If you’re looking for a way to smooth wrinkles, then there’s a pretty good chance you’ve either tried retinol or had someone recommend it to you. That’s because retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is basically the gold standard of anti-aging ingredients. That being said, retinol, whether in prescription form or in OTC treatments and serums, can be quite irritating. Sure, it might work to minimize the look of lines on your face, but it could also leave you with dry, peeling, red skin. The good news is, there are plenty of gentle anti-aging serums on the market that boost youthfulness without irritation so you can recapture that glow without the worry. Here are eight serums worth adding to your skin care routine.
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This article originally appeared on TotalBeauty.com
8 Anti-Aging Serums for People Who Just Can't Handle Retinol
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Ole Henriksen
Glow Cycle Retin-ALT Power Serum, $58 at Sephora
This serum is formulated with bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative, alpha hydroxy acids, edelweiss stem cells and hibiscus flower extract to address everything from wrinkles to dark spots to large pores to dullness — without causing redness. While traditional retinol is generally recommended for night use only, this serum can be used during the day since it utilizes a natural alternative.
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Savor Beauty
Carrot Rose Serum, $74 at Nordstrom
Fun fact: Did you know that carrots are high in vitamin A? Yep, they are! That's why carrot seed oil makes a great alternative to retinol. This serum is loaded with carrot seed oil to encourage skin cell turnover, rose essential oil to even skin tone and meadowfoam to keep moisture in so that your skin doesn't dry out.
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Indie Lee
Swiss Apple Facial Serum, $130 at Dermstore
For uneven skin tone and fine lines, turn your attention to this serum. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid, another superstar skin care ingredient, which locks in moisture, and swiss apple stem cells to target signs of aging. Meaning: When you use it, you'll be left with soft, healthy, plumped skin.
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Mun
Aknari Brightening Youth Serum, $95 at Mun
One of the changes in your skin you're likely to experience as you get older is dryness. Your skin's oil production slows down, leaving you with dry, dull skin. Enter this gentle anti-aging serum, which relies on a variety of anti-aging ingredients (prickly pear seed oil, argan oil and rose essential oil) to add lots of moisture, brighten skin and smooth wrinkles.
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Niu Body
Youth Facial Serum, $31 at Niu Body
This affordable serum is another great option for mature skin. Organic sacha inchi oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids that seriously nourish skin and protect it against environmental aggressors, organic baobab oil is high in vitamins A, D, C and E to firm skin, and organic ylang-ylang essential oil calms skin inflammation.
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L'Oreal Paris
Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $23.99 at Target
Hyaluronic acid is one of the best anti-aging ingredients on the planet besides retinol and you can find a whole lot of it in this drugstore serum, which plumps up the skin and smooths it out thanks to the high dose of hyaluronic acid.
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Khus + Khus
Sen Face Serum, $80 at Khus + Khus
Get in on the CBD trend with this gentle anti-aging serum. Eco-certified hemp extract soothes inflammation, while buriti oil, which is high in vitamin A, helps stimulate collagen production. This serum's formula is rounded out by vitamin C-rich black currant seed oil, which provides antioxidant protection, frankincense, which repairs damaged skin, and wild French lavender, which is calming.
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Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum, $39 at Ulta
Glass skin is one of the biggest K-beauty trends. It basically means skin that is so plump, hydrated and even-toned that it resembles a shard of glass. Now, you can get in on the glass skin fun with this anti-aging serum that eases inflammation with niacinamide, deeply moisturizes with hyaluronic acid, fills in fine lines with peptides, and protects skin with peach extract.
