Best anti-ageing creams and serums to help hydrate, nourish and protect

When it comes to our capsule skincare collection, a solid anti-ageing cream or serum is top of the list.

Penetrating the deeper layers of the skin than the final layer of SPF, a hardworking cream or serum is our best bet for tackling skincare concerns, whether that means brightening, hydrating, smoothing, plumping – and, of course, perhaps the most important function of all, protecting our skin from future damage.

‘A skincare serum is the most high-tech product in your skincare routine,’ scientific officer Eve Casha of dermoi! skincare, explains. ‘When expertly formulated by scientists, it is designed to penetrate deeper into the skin and will contain active ingredients that help resolve a skin concern or condition.’

When it comes to anti-ageing, protection is key. We all know it’s imperative to wear SPF every single day (and don’t forget to reapply!) but it’s also important to protect the skin against pollution and free radicals, as well as drying environments (usually extreme temperatures like air conditioning or heating).

There’s a seemingly endless supply of serums available on the market, so how do you go about choosing the right one?

We’ve rounded up some top picks across budgets, as well as expert insight.

Best for: Brightening

This highly-concentrated vitamin C serum is great for brightening the skin and protecting it from pollution and free radicals. Nip + Fab are a brand we’ve grown to love, with its results-driven range that receives glowing reviews. And this product is no exception, with the majority of reviews scoring four stars or above.

Buy it here for £18.45 (from £24.95)

Best for: Calming redness

This high-tech anti-ageing serum claims to do everything – but it’s particularly effective when it comes to alleviating redness for a calmer complexion. The FormulAging serum contains a unique blend of premium CBD oil and functional mushrooms that work harmoniously to fight inflammation, as well as the signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles.

Buy it here for £79

Best for: Strengthening the skin barrier

With a similar function to the serums on our list, this soothing face cream is packed full of super ingredients that will de-stress the skin and strengthen the skin barrier using natural CBD. The cream is 1% Premium Kloris CBD, which works with the body’s inbuilt endocannabinoid system to heal the skin and the skin’s protective barrier, as well as being a powerful antioxidant.

Buy it here for £43.20 (from £54)

Best for: Repairing

Another CBD cream on our hit list is the Hempura Revitalise Cream, which is clinically proven to repair, restore and soothe the skin with the natural power of CBD. At just £23.99 it’s one of the most affordable options on our list, too.

Buy it here for £23.99

Best for: Tackling acne

Another super affordable – but also super effective – serum is Garnier’s signature vitamin C serum, formulated with niacinamide and salicylic acid (known for clearing acne) for clear, bright and hydrated skin. Plus, it’s currently in the sale for £8.22 – an absolute steal!

Buy it here for £8.22 (from £12.99)

Best for: Reducing wrinkles

This wrinkle-busting serum is one of the best bargains on our list reduced down to £14.21 from £29.99. Formulated with Anti-Oxidant Recovery Complex, this soothing serum will lift and hydrate the skin – and is really easy to weave into your existing skincare routine. Simply rub a few drops into the skin before your usual day or night cream.

Buy it here for £14.21 (reduced from £29.99)

Choosing the right anti-ageing cream or serum

We asked skincare experts for their tips on looking for the right serum or face cream for anti-ageing.

• Think about your specific skincare concern: ‘When choosing a skincare serum, opt for a serum that is designed to improve your specific skin concern,’ Eve explains. ‘Serums can be found to balance oily skin, reduce dark spots (hyperpigmentation), reverse the signs of photoaging, clear acne lesions, or reduce inflammation in a sensitive skin type. When in doubt, an antioxidant-rich hydrating serum, will provide glow, hydration, and anti-ageing protection for all skin types and concerns.’
• Look out for powerhouse ingredients: ‘Hyaluronic acid is highly hydrating and can attract and retain moisture in the skin, while niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, offers multiple benefits such as reducing redness, improving skin barrier function, regulating oil production, minimizing pore appearance, and enhancing overall skin tone and texture,’ Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed MBChB, a board-certified dermatologist based in the UAE and co-founder of PowerYourCurls.com, tells us.

Make sure to check back on Metro’s Lifestyle and Shopping pages for more beauty, bargains and beyond.

Happy buying!

MORE : The skincare brand you need to know about with viral products and waitlist of thousands

MORE : Retinol and CBD? We tried the latest buzzy skincare duo to see how it goes in the anti-ageing department