A pharmacist and aesthetic practitioner put Primark’s affordable skincare range to the test, rating serums, moisturisers and SPF products – so here’s what she thought

There were many surprises along the way (Stock Image)(Image: Andrii Lysenko via Getty Images)

Primark’s skincare range has won over legions of fans, thanks to its wallet-friendly prices and striking resemblance to far pricier alternatives.

The retailer consistently adapts and delivers what shoppers are after, be it Korean beauty essentials, a primer bearing an uncanny likeness to a premium brand, or a bronzer that applies remarkably like Chanel’s £50 version for merely a fiver.

However, what’s a pharmacist’s verdict on Primark’s skincare collection? It’s all very well for your go-to beauty influencer to be ‘obsessed’ with the products, but if they don’t deliver genuine benefits for your skin, why bother spending your money on them?

Pharmacist and aesthetic practitioner Riya, who shares content on TikTok as @pharmaestheticsbyriya, revealed she would be assessing some Primark skincare, dropping a subtle hint that she was “pleasantly surprised” by certain items she tested.

Barrier support facial serum, £5

Riya commented: “For the price, I was pleasantly surprised, and it contains cerimides, niacinamide, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid”.

She labelled it a “great affordable option for those who want a hydrating serum”.

Rating: 8/10

Hydrate facial serum, £5

This serum features “hyaluronic acid and panthenol, which are great and hydrating ingredients,” according to Riya.

She also noted that for the price point, “you can’t really go wrong,” suggesting it for people with “normal to dry skin”.

Rating: 7/10

Exfoliate facial serum, £5

Riya was less enthusiastic about this product than the others, noting that you should only consider it “if your skin isn’t sensitive”.

Those with delicate skin, however, might want to give it a miss. She also believes that “raspberry extract is an unnecessary addition” to the formula.

“Primark haven’t published the exact concentrations of the glycolic acid, so it’s difficult to rank this,” Riya explained.

Rating: 5/10

Brightening Facial Serum, £5

Featuring Vitamin C and niacinimide, Riya described them as “great brightening ingredients” that create an effective serum.

She called it a “great budget Vitamin C option,” though Riya added that she would prefer if Primark revealed the percentage of the active ingredients.

Rating: 7/10

Skin Brighten Vitamin C eye cream, £3.50

Riya noted that the ingredients list is “fantastic” for anyone struggling with “dark circles and under-eye puffiness,” as it includes Vitamin C, caffeine, niacinimide, and peptides.

Once more, she expressed her desire for them to disclose the ingredient percentages for greater transparency, but she maintained that it’s definitely worth trying, given the affordable price.

Rating: 8.5/10

Overnight Facial Serum, £5

Many use overnight serums so they wake up looking glowy and fresh. But does this one actually work?

“Retinal with supporting hydrating ingredients? I’m impressed,” Riya wrote. She added that the “ranking would be higher if concentrations were disclosed”.

Rating: 7/10

Brighten Vitamin C Cream Moisturiser, £4.50

Riya expressed disappointment that this moisturiser offered only SPF 15 protection, as numerous experts recommend using factor 50+.

She also mentioned that, in her view, she’s not keen on Vitamin C within a moisturiser. That said, she acknowledged the ingredients list was “decent” and contains “good supporting hydrating ingredients”.

Rating: 7/10

Hydrate Priming Sheet Mask, £1

While some sheet masks carry hefty price tags, this one is remarkably affordable. She explained that face masks essentially “provide temporary hydration,” so there’s little point splashing out on expensive versions.

For that reason, Riya described the face mask as a “good basic hydrating” option.

Rating: 7/10

Lightweight Daily Face SPF 50+, £5

Riya felt sceptical about this product, noting it “only protects against UVA and not UVB,” meaning she couldn’t recommend it.

According to Vichy UK: “UVA rays (long-wave) penetrate deeply into the dermis, causing premature ageing (wrinkles, sun spots) and tanning. UVB rays (short-wave) affect the skin’s surface, causing sunburn and direct DNA damage. Both damage DNA and contribute to skin cancer, requiring broad-spectrum sunscreen for protection”.

The product also features “heavily fragranced” watermelon notes, which Riya considers problematic from her perspective.

Rating: 4/10

Revitalising Jelly Cleanser, £4.50

Riya noted this was “suitable for all skin types” and proved to be a “good, hydrating cleanser”. She described it as a “good price point,” making it worth testing, noting that cleansers are “a category you can save on”.

Rating: 8/10

Final verdict

While Riya wasn’t happy with the SPF, she believes the affordable range is worth sampling. It’s hard for her to gauge “how effective” the results will be because the concentration of ingredients isn’t revealed.

However, if you notice improvements after using them, then it could be a great deal that saves you some money on skincare.