It’s no secret, skincare can get expensive. With all of the products available nowadays, brands are trying their hardest to convince you that you need to spend a fortune to achieve the results. Luckily, this could not be further from the truth. In fact, there are plenty of cheaper “dupes” for the more expensive and luxury skincare products that are fraction of the price with the same effectiveness. Here are 5 cheap dupes of expensive skincare products you need to try.
The Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer is an expensive peptide moisturizer that promises to improve skin tone, texture, and firmness. Peptides have been shown to improve the appearance of skin and give an anti-aged appearance. This moisturizer is likely to provide great results to dry skin. The problem is if you have drier skin, you tend to use more product. At $68 for only 1.69 fl oz, this Drunk Elephant moisturizer is not at all cost-effective. The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer is a wonderful dupe. For someone looking to incorporate peptides into their skincare routine, The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer is going to offer you the same amount of product for only $14.99, a far more reasonable price. You also will not be compromising performance. The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer is rich with peptide complexes, similar to the Drunk Elephant product. Overall, this dupe from the Inkey List is likely to offer similar results, the same amount of product, and for over $50 less. You can find The Inkey List Peptide Moisturizer at Sephora.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is an already cheap gel-moisturizer staple. At Target for $16.99, this is definitely a great choice for oily skin. However, because the jar only contains 1.7 fl oz of product, this moisturizer can disappear fast and repurchasing can get quite expensive. A great dupe for this product is the Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream. With an almost identical consistency, this is going to be another great choice for oily skin. This product also contains only 1.7 fl oz of product, but with a $6.63 price tag on Amazon, this option is far more cost effective. What’s also great about this dupe is that it comes in a tube as opposed to a jar, which makes it more hygienic compared to the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. Overall, the Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream is going to offer the same lightweight moisturizing power, a gel formulation, 1.7 fl oz of product, for under half of the price of the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel.
Pixi Glow Tonic is a popular chemical exfoliator containing 5% glycolic acid. While likely effective for most people, the formula poses several risks for people with sensitive skin. Firstly, the formula contains witch hazel, which can be irritating for those with sensitive skin. Secondly, the formula contains fragrance, which on its own can cause allergic contact dermatitis. When mixed with an exfoliating acid (glycolic acid), this risk is only increased. With several risks for sensitive skin and a $29 price tag for only 8.45 fl oz of product, this product is definitely not the best you can do for chemical exfoliation. A dupe for Pixi Glow Tonic is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. First of all, this product is free of fragrance and irritants, so the formula is likely to be more effective. Secondly, there is a higher concentration of the active ingredient of glycolic acid in this product at 7% as opposed to 5%. Finally, this product is only $8.70 for 8 fl oz of product, nearly a quarter of the price of the Pixi Glow Tonic. Granted, depending on where you get The Ordinary Glycolic Acid, you might have to pay shipping. On The Ordinary website, shipping is only $4.99 in the United States, still making this product much cheaper than the Pixi Glow Tonic. Overall, with a superior formula and cheaper price, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is an excellent choice for chemical exfoliation and a cost effective dupe for Pixi Glow Tonic.
La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Face Serum is a popular choice for those looking to harness the power of Vitamin C to brighten skin and minimize free-radical damage. The problem with this specific formula is not only the inclusion of fragrance but also alcohol denat., known to dry out the skin. Both of these ingredients in the formula spell inevitable trouble for sensitive skin. Finally, at $39.99 at Target, you’ll a high price for an even higher risk of irritation. A great dupe for this product is another great buy from The Ordinary. The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% uses the same derivative of Vitamin C as the La Roche Posay’s Vitamin C Face Serum, ascorbic acid, but also pairs it with Alpha Arbutin, a powerful brightening ingredient. With both of these ingredients working together, your skin-tone will be brightened and evened faster than with the La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Face Serum. The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% only costs $10, making it a much better choice and a wonderful dupe for the La Roche-Posay’s Vitamin C Face Serum.
5. Walgreens Clear Zinc, dupe for EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen is a popular everyday sunscreen that offers strong UVA and UVB protection. There is nothing wrong with this sunscreen at all, it is an excellent choice for everyday wear or outdoor activities. The only problem is the price. At $36 for 1.7 fl oz of product, this sunscreen, as great as it is, is way too expensive to use regularly. Furthermore, sunscreens are to applied every two hours in abundance, again showing that there is simply not enough product to justify the hefty price tag. Luckily, there is a great dupe available at Walgreens called Walgreens Clear Zinc sunscreen. At SPF 50, this sunscreen is slightly superior to the SPF 46 rating of EltaMD. Walgreens Clear Zinc also includes Zinc in its formula (hence the name) making it comparable to the stellar UVA protection of the EltaMD UV Clear. Finally, at only $4.19 for 4 fl oz of product, this sunscreen is extremely cost-effective, perfect for slathering on for those sunny days spent outside.
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