Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by Eve Dawes
I tested 3 luxury face serums to find out which are actually worth the money
The best anti aging serums should do more than feel luxurious, especially when they cost $350-$600. I’ve spent months testing luxury face serums from Dior Prestige, Dr Diamond Metacine and 111Skin to see which ones actually made a visible difference to my skin and which I’d spend my own money on. All three target signs of aging, but the results were very different. Dior Prestige La Micro-Huile de Rose Advanced Serum was my favorite for plumper, glowing-looking skin, Dr Diamond Metacine Instafacial made the biggest difference to the appearance of my fine lines, pores and overall skin texture, while 111Skin Black Diamond Serum was the one I personally couldn’t justify repurchasing based on my results. Two of these serums even had people asking me what I was doing differently to my skin. With the third, I didn’t notice a meaningful change. So if you’re trying to decide whether an expensive anti aging serum is actually worth it, here’s how the three compare, including the pros, cons, ingredients, results and which skin concerns I’d choose each one for.
This review article contains affiliate links and gifted items.
Best luxury anti aging serums at a glance
I’d use a simple table:
| Luxury serum | Best for | My results | Would I repurchase? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dior Prestige La Micro-Huile de Rose Advanced Serum | Glow, hydration and plumper-looking skin | Skin looked noticeably more glowing and plump; friends complimented my skin | Yes, I’d consider repurchasing |
| Dr Diamond Metacine Instafacial | Fine lines, pores and smoother-looking texture | Fine lines looked less deep, pores appeared smaller and skin looked smoother and more refined | Yes. I’ve used it on and off for 2 years and keep coming back to it. |
| 111Skin Black Diamond Serum | Smooth base under makeup | Left my skin smooth but I didn’t notice meaningful anti-aging results or improved hydration | No |
Dior Prestige La Micro-Huile de Rose Advanced Serum: Best for glow and plumper-looking skin
Dior Prestige La Micro Huile De Rose Advanced Serum was the 1st serum I used this year. It costs $400-595 depending on the size you get and is suitable for all skin types.
I’ve done a full length review of this Dior serum before but in case you missed it, Dior Prestige La Micro-Huile De Rose Advanced serum is made with 10,000 micro-pearls enriched with revitalizing rose micro-nutrients and revitalizing power of Rose sap for revitalizing the skin. It was designed as an anti-aging serum to plump, replenish, firm, hydrate and lift.
I didn’t love the price but I did love so many other things about this luxury face serum: how pretty the bottle is, how good it smells, how easily absorbed it is and how silky it leaves skin feeling but the biggest thing I noticed was how glowing and plump my skin looked. It’s one of the few face serums I’ve used where I’ve actually seen a difference. And not just me. Friends started complimenting my skin and asking what I was doing differently.
If you’re looking for a luxury serum that volumizes, plumps, hydrates and creates glowing skin this would be my top pick. In all honesty I haven’t repurchased it as I rarely repurchase things as I’m always trying new things to share with you but it is definitely something I would consider coming back to. It’s just a hard price tag to swallow!
Dior Prestige serum pros and cons
Pros: This gave me the most noticeable glow and plumper-looking skin of the three serums. It absorbed easily, left my skin feeling silky and was one of the rare skincare products where friends actually noticed a difference in my skin.
Cons: The obvious downside is the price. I also haven’t repurchased it yet, although that’s largely because I’m constantly testing new skincare rather than because I didn’t like the product.
Best for: If your main concerns are dullness, dehydration and skin that has lost some of its plumpness, this would be my pick of the three.
2. Dr Diamond Metacine: The luxury skincare I keep coming back to
I’ve been using Dr Diamond’s Metacine on and off for around two years now, and of all of the luxury skincare I’ve tested, it’s one of the ranges I consistently come back to. When I originally tested the InstaFacial Plasma and Emulsion, I saw some of the most noticeable results I’ve had from at-home skincare. My fine lines looked less deep and noticeable, my pores appeared smaller and my skin looked smoother and more refined. What’s probably more telling is that I didn’t just finish testing it, write my review and move onto the next product. Two years later, Metacine still finds its way back into my skincare routine depending on what my skin needs.
Right now I’m using the more hydrating, barrier-supportive side of the range while I’m doing a course of at-home Tria FRX non-ablative fractional laser treatments. The treatments can leave my skin feeling dry and in need of extra TLC, so I’ve been reaching for Metacine InstaFacial Plasma and HYDR/O to support hydration and my skin barrier.
That isn’t just how I’m using them: Plasma contains hyaluronic acid alongside its bioengineered growth factors and peptides, while HYDR/O is specifically formulated with hyaluronic acid, skin-identical lipids and other moisturizing factors to support hydration and the skin barrier.
I’m not using the InstaFacial Emulsion, Instafacial Infusion or the EyeLift during my FRX course. As the InstaFacial Emulsion contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR), a bioactive retinoid, and Metacine recommends discontinuing Emulsion around cosmetic procedures and waiting until the skin has sufficiently healed before reintroducing it.
Dr Diamond Metacine pros and cons
Pros: I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in the appearance of my fine lines, pores and skin texture with the InstaFacial system, and after using Metacine on and off for around two years, it’s still one of the luxury skincare ranges I come back to. I also like that the range now gives me options depending on what my skin needs, from anti-aging actives to hydration and barrier support.
When I originally tested the InstaFacial Plasma and Emulsion, I saw some of the most noticeable results I’ve had from at-home skincare. My fine lines looked less deep, my pores appeared smaller and my skin looked smoother and more refined. I even had people complimenting my skin and asking what I was doing differently, which is always a good sign when you’re testing a new skincare product.
Cons: It’s expensive, especially if you want to use several products from the range rather than one serum. The full routine also requires a little more thought than simply applying one serum, particularly because Emulsion contains a retinoid and isn’t something I’m currently using alongside my fractional laser treatments.
Best for: If fine lines, visible pores and uneven skin texture are your primary concerns, Metacine gave me the most noticeable results of these three in those areas. It’s also the range I’d personally choose if I wanted a more complete luxury skincare system rather than one standalone serum.
*Metacine just added a 3rd step which is their Instafacial Infusion. I just got my hands on a bottle so will update this after I’ve had a chance to use it.
Dr Diamond Metacine InstaFacial Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum
Inspired by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, Dr Diamond’s Metacine InstaFacial Plasma is a luxury anti-aging serum formulated with five bioengineered, human-identical growth factors, advanced peptides and sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid).
The formula is designed to support skin renewal, hydration and a firmer, smoother-looking complexion while targeting the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike an actual PRP treatment, it doesn’t contain human plasma. Instead, it uses laboratory-produced growth factors inspired by those found naturally in the skin.
Dr Diamond Metacine InstaFacial Emulsion RetinoPro Growth Factor Night Cream
InstaFacial Emulsion is the nighttime retinoid treatment in the Metacine range. It combines a next-generation retinoid called Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) with bioengineered growth factors, peptides, niacinamide and a hyaluronic acid complex to target fine lines, uneven skin tone and texture. What I particularly liked was that it didn’t leave my skin feeling dry or irritated the way traditional retinoids have in the past.
I’m currently taking a break from Emulsion while doing my at-home Tria FRX non-ablative fractional laser treatments because it contains a retinoid. Instead, I’m focusing on hydration and barrier support with the other Metacine products in my routine.
A little goes a long way. I only use 3 drops of the plasma.
3. 111Skin Black Diamond Serum: The luxury serum I wouldn’t repurchase
111Skin black diamond serum is what I’m using right now. It’s another luxury anti-aging serum designed for mature skin and is suitable for combination, dry, or oily skin. This serum is designed to target laxity lines, sculpt, and firm skin for a younger-looking appearance.
The main active ingredients in 111Skin serum are a potent Microalgae Extract that helps lift and tighten skin. NovoRetin which is a natural alternative to Retinol and NAC Y2 which is 111SKIN’s proprietary complex made up of Vitamin C, Escin and NAC which is designed to promote the production of glutathione, support healthy collagen production and improve elasticity. All of these ingredients are supposed to be enhanced by their signature Black Diamond Technology which helps deliver these active ingredients.
111Skin Black Diamond Serum pros and cons
Pros: A little goes a long way, it didn’t dry my skin out and it left my skin feeling smooth, which made it a good base for makeup.
Cons: I didn’t find it hydrating and didn’t notice meaningful changes to my skin while using it. At around $600 for the serum alone, I personally couldn’t justify the price based on my results.
Best for: Based on my experience, I wouldn’t choose this over Dior Prestige or Metacine if visible anti-aging results are the priority.
111skin black diamond serum review
111Skin Black Diamond serum is also the most expensive of all of these luxury skincare brands at a whopping $600 for the serum. Stack that on top of the 5 step skincare system they recommend and you’re looking at over $3000 after tax! I don’t care how wealthy you are, that is a ridiculous amount to spend on skincare. For that amount I could have a clinical treatment or course of treatments on my skin like laser rejuvenation, plasma lifting, microneedling, etc and see much more dramatic results.
Which luxury face serum is best for your skin concerns?
If I had to choose between these three purely by skin concern, this is how I’d break it down:
For dull, dehydrated or less plump-looking skin: Dior Prestige La Micro-Huile de Rose Advanced Serum. This gave me the most noticeable glow and plumping effect.
For fine lines, visible pores and uneven skin texture: Dr Diamond Metacine Instafacial. This produced the most noticeable improvement in those concerns on my skin and a little goes a long way.
For sensitive skin: This is much more individual. I didn’t experience the dryness or irritation I normally associate with traditional retinoids when using Metacine’s Emulsion, but that doesn’t mean another person’s skin will react the same way. Patch test new products and introduce active skincare gradually.
If you’re choosing purely on value: I’d choose between Dior and Metacine based on your primary skin concern. I personally wouldn’t spend $600 on the 111Skin serum again based on the results I experienced.
Are luxury anti aging serums worth it?
A higher price doesn’t automatically make a face serum more effective, and these three are a perfect example of that. They’re all luxury products at similar price points, but my results were completely different.
For me, an expensive serum is worth considering when I can actually see a difference that I haven’t been getting from less expensive products. That’s why I’d consider buying Dior Prestige again and why Metacine has impressed me, while I couldn’t justify repurchasing the 111Skin Black Diamond Serum.
I also think it’s worth comparing the cost of luxury skincare with professional treatments. Once a skincare routine starts running into hundreds or even thousands of dollars, treatments such as laser rejuvenation or microneedling may be something you want to discuss with a qualified professional instead.
How to use an anti aging face serum
In general, serum goes onto clean skin before moisturizer because its lighter texture is designed to be layered underneath heavier creams. However, I always follow the directions for the specific formula rather than assuming every serum should be used the same way.
How often you use one also depends on the ingredients. Some formulas can be used morning and night, while products containing retinoids or other more active ingredients may have different instructions.
I also don’t introduce several new active products at the same time. If my skin reacts, I want to know which product caused it. And whatever anti-aging skincare I’m using, SPF is still an essential part of my morning routine.
FAQ
Luxury anti aging serum FAQ
What is the best luxury anti aging serum?
Of the three luxury serums I’ve tested for this comparison, I’d choose Dior Prestige La Micro-Huile de Rose Advanced Serum for glowing, plumper-looking skin and Dr Diamond Metacine Instafacial for fine lines, pores and smoother-looking texture. I wouldn’t repurchase 111Skin Black Diamond Serum based on my results.
What is the best serum for mature skin?
There’s no single serum that’s best for every mature skin type because it depends on what you’re trying to address. For my skin, Dior performed best for glow and plumpness while Metacine produced the most noticeable improvement in fine lines, pores and texture.
Are high-end serums better for aging skin?
Not necessarily. Price alone doesn’t determine how well a serum will work for your skin. I tested three luxury formulas in a broadly similar price category and had noticeably different results, which is why I look at ingredients, formulation and my actual results rather than assuming the most expensive product is the best.
How long does an anti aging serum take to work?
It depends on the formula, ingredients and what you’re trying to improve. Hydration and the appearance of plumpness can change relatively quickly, while changes involving fine lines, pigmentation or skin texture generally require consistent use over time. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and don’t judge every anti-aging serum by the same timeline.
Shop the best anti-aging serums
If you’re ready to choose, I’ve linked the luxury face serums I’ve tested below so you can compare current prices and offers. Check the latest Dior Beauty codes before shopping for access to free gifts.
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