Whether it comes to skincare or makeup, I always fancy a good dupe. I don’t know about you, but personally it hurts my soul to spend 30, 40, 50+ dollars on a single skincare product when I know I can find a similar one for a fraction of the price. Since we don’t gatekeep here, I will be sharing my favorite skincare dupe finds of 2022!
Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser
The YTTP Superfood Cleanser is a cult favorite that recently gained even more popularity through the likes of TikTok and YouTube. The standard size retails for $36, and the travel size for $12. I purchased the mini to test it out, and to be honest I wasn’t obsessed. I felt like it left my skin barrier feeling stripped and dry, however if you have oily skin you would probably enjoy this cleanser.
On my hunt for an affordable dupe, I realized I needed to look no further than my bathroom cabinet. There sat my Pacifica Seafoam Complete Face Wash, which makes for a great dupe. at $10 for a full sized bottle, it retails for cheaper than the YTTP travel sized cleanser.
Why It’s a Dupe
Both products are vegan and cruelty-free, and contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E . They’ve got a total of 10 ingredients in common.
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or silicones, however both contain fragrance.
They’re both good for brightening skin, dark spots and evening texture.
Both products are also reef safe.
Pacifica vs. YTTP
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Like the name suggests, the Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum is meant to deliver a glass skin like appearance. I love me some Korean skincare, so I immediately purchased this to see what all the hype was about, and I was not disappointed. After about a month of using this, I noticed my skin was looking hydrated, plum, and well nourished with no signs of inflammation. My pores seemed to shrink as well. A blend of peptide complex, peach extract, centella asiatica, madecassoide, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid is responsible for this result. It retails for $39 for 1.35oz or $59 for 2.36oz.
While $39 isn’t terrible for a serum (?), I was convinced I could still dupe it. That’s when I stumbled upon another Korean skincare brand called Klavuu, and more specifically the Blue Pearl 8 Hydra Marine Ampoule. Formulated with eight types of hyaluronic acid and marine collagen water, this ampoule delivers long-lasting hydration to skin. It strengthens the skin moisture barrier with Provitamin B5 and rejuvenates skin with Korean pearl extract, leaving it looking radiant.
Why It’s a Dupe
Both serums contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and have a total of 12 ingredients in common.
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates.
They’re both good for fighting acne, brightening skin and oily skin.
Both products are also reef safe.
Klavuu vs. Peach & Lily
Glow Recipe Watermelon Dew Drops
I personally have not tried the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, mainly because I had an allergic reaction to their watermelon sleeping mask. At $34 it just didn’t seem worth the risk to me. This product is a skincare and makeup primer hybrid which is said to help deliver glowing skin instantly and over time. It also helps reduce hyperpigmentation or dark spots, revealing glowing skin without mica, glitter, or pearls.
While I wasn’t willing to spend $34 on Glow Recipe, I was enticed by the $15 price point of the TONYMOLY Watermelon Dew All Over Serum. While I didn’t have high hopes and expected an allergic reaction, I was quite impressed. Not only did my skin now show any signs of irritation, I found this product to be ultra hydrating.
Why It’s a Dupe
These products are both serums that contain hyaluronic acid, and have a total of 11 ingredients in common.
Both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates. They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils.
Both products are also reef safe.
TONYMOLY vs. Glow Recipe
DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum
The DRMTLGY Needle-less Serum is formulated with their patented Cerapep® Technology: a revolutionary blend of restorative peptides & ceramides, and targets fine lines and wrinkles.
The RNW Der. Concentrate Ceramide Plus serum is a multi-Peptide serum that reinforces the skin’s barrier and stimulates collagen production.
I’ve actually already posted a complete comparison review of these two products, which you can read HERE.
Tatcha Water Cream
The Tatcha Water Cream is a lightweight, clarifying water cream that releases a burst of hydrating nutrients and pore-refining botanicals for healthy aging and smooth, balanced skin. However, in no universe am I spending $69 on a face cream.
A recent dupe I discovered is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel cream, and I must say I am obsessed. It has a cooling sensation when applied to the skin, and leaves my skin feeling plump and hydrated all day without leaving a greasy finish.
Why It’s a Dupe
These products have a total of 7 ingredients in common.
Both contain hyaluronic acid.
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates.
Both contain fragrances and silicones.
They are reef safe.