You stand in front of a serum shelf and every bottle promises something: glow, plumpness, smaller-looking pores, brighter tone. The bottles are small, the prices are not, and the labels are full of ingredient names that all start to sound the same. It is easy to walk away with something that does not suit your skin, or with three serums when one would have done.
This guide narrows it down. It looks at five face serums currently listed in the Faces serums aisle, from a budget option under £5 to a premium hydrating serum, and explains who each one is positioned for. It is a shopping guide, not a clinical ranking. Prices and stock were checked on each product page on 12 November 2026. They can change, so always confirm on the listing before you order.
What a serum is, and whether you need one
A serum is a lightweight product designed to carry a higher concentration of a particular ingredient than a typical moisturiser. It usually goes on after cleansing and before moisturiser and, in the morning, before sunscreen.
You do not need a serum to have a good routine. A gentle cleanser, a moisturiser you like and a broad-spectrum SPF every morning cover the essentials. A serum is an optional extra for when you have one specific goal, such as more hydration or a brighter-looking complexion. If you are still getting the basics in place, start with our guide on how to build a simple skincare routine in the UK.
How to choose the right face serum
- Pick one goal. Hydration, tone, oil and pores, or fine lines. Choosing one aim keeps the routine simple and makes it easier to tell what is working.
- Know the headline ingredient. Vitamin C serums are usually chosen for a brighter, more even-looking tone. Hyaluronic acid serums are chosen for hydration. Pore-focused serums are often aimed at oilier skin.
- Think about texture. Watery, gel-like serums tend to suit oily and combination skin. Richer serums may feel more comfortable on dry skin.
- Watch the layering. If you already use a retinoid, an acid toner or a prescription skin treatment, adding another active can lead to irritation. Introduce one new product at a time.
- Be realistic about price. A higher price does not guarantee a better result for your skin. It often reflects the brand, the formulation and the size of the bottle.
Best face serums UK: five options on Faces
1. Miracle Beauty Anti-Wrinkle Serum 6ml (£4.90)
The Miracle Beauty Anti-Wrinkle Serum is the lowest-priced serum in this guide. The Faces listing positions it for areas where expression lines show, such as the forehead, around the eyes and smile lines. At 6ml it is a small bottle, which makes it an inexpensive way to see whether you enjoy adding a serum step at all.
Consider it if: you want to try a serum without a big outlay. Keep expectations modest: a cosmetic serum is not a substitute for an in-clinic treatment.
2. Medicube Zero Pore One Day Serum 30ml (£12.99)
The Medicube Zero Pore One Day Serum is a Korean skincare serum that the Faces listing positions for oily skin, with a focus on the T-zone and chin where pores tend to look more obvious. If your skin feels shiny by lunchtime and heavy creams feel too much, a lighter pore-focused serum can fit neatly into a morning routine.
From the same brand, the Medicube Collagen Glow Booster Serum 15ml (£12.99) is also listed and is aimed at a radiant, glowy finish. For more K-beauty ideas, see our guide to the best Korean skincare products in the UK.
Consider it if: you have oily or combination skin and want a light, affordable serum.
3. CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum 30ml (£27.00)
If you are searching for a vitamin C serum in the UK, the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum is a familiar high-street name at a mid-range price. Vitamin C serums are generally chosen by people who want skin to look brighter and more even in tone. They are usually applied in the morning, under moisturiser and SPF.
Vitamin C can tingle on sensitive skin, especially at first. Start a few times a week and build up if your skin is comfortable.
Consider it if: you want to try vitamin C from a well-known brand without paying premium prices.
4. La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C12 Serum 30ml (£40.50)
The La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C12 Serum is another vitamin C option, from a brand many people already know from pharmacy shelves. The Faces listing positions it for dullness and uneven-looking tone. It sits between the high-street and premium price points, so it is a natural next step if you have tried vitamin C before and want to compare formulas.
Pair any vitamin C serum with daily sun protection. Our guide to skincare by concern: hydration, tone and SPF covers how tone and SPF products work together.
Consider it if: tone is your main focus and you are happy to spend a little more.
5. SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan Serum 30ml (£91.80)
The SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan Serum is the premium pick here. As the name suggests, it is a hyaluronic-acid-focused serum, and the Faces listing positions it for hydration and skin that feels plump and comfortable. At £91.80 it is a significant spend, so it makes most sense if hydration is your main goal and you already have the basics in place.
Two other SkinCeuticals serums are listed in the same aisle: Serum 10 AOX (£80.50), an antioxidant serum positioned for dull and uneven-looking skin, and Discoloration Defense (£87.50), positioned for the look of dark spots and uneven tone.
Consider it if: your skin often feels dry or tight and you want a premium hydrating serum.
Quick comparison
| Serum | Main focus | Price on Faces (12 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Miracle Beauty Anti-Wrinkle Serum 6ml | Expression-line areas, budget trial | £4.90 |
| Medicube Zero Pore One Day Serum 30ml | Oily skin and the look of pores | £12.99 |
| CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum 30ml | Brighter-looking tone | £27.00 |
| La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C12 30ml | Dullness and uneven-looking tone | £40.50 |
| SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier 30ml | Hydration | £91.80 |
How to use a face serum
- Apply after cleansing, on dry or slightly damp skin, using a few drops or one pump.
- Follow with moisturiser to help seal it in.
- In the morning, always finish with a broad-spectrum SPF, particularly when using vitamin C or exfoliating products.
- Introduce one new serum at a time and give it several weeks before deciding whether it suits you.
- Patch test first if your skin reacts easily, and stop if you get stinging, redness or a rash.
A gentle cleanser makes the rest of the routine easier. Our roundup of the best facial cleansers in the UK on Faces has options for every skin type, and if you are curious about one of the newer serum ingredients, read our PDRN serum guide.
When to speak to a professional
A serum will not treat acne, rosacea, eczema, melasma or a sudden change in your skin. If you are worried about your skin, speak to your GP, pharmacist or a qualified skin professional. The NHS page on acne is a good starting point. Stronger options, such as prescription retinoids, need a consultation with a registered prescriber. You can use the Faces find a prescriber near me directory to arrange one.
Why shop for serums on Faces?
Faces started as software for aesthetics and skin clinics. Practitioners use it for online booking, digital consent forms, records and aftercare, and team management. The same platform includes Faces Pharmacy and a multi-seller marketplace at facesconsent.com/shop, so it works as a booking system with a built-in pharmacy and marketplace.
For you, that means the serums in this guide sit alongside the wider skincare ranges your practitioner may already be ordering through the same system. You can browse by category, compare prices and check stock on each listing in one place. Our guide to skincare ranges you can shop on Faces is a good place to explore the brands.
If you run a clinic, you can book appointments, take consent and order clinic stock from the same Faces platform. Create a free Faces account to see how it fits your practice.
Our nurse prescriber reviews products on the Faces Pharmacy channel, for example “Nurse prescriber rates Vichy: keep or skip?”. For more tutorials and product chats, follow Faces on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, and subscribe to the Faces Pharmacy YouTube channel and Ash from Faces on YouTube.
Find your serum
Choose one goal, match the serum to your skin type and budget, and keep the rest of your routine simple. Give a new serum time, and wear SPF every morning.
FAQs
What is the best face serum in the UK?
There is no single best serum for everyone. The right choice depends on your main goal and skin type: vitamin C serums are usually chosen for tone, hyaluronic acid serums for hydration, and lighter pore-focused serums for oily skin.
Should I use vitamin C serum in the morning or at night?
Vitamin C serums are most often used in the morning, under moisturiser and sunscreen. Follow the directions on the product you buy, and introduce it gradually if your skin is sensitive.
Can I use more than one serum?
You can, but more is not always better. Layering several active serums increases the chance of irritation. Most people do well with one serum, or one in the morning and a different one in the evening.
Are expensive serums better?
Not necessarily. Price reflects the brand, formulation and bottle size. A well-chosen, affordable serum you use consistently can suit your skin better than a premium one used occasionally.
Is “medical-grade” skincare a UK certification?
No. “Medical-grade” is a marketing phrase used by many professional brands. It is not a UK regulatory category or a guarantee of results.
Are these serums in stock on Faces?
On 12 November 2026, the serums in this guide were showing as in stock on their Faces product pages. Stock and prices change, so check each listing before you order.
This article is general information about cosmetic skincare and is not medical advice. If you have a skin condition or are using prescription treatments, speak to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine.
Ashley James Simpson-Davies INP MSc RN