This £165 Serum Makes My Skin Glow, But These Cheaper Alternatives Are Just As Good

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I previously did a review of Beauty Pie's Superdose Vitamin C serum, and my before and after pictures really speak for themselves. From just a few days of using this serum, I noticed my skin tone looking more even, acne scarring look less noticeable and my complexion had a serious glow. I'm becoming a Beauty Pie member just to stock up on this serum alone. The ingredients are similar to SkinCeuticals, with a high dose of vitamin C and ferulic acid, but this one also has tranexamic acid which is a antioxidant workhorse for brightening sun damaged skin, and it's also an ideal formulation if you have sensitive skin.

Imagine the kind of glow you get from drinking cold-pressed juices—this is what this serum does for your skin. This is a really great option if you want a vitamin C serum that's also suitable for acne-prone skin as it has the addition of blemish-busting magnesium and zinc while helping to address enlarged pores.. You'll also find alpha arbutin in this, which works with the vitamin C to help to address sun damage, blemishes and skin redness too. The serum texture is so lightweight and sinks in quickly into the skin leaving it hydrated but not greasy. A great powerhouse serum at a more reasonable price point.

While still an investment this comes in more bank balance-friendly than SkinCeuticals and still brings all the luxe vibes to your skincare shelf. Some vitamin C products can disrupt the skin barrier, so as someone with sensitive skin I love that Dr Barbara Sturm created this with skin sensitivity in mind, which targets pigmentation, scarring and helps to boost collagen too. You'll find three types of vitamin C in this milky serum consistently alongside hydrating hyaluronic acid to leave skin calm, soothed and glowing. They don't call it The Good C for nothing, and I trust Dr Barbara Sturm with my life at this point.

Want a a serum that costs less than lunch at Pret? I've got you. Coming in at just £9, this affordable option boasts all of the same ingredients as SkinCeuticals, but is £156 cheaper. Sure, the formula might not be as sophisticated as the OG, but this is worth a try if you want to give your skin a healthy glow while targeting pigmentation and boosting collagen.

I'm yet to meet a Medik8 product that I don't like and this serum is very highly regarded amongst industry experts. Featuring a potent 30% vitamin C concentration with ferulic acid and vitamin E, you can expect this serum to brighten up sun damage, pigmentation and dark spots pretty promptly. You'll also find turmeric root and botanical oils which further enhance the antioxidant protection against free radicals, which are often responsible for signs of ageing in the skin. This lightweight serum dries down instantly, making it great for all skin types.

I always trust Paula's Choice products, and this serum is no exception.It has recently been reformulated with a gentler formulation and it really does give your skin an instant glow as well as a long-term radiant complexion. The combination of vitamin C, ferulic acid and vitamin are a triple threat for even toned and luminous skin. In fact, it has been clinically proven to brighten the skin, so you know you'll get good results from using this daily.

Another affordable favourite is The Ordinary, which offers a resveratrol and ferulic acid combo that basically acts as a shield against pollution while turning up the dial on radiance and skin clarity. If you have stubborn sun damage, or just want your skin to have a even, healthy glow, this serum is really impressive for just £10.

I've heard many people compare this serum to the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, and at only £12 it can't hurt to see if it lives up to the hype. If you want an affordable version of vitamin C, ferulic acid and vitamin E, this serum boasts all of them and has several 5-star reviews for clearing up acne scarring and brightening the skin alike. I'm ordering a bottle as we speak.