17 Low-Cost Alternatives to Designer Face Serums
Finding the right face serum for your skincare routine doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. While designer brands may offer premium formulas, there are plenty of affordable alternatives that deliver great results. Many drugstore serums contain the same active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol, that help address common skin concerns like dryness, fine lines, and uneven tone. These budget-friendly options can hydrate, brighten, and protect your skin without breaking the bank.
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The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
This serum offers a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, which is great for deeply hydrating the skin. It helps to retain moisture, making the skin appear plump and refreshed. The addition of vitamin B5 ensures that the skin’s barrier is strengthened and maintained, improving its natural resilience. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, providing instant moisture without feeling sticky or greasy.
Priced at just $6.80, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum is an excellent choice for anyone looking to hydrate their skin on a budget. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, it’s a versatile option for many skincare routines.
CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
CeraVe’s Hydrating Serum contains three essential ceramides, which help to restore the skin’s natural protective barrier. The inclusion of hyaluronic acid ensures that the skin retains moisture, leaving it feeling soft and refreshed. This serum is formulated to work seamlessly with your skincare routine, complementing moisturizers and sunscreen.
At $17.00, this affordable serum is an excellent choice for those looking for a moisturizer that hydrates and supports the skin’s natural defenses. Over time, users can expect smoother and healthier-looking skin without the high price tag of luxury brands.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
This water gel serum is designed to deliver intense hydration with its lightweight, gel-based formula. Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost is packed with hyaluronic acid, which helps draw moisture into the skin and locks it in for lasting hydration. Its non-comedogenic formula ensures that it won’t clog pores, making it a great choice for acne-prone skin.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost is priced at $19.99, making it a great solution for anyone looking to hydrate their skin without spending a lot. With regular use, your skin will feel plump and hydrated, with a noticeable reduction in dryness and tightness.
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
La Roche-Posay’s Hyalu B5 serum combines two types of hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 to provide deep hydration and promote skin regeneration. The formula works to restore skin elasticity, leaving it looking more youthful and smooth. This gentle formula is ideal for sensitive skin, helping to hydrate and repair the skin’s moisture barrier.
Priced at $29.99, this serum offers effective ingredients that hydrate and repair skin effectively. It’s a great option for those looking to maintain a glowing, hydrated complexion without spending a fortune.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum
Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Serum is formulated with advanced amino-peptide complex II to target fine lines and wrinkles. This serum helps improve skin elasticity and firmness, making it a great option for addressing early signs of aging. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth.
This serum is priced at $28.00, offering proven ingredients that support collagen production at a much lower price than luxury brands. It’s a great choice for those looking to reduce signs of aging without the hefty price tag.
Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
Vichy Minéral 89 serum contains volcanic water packed with essential minerals that strengthen and hydrate the skin. It has a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, which helps plump and hydrate the skin, improving overall skin health. The formula also protects the skin from environmental stressors, making it an excellent choice for those living in urban areas.
At $29.50, this serum is a great investment for those looking for a refreshing and soothing feel, while protecting their skin from pollutants. It’s slightly pricier than some alternatives but offers impressive results.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Niacinamide helps to brighten skin while zinc controls oil production and prevents acne, making this serum great for oily and acne-prone skin. It is a low-cost solution for maintaining clear, even skin. The formula is easy to incorporate into your routine and works well with other products.
Priced at just $5.90, this serum is a budget-friendly option for anyone looking to target blemishes and uneven skin tone. The affordable price and powerful ingredients make it an excellent option for improving skin clarity.
Burt’s Bees Brightening Serum
Burt’s Bees Brightening Serum contains natural ingredients like vitamin C, which is known for its ability to reduce dark spots and even out skin tone. It also includes daisy extract, which helps brighten the complexion. This product is perfect for those with sensitive skin, offering an effective yet gentle solution for hyperpigmentation and dullness.
At $19.00, this natural-based serum provides great results at a lower price than many designer alternatives. It’s an ideal option for anyone seeking a gentle, brightening product without harsh chemicals.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
CeraVe’s Vitamin C Serum contains a stabilized form of vitamin C that helps brighten the skin and reduce dark spots. It also includes ceramides to support the skin’s natural barrier, ensuring hydration and protection. The non-greasy formula absorbs easily, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth.
At $24.00, this serum is a cost-effective way to introduce vitamin C into your routine, providing brightening effects while keeping the skin hydrated and protected. It’s perfect for those who want to address uneven skin tone without spending a lot.
E.L.F. Skin Hydrating Serum
E.L.F.’s Skin Hydrating Serum is formulated with aloe, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to hydrate and soothe the skin. The serum provides moisture and nourishment, leaving the skin feeling soft and refreshed. Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly, making it perfect for layering with other products.
Priced at just $12.00, this affordable serum is perfect for anyone looking to keep their skin hydrated without the heavy price tag. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used daily to maintain soft and smooth skin.
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum
RoC’s Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum is designed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles with its retinol-based formula. Retinol helps promote cell turnover, smoothing the skin’s surface and improving texture. This serum works over time, providing gradual improvements in the skin’s appearance.
At $25.00, this retinol serum offers effective results at a much lower price than high-end alternatives. It’s perfect for those looking to combat signs of aging without spending too much.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Brightening Serum
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Brightening Serum is designed to target dark spots and uneven skin tone. The combination of vitamin C and glycolic acid works to exfoliate and brighten the skin. This serum improves skin texture, leaving the skin radiant and youthful.
At $24.99, this serum offers a high-performing solution for brightening and even skin tone at an affordable price. Regular use helps restore brightness and clarity to the skin.
Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Serum
Olay’s Total Effects serum offers multiple benefits, including anti-aging, hydration, and brightening. The combination of vitamins and antioxidants works to address several skin concerns at once. This serum targets fine lines, uneven skin tone, and skin texture, making it an all-in-one solution.
At $27.00, this serum is a great choice for those looking for a versatile, multi-benefit serum at an affordable price. It’s perfect for anyone looking to address multiple signs of aging in one product.
Pixi Glow Tonic
Pixi Glow Tonic is an exfoliating toner that contains glycolic acid to remove dead skin cells, revealing a brighter complexion. It also includes aloe vera to soothe and hydrate the skin. This product helps improve skin texture, leaving it smoother and more radiant.
At $15.00, this product is a great addition to any skincare routine. It can be used to exfoliate and brighten the skin without breaking the bank.
The Inkey List Retinol Serum
The Inkey List Retinol Serum is a great, affordable option for those looking to include retinol in their skincare routine. Retinol helps to promote cell turnover, reducing fine lines and improving skin texture. The serum is formulated to be gentle, making it suitable for beginners who want to incorporate retinol into their routine.
At just $9.99, this serum is a budget-friendly way to introduce retinol into your skincare regimen. It provides gradual results, improving skin texture and appearance over time.
Yes To Grapefruit Brightening Serum
Yes To’s Brightening Serum contains antioxidants and vitamin C to improve skin tone and radiance. It helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, making it an excellent option for those looking to brighten their complexion. The serum absorbs easily into the skin, leaving it feeling refreshed.
At $14.00, this product is a great option for anyone looking to even out their skin tone and brighten their complexion. It’s affordable and effective for a glowing skin finish.
First Aid Beauty Hydrating Serum
First Aid Beauty’s Hydrating Serum offers intense moisture while repairing the skin’s natural barrier. It contains colloidal oatmeal to soothe dry or irritated skin, leaving it feeling hydrated and calm. This serum is perfect for anyone with dry or sensitive skin.
At $40.00, it may be on the higher end of affordable serums, but it provides lasting hydration and can be used daily to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.