3 Serums over $100 we really wish we hated

By: Minnie Isaac | 5 Min Read

*Ouch* I flinch, at the spoilt, first world problem of falling in love with a serum I've been sent, looking up the price to purchase it myself, and seeing it's (sometimes well) over $100.

A mistake I've truly only made a handful of times.

I now do the research and politely inform brands that anything above $100 that doesn't turn me into a 2 week old baby just won't suit my audience, we are bargain hunters through and through, and get a true kick out of budget beauty.

Nothing like the thrill of finding a $18 serum that makes your heart sing!

Let's start smart. $235/30ml

Dermalogica Smart Response Serum Cost: 30ml $235 - 59ml $359

You're not going to like what I have to say. I loved this serum. Adored it. It became my AM and PM serum and I used it on retinol and exfoliation nights, too.

I loved the calm and relaxation it brought to my skin, the cream-gel texture was perfect and I looked forward to using it.

Did I notice a huge reduction in my hyperpigmentation? No- But I did notice the usual blemishes popping up had a shorter lifespan and didn't scar as bad.

The genius? Gallic Acid, that claims to soothe and reduce the appearance of redness, alongside Mannose-6-Phosphate, which brightens the skin and can reduce the appearance of dark spots.

While I'm usually quick to dismiss a serum that says "it's the magical XXX and not the high % of niacinamide that's fading your spots, promise!!!" there was something ever so magical in this bottle that reduced the redness of my skin and as a result felt much more preventative than many other serums I've used.

During my research for this article, it's pretty clear there's a cult following, with devotees waiting until 30% off sales to stock up.

That seems like a smart move. An encouraging review mentions "This lasted me 3 months of use!" and I have to agree, as the spread ability is wonderful, it being so emollient.

My first “AHA” love

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum
Cost: 30ml $144.00 - 50ml $215.00, sometimes available in a mini set

Perhaps because it was a true OG ~Influenced~ moment, long before my beauty blogging days. Kathleen Lights posted this video and I remember clear as day thinking "this is my entry to skincare. This $215 serum. I simply can't start anywhere else".

Was it pure ecstasy? Or was it a beautifully crafted blend of AHAs and Salicylic acid in a light weight, hydrating base. (it was the latter).

I distinctly remember part of my lip lightening on my first night of use and noticing a difference in my skin texture from night one, supporting the hearty price tag.

The good news? Due to it's quick as lightening action on the skin, pinching a sample from MECCA might help you figure out if this is for you.

The user experience is also fabulous, it's elegant and fun to dive into the world of Drunk Elephant. While you're at it, keep out a sharp eye for their limited edition mini kits that come and go, you can grab a decent deal and trial their famous T.L.C. at a much lower by in.

Green? Surely this is gimmicky...

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel
Cost: 30ml $109

Finishing off very strong, with the one serum from this list I would repurchase, despite the price tag. Soothing on application and immediately correcting on the skin, there is a very surreal "I get it" moment.

What else does SkinCeuticals seem to very much understand? That acne prone skin is sensitive skin. This product and it's description has a fabulous understanding on the negative affects that inflammation has on healing blemishes and just how sensitive spotty skin truly is.

Promising 14 weeks of use in one bottle at 3 drops per application, I'm very happy to report that is indeed what I found.

A constant positive-groundhog day of having more pricey serum to use. Botanical extracts of Thyme, Olive and Cucumber work to soothe on contact, while Hyaluronic Acid plumps the skin. Hydrated skin is happy skin! The experience for me was lovely and for the first time in a while I felt relief my skin simply hadn't touched, as I went through this bottle over a cystic acne stint.

The honest truth

All skincare is catered to a consumer. Some want results, and don't care they're rubbing in grains of 100% ascorbic acid suspended in a pretty clunky cream (I'm looking at you, The Ordinary)- Or perhaps even opt for over the counter goodies like Finacea, or a prescription Vitamin A.

For some skincare is a chore or a necessity, no more inviting than their nightly floss. For others, including myself, I demand an elevated experience that makes the skincare, selfcare. I enjoy scents, textures and colours- as long as they don't upset my skin.

In the early skincare days, it was so fun to learn about the brand values and beliefs of Drunk Elephant for example, the way to experience this movement was to use one of their products.

They have the airless pump- that they promise is the best option out there- although often not needed, countless fancy extracts at percentages that'd make you question their validity for their effect on the skin, but still, all this added up to a unique product that connected with 19 year old Minnie, and made a lasting impact.

I will simply not tell you to not spend over $100, because that's silly (it's your money).

I am however happy that with time, the skincare landscape has developed to make the same significant consumer connection with more affordable and accessible products and I think that's pretty darn cool!

What do you think? Do you like your skincare a little luxe? Comment below and let us know!