Serum help...Sunday Riley taste on an Ordinary budget :)

[JEV84]

So I'm in search of a serum that won't break the bank but that WORKS. I've been using Ole Henriksen Truth Serum for a long time and I'm sad to say (because I am a huge Ole fan) that it just doesn't make a big difference on my skin. After trying Sunday Riley CEO vitamin C serum (a sample size) I was hooked, but honestly I can't afford Sunday Riley on the regular. So my question is, does anyone use a serum (preferably Vitamin C) that evens skin tone, reduces dark spots, tightens etc...that is more in the $50 or less range? Thanks! 

[quspork]

@JEV84 If you're open to K-beauty brands, I love Tiam My Signature C Source. It's worked amazing well for helping with acne scarring on my skin. You can get it from jolse(dot)com. 

[Spartanmom76]

I am a big fan of Maelove The Glowmaker. Pure L-ascorbic acid serum with vitamin E and feurlic acid at the right pH etc..You can only get it online but it is free shipping and costs $28. The company is a bunch of MIT chemists doing some pretty great skin care products. The other one I like is from Timeless which is also available online. Also free shipping and ~$30. I don't like the Ordinary product because it is not water based and is a powder put into a lotion base. The texture freaks me out. Finally, I like the Paula's Choice C15 booster. Formulated with vitamin E and Ferulic acid like the others to keep it stable. I think it retails for $40-50. Keep in mind that L-ascorbic acid is hard to formulate correctly in a water base. Also, it oxidizes after 3-4 months (can keep it in the fridge to keep it for a total of 5 months or so). Once it oxidizes (turns yellow/orange) it is not useful.

[itscarin]

@JEV84 piggybacking on what @greeneyedgirl107  said I’d check out ulta. There’s a 10x point event coming up next Monday. That means if you spend $200 you’ll get $125 back to spend on whatever you’d like. It’s like paying $200 and getting $325 worth of merch, or getting 39% off. 

You could even do better if you hold your $125 reward for a 20% off sale. 

[greeneyedgirl107]

@JEV84 Ulta now carries SR, so if you wait for one of their 20% off sales or use your points you might be able to score it at a better price.  Or, you could visit beautypedia and search their "best of" list for Vitamin C products and pick one in your ideal budget.  You might be most interested in The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% 1 oz/ 30 mL

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 1 oz/ 30 mL

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone 1 oz/ 30 mL

Ulta now carries TO as well.  I looked at their exclusions list the other day, and to me if appeared that their $3.50 off $15 is accepted for the brand.  I could be wrong, though.  🙂

Best of luck!