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Meet the £4 serum that has reviewers raving: ‘Has really changed my skin'

Boots' serum has glowing reviews from shoppers - and it's under £5.  (Getty Images)
We've found a new serum you need to know about. (Getty)

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Want some high quality beauty buys that don't break the bank but still give you the kind of radiant, glowing skin that looks like you've put a filter on? You've come to the right place.

In 2020, Boots' launched a new skincare line that caught our attention because of its rave reviews and efficacy. The Boots Glow range initially hit the shelves as a capsule collection of five products, from cleansing oil to moisturisers and eye cream, the majority of which were all under £5.

The most popular product? The Boots Glow Essence Serum, which is no surprise when you consider its £4 price tag and the fact that shoppers have been consistently raving about it since launch.

<a href="https://fave.co/3ecc6Tw" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Boots Glow Essence Serum;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Boots Glow Essence Serum</a>. (Boots)

£4 at Boots

And as well as being vegan and cruelty-free, many of the products contain Niacinamide, which is currently the most lauded ingredient in beauty. (It's a form of vitamin B, which helps to plump the skin).

Unbelievably, the majority of the products are still a mere £4! And the most expensive item in the range - aka a keep-forever rose quartz face roller - is just £7.

The Boots Glow Essence Serum which claims to "energise, hydrate and refresh" the skin is the most reviewed with the majority of happy customers giving it five-star ratings. Massage two to three drops onto cleansed skin before moisturiser, for brighter, hydrated and plumped up skin.

What the reviews say

The vegan-friendly serum, has a mild, refreshing watermelon scent and is a seriously purse-friendly £4. Boots shoppers are giving it glowing (sorry!) reviews, even claiming it's better than more expensive products they've tried.

  • "Beats all the other stuff I’ve tried! I love the ‘glow’ skincare brand. I’ve been seeking a good skincare brand for years, this is the best yet."

  • "I’ve gone through two bottles since buying - one of the only products that I actually notice a glow. Perfect at the moment as I don’t want to wear foundation. Smells amazing and feels so beautiful."

  • "I love it, it’s so hydrating and has really changed my skin and I can notice the difference if I don’t use it daily! It works really well with my oily skin as it’s very light and hydrating."

  • "I'm on day two of my new skincare routine and this serum has left me looking brighter, feeling softer and with an amazing glow! No more filters on my pictures lol best purchase I've ever made"

  • "I have been using this product for 5 months now and this is my all time favourite skin care product! It makes your skin look so refreshed and dewy, and not at all oily."

Buy it: Boots Glow Essence Serum | £4 from Boots

Boots Glow Essence Serum
Boots Glow Essence Serum

£4 at Boots

Now the range has expanded to 20 affordable beauty products which now include things like a banana brightening mask, pineapple serum, banana peel and polish, plus useful tools like reusable cleansing pads, a pore cleanser, and a silicone facial brush. Here are four other buys we think are worth adding to your basket.

5 other Boots Glow products worth knowing about

Boots Glow Eye Cream 15ml | £4 from Boots

This soothes, moisturises, refreshes, and hydrates the delicate skin around the eyes making the area look brighter and more revitalised.

Just what we need right now - especially for under a fiver.

One happy customer reckons it's way better than more pricey products: "My puffy eyes have never felt this good in years, and I have tried a majority of expensive eye creams."

Yet another says that it's made a difference in a week! "I've only been using it for a week and I can see the difference. Very hydrating, texture not too heavy and does not smell chemical, and most importantly really brightening!" they raved.

And this customer loved its puffiness diminishing skills: "I have been using this product for a few months and love the way it has improved the softness and puffiness of my eyes. Just about to purchase another tube."

Boots Glow Banana Brightening Mask | £4 from Boots

This 100% vegan, cruelty-free bargain brightening mask has banana extract to diminish the appearance of your pores and reduce excess oil while smoothing skin and boosting radiance.

Simply apply with your fingers (or a mask applicator) to clean skin, leave on for ten minutes and let it work its magic before washing off with lukewarm water.

Not a banana fan? Never fear, users say the glow-giving mask has a subtle smell. "This mask leaves my skin with a lovely glow and feels really smooth after using. It doesn’t smell too strongly of banana so it’s an overall great product," reassures one.

While another loved the feel of it on her skin: "I loved the texture of it and felt like it was so pleasant to have sat on my skin, expected it to be drying but wasn’t at all, definitely left feeling like my skin was more glowy after using".

Its gentle, soothing properties were a hit with this customer: "I love this mask! A little goes a long way and it has left my skin feeling so refreshed, smooth and glowing! I love that it is 100% vegan and isn't tested on animals. As a result it is so gentle on the skin. It smells lovely and is a great addition to my skin routine whilst relaxing in the bath. So good for the price!"

Boots Glow Pineapple Gel Moisturiser 50ml | £4 from Boots

"I’ve bought this a few times now and it’s absolutely amazing" reads one five star review. While another customer added "I love this, I have very oily skin and it doesn’t build up and sit on top of my skin! Absolute convert to gel moisturisers."

So you can safely say that the Boots Glow Gel moisturiser with pineapple extract nourishes your skin, while making it feel fresh and giving good glow.

Another bonus? It can be used morning and night. No need to spend on two separate creams.

Boots Glow Tonic 100ml | £4 from Boots

If you want to feel extra fresh and pick up any residue your cleanser might have missed, as well getting smoother, more radiant skin, then this Tonic is for you.

Similar to a toner, you simply pour some onto a cotton pad and gently sweep it across your face.

Its efficacy has earned this customer's loyalty for life: "I have purchased this product so many times because it’s SO GOOD!!!!! I honestly love it!"

While customer declares it a game-changer: "Having tried so many different toners and tonics from different brands this one really shines out as the best. It’s so affordable and amazing packaging design! Really recommend."

Boots Glow Banana Peel and Polish 100ml | £4 from Boots

You should exfoliate your skin around two-three times a week - and this is the perfect way to unveil that healthy glow.

Utilising banana extract and lactic acid this is a gentle exfoliant that doesn't dry your complexion out and leaves skin feeling soft-as-a-baby's-bottom.

Simply apply to dry face and neck and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing off and patting your skin dry with a towel. If you want a more intense exfoliation, then use fingertips to gently massage into your skin for a minute or so.

NB: Don't use on broken/irritated skin. Also, as this contains an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) it may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. This means you must use sunscreen and limit your sun exposure while using it (and if you stop using it, you need to take extra care for a week afterwards).

However, it is perfect for sensitive skins and this customer praised its benefits: "This product has literally saved my skin! I leave it on for 5-10 minutes and after washing it off I apply the deliciously scented and moisturising banana glow mask and my skin has never looked better. Please never discontinue this product!"

While this user like it's gentleness: "This is more of a mask which I loved. It didn’t have the same abrasive feeling as traditional scrubs. Didn’t irritate my sensitive skin and was not drying either. Skin feels smooth after using without being stripped."

Watch: What are the best beauty bargains?