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The 18 Best Face Serums You Can Buy for Less Than $30

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Potent, layerable and glow-inducing, serums are worth their weight in gold—but thankfully, they don’t cost as much. There’s a whole host of brightening, firming and hydrating skin saviors that will barely put a dent in your bank account. Here, 18 effective face serums, all less than $30.

5 Reasons You Need to Be Using a Serum, Like Stat


bioderma hydrobio serum
Dermstore

Bioderma Hydrabio Serum

Part hydrating and part brightening, this French treatment uses niacinamide and glycerin to gently revive even the driest, dullest skin.

clinique fresh pressed daily booster with pure vitamin c
Ulta

Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster With Pure Vitamin C 10%

Think of it as a supplement for your skin (but less scam and more wrinkle reduction).

cerave skin renewing cream serum
Ulta

Cerave Skin Renewing Cream Serum

Combine skin-repairing ceramides with a low dose of retinol and you’ve got the best defense against fine lines (that won’t put you in debt).

aveeno maxglow serum primer
Ulta

Aveeno Maxglow Serum + Primer

Kill two birds with one stone with this two-phase illuminator that primes as it treats.

BUY IT ($20)

alpha skin care intensive renewal serum
Dermstore

Alpha Skin Care Intensive Renewal Serum 14% Glycolic Aha

This radiance-boosting treatment boasts antioxidant green tea, hyaluronic acid and alpha hydroxy acids to improve tone and texture all at once.

BUY IT ($24)

roc retinol correxion deep wrinkle serum
Ulta

Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum

Retinol is the gold standard for increasing cell turnover. That means smoother skin, fewer wrinkles and reduced breakouts.

juice beauty blemish clearing serum
Ulta

Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Serum

This combination of vitamin C, aloe and salicylic acid hydrates while it heals blemishes (because there’s nothing worse than flakes and pimples.)

no7 early defence glow activating serum
Ulta

No7 Early Defence Glow Activating Serum

A U.K. favorite, this ginseng-powered product supports a healthy complexion by neutralizing damage caused by the sun (ugh) and pollution (double ugh).

BUY IT ($25)

burts bees renewal intense firming serum
Amazon

Burt’s Bees Renewal Intensive Firming Serum

Who can say no to natural ingredients (watermelon, white hibiscus and apple) and toned, youthful skin?

elf hydrating serum
Ulta

E.l.f. Cosmetics Soothing Serum

A jojoba-enriched soother that’s cruelty-free and safe for sensitive skin? Sign us up.

BUY IT ($12)

cosrx propolis light ampoule
Amazon

Cosrx Propolis Light Ampoule

Antibacterial propolis is the star in this healing, hydrating K-beauty serum.

pixi hydrating milky serum
Dermstore

Pixi By Petra Hydrating Milky Serum

The name says it all: This nutrient-packed serum uses rose flower extract to quench the most parched of complexions; thanks to aloe vera, it never feels heavy.

BUY IT ($24)

olay regenerist microsculpting serum
Ulta

Olay Regenerist Micro-sculpting Serum

“Did you have work done?” No, it’s the peptides.

BUY IT ($29)

neutrogena hyrdoboost hydrating serum
Ulta

Neutrogena Hydroboost Hydrating Serum

Like all of the Hydroboost line, this fast-absorbing, lightweight serum is packed with hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.

vichy liftactiv 15 pure vitamin c serum
Amazon

Vichy Liftactiv 15% Pure Vitamin C Serum Brightening Skin Corrector

A high dose of vitamin C from ascorbic acid means your skin will look brighter, faster.

loreal paris revitalift triple power vitamin c serum
Ulta

L'oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Vitamin C Serum

After one week, you’ll notice glowier, firmer skin and fewer wrinkles. Score.

la roche posay hyalu b5 hyaluronic acid serum
Amazon

La Roche-posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Vitamin B5 repairs your skin’s natural moisture barrier, so aging doesn’t stand a chance.

no7 protect and perfect advanced serum
Ulta

No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum

Slap this on at the first sign of a forehead crease and revel in your supple, smooth skin.

BUY IT ($25)



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