April Basi has worked through more than 30 serums and come away approving most of them, with an approval rate of 79%. She skipped very few outright. What stands out in her record is how much weight she puts on the ingredient label actually matching what the brand claims, and on formulas that suit a range of skin types, not just the easiest ones to please.
What does April Basi recommend in serums?
Again and again, April comes back to a few things she trusts. She values products where the formula is doing real, evidence-backed work. With hydration serums, she notices when a brand uses multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, because smaller molecules can reach deeper layers of skin while larger ones sit on top. She praised the Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum specifically for this: its five-form hyaluronic acid system is, in her words, 'a real formulation decision, and the label backs it up'. She also pays close attention to tolerability, especially for sensitive or darker skin tones. She gave the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum a warm take, noting that despite normally not tolerating niacinamide above 5%, this one felt 'super soothing' and 'super gentle'. And for anyone dealing with hyperpigmentation on darker skin, she singled out the Reale Actives Go Deep 8% Mandelic Acid Serum Concentrate as doing 'real work', describing mandelic acid as one of the most underused ingredients for that concern.
In her words
"I have been using The Ordinary Copper Peptide Serum and I'm obsessed, it has been a game changer in my morning skincare routine. [...] It's aesthetically pleasing [...] but it's also really functional. [...] Studies have shown it's a lot more effective than some vitamin C serums and it's even better for people who have sensitive skin, although it's not compatible with vitamin C and it's not compatible with retinoids because they just cancel each other out."
"My final thoughts on this product is it's the most scientifically rigorous formula in the entire video. If you have resilient skin, use your vitamin C consistently, and want the most evidence-backed form, this is the one."
"It's the star of the line for dark skin, acne prone skin dealing with hyperpigmentation, texture, and uneven tone. If you've tried glycolic or lactic acid and found them too irritating, mandelic acid is your answer. [...] It's one of the most underutilized ingredients for darker skin tones in my opinion, and the eight percent formulation here is doing real work."
"There's no fragrance, no essential oils, and it's alcohol free. This is a very well thought out formula, the five form hyaluronic acid system isn't just marketing, the molecular weight variation is a real formulation decision, and the label backs it up. If you have sensitive or reactive skin and want something fragrance free, this is one of the most well formulated pure hydration serums I've seen at this price point, and the label fully backs up what it promises."
"This is a niacinamide 10% dark spot correcting serum by Anua, and I really like this one. I normally don't tolerate niacinamide over 5%, but this one just does it for me. It's literally super soothing, the ingredients formulated in here are so great for the skin, it's super gentle on the skin, and it is super functional."
"I like to go in with an oil that has an SPF, I like all the Kopari oils, my skin just drinks it up and I love how my skin looks with them. It has a little bit of sheen too, so in the summertime my skin is glowing. I just love that oil, and since it has SPF you're glowing and you get SPF protection, which is great since retinol can make your skin more sun sensitive."
How many serums has April Basi reviewed?
April Basi has reviewed 34 serums, for an approval rate of 79%. 27 approved, 5 mixed, and 2 skipped.
What has April Basi skipped in serums?
April skipped very few serums, so the ones she did pass on carry weight. She had a clear negative reaction to the VT Reedle Shot 100 Collagen, a serum that uses micro-needle technology to push ingredients deeper into skin. When she tested it on a patch of skin, she said it 'did not feel good'. She was also direct about The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, a widely popular product she does not recommend. Her concern is that for many people it has done the opposite of what niacinamide should do, triggering redness rather than calming it.
"What's really popular about this specific serum is that it has microneedles that create tiny little punctures in the skin so all the functional ingredients in the formula can go deeper into the skin, like injecting it in, versus a regular serum that still has to create pathways to get in. I used this on a test portion of my skin and it did not feel good."
"The Ordinary's 10% niacinamide plus zinc is super popular, and I'm sure there are people who have seen results, but it's also caused a lot of people a lot of issues, like triggering their redness, pretty much the opposite of everything I love about niacinamide. I don't love that product. I do not recommend it."
What should you take from April Basi's picks?
April's record on serums is generous but grounded. She named a handful of outright winners, including The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum, the Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum, and the Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum. Her warmest takes tend to go to formulas with clean ingredient lists, strong evidence behind the actives, and real thought given to people with sensitive or reactive skin. Anyone navigating hyperpigmentation, hydration, or vitamin C will find her serum coverage especially useful.
Watch April Basi say it
Every verdict here comes from a video. These are the moments themselves, each one jumping straight to the bit about that product.
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% SerumNamed a winnerWatch at 1:56
- Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C SerumNamed a winnerWatch at 4:50
- Naturium Vitamin C Complex SerumNamed a winnerWatch at 6:14
- VT Reedle Shot 100 CollagenSkipped itWatch at 1:45
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Skipped itWatch at 3:58
- Reale Actives Go Deep 8% Mandelic Acid Serum ConcentrateRated itWatch at 4:44
- Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid SerumRated itWatch at 3:29
- Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting SerumRated itWatch at 4:27
- Kopari Coconut OilRated itWatch at 4:30
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid SerumRated itWatch at 2:40
- Maelove Glow Maker Vitamin C SerumRated itWatch at 4:55
- CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C SerumRated itWatch at 2:43
- Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting SerumRated itWatch at 4:51
- Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening SerumRated itWatch at 3:32
- Naturium Multi-Bright Tranexamic Acid SerumRated itWatch at 5:36
- Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid SerumRated itWatch at 2:40
- Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C SerumRated itWatch at 3:35
- Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid SerumRated itWatch at 2:53
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night SerumRated itWatch at 1:21
- CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid SerumRated itWatch at 4:42
- Dr Sam's Flawless Vitamin C NAD+ SerumRated itWatch at 2:17
- Bliss Bright Idea SerumRated itWatch at 2:34
- Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot SerumRated itWatch at 1:00
- SkinCeuticals C E FerulicRated itWatch at 2:37
About this expert
See everything April Basi has reviewed
Related guides
This guide reflects what April Basi said across her videos about 34 products in serums, aggregated by The Guru Index. Sponsored takes are excluded. The approval rate is the share of these products she approved. It is general information, not medical advice.