🔗 Share this article

Rachael Parnell

When one shopper learned Aldi was launching a new beauty line that seemed similar to offerings from premium company Augustinus Bader, she was "super excited".

She dashed to her local outlet to buy the store-brand face cream for a low price for 50ml - a small portion of the £240 price tag of the high-end 50ml item.

The sleek blue container and gold lid of the two creams look remarkably similar. While she has not tested the high-end cream, she claims she's impressed by the product so far.

Rachael has been purchasing beauty alternatives from mainstream retailers and supermarkets for a long time, and she's part of a trend.

Over a quarter of UK buyers state they've tried a beauty or cosmetic dupe. This increases to 44% among 18-34 year olds, based on a recent survey.

Dupes are beauty items that imitate well-known brands and offer budget-friendly options to premium products. They typically have alike names and packaging, but sometimes the ingredients can change considerably.

Victoria Woollaston

'High-Priced Isn't Necessarily Superior'

Beauty experts argue many alternatives to luxury brands are good standard and aid make beauty routines cheaper.

"It is not true that costlier is always more effective," says consultant dermatologist a doctor. "Not all affordable beauty label is inferior - and not every luxury beauty item is the top."

"Certain [dupes] are absolutely amazing," says a podcast host, who presents a podcast with famous people.

Numerous of the items based on luxury brands "disappear so rapidly, it's just crazy," he remarks.

Scott McGlynn

Aesthetic and dermatology doctor another professional believes dupes are acceptable to use for "simple routines" like moisturisers and face washes.

"Alternatives will serve a purpose," he comments. "They will handle the fundamentals to a satisfactory level."

Ketaki Bhate, thinks you can cut costs when searching for single-ingredient products like HA, niacinamide and a moisturizing ingredient.

"When you're purchasing a simple item then you're likely going to be fine in using a budget alternative or a product which is quite inexpensive because there's very little that can cause issues," she adds.

'Do Not Be Sold by the Container'

However the experts also advise buyers check details and note that more expensive products are occasionally worth the additional cost.

With high-end beauty products, you're not just paying for the name and marketing - at times the increased price tag also is due to the formula and their grade, the potency of the effective element, the science employed to develop the item, and trials into the products' performance, the expert explains.

Skin therapist Rhian Truman says it's valuable considering how some dupes can be sold so cheaply.

Sometimes, she says they may include bulking agents that lack as many benefits for the complexion, or the components might not be as well sourced.

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

Podcast host Scott admits in some cases he's bought skincare items that look similar to a well-known brand but the actual formula has "little similarity to the premium version".

"Do not be sold by the outer appearance," he cautioned.

SimpleImages/Getty Images

For potent items or ones with ingredients that can inflame the skin if they're not created properly, such as retinols or vitamin C serums, she advises using research-backed brands.

The expert explains these typically have been subjected to expensive trials to determine how effective they are.

Beauty products need to be assessed before they can be sold in the UK, says skin doctor another professional.

If the label makes claims about the effectiveness of the item, it must have data to verify it, "however the manufacturer does not necessarily have to perform the trials" and can alternatively use studies completed by other brands, she adds.

Examine the Back of the Pack

Are there any components that could suggest a item is low-quality?

Ingredients on the label of the container are arranged by concentration. "Ingredients to avoid that you want to be wary of… is your mineral oil, your sodium lauryl sulfate, fragrance, benzel peroxide" being {high up