Best Night Serums of the Year: Expert-Tested Picks for All Skin Types and Concerns
Discover the top-rated night serums for rejuvenating skin overnight, chosen by beauty editors and skincare experts.

Choosing the right night serum can make all the difference in your skin’s appearance and health. Night serums are packed with potent ingredients designed to repair, hydrate, and protect your skin while you sleep. Whether you’re targeting dryness, dullness, wrinkles, or breakouts, there’s a serum tailored to your needs. In this expert guide, we’ll walk you through the best night serums of the year—backed by extensive testing from beauty editors and dermatologists—to help you build the perfect nighttime skincare routine.
What Is a Night Serum?
A night serum is a concentrated formula designed to be applied after cleansing and before moisturizer in your evening skincare routine. Unlike day serums, which often focus on protection, night serums leverage the skin’s natural nighttime repair cycle to deliver active ingredients that address specific concerns—like aging, acne, dullness, or dehydration—while you sleep.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
Our selection process involved months of hands-on testing by a team of beauty editors and dermatologists. We considered several criteria:
- Ingredient Formulation: Focused on proven, effective ingredients for night-time use, such as retinol, peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants.
- Skin Types and Concerns: Picked formulas suitable for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, as well as those targeting wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness.
- Texture and Absorption: Prioritized lightweight, fast-absorbing formulas that don’t pill or feel greasy, ensuring comfort overnight.
- Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Included serums with glowing feedback for visible results and skin compatibility.
Top Expert-Approved Night Serums
Here are our top night serum recommendations, with detailed breakdowns of their benefits, key ingredients, and best use cases.
Serum Name | Best For | Key Ingredients | Notable Benefits | Editor’s Verdict |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum | Anti-aging, wrinkles, uneven texture | Retinoid, copper peptides, coenzyme Q10 | Boosts collagen, softens lines, brightens skin | “A potent choice for mature skin—smoother, firmer, and glowing after regular use.” |
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum | Sensitive, aging, blemish-prone | Retinol, niacinamide, thermal spring water | Reduces fine lines, soothes redness, improves clarity | “Gentle yet effective—great for those new to retinoids.” |
The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1% | Anti-aging, hydration, general repair | Copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, amino acids | Boosts elasticity, plumps skin, reduces fine lines | “Affordable and packed with actives for noticeable results.” |
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Night Serum | Brightening, hydration, dullness | Watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid, AHAs | Promotes radiance, hydrates deeply, evens skin tone | “Deliciously lightweight—skin looks juicy and refreshed by morning.” |
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum | AduReferences
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