Lanmeri CE Face Serum: This Dupe is an Affordable Powerhouse
This face serum is highly recommended for those seeking luxury results without the luxury price. Lanmeri's Face Serum delivers impressive results rivaling high-end serums like Skinceuticals' at a fraction of the price.
QUICK HITS
- Provides clear brightening results after just the first use, with a noticeable afterglow even on days you don't apply it.
- Results may diminish over time, potentially due to product oxidation once opened. Make sure to replace in a timely manner.
- Lanmeri is a relatively unknown brand, and has a minimal footprint regarding their production process, ingredient sourcing, etc. They seem to only produce dupes and don't have much of an identity on their own.
- Provides great results rivaling much more expensive serums at a fraction of the price. Despite minor concerns on brand transparency and product shelf life, highly recommended as an affordable addition to your routine.
Product Effectiveness
Immediately Brighter Skin with a Noticeable Glow
Lanmeri’s CE Face Serum truly delivers when it comes to achieving immediate results. When I first started using this serum, I noticed an almost instant boost to skin brightness and smoothness, and a noticeable glow. For about 9 months I used this serum religiously, sometimes applying it twice a day to extend its brightening effect.
I did notice after some months, though, that this brightening effect seemed to diminish over time. I believe this is due to the shelf life of the product -- I have probably overextended my serum's life, trying to ration it and get more mileage at the expense of efficacy. With daily use, this serum may last you 2 to 3 months before having to restock, but I suspect anything longer than that and the serum will lose its effectiveness. (I haven't tested this, but those are my thoughts after 9+ months of use and multiple restocks.)
Despite this waning effect, when it comes to longer-term benefits, I have noticed that my skin did appear visibly brighter even on days I wasn't applying the product. There is definitely a kind of after-glow effect associated with this product.
Application Experience
Feels More Like a Toner, Comes with Unexpected Warnings
This serum has a watery consistency, which makes it feel more like a toner than a proper serum. This texture allows for easy spreading and quick absorption, making it convenient for layering within a skincare routine. However, its lightweight nature might make it less satisfying for those who prefer richer, more viscous serums. It's worth considering how this consistency interacts with other products; for instance, it pairs well with thicker moisturizers to seal in its benefits but might feel insufficient as a standalone hydrating step for drier skin types.
As one caveat: when I first purchased this product on Amazon, I was surprised to receive an email from the brand warning me about the product's smell. This isn't something I've received for other products in the past, so I was initially hesitant, but ultimately I have not experienced any kind of strong smells with this product -- in fact, on each occasion I've purchased the Lanmeri CE Face Serum, it has been completely odorless.
Aside from that, the only other quirk I've noticed about this product's application experience is its glass dropper. I've noticed that over time, the rubber end of the dropper gradually becomes discolored, going from a bright white to a dull yellow -- most likely the result of oxidation after unboxing it. This doesn't significantly impact the experience of using the Lanmeri CE Serum, but is something to note about the potential quality of the packaging. If nothing else, the discoloration serves as a reminder of when you should restock before letting the product sit out too long.
Ingredients & Formulation
Highly Sought Ingredients, Punching Above its Weight
This Lanmeri Vitamin CE Face Serum with Ferulic Acid is intended to be a dupe of the much more well-known (and much more expensive) Skinceuticals Vitamin CE Ferulic Serum. As such, its formulation mirrors the gold standard set by Skinceuticals and, in my opinion, punches far above its weight class for a dupe.
I purchased this Lanmeri serum specifically for its ingredients -- a potent blend of Vitamins C, E, and Ferulic Acid -- popularized by Skinceuticals' formulation which is known to correct the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve firmness, and boost brightness.
Where the CE + Ferulic formulation is unique is in its stability for daytime use. Vitamin C is known for its potent brightening and anti-aging properties, but it can be harsh on sensitive skin, especially in higher concentrations. It is often used during the day to provide antioxidant protection against UV-induced free radicals, as long as it’s paired with a sunscreen. The inclusion of Ferulic Acid in this formulation enhances stability and reduces irritation, allowing for safe daytime use while delivering visible brightness and improved skin texture.
Lanmeri's take on the Vitamin CE + Ferulic combination is effective at providing brighter skin at a much more accessible price-point versus holy-grail products like Skinceuticals' original serum.
Trust & Transparency
Unknown Brand Not Inspiring Trust
As a brand producing what seems to be almost exclusively dupes of high-end skincare, Lanmeri lacks a sense of brand identity that inspires any kind of trust. There is no significant or robust online presence for customers to learn more about the brand, and as such, not a ton to go off of as far as product sourcing, quality, or testing.
Lanmeri's marketing strategy seems to revolve exclusively around being a dupe brand rather than establishing its own credibility. Although dupe brands have their place in the skincare ecosystem — making high-end formulations more accessible to a wider audience — it would be reassuring from a brand trust perspective to develop a stronger identity that shoppers can rely on. Building a clearer story around product sourcing, testing, and ethical practices could help Lanmeri transition from " just a dupe brand" to one that inspires confidence across its entire product line.
Detracting further from it is the fact that you may also receive unexpected alerts about the product's smell, which only makes me hesitant to repurchase. That aside -- the Lanmeri CE Face Serum has given me no issues and is a strong addition to my regular skincare routine. I highly recommend it as an affordable face serum driving high-end results.
Customer Value
Budget-Friendly Alternative to High-end Skincare
Ultimately, the Lanmeri CE Face Serum combines affordability and impressive results, offering a potent blend of effective ingredients that rival pricier alternatives. It’s an excellent option for those seeking accessible skincare with visible benefits. Its formulation combines high-impact ingredients like Vitamins C, E, and Ferulic Acid, which visibly brighten and improve skin texture. For about $15 - $20 as of January 2025, this serum rivals the performance of Skinceuticals' nearly $200 serum, making it a great choice for budget-conscious skincare enthusiasts looking for affordable results.
Although trust and transparency are areas for improvement, and the product’s shelf life may affect its long-term effectiveness, the Lanmeri CE Face Serum excels where it truly matters: delivering great results at an incredibly accessible price. If you're seeking a new holy grail, this serum stands out as a top-tier option that balances effectiveness with affordability.