Sally Foran: Your ultimate guide to 'one and done' serums 

All-in-one serums combine multiple active ingredients in one formula for effective, streamlined skincare — and there is one out there for every skin type and budget

The best of 'one-and-done' beauty serums.

Whether you’re time poor, cash-strapped, confused or overwhelmed by the multiple serums on the market, “one and done” all-in-one serums are the perfect solution.

They combine multiple active ingredients in one formula for effective, streamlined skincare. Here are some of our favourites.

1. The viral one

Olay Super Serum

Olay Super Serum went viral for good reason. 

It’s a powerful, all-in-one, lightweight, fast-absorbing, face serum delivering five key benefits — improved texture, even skin tone, firmer skin, smoother lines, and long-lasting hydration. 

It combines potent ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, collagen peptides, vitamin E, and AHAs to deeply penetrate and absorb quickly without stickiness. 

Clinically tested for all skin types and tones, it’s ideal for tackling pores, dryness and dullness. 

Its RRP is €50, but it is often on offer at half the price, so do some googling before purchase.

• €50, Superdrug

2. The glow giver

Holos’ ABC Active C Creamy Gel serum

Holos’ ABC Active C Creamy Gel serum contains a stable vitamin C derivative that converts to ascorbic acid in the skin, providing antioxidant protection, boosting collagen, reducing wrinkles, brightening tone, preventing pigmentation, and supporting acne healing plus Hexapeptide-11, a naturally derived signal peptide that stimulates collagen and elastin production, improves firmness and elasticity, boosts cellular energy, and enhances radiance for a rejuvenated, youthful appearance.

• €49, McCauley Pharmacy

3. The age reverser

No7 & Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Serum

No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Serum is their most advanced night formula yet, designed to sync with the skin’s natural circadian rhythms for optimal repair. 

Created with the University of Manchester, it features a super peptide blend and Lindera Strychnifolia antioxidant. 

Clinically proven to reverse visible skin damage in 100% of users within 24 weeks, it also includes niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E. 

Its lipid delivery system ensures deep penetration, improving undereye wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles linked to disrupted sleep cycles.

Again, keep an eye out for deals on this one.

• €62, Boots

4. The budget one

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is an age-supporting serum designed to address early signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles (especially crow’s feet), loss of firmness, and elasticity. 

The serum combines four advanced peptide technologies with amino acids and multiple types of hyaluronic acid to hydrate, smooth, and firm the skin. 

It improves skin texture, reduces wrinkles, and boosts elasticity and firmness, making it suitable for all skin types and targeting dryness and early ageing concerns.

• €21, Mulligans Pharmacy

5. The menopausal one

Clarins Double Serum

Clarins ninth generation Double Serum is a dual-phase anti-ageing treatment that enhances hydration, firmness, radiance, and collagen production while reducing wrinkles and pores. 

It contains 22 plant extracts including organic giant provencal reed, to support skin regeneration and protection. 

Backed by five years of epigenetic research, it targets ageing factors caused by lifestyle, such as pollution and stress. 

It features a customisable dosage dial for personalised use, a sustainable package and clinically proven visible results — firmer, smoother, more radiant skin with refined pores within just seven days of use.

• €80, Brown Thomas

6. The pregnancy one

Skn to Skn Multi-Tasking Face Serum

Skn to Skn Multi-Tasking Face Serum is a pregnancy-safe retinol alternative created with dermatologists.

Delivering high-performance results for hormonally sensitive skin, without compromising on safety, it’s clinically proven to hydrate, smooth, reduce wrinkles, target blemishes, sensitivity, dullness, and uneven tone thanks to key actives; peptilium, a cranberry-derived retinol alternative for fast wrinkle reduction and brightening, algaktiv, an Icelandic algae extract to firm, lift and improve stretch marks, BB-Biont, a peptide targeting blemish-causing bacteria and azeclair P, a gentle azelaic derivative for oil control and brightening.

• €42, Boots.

7. The night saviour

Dr Sam's Flawless Nightly 2% Retinoid Serum

Dr Sam’s Flawless Nightly 2% Retinoid Serum is a powerful, all-in-one formula that’s perfect for a simple, effective nightly routine with actives including 2% granactive retinoid, 5% azelaic acid and 1% bakuchiol. 

It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and cruelty-free.

• €77, Sephora

8. The texture refiner

Neutrogena Hydro Boost 10% Niacinamide Serum

Neutrogena Hydro Boost 10% Niacinamide Serum is a lightweight, fragrance-free option designed to combat dryness, dullness, uneven texture and visible pores by deeply hydrating and refining skin texture. 

It combines hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, with 10% pure niacinamide to improve tone and texture. It works well under makeup too.

• €22, Look Fantastic

Prices correct at time of print