The Best Drugstore Serums That Actually Make a Difference

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get glowing, healthy skin. Today’s drugstore serums rival high-end formulas with powerful ingredients like peptides, retinol, vitamin C and niacinamide—all without the sticker shock. Whether you’re targeting dark spots, fine lines or just want that lit-from-within glow, these under-$50 finds prove great skin care can be both effective and affordable. Below, the best drugstore serums for every skin concern.

1 / 10

Best Peptide Serum: Naturium Multi-Peptide Serum ($25)

This silky serum combines multi-peptides, encapsulated copper peptides, collagen and ferulic acid to help smooth texture, reduce fine lines, and visibly firm skin for a plumper, more youthful look.

• BUY ON TARGET – $25
• BUY ON AMAZON – $25

2 / 10

Best Vitamin C Serum: Prequel Skin Lucent-C ($23)

Developed with a dermatologist, this high-quality vitamin C is packed with L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid and niacinamide to brighten skin while shielding it with antioxidant protection. Users say it “feels comparable to much higher-end serums with similar ingredients and a luxurious, smooth texture.”

• BUY ON AMAZON – $23
• BUY ON TARGET – $23

3 / 10

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum: L’Oreal Paris L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($28)

With more than 48,000 near-perfect reviews on Amazon, this fragrance-free drugstore staple is a must-try. It bottles three molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to intensely hydrate, smooth texture and plump.

• BUY ON TARGET – $28
• BUY ON AMAZON – $36

4 / 10

Best Niacinamide Serum: ANUA Niacinamide 10 + TXA 4 Serum ($22)

For help with texture, pore size and overall skin radiance, this K-beauty serum does the most, with help from niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid and barrier-supporting ceramides.

• BUY ON ULTA – $22
• BUY ON AMAZON – $22

5 / 10

Best Brightening Serum: Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum ($12)

Brightening tranexamic acid is the key ingredient in this serum users love for “keeping melasma in check without irritation.” Those with deeper skin tones also love it for minimizing marks and creating a more even skin tone.

• BUY ON TARGET – $12
• BUY ON ULTA – $12

6 / 10

Best Multitasking Serum: OLAY Super Serum ($35)

Looking for an all-in-one serum that checks all of the boxes without skimping on benefits? Consider this best-seller users love for its ability to deliver “firmer, fresher” skin while hydrating and softening, too. (It’s packed with vitamin E, niacinamide, vitamin C, AHA and copper peptide.)

• BUY ON AMAZON – $35
• BUY ON TARGET – $35

7 / 10

Best Glow Serum: BYOMA Phyto Mucin Serum ($17)

Phyto-mucin, hyaluronic acid and peptides power this skin barrier–boosting serum that plumps skin, hydrates and locks it in for glowy, baby soft–looking skin.

• BUY ON ULTA – $17
• BUY ON TARGET – $17

8 / 10

Best Retinol Serum: CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Face Serum ($22)

A dermatologist-approved retinol under $25? Say less. New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD says it’s an ideal option for beginners. “It’s mild enough, only 0.3% retinol, and it contains ceramides and niacinamide, which will help to minimize dryness and irritation.”

• BUY ON AMAZON – $22
• BUY ON TARGET – $19

9 / 10

Best Dark Spot Serum: La Roche Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum ($45)

Stubborn hyperpigmentation is no match for this derm-approved serum. It’s made with niacinamide and Malasyl to fade dark spots and improve overall skin radiance without breaking the bank.

• BUY ON TARGET – $45
• BUY ON AMAZON – $45

10 / 10

Best Clearing Serum: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution ($7)

Water-based and infused with exfoliating salicylic acid, this lightweight serum clears congested pores without clogging them—leaving skin smoother, clearer, and visibly refined.

• BUY ON ULTA – $7
• BUY ON AMAZON – $7