Best K-beauty Dupes For Expensive Products

Episode Title: Best K-Beauty Dupes for Expensive Products Ep-11

Episode Summary:

If you have a western or expensive beauty product you love (but don’t love the price tag of), then stick around.

In today’s episode I’m going to run you through a list of products that incorporate similar ingredients, textures and results.

These are from some of the biggest beauty brands on the market – Estee Lauder, Eve Lom, SK-II to Sand & Sky.

Topics Discussed:

CLEANSING BALM SWAP: Eve Lom Cleanser > Banila Clean It Zero

The Eve Lom Cleanser is a rich and oily cleanser containing chamomile oil, eucalyptus oil and more. It works to break down makeup and remove stubborn eyeliner and mascara.

Swap it for the equally effective Banila Clean It Zero which works just the same, but comes at a third of the price. Clean It Zero is a cult product in its own right, with one of these cleansers sold every 3 seconds!

ESSENCE SWAP: SKII Facial Treatment Essence > Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence

We’ve all heard of SK II’s pricey essence, which contains “Pitera” as its star ingredient.

This is a yeast ingredient that’s a by-product of the sake brewing process. Missha’s First Treatment Essence also contains a yeast derived from the same family as Pitera.

SCRUB SWAP: Fresh Sugar Face Polish Skinfood Black Sugar Wash Off Mask

Fresh’s Sugar Face Polish is an exfoliating scrub with a brown sugar base. It not only contains strawberry seeds to exfoliate, but also Candelilla wax and fruit seed oils.

Skinfood Black Sugar Wash Off Mask contains many of the same ingredients as Fresh’s version, but is a fraction of the price.

No wonder it is one of Korean beauty brand Skinfood’s best-selling products! It was also the winner of Sure Magazine’s “No 1 Facial Scrub of the Year”.

BHA SWAP: Biologique Recerche P50 Lotion > 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 a cult Korean Beauty product in its own right, thanks to its ability to prevent the formation of blemishes before they even occur. COSRX’s oil-soluble chemical exfoliant clears dead skin cells from deep within pores to minimise their appearance and prevent breakouts.

SERUM SWAP: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair > Missha Time Revolution Probio Ampoule

Estee Lauder’s Night Repair serum contains the 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 thanks to its purple colour (“Borabit” means “purple” in Korean), also contains Bifida Ferment Lysate, along with a whopping 9 other fermented ingredients, multiple peptides, plant extracts and niacinamide.

MOISTURISER SWAP: Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream > d’Alba Piedmont Peptide No-Sebum Repair Cream

Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream includes a combination of peptides, growth factors, and amino acids. It comes in a thick cream that claims to reduce lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. The amino acids act as support by strengthening and fortifying the skin’s barrier.

d’Alba Piedmont’s Peptide No Sebum Repair Cream comes with the same base of low molecular peptides and 20 essential amino acids and minerals. These work to help firm and improve skin elasticity, wrinkles, and fine lines. In addition, it is formulated with calamine powder and BHAs to help fight acne.

They also gently remove old skin cells, target sebum, and soothe sensitive skin.

Unlike Protini Cream, d’Alba’s version is going to be better suited for oily, combination and acne prone skin types. It is also good option for those looking for an anti-aging moisturiser in their 20s. Repair Cream won’t weigh skin down like other anti-aging creams do.

PINK MASK SWAP: Sand & Sky Pink Mask > Cosmetea Pink Clay Mask

If you spend any time on social media, chances are you’ve seen the popular pink clay masks. 

But, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, then K-Beauty favourite Cosmetea might just be your perfect fit. Don’t let the marketing trick you though – the ‘pink’ in pink clay masks come from dyes, not nature.

EYE CREAM SWAP: SKII RNA Power Anti Aging Eye Cream > Benton Fermentation Eye Cream

SKII’s RNA Power Anti Aging Eye Cream is made on a base of galactomyces ferment filtrate. It is also packed with skin conditioning ingredients in an easily absorbed texture to moisturise, restore suppleness, and reduce fine lines.

However, retailing for a few hundred dollars AUD it doesn’t come cheap. Cult K-Beauty favourite Benton Fermentation Eye Cream ranked highly in blind tests on popular K-Beauty program “Get it Beauty“.

Made with the same star ingredient (galactomyces ferment filtrate) as SKII’s version, it also works to hydrate, repair, and protect the skin from damage. In addition, ermentation Eye Cream also contains other anti-aging superstars like:

1 Bifida ferment lysate

2 Beta glucan

3 Aloe

4 Adenosine

5 Hyaluronic acid

6 Panthenol

BEST K-BEAUTY DUPES FOR EXPENSIVE PRODUCTS - FOAM CLEANSER SWAP: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant> Tosowoong Enzyme Power Wash!

It might seem funny calling it a dupe (as Tosowoong’s powder wash has reached cult status in its own right). However, when compared to Dermalogica’s popular Daily Microfoliant there’s no denying that both products do have similar star ingredients and a similar texture. Both contain papain, licorice extracts and starches.

Tosowoong’s Powder Wash works for sensitive, hypo-allergenic and acne-prone skin, as it preserves the skin’s delicate acid mantle. This is a gentle formula that’s suited for daily cleansing.

What To Do If You Liked Best K-Beauty Dupes for Expensive Products Ep-11

If you have other Korean skincare swaps I would love to know about them – come and find me on Instagramand let me know!

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