This £165 Serum Always Makes My Skin Glow, But I Also Rate These Cheaper Alternatives

Price shown is members' price.

I previously reviewed 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 looked more even, my acne scarring was less noticeable, and my complexion had a serious glow. I'm becoming a Beauty Pie member 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 an antioxidant workhorse for brightening sun-damaged skin, and it's also an ideal formulation if you have sensitive skin.

I'm yet to meet a Medik8 product 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 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 long-term radiance. In fact, it has been clinically proven to brighten the skin, so you know you'll get good results from using it daily.

Imagine the kind of glow you get from drinking cold-pressed juices—this is what this serum does for your skin. Formulated with 15% stabilised vitamin C, it's instantly brightening, but it also contains the crucial ferulic acid to protect the skin from environmental aggressors. You'll also find bisabolol in here, which helps to soothe and calm, as well as vitamin E to smooth the skin and improve suppleness. It's a great all-rounder.

Whilst still an investment, this is a little more bank balance-friendly than the SkinCeuticals serum 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. You'll find three types of vitamin C in this milky serum, 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 serum that costs less than lunch at Pret? I've got you. Coming in at just £12, this affordable option boasts all of the same ingredients as SkinCeuticals, but is £153 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 whilst targeting pigmentation, boosting collagen and saving money.

Another affordable favourite is from The Ordinary, which offers a resveratrol and ferulic acid combo that basically acts as a shield against pollution whilst turning up the dial on radiance and skin clarity. If you have stubborn sun damage or just want your skin to have an 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 £20, 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 five-star reviews for clearing up acne scarring and brightening the skin. I'm ordering a bottle as we speak.

A gentler, more affordable alternative to the cult SkinCeuticals serum, this Boots own-brand formula uses 10% vitamin C, in the form of ethyl ascorbic acid, which is known for being more stable and less irritating than other forms. Plus, it has 0.5% ferulic acid to supercharge the serum, boosting luminosity, minimising dark spots and tackling pigmentation.