Remember when we wrote that “at ITG, we’re lucky to say that we only do 50-percent of the work”? And that you all (yeah, you too) pitch in with the rest? Oh boy, did you prove that more than ever this past January. It was a banner month for comments. You all are a chatty cohort when it comes to appropriate shower schedules, hair thinning, and Tom’s love affair with glucose. And you really let it all out when ITG waxed poetic about “starter” serums, or serums to try when you don’t know where to start. There were so many recommendations that they were halfway to forming a post, so the team decided to give them a bigger stage to shine—right below. You’ll find all the serums you said were the best, and some insight on what they each do. It couldn’t have been possible without all of you. We said it before and we’ll say it again: you guys really are the best.

Serum cost key:
Under $50: $
$50-$100: $$
$100+: $$$

Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense: The name pretty much says it all. Three-percent tranexamic acid erases dark marks with regular use, and niacinamide helps pores look smaller.
Cost: $$

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF: The vitamin serum that your doctor loves. A mishmash of 10-percent vitamin C, .5-percent ferulic acid, and 2-percent phloretin, which all work to make that brightening, anti-dark marks vitamin C work harder, faster, better, stronger.
Cost: $$$

Skinceuticals Serum 10 AOX+:_ Same deal as Phloretin CF, minus the phloretin. Your sensitive skin will love.
Cost: $$

Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel: Not as chill as Chillian Murphy, but still up there. Cucumber extract calms, and hyaluronic acid hydrates skin. Use it after you accidentally fell asleep in the sun.
Cost: $$

Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel Your basic, hydrating hyaluronic acid serum, but specifically tuned in to folks with acne. Pantothenic acid (aka B5), is a proven acne reducer. Good stuff!
Cost: $$

Skinceuticals HA Intensifier Beefed-up hyaluronic acid. Your friend when you’re super dry.
Cost: $$

The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc: One-percent zinc mattifies and ten-percent niacinamide increases skin elasticity so your pores look smaller. It’s your daily one-stop-shop for oily skin.
Cost: $

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%: So you want to try a chemical exfoliant, but your skin is pretty sensitive. Start here. Lactic acid is a kinder acid that smooths skin with less irritation than others, and hyaluronic draws in moisture for a plump, hydrated effect.
Cost: $

The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%: Good for both the long haul and right now. The acid reduces rough skin texture immediately. But since it’s an antioxidant, it also protects skin from free radicals (molecules that accelerate age and environmental-related changes, like wrinkles and discoloration) for the road ahead.
Cost: $

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA: Another gentle alpha hydroxy acid, similar to lactic. You’ll need to go straight to the source, Deciem.com, for this one though.
Cost: $

Cosrx Advanced Snail Mucin Serum: Yep, this is snail snot. And yet it still smells better than any Biologique serum on any day. More viscous than hyaluronic acid, this guy is a good get for boosting skin hydration.
Cost: $

Dr. Jart Ceramidin Serum: Sure, hyaluronic acid moisturizes like no other, but ceramides moisturize (although to a lesser degree than hyaluronic acid) and improve your skin’s natural barrier, meaning that you stay moisturized longer. It’s a twofer!
Cost: $

Biologique Recherche Serum Placenta: Yeah, not for the squeamish. Turns out that animal-derived placenta is moisturizing. Yum! Biologique also says that this tiny vial lightens hyperpigmentation and “calms acne breakouts.” And while you might be skeptical of a serum that seemingly does it all, just know that it’s one of the brand’s most popular treatments. Got to be something to that.
Cost: $$

Biologique Recherche Oligo-Proteines: Get into the brightening groove without an acid. Laminaria, which is science speak for brown algae, controls the production of melanin, with in turn helps dark circles look not so dark. As BbbBbbBKkkKkkK noted, Victoria Beckham is a fan.
Cost: $

Biologique Recherche Complexe Iribiol: Hey, even the French get zits. Zinc and salicylic acid mattify and clean out congested pores.
Cost: $

Biologique Recherche Sérum Splénodermine: Biologique says it firms and tones skin, and ITG says this serum’s peptides improve skin laxity. So yeah, same thing.
Cost: $$

Neostrata Skin Active Retinol + NAG Complex: The downside of retinol is that it takes at least two months to start kicking in. The upside is that after those two months it’s smooth sailing for clearer, less wrinkly skin. And then glucosamine in this guy has its own wrinkle-reducing elements, in addition to accelerating the healing process of damaged skin and reducing hyperpigmentation. Sounds like you might want to look into this...
Cost: $$

IDS Skincare C-Plus: Award-winning vitamin C serum from Singapore. It’s an antioxidant, so it helps future-you, and it’s vitamin C, so it helps present-you with hyperpigmentation as well.
Cost: $$$

Tatcha Deep Hydration Firming Serum: The gang’s all here! Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and algae moisturize and smooth skin texture like no other.
Cost: $$

Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum: Acids, but from plants. Lactic acid gently exfoliates, and squalane hydrates and repairs the skin’s moisture barrier.
Cost: $$

Pixi Overnight Glow Serum: If you can make the jump from lactic or mandelic acid to the more rigorous glycolic acid, start here. Ten-percent glycolic exfoliates and lifts dark marks from your skin.
Cost: $

Zelens Power A Serum: Vitamin A is just another name for retinol. Get your fix here with two relatively new and less irritating relatives to the original powerhouse ingredient.
Cost: $$$

Farmacy Invincible Root Cell and Anti-Aging Serum: Vitamin C and hylaurnoic acid had a baby, and here she is. A beauty!
Cost: $$

Photo via ITG.