When it comes to skincare, there are plenty of luxe products that hydrate, soften, and smooth, but if you’re looking for a product that will actually yield visible results with a little bit of time and consistency, resurfacing serums are going to be your best bet. Resurfacing products are basically just another synonym for exfoliating the top, the outermost layer of skin to slough away dead skin cells, and reveal a new, more youthful layer that hides underneath. Retinoids (i.e. retinol), skincare acids (AHA, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, etc.) are the gold standards when it comes to resurfacing your skin.

These active ingredients help to accelerate cell turn over by inducing a “shedding” process, which in turn can help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, sun damage, unwanted textures, and can also help to refine the appearance of large pores. Basically, adding a resurfacing product to your current skincare lineup is beneficial to almost everyone looking to improve their skin—you just have to find the right formula that strikes the fine balance between being potent enough to be effective and gentle enough to avoid causing your skin to peel off entirely. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite multi-purpose resurfacing serums to help you transform your skin in no time.