Best value serums

Value is not just the sticker price, it is what a serum costs you to keep using month after month. We take the serums that already score well on the SerumProof rubric, then rank them by estimated monthly cost, cheapest first. Every pick here earns a solid score and stretches further than its shelf price suggests.

1. 179
   Good Molecules

   Overnight Exfoliating Treatment

   One of the best value plays on the whole board: a properly dosed, disclosed glycolic treatment for the price of a coffee. Ease in slowly and pair it with daytime sunscreen.

   $6, ~$2/mo
2. 275
   The Ordinary

   Lactic Acid 10% + HA

   A genuine leave-on exfoliating serum at a throwaway price, with the acid level right on the label. A smart first AHA for skin that finds glycolic too sharp.

   $9, ~$3/mo
3. 386
   The Ordinary

   Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

   The value floor for a glycolic toner: a disclosed, sensible daily dose in a bottle that lasts for months. Glycolic raises sun sensitivity, so daytime sunscreen is part of the deal.

   $13, ~$3/mo
4. 487
   The Ordinary

   AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

   A cheap, effective weekly resurfacing treatment with the acid percentages right on the label. Respect the ten-minute limit and the sunscreen rule and it does real work on the look of texture and dullness. Used carelessly it will burn, so this is a tool for people who follow directions.

   $9.5, ~$3/mo
5. 580
   The Ordinary

   Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

   The value floor of the shelf, and a useful one: two disclosed, well-dosed actives for the price of a coffee. The evidence is solid without being spectacular, and 10% niacinamide is more than some skin wants. On proven active per dollar, though, almost nothing touches it.

   $6, ~$4/mo
6. 678
   Some By Mi

   AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum

   The name promises an exfoliating treatment, but the ingredient list tells a different story: the AHA, BHA and PHA acids are each present at a few thousandths of a percent, and salicylic acid is not in the formula at all, so this will not meaningfully exfoliate. What it does deliver is a well-dosed 14.5% centella extract with niacinamide in a pleasant, oil-cushioned base for the appearance of a calmer, less-reactive complexion. Buy it for the soothing base, not for the acids in its name.

   $24, ~$4/mo
7. 790
   Geek & Gorgeous

   A-Game 5

   A budget retinal that gets the important things right: a well-evidenced active, encapsulated, in packaging that keeps it stable. The starting strength is gentle, which is the point. For the price it is one of the better ways to try retinal.

   $14.9, ~$4/mo
8. 896
   The Inkey List

   Retinol Serum

   A lot of disclosed, sensibly delivered retinol for under twenty dollars, packaged the way retinol should be. 1% is not a beginner strength, so ramp up slowly. As a low-cost way into a well-evidenced active, it is very easy to recommend.

   $16, ~$5/mo

Ranked by our SerumProof score. See how scoring works.