As promised, today I am back with another edition of high-end skincare dupes that are great affordable alternatives for their expensive counterparts.
In case you missed it, here is PART 1 of the affordable skincare dupes for 10 popular (and pricey!) products.
Expensive doesn’t always mean better when it comes to beauty products and these skincare dupes prove this point beautifully. Even though these skincare dupes lack some of the fancy ingredients found in high-end favorites, they are almost at par with prestige brands in terms of effectiveness.
So let’s get started, shall we? Below, check out 11 drugstore skincare dupes that actually rival high-end products!
1. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Dupe: L’Oreal Revitalift 10% Pure Vitamin C Concentrate
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum ($49) is supercharged with a vitamin C complex, antioxidant vitamin E and green tea extract, plus hydrating hyaluronic acid to help brighten dull skin and reduce wrinkles. Suitable for all skin types, the silky-gel serum hydrates without a sticky or tacky feel.
Formulated with 10% pure Vitamin C, L’Oreal Revitalift Serum ($16) is just as potent at one-third the price! The fragrance-free formula also contains glycerin, skin-smoothing amino acids and hyaluronic acid to provide lightweight moisture. It’s suitable for every skin type, even sensitive.
2. Sunday Riley Luna Dupe: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil ($105) is a cult-favorite (but crazy expensive!) retinol oil that rejuvenates dull, lackluster skin and leaves it looking luminous. It’s powered by trans-retinol ester (Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate), a next-generation retinoid that fights fine lines and wrinkles without any irritation that’s common with traditional retinol. Plus, it’s enriched with blue tansy, german chamomile, avocado, chia and grape seed oil.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane ($9.60) is the perfect alternative at a perfect price! It uses the same advanced granactive retinoid (Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate) so you’ll get the same anti-aging benefits and the price is pretty hard to beat! It also contains squalane (rich in fatty acids & antioxidants), tomato extract and jojoba oil to soothe and hydrate. It’s a lightweight oil that’s not greasy/tacky and works well for all skin types.
Revolution Skincare Granactive Retinoid 2% Skin Tone Correcting Solution ($10) is another close dupe for Sunday Riley’s Luna Oil but it’s more suitable for dry skin types. It features the same advanced retinoid HPR and a similar blend of soothing plant oils like the Luna.
3. Farmacy Honeymoon Glow Dupe: Bliss Renew & Smooth Serum
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow ($58) is an AHA resurfacing night serum that combines a skin-smoothing blend of lactic, glycolic, citric and fruit acids plus salicylic acid (from willow bark) with hydrating honey and argan oil to rejuvenate dull skin while you sleep. The result is soft, supple skin with a dewy glow!
Bliss Renew & Smooth Serum ($23) also takes your skin from drab to fab, but at a price that’s nice! This resurfacing serum contains a unique six-acid blend of powerful glycolic acid plus gentler polyhydroxy and fruit acids for super smooth, refined skin overnight. It also includes antioxidants vitamin E, green tea, willow bark and licorice extract to round things out.
4. Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Dupe: Physicians Formula Skin Booster Hydrating
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Serum ($52) has a lot going for it with its blend of pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol), Niacinamide, pineapple ceramide, sodium hyaluronate and lentil/apple/watermelon complex that all work together to hydrate and improve uneven skin tone & texture. With its water-light gel texture, it’s perfect for all skin types especially oily and acne-prone skin. But of course, it’s on the spendy side!
If you want something more affordable to boost hydration and get a healthy glow, Physicians Formula Hydrating Vitamin Shot ($9) is your best bet! Ultra-lightweight and fragrance-free, this oil-free serum is formulated with two forms of hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, skin-brightening Niacinamide, Vitamin E, Pro-vitamin B5, glycerin plus soothing aloe vera and licorice extract. Great for all skin types!
5. TATCHA Dewy Skin Cream Dupe: Bliss Ex-glow-sion Super Rich Moisturizer
Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream ($68) is a luxuriously rich treat for Sahara-dry skin types like mine. It feeds skin with antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice and botanical extracts like ginseng, wild thyme and sweet marjoram. Not to mention, it leaves skin soft, supple and deeply nourished with a dewy glow!
If you don’t want to commit to the $68 price point, Bliss Ex-glow-sion Moisturizer ($17.99) is a great drugstore option for dewy, radiant skin. This skin-brightening cream with stabilized vitamin C, Pro-vitamin B5 and shea butter has a rich soufflé-like texture that’s light and airy, yet very moisturizing. Plus, it’s subtle iridescent sheen gives you a healthy, natural glow!
6. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Dupe: Revolution Night Restore Oil
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($49) is an aromatic facial oil formulated with a blend of lavender essential oil, evening primrose, rosehip and jojoba oil. It replenishes essential moisture and refines skin’s texture for a softer, smoother complexion.
Revolution Night Restore Oil ($14) is almost a perfect dupe for less than one-third the price! It also revitalizes dull, tired skin overnight with a blend of lavender, evening primrose, sweet almond, rosehip and jojoba oil. And smells just as amazing…what’s not to love?
7. Drunk Elephant Protini Cream Dupe: Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream
Loaded with several peptides and amino acids, Protini Polypeptide Cream ($68) is a great anti-aging moisturizer that helps reduce lines, wrinkles and signs of sun-damage. Another plus is its lightweight gel-like texture that’s suitable for all skin types. But all this goodness comes with a hefty price tag!
If your beauty budget doesn’t allow the splurge, try Acure Night Cream ($14) that contains a lot of the same peptides along with hydrating hyaluronic acid and marula oil. Formula-wise, it’s a pretty close dupe but the rich cream texture of Acure’s version is better suited for normal to dry skin types.
8. Sunday Riley Good Genes Dupe: Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel
Sunday Riley Good Genes ($105) is a cult-favorite exfoliating treatment powered by high-potency lactic acid that clarifies and re-texturizes dull skin for a radiant complexion. It also contains prickly pear and licorice extract for a brighter, more even skin tone. However, its eyebrow-raising price tag can be a deal-breaker!
If you don’t want to drop $100+ for this overpriced glow-getter, The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% is a great dupe for Sunday Riley Good Genes. It’s practically a steal at only $6.80! Not only is it cheap, but also more effective and stronger with a higher (10%) concentration of lactic acid.
If you want something more moisturizing and gentle, try Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel ($20) that’s wayyyy cheaper! It also gives you glowing skin overnight with a blend of lactic and glycolic acid, plus there’s anti-aging vitamin A, rosehip and vitamin E to keep skin calm and hydrated. Although called a peel, it’s non-irritating and gentle enough to be used on back-to-back nights and absorbs residue-free just like a lotion. Better suited for sensitive skin types.
9. Herbivore Pink Cloud Cream Dupe: Mamonde Rose Water Gel Cream
Pink Cloud Crème ($48) is a luxurious moisturizer made with natural rosewater, aloe, sodium hyaluronate, antioxidant-rich white tea and rice extracts plus kukui oil that adds a subtle dewy glow. With a silky-soft cloud texture, this lightweight nourishing cream is great for all skin types but comes with a steep price tag!
Mamonde Rose Water Cream ($24) serves as the perfect swap at half the price! Infused with 68.7% Damask Rose water and sodium hyaluronate, this gel cream just melts into skin for a refreshing dose of rose-infused hydration. It also leaves your complexion soft, fresh and dewy.
10. Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Serum Dupe: CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Serum ($78) improves uneven skin tone, hyper pigmentation and expression lines with a combination of three types of vitamin C, Niacinamide and other potent antioxidants. But its $78 price tag can be tough on a tight budget!
On the drugstore front, CeraVe Vitamin C Serum ($20) wards off dark spots and fine lines while smoothing skin texture with a 10% pure Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) formula. Along with vitamin C, it also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, three essential ceramides, soothing vitamin B5 (panthenol) and vitamin E.
11. Sand and Sky Pink Clay Mask Dupe: Revolution Pink Clay Detoxifying Mask
Sand & Sky Australian Pink Clay Mask ($49) is the perfect pick for anyone struggling with super oily skin, large pores and acne. Packed with natural minerals, kakadu plum, aloe vera and witch hazel, this detoxing mask unclogs pores, exfoliates and removes blackheads without over-drying. It works amazingly well as an acne spot treatment too but its price tag is definitely in the splurge territory!
You can save your hard-earned dollars with Revolution Skincare Pink Clay Mask ($11) for congested pores that’s also a detoxifying formula. Along with pink clay, it has seaweed extract and witch hazel to draw out impurities, absorb excess oil and soothe problematic areas.
Want MORE drugstore skincare dupes? Stay tuned for Part 3 coming soon! And don’t forget to bookmark this page for your reference and PIN the images above to keep it all handy!
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