Under $50 Scores: $30 TruSkin Vitamin C serum proves good skin care doesn’t always cost a ton

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Rachel Quigley/CNN Underscored
Rachel Quigley/CNN Underscored

I’ve always taken good care of my skin. But as I’ve grown older and more concerned about aging, it seems I’m spending more money than ever on every type of anti-aging product out there. But good skin care doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive, and when I came across TruSkin’s Vitamin C Facial Serum, I was thrilled to see it came with a very reasonable price tag of $30.

Like most vitamin C serums, TruSkin is designed to target signs of aging like dark spots and wrinkles, and increase brightness and collagen production. I was happy to see ingredients I could read and understand on the label like jojoba oil, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and witch hazel, among others. Although it doesn’t tell you exactly how much vitamin C it contains like its more expensive competitors do, I still found it effective on my very dry and sensitive skin, which absorbed the formula easily and quickly without leaving any sticky residue.

I asked dermatologist and founder of MOMADerm Dr. Charles Puza about the benefits of vitamin C for skin. “Vitamin C is one type of antioxidant, which is a foundational ingredient for any skin care routine,” he says. “Topical antioxidants help to protect your skin from the stress of everyday life — pollution, weather, poor diet, stress, etc. Vitamin C helps to brighten the skin and fade dark spots, boost collagen production and protect from sun damage.”


TruSkin Vitamin C Facial Serum

Amazon
Amazon

Everyone should have this vitamin C serum in their bathroom cabinet. It is such an effective skin care product at such a good price, and it solves all the problems its more expensive counterparts do. My skin feels smoother and looks brighter after just a few weeks of using it every day.


From $22 at Amazon
$23 at Target


How I found TruSkin Vitamin C Facial Serum

I discovered TruSkin when I was fully immersed in a Reddit skin care rabbit hole about the best face serums and saw that multiple Redditors swore by this product. When I went to Amazon and realized it had more than 120,000 reviews (and counting) with an average rating of 4.3, I figured I had nothing to lose — and I’ve never looked back.

I tend to use four or five drops at a time, which is more than enough for me, unless I’ve been flying or in an overly air-conditioned office all day. I follow it with a moisturizer with SPF before applying my makeup for the day. I’ve seen some people online say they use TruSkin twice a day, and honestly, at this price, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t. I have a different, more intensive night-time skin care routine so using this in the morning is enough for me.

Why TruSkin Vitamin C Facial Serum is a score

After just three months of using this every day, my skin not only looks smoother and brighter but feels noticeably softer. In fact, when I don’t use the serum for a few days, my skin feels and looks drier, especially around my T-zone. What’s more, TruSkin is often discounted both on Amazon and on TruSkin’s site, so I don’t think I’ve paid more than $20 for a bottle, which is a total score when it comes to a skin care essential.

There are some vitamin C serums that can cost up to $200, and while I can’t speak to those — because frankly I can’t afford them — I have tried a multitude of serums around the $50 to $70 mark and find that TruSkin’s face serum works just as well. You truly cannot beat this price point, and it’s hard to argue with thousands and thousands of good reviews.

Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.

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