Skincare enthusiasts, let’s discuss a very popular subject in the beauty world: drugstore dupes! Those wallet-friendly finds are just as amazing as the pricey stuff! Whether it’s that must-have hydrating serum or a miracle anti-aging cream, these dupes are giving the high-end products a run for their money.
They’re packed with similar kick-butt ingredients and do a fantastic job for our skin without us having to break the bank. It’s all about getting that glow without the hefty price tag. So, if you’re all about smart skincare choices that are easy on the purse but still offer fabulous results, you’ll love diving into the world of skincare dupes. It’s all about making luxury skincare accessible.
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25 Drugstore Skincare Dupes To Help You Save Money This Year Without Sacrificing Benefit
Creating a list of 25 skincare drugstore beauty dupes involves considering various factors such as ingredient similarities, effectiveness, skin compatibility, and cost. Here’s a curated list of popular high-end skincare products and their drugstore counterparts:
High-End: Tatcha The Water Cream – A daily gel cleanser with natural fruit exfoliant that deeply but gently lifts impurities and unclogs pores while leaving skin soft and hydrated.
- Dupe: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – A lightweight water gel formula with broad spectrum SPF 25 UVA/UVB sunscreen boosted with a complex of purified hyaluronic acid.
- Why Switch: Both provide intense hydration with a gel formula. Neutrogena’s version is much more affordable and contains hyaluronic acid for added moisture.
High-End: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum – This super-potent 15% vitamin C day serum is packed with a powerful antioxidant complex, essential nutrients, and fruit enzymes, all working together to firm and brighten the appearance of skin while improving the signs of photoaging.
- Dupe: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% – help visibly reduce signs of aging by brightening and balancing uneven skin tone.
- Why Switch: Similar high concentration of Vitamin C for brightening and anti-aging, but The Ordinary’s version is significantly cheaper.
High-End: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence – Prevents the appearance of wrinkles & fine lines. Unveils a softer, smoother, more radiant & younger-looking complexion.
- Dupe: Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence – Improves your skin tone, texture, and hydration level giving clarity and transparency to the skin.
- Why Switch: Both feature fermented ingredients for skin renewal. Missha offers a similar formula at a fraction of the cost.
High-End: La Mer Crème de la Mer – Dramatically renews skin’s appearance.
- Dupe: Nivea Creme – This NIVEA skin creme intensively moisturizes, nourishes and protects skin from that rough, dry feel
- Why Switch: Nivea Creme has a similar thick texture and moisturizing properties. It’s incredibly budget-friendly.
High-End: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair – Skin looks smoother and less lined, younger, more radiant and even toned.
- Dupe: Missha Night Repair Ampoule – This serum is made with our extreme fermentation process that delivers an extreme boost of active ingredients to the skin.
- Why Switch: Both target signs of aging overnight. Missha’s version is more affordable and has a similar list of beneficial ingredients.
High-End: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser – A gentle, non-stripping face wash that’s proven to remove makeup & impurities while softening, hydrating, and balancing all skin types & tones.
- Dupe: Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser – Daily face wash with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to help hydrate skin without stripping moisture.
- Why Switch: Both are gentle and hydrating but Cerave is much more cost-effective and great for sensitive skin.
High-End: Sunday Riley Good Genes – Clinically proven to immediately and significantly plump the look of fine lines and boost radiance in just 3 minutes.
- Dupe: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA – This 10% formulation offers mild exfoliation and is supported with a purified Tasmanian pepperberry known to reduce signs of inflammation and sensitivity that is often associated with exfoliation.
- Why Switch: Both are exfoliating lactic acid treatments. The Ordinary’s version is a budget-friendly alternative with similar results.
High-End: Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate – This facial serum visibly restores skin while you sleep. This formula features a blend of botanical oils including Lavender, Squalane and Evening Primrose.
- Dupe: The Inkey List Bakuchiol – Plant derived, and with antioxidant properties, this gentle Retinol alternative helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even skin tone.
- Why Switch: Both are nighttime oils that rejuvenate the skin. The Inkey List’s version is more affordable and features bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol.
High-End: Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment – A scientifically advanced super-mud clearing treatment to target, prevent, and heal problem skin. Clearing treatment.
- Dupe: L’Oreal Paris Detox & Brighten Clay Mask – Pure Clay mask is formulated to provide a luxurious skincare experience while potent pure clays and charcoal act like a magnet to clean out pores, draw-out and capture deep impurities such as dirt, oil, and pollution
- Why Switch: Both masks detoxify and brighten the skin. L’Oreal’s version offers similar results at a lower price point.
High-End: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – It gently and effectively dissolves tenacious eye and face makeup, sunscreens, dirt, oil, and impurities, and rinses off completely with no oily residue. Formulated for all skin types, the luxurious balm leaves skin feeling comfortable, thoroughly cleaned, and never taut.
- Dupe: The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm – Melt away makeup and impurities without drying your skin. This 3-in-1 cleanser is also a shaving balm in the shower and a 10-minute nourishing facial mask.
- Why Switch: Both effectively remove makeup and impurities. The Inkey List’s version is much more affordable.
High-End: Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask – Helps even and clarify the look of uneven skin tone and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Dupe: Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask – Helps gently clean dirt, impurities and dry cells to exfoliate skin and leave your face feeling and looking smooth, bright and even in tone
- Why Switch: Both offer enzymatic exfoliation. Andalou Naturals is a more affordable natural alternative.
High-End: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream – An anti-aging moisturizer with hyaluronic acid to visibly plump skin and diminish the look of wrinkles, leaving skin glowing and prepped for flawless makeup.
- Dupe: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream – Daily fragrance-free face moisturizer cream deeply hydrates to visibly firm skin for a lifted look
- Why Switch: Both provide intense hydration and anti-aging benefits. Olay’s version is more budget-friendly.
High-End: Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil – This luxuriously lightweight oil delivers a trifecta of skin-loving goodness brightening, firming and hydration in one rosy step. The iconic formula is housed in a pink bottle to preserve the oil.
- Dupe: The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane – A fast-absorbing, non-greasy hydration solution for skin and hair
- Why Switch: Both feature squalane for hydration. The Ordinary’s version is far more affordable, though it lacks the added vitamin C.
High-End: Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum – Skin lightening spot treatment for sun spots, black spots, and dark spots.
- Dupe: The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA – Reduces the looks of spots and hyper-pigmentation
- Why Switch: Both target hyperpigmentation. The Ordinary’s version is much less expensive and offers similar efficacy.
High-End: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads – a daily peel formulated to treat three common signs of aging: uneven tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles, and enlarged pores, with five acids – without causing irritation
- Dupe: Pixi Glow Tonic To-Go Pads – These highly effective exfoliating pads contain 20% Glycolic Acid to reveal brighter, healthier more radiant skin over time.
- Why Switch: Both offer exfoliation with AHA/BHA. Pixi is more affordable and convenient for travel.
High-End: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen – Lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-whitening texture leaves skin feeling hydrated and protected.
- Dupe: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50 – Neutrogena Hydro Boost sunscreen lotion quenches skin with vital hydration for up to 8 hours and helps keeping skin healthy and hydrated
- Why Switch: Both provide broad-spectrum protection with a lightweight texture. Neutrogena’s version is more budget-friendly.
High-End: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant – Upon contact with water this powder polishes skin to perfection to help balance uneven skin tones, while calming your skin.
- Dupe: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Powder – Its micro scrub helps purify the skin by removing dead cells. Leaves the skin soft, even and radiant.
- Why Switch: Both are rice-based exfoliants for gentle daily use. The Face Shop’s version is far more affordable.
High-End: Caudalie Beauty Elixir – Brightens and visibly smooths skin, minimizes pores and sets makeup, 100% Natural, Anti-Microbial
- Dupe: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater – Simply formulated with fragrant herbal extracts. Rosewater for a pleasant pick me up for dehydrated and uncomfortable skin.
- Why Switch: Both are refreshing facial mists with herbal ingredients. Mario Badescu’s version is a fraction of the cost.
High-End: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème – A Brightening, Vitamin C-Rich Eye Crème That Targets Signs Of Aging, Reducing The Look Of Dark Circles While Improving Concealer Application And Wear.
- Dupe: e.l.f. Illuminating Eye Cream – Hydrate the eye area and minimize dark circles with this rich formula that nourishes and deeply hydrates the skin.
- Why Switch: Both brighten and hydrate the under-eye area. e.l.f.’s version is significantly cheaper.
High-End: Boscia Luminizing Black Mask – Contains boscia signature botanical blend: Jojoba & Willowherb. Jojoba helps to prevent free radical damage while nourishing the skin.
- Dupe: Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Mud Mask – This velvety mud mask works its magic to moisturize, remineralize, and make skin sensationally soft.
- Why Switch: Both are clarifying and brightening peel-off masks. Freeman’s version is more accessible and affordable.
High-End: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment – This triple-action exfoliator smooths and polishes skin revealing a healthy, glowing complexion.
- Dupe: Acure Brightening Facial Scrub – Sea kelp super-nutrients soften and detox, lemon peel and French green clay exfoliate and purify, and Madonna lily brings out the brightness of your skin
- Why Switch: Both provide physical and chemical exfoliation. Acure’s version is natural and more cost-effective.
High-End: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment – Reflects uva,uvb rays to protect skin from sun damage
- Dupe: Erborian CC Red Correct – The Korean beauty secret is yours with Erborian’s CC Red Correct, the combination of Korean skincare and makeup.
- Why Switch: Both are color-correcting treatments that soothe redness. Erborian offers a similar effect at a lower price.
High-End: Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner – A daily, non-stripping toner with real rose petals and hyaluronic acid that minimizes the look of pores while increasing skin hydration.
- Dupe: Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner – Alcohol-free and formulated to soothe, tone, hydrate, and balance the pH level of skin; This face toner helps reduce the look of pores, balance oily skin, and maintain the skin’s moisture barrier; Improves skin texture by 22%
- Why Switch: Both are hydrating and soothing with a rose essence. Thayers is much more affordable.
High-End: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – A leave-on lip mask that delivers intense moisture and antioxidants while you sleep with Berry Fruit Complex™, Murumuru seed and Shea butter.
- Dupe: Vaseline Lip Therapy – Vaseline Lip Therapy Lip Balm helps lock in moisture for beautiful, healthy lips.
- Why Switch: Both deeply moisturize the lips overnight. Vaseline is a classic, inexpensive alternative.
High-End: AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder – This foaming cleansers help address dryness, dullness, and uneven texture.
- Dupe: E.L.F. Gentle Peeling Exfoliant – This Gentle Peeling Exfoliant cleanser gently peels away dead skin, leaving behind healthy, glowing skin.
- Why Switch: Both offer gentle enzymatic exfoliation. E.L.F.’s version is budget-friendly and effective.
Switching to these dupes makes sense mainly for cost-saving reasons. The drugstore alternatives often contain similar key ingredients and offer comparable benefits at a fraction of the price of their high-end counterparts. However, it’s important to note that individual skin types and reactions can vary, so it’s always recommended to patch-test new products before fully incorporating them into your skincare routine.
Why do people like using skincare dups?
People often prefer using skincare dupes for several compelling reasons:
- Cost-Effective: One of the primary reasons for choosing dupes is their affordability. High-end skincare products can be quite expensive, and dupes often provide similar benefits at a fraction of the cost. This allows consumers to maintain their skincare routines without straining their budget.
- Accessibility: Drugstore dupes are usually more accessible than high-end products. They can be easily found in local drugstores, supermarkets, or online retailers, making them convenient to purchase.
- Similar Ingredients and Benefits: Many dupes contain similar key ingredients as their high-end counterparts. This similarity means they can offer comparable benefits, such as hydration, exfoliation, or anti-aging effects, making them an attractive alternative for those who don’t want to compromise on skincare results.
- Trial and Exploration: For individuals new to skincare or those looking to experiment with different products, dupes provide an affordable way to explore various ingredients and formulations. This trial-and-error approach is less risky financially when using more affordable dupes.
- Reducing Financial Risk: Investing in expensive skincare products comes with the risk of the product not working well for an individual’s skin type or concerns. Using a dupe first can help gauge how similar ingredients might react with one’s skin before committing to a more expensive purchase.
- Ethical and Cruelty-Free Options: Some skincare enthusiasts prefer drugstore dupes because they often have more options that are cruelty-free or vegan. While the high-end skincare market is also moving in this direction, drugstore brands have been more accessible in this regard.
- Consumer Reviews and Recommendations: The popularity of dupes is often bolstered by online communities, beauty bloggers, and skincare enthusiasts who share their experiences and recommendations. Positive reviews and comparisons can make these products more appealing to a broader audience.
- Innovations in Drugstore Brands: Drugstore brands have significantly improved their formulations and product offerings in recent years. Many now offer advanced skincare technologies and ingredients that were previously only found in luxury products.
- Simplifying Skincare Routines: Some people prefer a more straightforward, no-fuss approach to skincare. Dupes often offer this simplicity without the sometimes overwhelming array of choices and price points found in the high-end market.
- Supporting Budget-Conscious Choices: In an era where many are more mindful of their spending, choosing skincare dupes aligns with a broader trend of seeking value in purchases without sacrificing quality.
In summary, skincare dupes are popular because they offer a cost-effective, accessible, and often equally effective alternative to expensive, high-end skincare products, allowing individuals to enjoy quality skincare without breaking the bank.