Skincare doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective, and there are products like affordable serums to help address your skin concerns. Serums deliver increased doses of active ingredients to help you achieve your skin goals faster. They’ve become increasingly popular and have found their way into many people’s skincare regimens.
Because of the many options out there, we have prepared a buying guide, reviewed by Dr. Jarische Lao-Ang, to teach you all that you need to know when choosing the best budget-friendly serum. We also curated a list of the ten best affordable serums you can order online to make your skin dreams come true.
Dr. Jarische Lao-Ang, MD, DPDS is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila, and achieving healthy skin is her goal in every skin journey she has with her patients. She also aims to raise awareness on healthy skin facts and skincare habits. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and is currently offering online consults for any skin, hair, and nail concerns. You can follow her on her Instagram and Facebook page to know more details about her practice!
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
The active ingredients that your serum has are the star of the show. Make sure that they’re going to address the skin concerns that you have, so you can maximize the benefits and value of your chosen product. Here are some common ingredients that you will encounter.
Tea tree is a popular ingredient used to dry out acne. It’s anti-inflammatory and has anti-microbial properties, too, so it will help calm your skin and avoid future breakouts, making it helpful if you have oily and acne-prone skin.
Meanwhile, vitamin C helps brighten the skin, treating hyperpigmentation marks and scars left by acne. Zinc also has the same effect of reducing the appearance of blemishes. Some other ingredients that are usually paired with these are glutathione and peptides.
BHAs are one of the commonly known exfoliators, which is very helpful in combatting oiliness. BHAs like salicylic acid penetrates the deeper layers of your skin to break down impurities that have clogged your pores. They are also useful in preventing the formation of blackheads.
Meanwhile AHAs like glycolic and lactic acid gently exfoliate the surface of your skin, which helps get rid of dead skin cells, gunk, and excess sebum. That way, you can get rid of dull skin and reveal smoother, brighter-looking skin without experiencing dryness or irritation.
If you suffer from dry and dull skin, hyaluronic acid is a good ingredient to have in your serum. It provides hydration to your skin, making it look supple and youthful. On the other hand, niacinamide helps retain moisture and strengthens your skin’s barrier, so your skin stays nourished all day.
PHAs are also another ingredient that helps provide hydration to your skin and support skin cell regeneration, all while gently exfoliating your skin. This way, aside from helping you get softer and smoother skin, it also reduces the appearance of fine lines and other signs of aging.
Some serums may opt to use natural extracts and ingredients like aloe vera, centella asiatica, and rose flower extract. These ingredients are typically mild so are able to work alone or hand in hand with other ingredients to address different skin concerns.
They also have a variety of benefits that are suitable for various skin types, even those with dry or sensitive skin. Other beneficial plant-based ingredients include chamomile, pomegranate, and citrus extracts.
Some serums may be formulated with alcohol, fragrances, or parabens, which can irritate your skin, especially if it tends to be sensitive. Even though these ingredients aren’t necessarily bad, they each have traits that may cause adverse reactions. For instance, some alcohols like ethyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol are drying to the skin.
Meanwhile, artificial fragrances may cause redness, irritation, or allergic reactions. Lastly, parabens can cause irritation for some people, so it’s better to avoid them altogether. As a precaution, opt for a serum with none of these ingredients; it would actually be good to get one with as few ingredients as possible.
Some ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide are only effective when used in certain concentrations. A good rule of thumb in figuring out the right concentration is that if you’re new to using a certain ingredient in your skincare routine, it is best to start with a lower dose.
For example, vitamin C is best used from a concentration of 5% to 20%. If you’re new to it or have sensitive skin, then go for one with a lower dose of 5% to 8%. Meanwhile, niacinamide is effective at concentrations of 2% to 10%. Similarly, start with 2% and work your way up.
Even though you’re looking for an affordable serum, it’s still important to get one from a trusted brand. Many established skincare companies have budget-friendly options, so it’s best to go for those since you can ensure that they’re safe and effective.
It’s best to read feedback from customers, too, so you can manage your expectations and know whether or not you’re getting value for your money. A tip is to look for reviews from customers who have the same skin type as you do, so you can learn and get some insights from their experience.
From ₱116
Pond's serum is one of a kind with its unique cream-to-serum formula. It's a light cream that transforms into a potent serum when you apply it to your skin. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide (vitamin B3+), which attracts moisture to your skin and reduces dullness. As a result, you will get brighter-looking skin.
This product also has gluta-boost essence, which brightens your skin ten times more than vitamin C by boosting your skin's natural glutathione levels. This will help fade dark spots and marks from blemishes, giving you bright and even skin tone in no time. Join the thousands of happy customers and give this serum a shot!
From ₱399
Get great skin with this serum from Fresh Skinlab as it uses a powerful trio of ingredients to give you a healthy glow. Using niacinamide, this serum tightens pores, while zinc reduces the appearance of dark marks and scars. Lastly, centella asiatica is used, too, to ensure your skin stays moisturized.
With this line up of ingredients, you will surely get a clear and radiant complexion after continued use. Many customers have actually purchased this product over and over again because of its effectiveness. They said that it helps fade blemishes and that they like how smooth and cooling it is upon application.
From ₱149
Tea tree is a common anti-acne ingredient, being used to help heal pimples as it has anti-microbial properties. That's why if you're prone to breakouts, consider getting this serum, which uses tea tree as its main ingredient. Plus, it also contains aloe vera, a soothing ingredient that will help provide relief to your skin.
Together, these ingredients are encapsulated in a lightweight formula that will feel comfortable on your skin even under makeup, moisturizer, or sunblock. Users said they were able to see visible effects on their skin as early as a month. They also said it reduced the redness of their acne and that their breakouts have lessened as well.
From ₱158
Most people dream of a bright and clear complexion, and if you're one of them, this serum is for you! Using 10% niacinamide, this product hydrates and nourishes your skin as well as lightens dark marks and spots to give you a bright and even skin tone. As a result, you will get a clear and radiant glow from within.
Even though this serum is formulated with a high concentration of niacinamide, customers with sensitive skin vouched for this product, saying that it's effective and non-irritating. However, we still recommend that you use it with caution! It's alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free, too, so you can ensure that it's safe to use. For radiant dewy skin, check this out now!
From ₱150
Aloe vera is a well-known soothing ingredient, but it also has amazing nourishing and hydrating properties. That's why if you have dry skin, consider going for this serum by Sooper Beaute. It will instantly soothe and calm your skin, especially on days when it's too dry or irritated. It works well for sensitive skin, too!
This serum also has chamomile extract in its formula to boost hydration and support the skin's healing process. Also, its texture allows it to be used as a makeup primer to ensure your skin is prepped for smooth makeup application. If you're looking for a two-in-one product for skincare and makeup, this is for you!
From ₱499
AHAs, BHAs, and even PHAs are known in the skincare industry for their exfoliating properties, which are very beneficial if you have dry, oily, or acne-prone skin. This one by Luxe Organix, though, has a special anti-sebum formula that controls excess oil production, thereby unclogging congested pores.
With niacinamide, this serum also lightens acne scars and smoothens textured skin, so you can get the clear glass complexion of your dreams. It's dermatologist tested, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free, too, so those with sensitive skin can also give this a shot and enjoy its effects.
From ₱162
If you're looking for a gentle serum that will still banish blemishes, look no further than this! This serum is formulated with 5% niacinamide to help reduce the appearance of imperfections like dark marks or hyperpigmentation. It also contains hyaluronic acid to keep your skin supple and youthful.
Plus, it's actually specially formulated for sensitive skin since it doesn't contain allergens and irritants like alcohols, fragrances, parabens, sulfates, silicones, artificial colorants, and more. This is why if you have skin concerns like oiliness or acne and are skeptical about adding something new to your skincare routine, give this a shot.
From ₱350
AHA is known for gently exfoliating the surface of your skin, which is why having it in your serum is great, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. It will help brighten your complexion since it will remove impurities and promote collagen production for better skin cell turnover. It also helps tighten your skin, giving you a better skin texture.
According to customers, this serum will make your skin super soft, and it's light on the face. One user also mentioned that it delivered on all its promises, as it helped their skin texture become smoother and removed their dark marks. If you want to enjoy the benefits of AHA, get this serum now!
From ₱235
Vitamin C is a popular ingredient in serums because of its intense skin brightening abilities. This serum utilizes it because it will lighten dark marks and hyperpigmentation to give you even skin tone and a more radiant glow from within. This is useful, especially if you have acne-prone skin and have some scars from past breakouts.
Aside from vitamin C, this product also has different fruit extracts that each have its own benefits. For one, citrus lemon extract and sea buckthorn berry help boost skin elasticity, while acerola cherry extract aids collagen production. Finally, pomegranate extract protects you against breakouts.
From ₱235
Getting fairer skin is a goal that many Filipinas have and if you're one of them, consider getting this serum. It's infused with vitamin C and glutathione to give you a fairer complexion and defend your skin against photoaging. It also minimizes melanin levels to help you get a more even skin tone for a more luminous complexion.
Aside from its whitening abilities, it also has vitamins A and E, and natural oils to nourish your skin so as not to leave it dry. This will help your skin become softer and smoother as the days go by. Customers have a lot of good things to say about this product, saying that they like how lightweight it is and how quickly it is absorbed by their skin.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by dermatologist Dr. Jarische Lao-Ang.
Affordability will depend on one's definition of what amount is reasonable. This will really depend on one's budget. There are many locak skincare brands that are also as good as international brands.
The frequency of serum application depends on the active ingredients incorporated. Serums can be applied twice a day if it contains hydrating ingredients (hyaluronic acid) or brightening ingredients (arbutin. niacinamide). For exfoliating serums that contain AHA BHA and even retinol, it is recommended to apply these only once a day.
Layering can be done on different serums as long as the ingredients are not irritating when applied at the same time. For people with sensitive skin, it is recommended to stick to one serum type when applied. Some examples of ingredients that must not be layered together include: Vit C and retinoids; AHA BHA and retinoids.
Serums are definitely the way to go if you want to address specific skin concerns, as they can help you achieve visible results in a shorter period of time. Check out our other articles below for more of our serum recommendations that can help you achieve your skin goals.
Author: Bianca Angela Dela Cruz
Editor: J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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