Ideal for brightening your complexion and reducing the appearance of fine lines, dark spots and discoloration on a budget – your skin looks better just reading this description. At Expert Reviews, we know that hands-on testing delivers the most complete information about a product.

With clever three-part retinol technology, which comprises a fast-acting retinoid, a time-released retinol and a retinol booster, expect uneven texture, acne and excess sebum to be addressed from all angles with the help of this Murad serum. Retinol is undoubtedly a gold standard ingredient when it comes to encouraging youthful, healthy and plump skin. Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, vitamin E, pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract, as well as a sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer.It features a wide range of antioxidants and fruit enzymes, including chronocycline and vitamin E to dissolve dead skin cells while also soothing and hydrating your skin. One of the brand’s most potent blends, it targets fine lines and wrinkles, while added hyaluronic acid replenishes the skin with moisture. Paula’s choice it may be, but if you’re after a dark spot fader and anti-ager combined, then this might also be the best choice for you. Great for those after a gentle but effective retinol that can rebalance stressed skin, this solution boasts probiotics for a healthy microbiome as well as adaptogenic mushroom extract. For an added boost to your daily regimen, a facial serum is the best way to give your skin a concentrated burst of any skincare ingredient.

Start off including retinol in your routine twice a week – I always advise a Wednesday and a Sunday, just to allow skin enough rest time in between. If your skincare routine includes both vitamin C and retinol, it’s best to use vitamin C products in the morning and retinol products at night – retinol helps cells rebuild overnight but can cause sun sensitivity, whereas vitamin C helps protect from environmental damage so is a good choice for daytime. Why we love it: Delivering an impressively high concentration of its active ingredients to your skin, it includes a 15% L-ascorbic acid content and has a high pH (which, in comparison to its low-pH counterparts, means it can deliver vitamin C through the top layer of your skin without causing redness and irritation). A good serum for adult skins where the main concerns are oiliness and blemishes, Clinique’s Blemish + Line Correcting Serum also helps plump up the skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Silicone-free and with one per cent retinol, this is a potent but nourishing retinol formula that combines the active with fruit extracts, such as apricot, kale and passion fruit, to keep skin smooth and supple.It's especially designed to protect your skin against free radicals while also brightening and balancing the skin tone, leaving you with a hydrated and glowing complexion. Here, Dija Ayodele, aesthetician and founder of West Room Aesthetics and the Black Skin Directory, answers all of your most pressing retinol-related questions, from the ideal amount of retinol to apply to the most effective ingredients to layer it with. It's packed with powerful antioxidants such as ferulic acid — these help protect the skin against free radicals and keep the 15% vitamin C content stable.

Combined with two per cent lactic acid, it also works to eliminate dead cells for the skin surface for all-round added radiance.Applying one of the best vitamin C serums as part of your daily skincare routine can benefit your skin for a number of reasons. But fret not: below is everything you need to know, plus an edit of tried and tested vitamin C serums by the likes of La Roche-Posay, CeraVe, Drunk Elephant, L'Oreal and The Inkey List. It even contains helpful, soothing ingredients such as liquorice extract, tazman pepper and grape seed oil.

As well as scrutinising the smell of the serum, we also note any issues such as greasiness, stickiness or stinging on application.But, as a consequence of ageing processes and environmental stressors, the amount present successively declines. Ayodele advises keeping a diary noting any changes and taking pictures of your skin, comparing week one to week six.