Serums: 8 Doctor Recommended Picks Worthy of the Hype

Serums: 8 Doctor Recommended Picks Worthy of the Hype

By Natasha Mohr

Face serums are everywhere. Magazines, blogs and morning talk shows are all talking about these highly potent, lightweight moisturizers that penetrate deeper to deliver active ingredients into the skin. In a crowded market, it can be difficult to spend enough time sifting through the options to be able to make choices for yourself or recommendations for your patients. So, we asked 8 of our CSF Faculty which serums stand above the crowd.

Dr. Joel Cohen of Englewood, Colorado, made his selection based on overall performance and how it enhances his personal routine. “I personally use Urbane Renewal Serum from Biopelle on a daily basis. It has antioxidants and DNA repair enzymes, and it is not irritating so it allows me to tolerate a topical retinoid nightly, as well.”

SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum is the pick for both Dr. Renato Saltz and Dr. Jeanine Downie. “It’s a synergetic combination of tissue nutrient solution with antioxidants, matrix-building peptides, an amino acid, a powerful skin brightener, calming and soothing agents and other essential nutrients all working to reverse the signs and symptoms of aging skin,” says Dr. Saltz.

Dr. Downie says, “TNS is my favorite serum. In my opinion, it improves texture, tone and helps to keep my skin looking radiant. I use it on my face and neck every day, if not twice a day. This is an unbelievable product. It addresses the major signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, uneven texture and dullness, in as little as two weeks.”

In San Antonio, Dr. Vivian Bucay really likes a serum from Sentè called Bio Complete Serum. According to Dr. Bucay, “It’s a lightweight serum that contains 2% heparan sulfate, a highly biologically active glycosaminoglycan that regulates growth factors, combined with a 1% sustained-release retinol and vitamin C, both of which are proven to improve the signs of photodamage.”

Known to his colleagues to have a heavy interest in science and to be a great formulator, Dr. Carl Thornfeldt has developed his own serum: Epionce Intense Defense Serum. We asked him to share some details. “It was the first complete multivitamin serum on the market, and in blinded clinical studies provided superior anti-aging benefits to other leading vitamin and growth factor serums on the market.” He said, “The approach is also unique. The Intense Defense Serum provides the correct amount and type of vitamins needed for optimal skin nutrition, and those vitamins are provided through a blend of botanical ingredients. This means the serum is great for even sensitive skin types. My patients love it, and we’ve been seeing great results.”

Dr. Julie Woodward identified SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic as her favorite without a moment’s hesitation. “C E Ferulic is the gold standard. It has been tested against several domestic and international competitors and found to minimize erythema better than the other products at 3 minimal erythematous doses of irradiation. Biopsy reveals fewer cells entering apoptosis, which precedes cell death after irradiation. It also decreases thymine dimers, DNA mutations that are found in actinic damage. Most recently, it has been published that it can aid in wound healing with once a day application immediately after ablative laser resurfacing by increased beta fibroblast growth factor expression. I have used it every day for more than 15 years!”

Vitamin K Serum from Revision Skincare tops Dr. Marc Darst’s list.  The formulation (which includes Vitamin K, Arnica Montana, antioxidants such as vitamin E and squalene) helps strengthen skin and defend against free radicals while delivering a boost of moisture to the complexion. It’s great for daily use and fantastic for post-procedure skin.  Dr. Darst particularly likes the Vitamin K Serum from Revision “because it clears bruises very swiftly.”

Lastly, we spoke with Dr. Joel Schlessinger. While there are a handful of serums he thinks are exceptional, right now he is really impressed with the results from PROVOQUE’s new product. “I really like the PROVOQUE Facial Serum. This serum is the first of its kind, with a potent blend of more than 25 stem cell-derived growth factors, along with amino acids, vitamins, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and antioxidants. It helps address the major signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, uneven texture and dullness, in as little as two weeks.”

There you have it. The market is wide and there are many worthy products to choose from.

We hope this gives you a good idea of where to start looking!

Don’t see your favorite on the list? Weigh in and let us know which is your favorite serum and why!