ml bottle for €40.00 - Shop Now

2. SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age Defence Serum

LHA, BHA and AHAs combine in this serum for the ultimate blemish-clearing effect. Fight dark spots with Dioic acid. This penta-acid complex works to rejuvenate the skin, buff away fine lines and wrinkles and reveal a more radiant complexion.

Try the 30ml serum for €114.00 - Shop Now

3. Clearance AHA Exfoliating Serum

Avene prioritises sensitive skincare and their AHA exfoliating serum is no different. The triple AHA complex (succinic acid, lactic acid and glutamic acid) gently lifts dead skin cells and balances skin mineral levels with thermal spring water. Reduce blemishes and gently exfoliate without irritation.

Try the 30ml serum for €40.00 - Shop Now

4. Neostrata Clarify Mandelic Mattifying Serum

Mandelic acid has the amazing ability to minimise excess oil production which makes it a staple in an oily skincare routine. Exfoliate, clarify, mattify and minimise pores all at the same time with this holy grail serum.

Try the 30ml bottle for €44.95 - Shop Now

Find the right skincare acids for you - read the full guide

Peptides

One of the more contentious ingredients in skincare are peptide. These are small chains of proteins that have various effects when applied topically including boosting collagen synthesis, hydration and antioxidant activity. Evidence suggests these are helpful for treating a range of skin concerns but choosing the right product is essential. Here we break down our favourites.

1. Skingredients Skin Protein Anti-Ageing Retinoid

Skingredients makes our list again with their most versatile serum yet. It contains pro-collagen peptides, retinol and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid for luxurious hydration and age-fighting benefits. Moreover, this one contains a range of antioxidants to fight free radicals - the number one cause of skin ageing.

Try this 50ml bottle for €55.00 - Shop Now

2. The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum

This fast-absorbing, ultra-nourishing serum contains a trio of signal peptides selected for their collagen-boosting properties. It contains Matrixyl 3000TM and SynⓇ-Tacks which some of the higher-end peptide serums use - get yours for a fraction of the price.

Try this 30ml bottle for €18.50 - Shop Now

3. IMAGE The Max Stem Cell Serum

For the ultimate age-reversal effect, try the IMAGE Stem Cell Serum. It uses plant-derived stem cells, a trio of age-defying peptides, hyaluronic acid and Vectorize TechnologyⓇ to smooth out deep wrinkles and re-plump deflated and tired skin. Users found it effective for treating wrinkles and fine lines.

Try your 30ml bottle for €135.50 - Shop Now

Other Antioxidants

Antioxidant serums have become essential in any skincare routine, praised for their ability to protect and rejuvenate the skin. You might traditionally associate vitamins such as vitamin C or vitamin E with antioxidant properties but many plant extracts have powerful damage-fighting properties. Free radical damage is the number one cause of skin ageing so the more you can do to prevent it the longer your skin will stay youthful. We’ve identified the best antioxidant serums, so you don’t have to.

● IMAGE Ormedic Balancing Antioxidant Serum 30ml

Soothe and strengthen your skin with daily botanical antioxidants. Plum, beetroot extract and nutrient-dense grape water provide a range of potent nutrients. Hyaluronic acid restores balance to dehydrated skin.

Try the 30ml bottle for €76.50 - Shop Now

● SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF 30ml

Silymarin CF is a breakthrough vitamin C serum for oily and blemish-prone skin that combines 0.5% silymarin (milk thistle extract), 15% l-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid to help prevent oil oxidation that can lead to breakouts and visible signs of ageing.

Try the 30ml bottle for €185.00 - Shop Now

CoQ10

One of the more underrated skincare ingredients is Coq10. It primarily fights oxidative damage and boosts cellular metabolism - this helps encourage cell turnover and productivity. Yes, that means more collagen, elastin and HA production and a reduction in wrinkles and fine lines.

Treat tired eyes with the Trilogy CoQ10 Eye Recovery Serum. It contains CoQ10, caffeine, hyaluronic acid and GlycablendTM to fill fine lines, fight dark circles and rejuvenate skin to its former glory.

Try the potent 10ml serum for €35.50 - Shop Now