Victoria Beckham wants you to put her $312 serum on your face. Here are 5 better ones under $80.

Victoria Beckham a.k.a Posh Spice has just launched a brand new serum, the Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum.

And really, there’s no arguing, it’s a very good looking skincare product.

With patented stem cell technology packaged up in a eco-friendly bottle you could practically plant in the ground, Posh says her clean beauty serum is “the best product you’ll ever use.”

But there’s a catch. It costs $US210, roughly AU$312.

You can watch Victoria Beckham talk about her exxy new serum in the video below, post continues after video.

Like most of you, there’s no way in hell I’m spending the equivalent of a week’s rent on a serum, even if it is made from baby’s tears and the elixir of eternal youth. And sadly, I wasn’t able to swing expensing a $312 beauty product for “work purposes”. I know.

This means I can’t say first hand whether this serum is worth your money, but I’m going to tell you anyway, it’s… not. When it comes to skincare, money doesn’t always = better and I can confidently list at least five serums under $80 that, just quietly, kind of do exactly the same thing as Vic’s.

So, let’s break down exactly what’s in Victoria Beckham’s fancy serum and where to find more affordable alternatives.

What’s in the Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum and what does it do?

 

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A post shared by Victoria Beckham Beauty (@victoriabeckhambeauty) on Feb 4, 2020 at 5:01am PST

According to Victoria Beckham Beauty, their serum will make your skin stronger, healthier, and visibly transformed. The product’s main ingredient is stem cell scientist Augustinus Bader’s TFC8® (TFC8).

TFC8 is Bader’s patented mix of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and synthesized molecules that essentially (allegedly) tells your skin cells to function and repair at their best for more youthful and radiant skin.

The rest of the Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum ingredients list looks like a bunch of jumbled up letters and numbers:

Water / aqua / eau, glycerin, diglycerin, dimethyl isosorbide, saccharomyces ferment filtrate, pentylene glycol, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, 1,2-hexanediol, glycereth-26, niacinamide, betaine, empetrum nigrum fruit juice, tfc-8, panthenol, yeast extract, pavlova lutheri extract, caprylic/capric triglyceride, olea europaea (olive) fruit extract, sodium hyaluronate, caprylyl glycol, hyaluronic acid, sodium polyacrylate, acrylates/vinyl isodecanoate crosspolymer, maltodextrin, arginine, dipropylene glycol, glyceryl polyacrylate, leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, tocopherol, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, potassium sorbate, benzyl alcohol, sorbic acid, benzoic acid.

‘Sorry, but what’s actually in it?’ you ask. Same. So we did.

 

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A post shared by Augustinus Bader (@augustinusbader) on Feb 6, 2020 at 1:50pm PST

Dr Michele Squire, a PhD-qualified scientist, educator and personalised skincare concierge through her business Qr8, told me this serum would be lovely to use, but there’s not really enough proven research on the stem cell science to justify the price.

“There is no doubt this serum would be a joy to use, feel cosmetically elegant and leave your skin looking plump and glowy, primarily due to the high concentration of humectants (a substance used to reduce the loss of moisture), such as glycerine, diglycerine, pentylene glycol and the less scientifically-proven, saccharomyces ferment filtrate,” she said.

“There’s also a smattering of other skin-loving ingredients that will improve hydration (like hyaluronic acid) as well as niacinamide, which is effective at 2-5 per cent concentration.

“In terms of the performance ingredients (Augustinus Bader’s TFC8, Empetrum nigrum and Pavlova lutheri), there is only scant science about their use in topical formulations (and where there is, it involves only manufacturer-run, not peer-reviewed studies).”

In other words: this serum would be nice to have if you can afford it, but life (or skin) changing? “Probably not.”

If not Victoria Beckham’s Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum, what’s the best serum?

Great question, and in most cases, the answer is – not one that costs more than $300.

Dr Squire believes great skincare products (and terrible ones) come at all different price points. Just because something’s $312 bucks, doesn’t mean it’ll work any better than a product a quarter of the price.

You might also like to have a few different serums in your bathroom cabinet you can grab depending on how your skin’s feeling, specific skin concerns (dullness, dark spots, dehydration, fine lines, pores size etc.) or whether you can be stuffed with a multi-step routine.

There’s no such thing as a serum that’s “the one” for everyone, but here are some really great products that do practically the same job as the Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum, for a lot less.

1. Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster 20ml, $62.

 

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A post shared by Paulas Choice (@paulaschoiceau) on Sep 7, 2019 at 7:29pm PDT

If you’re not currently using a serum, picking one with a decent amount of Niacinimide in it will give you bang for buck. The skincare ingredient (also referred to as Vitamin B) improves uneven skin tone, promotes brightness and refines the appearance of pore size, skin texture and fine lines. You can use it morning and night after cleansing and before moisturiser (and sunscreen in the AM!).

2. Clear Skincare B3 Serum 15ml, $45.

 

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A post shared by janae (@jg.vanity) on Sep 11, 2019 at 3:35pm PDT

This serum stocked at Priceline contains 5 per cent Niacinimaide for all the lovely benefits listed above, and hyaluronic acid for hydration. You can also use this one morning and night.

3. Alpha H Hyaluronic 8 Serum 25ml, $69.95.

 

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A post shared by Alpha-H Concentrated Skincare (@alphahskincare) on Oct 25, 2019 at 2:06pm PDT

If you’re into your skincare, you’ll love this product from Aussie brand Alpha H. It’s so lovely to apply and feels great on the skin while hydrating and plumping it, which in turn, reduces the appearance of any fine lines. A few drops morning and night under your moisturser will do the trick.

4. Beauté Pacifique Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum 40ml, $80.

 

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A post shared by beautepacifique_australia (@beautepacifique_australia) on Apr 1, 2018 at 2:05pm PDT

$80 isn’t cheap, but this is another brilliant all-rounder serum for all skin types, including people with sensitive skin. The serum/lotion formula has it all. A gentle Vitamin A for improved skin texture. Hyaluronic acid for plumpness. Vitamin E and Squalene for even more hydration. Apply after cleansing and before moisturising day and night.

5. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 30ml, $12.90.

 

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A post shared by The Ordinary, NIOD, & more. (@deciem) on Apr 23, 2019 at 11:02am PDT

Honest, you won’t find a better serum at this price than The Ordinary’s HA. It’s suitable for all skin types and layers nicely under moisturisers and makeup. The brand also does a 10 per cent Niacinamide serum you can try to manage breakouts and extra oily skin.

6. Bonus – SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum 30ml, $210.

 

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A post shared by SkinCeuticals Australia (@skinceuticalsau) on Sep 8, 2019 at 1:29am PDT

Yep, this serum is not under $80. But it’s worth mentioning because compared to the Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum, you get so much more for $100 less.

The main ingredients are L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and Ferulic acid. Together, these two brighten dull skin, stimulate collagen, protect your skin from environmental damage and reduce the look of fine lines. Apply four to five drops in the morning followed by moisturiser and an SPF50+ facial sunscreen.

To conclude, spend $312 (pus shipping) on Posh’s chic serum if you like.

Or, you could buy all of the other serums above (bar the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum) for around $210, leaving $100 leftover to shout yourself a nice dinner or spend on other stuff you don’t need.

Feature image: Instagram/@victoriabeckham.

Would you spend $312 to try Victoria Beckham’s new serum? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.