Many Korean Beauty products have a cult following in their own right and for good reason – they are highly effective, contain stellar ingredients and are very reasonably priced.

But some K-Beauty products also contain similar ingredients to more expensive skincare products. Which ones can you swap over and what’s the price saving?

STYLE STORY investigates:

Swap: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair For Missha Time Revolution Science Activator Ampoule

Estee Lauder’s famous serum contains active ingredient Bifida Ferment Lysate, as well as other ingredients that claim to heal, repair, hydrate and aid cell turnover. Missha’s Time Revolution Science Activator Ampoule (affectionately known as the Borabit Ampoule) also contains Bifida Ferment Lysate, along with a whopping 9 other fermented ingredients, multiple peptides, plant extracts and niacinamide .

Unlike Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Missha’s serum contains no irritants or acne triggers.

Swap: Fresh’s Sugar Face Polish For Skinfood’s Black Sugar Mask

Fresh’s Sugar Face Polish is an exfoliating scrub with a brown sugar base that contains strawberry seeds to exfoliate, as well as calendilia wax and fruit seed oils.

Skinfood Black Sugar Wash Off Mask contains many of the same ingredients as Fresh’s version, but at a 7th of the price. No wonder it is one of Korean beauty brand Skinfood’s best-selling products and winner of Sure Magazine’s “No 1 Facial Scrub of the Year”.

Price Swap: Fresh Sugar Face Polish ($114 for 125ml) vs Skinfood Black Sugar Wash Off Mask ($14.95 for 100g) = $99.05 saving

Listen to the Korean Beauty Show episode on some of the Best Korean Dupes for Expensive Products in 2020:

Swap: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz For Tony Moly’s Lovely Eyebrow Pencil

Anastasia Beverly Hills may be legendary for their eyebrow products and services, but unfortunately so are the prices. With a brow pencil and spoolie similar to Anastasia’s and a crayon texture that makes it easier to work with and create more realistic, feathery brows, Tony Moly’s Lovely Eyebrow Pencil is a beauty bargain that doesn’t skimp on quality.

Price Swap: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz ($38.95) vs Tony Moly Lovely Eyebrow Pencil ($6.95) = $32 saving

Swap: Benefit Gimme Brow Eyebrow Mascara For Clio Tinted Tattoo Kill Brow

The Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm is a rich and oily cleanser containing grape seed and sweet almond oil. It works to break down makeup and remove stubborn eyeliner and mascara. Banila Co’s Clean It Zero Purity works just the same, but for half the price. It also contains no mineral oil, making it perfect for sensitive skin types.

Price Swap: Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm ($65 for 100ml) vs Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity ($32.95 for 100ml) = $32.05 saving

Swap: Biologique Recerche P50 Lotion For Cosrx Bha Blackhead Power Liquid

Biologique’s Lotion P50 is an all-in-one toner, balancer and exfoliating lotion that helps speed up the epidermis’ natural exfoliating process. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is quickly becoming a cult Korean Beauty product for its ability to prevent the formation of blemishes before they even occur. It is an oil-soluble chemical exfoliant that clears dead skin cells from deep within pores to minimise their appearance and prevent breakouts.

Price Swap: Biologique Lotion P50 ($87 for 145g) vs COSRX Blackhead BHA Power Liquid ($21.95 for 100ml)= $65.05 saving

The Style Story Verdict?

If you’re looking to save moosh without scrimping on quality, Korean Beauty products offer a perfect alternative to pricier western products.

Not only do they contain similar ingredients, they also don’t sacrifice on results, meaning your skin and your bank account will love Korean Beauty products too!

What are the best Korean dupes for expensive products that you’ve found? Let us know in the comments!

STYLE STORY – Your Style, Your Story