Radiant Glow Revival: Top Serum Brands for Luminous Skin

Achieving glowing skin often starts with choosing the right serum, a vital step in any effective skincare routine. The market is flooded with a myriad of options, making it daunting to find the perfect one suited to your needs. Many top brands have risen to prominence, offering serums designed to brighten, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin. Curious to discover which brands top the list for radiant results? Read below to find out.

Illustration of serum for glowing skin

Best brands of serum for glowing skin in 2025

SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals is renowned as one of the best producers of serums for achieving glowing skin, with products like the C E Ferulic serum, often called the "gold standard of all antioxidants," containing 15% l-ascorbic acid, 1% vitamin E, and 0.5% ferulic acid to reduce oxidative damage by up to 48% and improve skin brightness and firmness. Their newest addition, the Cell Cycle Catalyst serum, boasts a 7.7% multi-acid complex and 1% taurine, showing impressive clinical results such as a 21% reduction in fine lines and a 16% decrease in discoloration in just eight weeks.

Drunk Elephant

Drunk Elephant is renowned for its high-quality serums designed to achieve glowing skin, with products like the B-Goldi™ Bright Drops containing 5% niacinamide to even skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation, and the C-Firma™ Fresh Day Serum with 15% vitamin C to firm and brighten the skin. Clinical studies have shown significant improvements, such as 97% of users experiencing improved skin tone and clarity with B-Goldi™ Bright Drops after 8 weeks, and 96% showing improved skin tone and radiance with C-Firma™ Fresh Day Serum after 4 weeks. These serums are formulated at skin-friendly pH levels, are free from essential oils, silicones, and fragrances, and are highly absorbable. Drunk Elephant's products are also known for their recyclable packaging and customizable use, allowing users to mix them with other serums, creams, or oils for a personalized skincare routine. The brand's commitment to fresh and potent ingredients, as seen in the C-Firma™ Fresh Day Serum's unique mixing system, ensures maximum efficacy.

The Ordinary

The Ordinary is renowned for its high-quality serums that promote glowing skin, with products like the Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% which lightly exfoliates and reduces the appearance of dark spots and fine lines, and the Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% that provides antioxidant protection and brightens the skin. The Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum is a best-seller, known for its ability to even out skin tone, reduce pores, and soothe irritation. The Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is another potent product that smooths skin texture and reduces under-the-skin bumps. These serums are often praised for their effectiveness and affordability, making them a favorite among dermatologists and beauty enthusiasts since their introduction. With continuous positive reviews and recommendations, The Ordinary remains a top choice for skincare serums.

Vichy

Vichy is renowned for producing high-quality serums that enhance skin glow and health, with products like the Mineral 89 Hydrating & Strengthening Daily Skin Booster, which provides 72-hour hydration and strengthens the skin's moisture barrier using hyaluronic acid and mineral-rich Vichy Volcanic Water. The LIFTACTIV Vitamin C Serum, another flagship product, contains 15% pure vitamin C, boosting skin radiance by 40% and evenness by 51% in clinical studies. These serums are dermatologist-tested, paraben-free, and fragrance-free, making them suitable for all skin types. Vichy's products have been clinically tested on thousands of women worldwide, ensuring their efficacy and safety. For instance, the Mineral 89 serum was tested by 325 dermatologists on 3200 women, highlighting its widespread acceptance and effectiveness.

Kiehl’s

Kiehl's is renowned for its high-performing facial serums, offering targeted solutions for various skin types. Their Ultra Pure High-Potency serums, such as the 5% Niacinamide Serum for oily skin and the 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum for dry skin, are minimally formulated with 10 ingredients or less, ensuring efficacy without added fragrances or colorants. The Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum has been clinically shown to improve skin texture by 41%, boost radiance by 29%, and enhance resilience by 38%. Kiehl's serums, like the Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate with 12.5% Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, are designed to address specific skin concerns such as wrinkles and uneven skin tone. These serums are vegan and Halal-friendly, making them accessible to a wide range of consumers.

Estée Lauder

Estee Lauder is renowned for producing high-quality serums that target specific skin concerns, particularly for achieving glowing skin. Their Perfectionist Pro Rapid Brightening Treatment Serum with Ferment3 and Vitamin C is a standout product, proven effective for all skin types, with 96% of users reporting smoother skin and 87% noticing brighter skin with renewed clarity after just one week of use. This serum reduces the appearance of dark spots, sun spots, and age spots, and its antioxidants protect against environmental damage. It is also ultra-hydrating, providing 48-hour moisture with Hyaluronic Acid. Clinically tested on 280 women, this serum has shown significant improvements in radiance, even tone, and skin texture.

L'Oreal Paris

L'Oreal Paris is renowned for producing some of the best serums for achieving glowing skin, particularly with its Glycolic Bright Anti-Dark Spot Brightening Serum, which is clinically proven to reduce 77% of dark spots, sunspots, and acne marks in just 8 weeks. This serum, formulated with 8% Melasyl TM, glycolic acid, and niacinamide, is dermatologically tested and suitable for sensitive skin and all skin tones. Another notable product is the Glycolic Bright Instant Glowing Face Serum, which contains 1% glycolic acid and reduces dark spots by 57% while brightening the skin. These serums are part of L'Oreal Paris's commitment to skincare innovation, backed by extensive research and clinical studies. For instance, the Melasyl TM ingredient was developed after 18 years of research and testing over 100,000 molecules.

Sunday Riley

Sunday Riley is renowned for producing high-quality serums that deliver exceptional results for glowing skin. Their Good Genes serum, for instance, combines lactic acid with soothing botanicals like aloe and prickly pear extract, making it suitable for various skin types, including dry, acne-prone, and rosacea-prone skin. This serum has been praised for its ability to brighten skin, reduce hyperpigmentation by up to 60% in just a week, and plump fine lines. The CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is another standout product, using a stable and oil-soluble form of vitamin C called THD Ascorbate to fight signs of aging and improve skin firmness and radiance. With over 370 5-star reviews, Sunday Riley's products are highly recommended for their effectiveness and gentle, non-irritating formulas.

Olay

Olay is renowned as one of the best producers of serums for achieving glowing skin, backed by robust clinical studies. For instance, their Super Serum, introduced with groundbreaking low-pH activated niacinamide, has shown impressive results: in an 8-week clinical study, 100% of participants experienced results, with 90% feeling more hydrated and 88% experiencing instantly smooth skin. This serum combines the benefits of niacinamide, vitamin C, collagen peptide, vitamin E, and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to deliver unparalleled skin transformation. Olay's innovation has reduced skin's "chaosity" and lowered levels of micro-inflammation, as proven in a study using 3-D Visia imaging technology on 200 test subjects over two months. This makes Olay's Super Serum a top choice for those seeking improved skin texture, even skin tone, firmer skin, smoother lines, and long-lasting hydration.

CeraVe

CeraVe is renowned for its high-quality skincare products, particularly its Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum, which is formulated with 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) to visibly brighten the complexion and support soft, radiant, and healthy-looking skin. This serum, developed with dermatologists, also includes three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to restore and maintain the skin barrier, providing up to 24 hours of hydration. It is clinically proven to strengthen the skin's natural barrier and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. As the #1 Vitamin C Serum in the US, it has been praised for its efficacy and tolerability. The product is free of fragrance and parabens and is non-comedogenic, ensuring it won't clog pores.