Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 67 reviews
vegan
- vegan
- fragrance-free
Best Face Serums Under £10
A serum is the most concentrated step in a routine, which is why it is usually the one worth spending on. Unlike a moisturiser, whose job is largely to sit on the surface and hold water in, a serum is formulated to carry active ingredients further into the skin — so the ingredient list matters far more than the brand on the bottle. The picks below are drawn from serums available on Amazon UK and ranked on customer rating weighted by review volume, so a handful of five-star reviews cannot outrank a consistently well-reviewed product. Prices in this category span a wide range, and a higher price does not reliably signal a higher concentration of actives: several of the best-rated options here sit under £15.
9 productsFrom £5.00 to £9.99
Shop by skin type
Best Face Serums Under £10
9 products
£7.40View on Amazon UKWas £8.76Price checked 6 September 2026
Opens Amazon UK. We may earn a commission.
£9.99View on Amazon UKWas £16.90Price checked 6 September 2026
Opens Amazon UK. We may earn a commission.
£7.50View on Amazon UKWas £13.36Price checked 6 September 2026
Opens Amazon UK. We may earn a commission.
How we picked these
We compare every product in this category on customer rating, review volume, price and listed ingredients. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not test products ourselves — the ranking reflects what Amazon UK shoppers actually rated.
Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change on Amazon.
What to look for
Match the active to the concern
Hyaluronic acid holds water and suits dehydrated skin; niacinamide is generally chosen for oiliness and uneven tone; vitamin C is used for brightness; retinol targets texture and fine lines. Buying by active rather than by marketing claim is the single biggest improvement most people can make.
Check the position in the ingredient list
Ingredients are listed by descending concentration. An active named on the front of the bottle but sitting near the end of the list is present in token amounts. Where a brand states a percentage, that is more useful than a claim.
Do not layer everything at once
Retinol and vitamin C are both potent and are often best used on alternate evenings rather than together, particularly on sensitive skin. Introducing one new active at a time also makes it obvious which product is responsible if irritation appears.
Watch the format, not just the formula
Serums oxidise. Vitamin C in a clear dropper bottle degrades faster than the same formula in opaque or airless packaging, which is worth weighing against a lower price.
Fragrance is optional, not free
Added fragrance makes a product more pleasant to use and is a common trigger for sensitive skin. If your skin reacts easily, a fragrance-free option removes one variable.
Price per millilitre beats headline price
Bottle sizes in this category vary from 15 ml to 60 ml. A £30 serum in a 50 ml bottle can be better value than a £12 serum in 15 ml, so it is worth doing the division before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does a serum go in a routine?
- After cleansing and toning, before moisturiser. Serums are thinner than creams, and the general rule is to apply products from the lightest texture to the heaviest so each one can absorb.
- Can I use more than one serum?
- Yes, though two or three actives is usually the practical limit before irritation becomes likely. A common approach is a hydrating serum in the morning and a treatment serum such as retinol in the evening.
- How long before a serum does anything?
- Hydrating serums can feel different immediately. Serums aimed at tone or texture generally need consistent use across eight to twelve weeks before a fair judgement is possible, because that is roughly how long skin takes to turn over.
- Is an expensive serum better?
- Not reliably. Price often reflects packaging, brand and formulation elegance rather than the concentration of the active. Several of the highest-rated serums on Amazon UK sit at the budget end of this list.
- Do serums replace moisturiser?
- No. A serum delivers actives; a moisturiser limits water loss. Very oily skin may find a serum sufficient in summer, but most people get better results using both.
Popular brands here
Related searches
Last updated 6 September 2026
Face Serums Under £10: top 5 compared
Price, rating and reviews for the highest-scoring products in this list, side by side.
| Attribute | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £8.33 | £9.30 | £5.49 | £5.00 | £9.30 |
| Rating | 4.8 | — | — | — | — |
| Reviews | 67 | — | — | — | — |
| Brand | The Ordinary | Garnier | Neutrogena | The Ordinary | Garnier |
Opens Amazon UK. We may earn a commission.