Clinique has a wide range of serums that address a variety of concerns. Here is a breakdown of some of the absolute best Clinique serums. 

The Best Clinique Serums

Best for Anti-Aging

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum

Best Clinique Serum for Anti-Aging

Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum

This serum contains a blend of ingredients that help improve the signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Minimizing Fine Lines, Wrinkles, and Dark Spots
Tested on animals: Yes
How to use: After cleansing, apply two to three pumps over the face and neck. This serum can be used up to two times per day.
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This serum is packed with effective ingredients known to help fight different signs of aging. One key ingredient is vitamin C, which works to brighten skin tone, reduce the appearance of dark spots, and fight environmental aggressors[1]. It also contains peptides, which firm the skin, and glucosamine, which has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles[2]. Additionally, this serum has salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliator that smooths texture and unclogs pores[3].

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Contains soothing and hydrating ingredients

Cons

  • Contains color additives

In addition to the active ingredients mentioned above, this serum contains hydrating and soothing ingredients, including cucumber extract, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate (the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid), and squalane.

Best Night Anti-Aging Serum

Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol

Best Clinique Night Serum for Anti-Aging

Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol

This is one of the best Clinique serums for anti-aging, because the key ingredient is retinol, an incredibly effective skincare ingredient that helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Minimizing Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Tested on animals: No
How to use: At night, after cleansing, apply a pea size amount of the serum all over the face and neck. Follow up with a moisturizer. If you’re new to using retinol, you may wish to start with using it every other night or every third night to allow your skin to adjust.
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This serum is great for addressing aging concerns, because it contains a 0.3% concentration of retinol, which is known to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also refining texture[4]. Additionally, it has niacinamide and vitamin C, which both also offer anti-aging benefits[1][5].

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Contains soothing and hydrating ingredients

Cons

  • May cause irritation

The addition of ingredients like hyaluronic acid, mango seed butter, squalane, and vitamin E help keep the skin hydrated, and may counteract the potentially drying effects often associated with retinol.

Best for Dullness

Clinique Turnaround Accelerated Renewal Serum

Best Clinique Serum for Dullness

Clinique Turnaround Accelerated Renewal Serum

This serum contains ingredients that encourage faster cell turnover rate, which promotes vibrant skin with a more even skin tone and texture.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Fighting Dullness
Tested on animals: Yes
How to use: After cleansing, apply all over the face and neck. This serum can be used up to two times per day.
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This serum contains a variety of ingredients that promote even and brighter skin tone and texture. Salicylic acid (a chemical exfoliator) helps smooth texture and unclog pores, while lactobionic acid (another chemical exfoliator) further exfoliates and brightens[3][6]. Additionally, glucosamine helps even skin tone while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles[2].

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Oil-free

Cons

  • Some reviewers complain that it feels sticky on the skin

In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, this serum contains a variety of antioxidant-rich ingredients that protect and soothe, including grape extract, mulberry root extract, and barley seed extract.

Best for Dryness

Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate

Best Clinique Serum for Dryness

Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate

This product is one of the best Clinique serums for dryness, because it is packed with ingredients that deliver and lock in moisture.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Dryness
Tested on animals: Yes
How to use: After cleansing, apply all over the face and neck. This serum can be used up to two times per day.
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One of the key ingredients in this serum is hyaluronic acid, which attracts moisture to the skin and locks it in[7]. It also contains glycerin, a humectant that further hydrates the skin, as well as sucrose, which calms and soothes the skin[8].

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • May not be suitable for acne-prone skin

In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, this serum also contains aloe water, which further moisturizes and helps the skin retain its moisture.

Best for Acne

Clinique Acne Solutions Acne + Line Correcting Serum

Best Clinique Serum for Acne

Clinique Acne Solutions Acne + Line Correcting Serum

This serum helps keep breakouts at bay while also addressing fine lines and wrinkles.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Reducing and Preventing Breakouts
Tested on animals: Yes
How to use: After cleansing, apply two to three drops all over the face.
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This serum is excellent for those who want to keep the skin acne-free while also addressing fine lines and wrinkles. Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin and unclogs pores to treat and prevent breakouts[3]. This serum also contains acetyl glucosamine, which improves skin tone and reduces wrinkles[2].

Pros

  • Oil-free
  • Fragrance-free

Cons

  • Some reviewers complain that it feels sticky on the skin

In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, this serum also contains whey protein, which helps plump the skin, as well as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which keep the skin moisturized.

Best for Dark Spots

Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter

Best Clinique Serum for Dark Spots

Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter

This is one of the best Clinique serums for treating acne marks and other dark spots, while also preventing new marks from forming. It helps brighten and correct for a more even skin tone.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Diminishing Dark Spots
Tested on animals: Yes
How to use: After cleansing, apply one to two pumps all over the face.
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This serum is a great choice for evening skin tone, because it treats dark spots while also preventing new marks from forming. The serum uses CL302 Complex to treat dark spots. This complex formula includes salicylic acid, which exfoliates, and glucosamine, which has been shown to lighten dark spots[2][3].

Pros

  • Oil-free
  • Fragrance-free

Cons

  • Contains color additives

In addition to the CL302 Complex, this serum also contains an Interrupter Complex, which serves to prevent dark spots from forming. This complex includes mulberry root extract, gyokuro extract, and rice bran extract, which help reduce irritation and protect the skin.

FAQs

What is the best Clinique serum?

The best serum for you will depend on what concerns you are looking to address. Some of the best Clinique serums include the Smart Custom-Repair Serum (for anti-aging), the Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate (for dryness), and the Acne Solutions Acne + Line Correcting Serum (for acne).

Do you really need serums?

While serums aren’t necessarily essential, they are great for addressing certain concerns. Serums contain a concentrated amount of active ingredients that help target different skin issues, such as acne, dark spots, dullness, or fine lines. If you have a skin concern you’d like to treat, adding a serum that targets that issue is the best way to actively tackle that concern.

What is the best Clinique moisturizer?

Clinique has a wide variety of moisturizers, and the best option will depend on your skin type. If you’re looking to add a new moisturizer to your skincare routine, you can check out our guide on the best Clinique moisturizers.

The Bottom Line

If you want to add a serum to your skincare routine, Clinique has some great options. Try one (or a few!) of these serums in your routine to address your concerns and promote healthy skin.