Is It Worth Splurging on a Serum? We Checked the Scores
Lots of people wonder whether a pricier serum actually does more. We lined up the highest-rated budget serum against the highest-rated luxury one and looked at what the gurus said.
- The budget champion, The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + Hyaluronic Acid, holds a Guru Score of 95% across 14 reviewers.
- The luxury pick, SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Serum, scores 91% across 3 reviewers. The budget champion actually outscores the luxury one, by 4 points. For a serum, the experts say save your money.
- The lesson the gurus keep repeating: with serums, the formula and how you use it matter far more than the price on the box.
HotandFlashy · 14 reviewers, 95% said yes
Dr. Jenny Liu · 3 reviewers, 91% said yesSo is it worth splurging on a serum?
The budget pick came out ahead. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + Hyaluronic Acid earned a Guru Score of 95%, while the luxury pick, SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Serum, earned a Guru Score of 91%. That is a gap of 4 points in favor of the budget serum.
The gurus' verdict for this matchup is save. That comes from what the gurus said in their reviews, not from our own opinion.
What do the experts say about the budget serum?
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + Hyaluronic Acid is the one the reviewers rated highest, with a Guru Score of 95% from 14 reviewers. The reviewers liked it enough to give it that top score, and it came from a low-cost line rather than a luxury counter.
A lower price does not mean a weaker serum. Price and performance are separate questions, and this score answers the performance one. That means the budget pick did not lose its place at the top just because it costs less.
When is a splurge serum actually worth it?
A pricier serum can still suit some people. SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Serum earned a Guru Score of 91% from 3 reviewers, so it sits close to the budget pick, though it has a smaller group of reviewers behind it.
A splurge may make more sense for people who care a lot about how a serum feels on the skin, for people who already know how their skin reacts to new products, or for anyone with a specific skin need in mind. Before you buy either one, check the single product's Guru Score and read what its reviewers said. The one thing to keep in mind is to patch test any new serum on a small area first, especially if you have sensitive skin. You may want to start with just a few uses a week and build up from there.