5 of the best facial serums for older skin

A good facial serum is the best friend anyone over the age of 50 can have, says our beauty expert.

Image credit: Getty

By Emily Dean | Published - 25 May 2025

Whenever people ask what advice I’d give my younger self it’s this: "Feel every compliment as deeply as you feel every insult." Should you succeed in doing this, please tell me how.

I’ve spent very little time archiving compliments I’ve received over the years. But ask me to roll out my one-star reviews? Gather round the fireside and pull up a chair.

We could kick off with the time someone told me I bore an uncanny resemblance to the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz. Or the time when teenage me walked into a party wearing a navy skirt suit and the most handsome boy in the room said, "You look like you’re about to ask for my boarding pass and place my bag in the overhead locker".

On those occasions when I did receive compliments, I chose to give them an entirely negative spin. Take the date who once told twentysomething me I had lovely skin. My response was to call up my sister and wail, "That’s the BEST thing he can say about me?"

These days I would pay a grand to have someone say effusive things about my skin.

Here’s the thing about ageing skin – it’s drier and prone to wrinkles due to the slow-down in collagen production. The good news? There is one skincare product that can be an absolute game-changer. And it’s called serum.

A good serum is the best friend anyone can have over the age of 50. Serums contain a ton of hydrating and brightening ingredients, and penetrate skin far more deeply than moisturiser. Which is why it’s worth splurging on.

And with summer approaching, and increased UV exposure, it’s the ideal time to invest in one of these miracle workers.

5 facial serums lined up — Image credit: Saga Magazine

1. Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C Serum – £42

One of the best weapons against sun damage is a serum packed with the antioxidant vitamin C, like Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C Serum.

I came for the reassuringly scientific name, I stayed for the impressive results.

The consistency is fairly oily but it absorbs like a dream, helps to even out skin tone, reduces fine lines and delivers a seriously radiant glow.

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2. Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum – £22

Another vitamin C-based offering is Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum. I’m often wary of products that go viral on TikTok, mainly as I’m not 14, but this deserves every ‘like’.

Packed with skin rejuvenating pineapple, papaya and mango extracts, this stuff not only helps boost collagen production, it also offers a whole lot of firming and hydration.

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3. No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Serum – £39.95

If you’re thinking you’ve left it too late to rescue your skin, hurry up and get acquainted with the new No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Serum. Beautifully lightweight, the powerhouse serum has been newly formulated to reverse visible damage overnight.

It really does the business with restoring elasticity, plumping out fine lines, and reducing signs of sun damage. In fact, after just one use, my skin looked five years younger and a whole lot happier.

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TOP TIP: Gently pat serum on to skin and avoid rubbing to allow it to penetrate.

4. Hello Sunday The One That’s A Serum SPF50 – £22

As someone who is never knowingly punctual, I’m always on the hunt for a time-saving, multi-tasker. Hence me falling hard for Hello Sunday The One That’s A Serum SPF50.

A moisturiser, sunscreen and serum all rolled into one, this product not only acts as a glow-giving serum, it also packs a serious SPF punch. Big hurrah for the dewy finish.

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5. Clarins Double Serum – £65

Finally, if you want to splash out on the kind of serum that will have people convinced you’ve had tweakments, treat yourself to Clarins Double Serum, now reformulated to deliver even more incredible results.

Loaded with plant extracts and peptides to promote collagen, plus hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid, this stuff smells like the most expensive spa in the world.

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Enjoy your age-defying serums – and if someone comments on your beautiful skin? Remember, it’s definitely a compliment.

Written by: Emily Dean

Emily Dean is a writer, radio co-host and and podcaster. She is co-host to Frank Skinner on his two-time Sony Gold Award-winning Absolute Radio show and presents a hugely successful podcast called Walking the Dog, in which she interviews her high-profile friends, from Alan Carr and Ross Noble to Gabby Logan and Gary Lineker.

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