Help! What serum should I buy?

[BarryWhiteIsMyBrother]

I am new to serums. I use actives, oils, peels, etc but not serums. My skin is dry, I have some pigmentation but no spots/blackheads. Can anyone recommend a nice, moisturising serum that won't cost more than £10 (do they exist?)? Ideally once I can purchase online. Thank you.

Anyone? No serum users here? Please help me!

Aldi Q10 serum

Thank you. Is that the full name of the product? Or is that a range of serums (apologies for the question but I know nothing about serums!).

No offence meant, but you don't sound super knowledgable about skincare (simply because your question is so general). It could be worth your while thinking more about what you want your skincare to do for you and what ingredients to look for. That would help you find good stuff. If you are using a lot of actives but not backing up with balancing, hydrating products you could be stressing your skin which could be the cause of the dryness. In which case maybe loosening up on those could help. :)

Hyaluronic acid is generally considered to "lock" moisture into skin. You could look for that. Also glycerin or propylene glycol ... I like urea for how it helps clear away old skin cells.

Not a serum, but I found this product very very pleasant to pat into my face www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face-Skin-Care/Face-Balms/Hada-Labo-Tokyo-Super-Hydrator-Lotion-150ml/p/795466 It's more than a tenner but a big bottle that lasts a long time. Squirt some on your palms and pat into skin, then follow with moisturiser.

Eucerin are reliable as a brand but more than a tenner I see www.boots.com/sitesearch?searchTerm=eucerin%20serum

Avene could be good (no experience myself) www.boots.com/sitesearch?searchTerm=avene%20serum Again more than a tenner.

Someone is going to recommend The Ordinary (brand) any minute now - I find them hit and miss, and not consistent from bottle to bottle. They also DO require you to know what ingredients you're looking for, otherwise you'll be confused.

Facetheory are popular www.facetheory.com/collections/serums but again, you need to know what you want. Also more than a tenner haha (actually my current serum is about a tenner but I can't find the brand available in the UK, so...)

I recommend (but they're a long read) the dedicated skincare threads! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4018138--Fantastic-Skincare-Jump-through-flaming-hoops-repeat-Beauty-is-Pain-and-acces-to-this-thread-will-be-unlocked

www.aldi.co.uk/lacura-q10-multi-intensive-serum/p/080918177809600
This one. It's really good and you can see the reviews agree. Nice and cheap as well!

Alpha arbutin from the ordinary is brilliant on dark spots as it inhibits melanin production. One version has hyaluronic acid which is moisturising but you would still need another moisturiser on top (and a sun cream during the day).

I agree with PP that you need to figure out what you want from your scum are and go from there.

Thank you everyone. I'm already using lactic acid, peptides, hyaluronic acid, retinol, vit c, other chemical exfoliants, and I have been having some treatments with a skin specialist. I asked about Alpha arbutin at TO store but they told me that given what I was already using, there was no need for it. I am therefore after a moisturising serum because I think I have all other issues covered, right?

The Lidl Q10 serum is really good too. Don't dismiss the Lidl/Aldi options, their moisturisers are great too