Reviewed: Aldi Vitamin C skincare vs Superfacialist and Lush

I’m a big fan of Vitamin C skincare for a fresh glow, so when I saw that Aldi was officially bringing back its much-loved Vitamin C skincare line, I was tempted. At £4.99 it was hard to resist. But I’m nothing if not loyal, and my favourite cleanser (Superfacialist Cleansing Oil if you’re asking) and exfoliator (LUSH Bright and Beautiful) are pretty special.

But, with hero ingredients like Vitamin C, PHA, Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, and Caffeine, and – of course Vitamin C – Lacura is billed as delivering a top-tier skincare routine without the premium price tag. Showing a characteristic lack of restraint in the middle aisle, I gave the new Aldi range a try, and the results were illuminating, to say the least.

@frankieseamark Made the most of the evening sun and went out for a lovely, healthy picnic after dinner 🧺 Vitamin C is essential in our diet it boosts immunity, supports collagen production, and helps our skin glow from the inside out ✨ but remember, it’s just as powerful in skincare too 🧡 Aldi’s new Lacura skincare range, landing 24th July 🧴AD @Aldi UK #ALDIUK ♬ original sound – Frankie Seamark

Lacura Vitamin C Brightening Daily Cleanser (£4.99, 125ml)

I started off trying this cleanser, with its soft orange scent (my little girls say it’s a double for Starburst orange sweets). Formulated with PHA, orange fruit water and orange essential oil, the results weren’t as dramatic as Superfacialist, but it left me with a brightened complexion.

Lacura Vitamin C Brightening Gel Cream (£4.99, 50ml)

Next up, I tried this gel cream, with its potent 15% Vitamin C (the equivalent of 38 large oranges!), alongside PHA and Hyaluronic Acid. The serum goes on evenly and smooths, protects, and improves skin texture. Packed with brightening pigments, it reduces dark spots for an instantly radiant glow.

Aldi Lacura Vitamin C skincare range (Image: Aldi)

Lacura Vitamin C Brightening Eye Cream (£4.99, 15ml)

Vitamin C is the top-performing ingredient in skincare, and this multipurpose Lacura Vitamin C Brightening Gel Cream, enriched with Rose of Winter extract, goes on smoothly to help fight the daily effects of pollution as well as improving the appearance of wrinkles.

Lacura Vitamin C Brightening Serum (£4.99, 30ml)

This was probably my favourite product in the range, packed with collagen, caffeine and colour-correcting pigments to instantly brighten dark circles and smooth fine lines.

And how do they compare to pricier brands?

Superfacialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil, normally £14 (currently £9.33 at Boots)

For scientific purposes, I reviewed my old favourites too. This, for me, is the ultimate Vitamin C cleanser. It looks like an oil, but it doesn’t leave skin greasy. Despite its nourishing olive, grapeseed and rosehip oils, it transforms itself on contact with water, into a light milky texture, which gently dissolves face and eye make-up and removes daily impurities. It’s expensive, but oh so good.

It’s not the cheapest, but this scrub is a miracle worker. Lush’s most invigorating scrub is made with charcoal, grapefruit and 10% Vitamin C to keep dullness at bay. It buffs and brightens, leaving skin incredibly glowy and can be used as a mask or cleanser. Suitable for complexions that like a more vigorous polish, it is quite simply radiance in a pot.

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So, did Aldi’s Vitamin C skincare range beat products that are three times the price?

Honestly, the pricier options do have some advantages – they work more quickly and feel more luxurious. Both give an instant Vitamin C glow, where the Lacura products take a bit longer to see a difference.

But, the Lacura Vitamin C range is excellent, and a really affordable alternative to luxury brands. Plus, it offers the eye gel and serum, which there’s definitely space for on my skincare shelf. 

At under a fiver, they are a serious bargain, so I’ll gladly rebuy them all, and keep an illuminated glow right through the winter (I’ll be twinkling like the Christmas tree come December). Plus, with all that Vitamin C, I’ll never get scurvy.