Supermarket Skincare Lookalikes Can Save Shoppers a Bundle. Yet, Do Economical Beauty Items Perform?

Rachael Parnell

After discovering Rachael Parnell found out Aldi was launching a new product collection that seemed akin to offerings from high-end label Augustinus Bader, she was "incredibly excited".

She dashed to her nearest outlet to purchase the Lacura face cream for a low price for 50ml - a small portion of the £240 cost of the luxury brand 50ml item.

Its smooth blue container and gold lid of both creams look noticeably alike. Although Rachael has not used the premium cream, she says she's satisfied by the product so far.

She has been purchasing skincare dupes from popular shops and supermarkets for years, and she's not alone.

More than a quarter of UK shoppers report they've purchased a beauty or cosmetic dupe. This jumps to nearly half among 18-34 year olds, as per a recent survey.

Lookalikes are skincare products that imitate established brands and offer affordable alternatives to high-end items. These products frequently have alike names and packaging, but occasionally the formulas can differ substantially.

Victoria Woollaston

'Costly Isn't Necessarily Superior'

Skincare professionals contend some substitutes to luxury brands are decent standard and assist make beauty routines cheaper.

"I don't think higher-priced is always better," says consultant dermatologist a doctor. "Not all affordable skincare brand is inferior - and not all premium beauty item is the best."

"Certain [dupes] are absolutely amazing," adds Scott McGlynn, who hosts a show with famous people.

Many of the items modeled on luxury labels "disappear so quickly, it's just insane," he observes.

Scott McGlynn

Skin specialist a doctor believes dupes are acceptable to use for "simple routines" like hydrators and cleansers.

"Dupes will do the job," he comments. "These items will do the basics to a acceptable level."

Another skin doctor, advises you can save money when searching for simple-formula items like hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B3 and squalane.

"If you're purchasing a simple product then you're likely going to be alright in opting for a dupe or something which is very affordable because there's not much that can cause issues," she adds.

'Do Not Be Influenced by the Packaging'

Yet the specialists also suggest shoppers check details and note that more expensive items are at times worth the extra money.

With premium skincare, you're not only paying for the brand and marketing - sometimes the elevated cost also comes from the ingredients and their grade, the potency of the active ingredient, the technology employed to produce the item, and trials into the products' performance, the expert notes.

Facialist Rhian Truman suggests it's important questioning how certain dupes can be offered so cheaply.

Occasionally, she says they could include filler ingredients that lack as many benefits for the skin, or the components might not be as carefully selected.

"The big doubt is 'How is it so low-priced?'" she says.

Expert Scott admits on occasion he's purchased beauty products that look comparable to a big-name label but the product itself has "little similarity to the original".

"Do not be convinced by the packaging," he added.

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Regarding potent products or ones with ingredients that can inflame the complexion if they're not formulated properly, such as retinoids or vitamin C, Dr Bhate advises using more specialised companies.

She explains these will likely have been through comprehensive studies to determine how successful they are.

Beauty items are required to be evaluated before they can be available in the UK, notes consultant dermatologist another professional.

When the label states about the efficacy of the item, it requires data to back it up, "however the brand does not always have to perform the trials" and can alternatively cite studies done by different firms, she adds.

Check the Back of the Bottle

Is there any components that could indicate a item is poor?

Ingredients on the back of the container are ordered by amount. "The baddies that you should look out for… is your mineral oil, your sodium lauryl sulfate, fragrance, benzel peroxide" being {high up