Whoever said beauty is pain, was clearly referring to the price tag on some high-end skincare products. There's not much we love more than great skin, but we're equally as excited about a healthy bank account. So, we've scoured the market to find the best skincare dupes that don't fall short in the effectiveness department.
So, say farewell to overpriced serums and hello to the perfect wallet friendly glow-up. From underrated azelaic acid to glycerin, we're sharing some secrets to keeping your skin hydrated, bright, and flawless because there's no gatekeeping allowed around here. Go ahead, grab a cup of coffee and let's dive into some divine dupes.
First up, let's talk about vitamin C. We all know it's a powerhouse ingredient, but it can also be a powerhouse drain on your bank account, we're looking at you SkinCeauticals C E Ferulic (what a ham, lol, iykyk) Let us put you on to the 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum from Timeless Skin Care. Not only does it come with a sweet price point (around $26) but it's also packed with antioxidants that'll leave your skin glowing. The texture is totally different and it comes in a pump style package (because let's be honest, vitamin C and droppers don't mix - that oxidization though).
Now, let's move on to azelaic acid and give this baby some love. It's a lesser-known ingredient, but a game-changer for keeping your pores clean, providing mild exfoliation, and brightening up your skin. It's perfect for the sensitive skin girlies too! Our product of choice is the Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% from Amazon and it does all that and more, at only $18. It also contains niacinamide and vitamin C for an extra boost of goodness. Say less.
Everyone knows the most popular girl in school, hyaluronic acid, but did you know that the molecules are too large to actually penetrate the skin? Sure, it can give
you a lovely surface level effect but don't we want something deeper than that? We like the idea of turning to something with high amounts of glycerin for dehydrated skin. That's right, little ole glycerin is an underrated ingredient and she deserves her moment. We discovered The Wave Serum from Regimen Lab ($26), the formula is perfect for under makeup, it soaks in fast and leaves the skin feeling perfectly happy and hydrated.
Want to up the glycerin glow even more? Same here. Meet the ultimate Super Saturated serum from Experiment Beauty ($28) containing a whopping 30% glycerin. But wait, there's more...this product has multi-molecular weight
humectants like polyglutamic acid, and soothing ingredients like bisabolol, prickly pear extract, and niacinamide. The formula feels similar to snail mucin and takes a minute to sink in but boy is it worth it. Talk about bouncy skin, that's what you'll get. If you're applying under your makeup, you'll just need a few extra minutes for it to sink on in. We also love this product before bed if you're into waking up looking like a glowing cherub, yes please.
And finally, one of the best pieces of advice we've ever heard from a facialist is "go to bed with your face wet".
So, after your skincare routine we like to mist away with the Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin face mist. It's super affordable at only $16 for a 2 pack, and it'll leave your skin feeling fresh, calm, dewy and hydrated. So remember, go to bed with your face wet. Trust us, it works wonders.
And there you have it, beautiful people! This is our roundup of the best skincare dupes that actually work. Links below to all of the products mentioned, enjoy the glow!
- 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum from Timeless Skin Care ($26): https://www.timelessha.com/products/20-vitamin-c-e-ferulic-acid-serum-1-oz
- Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% from Amazon ($18): https://www.amazon.com/Naturium-Azelaic-Niacinamide-Treatment-Remover/dp/B08L5H59YS
- Wave Serum from Regimen Lab ($26): https://www.regimenlab.com/products/wave-serum
- Super Saturated serum from Experiment Beauty ($28): https://www.experimentbeauty.com/products/super-saturated
- Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Bundle from Amazon ($16): https://www.amazon.com/HERITAGE-STORE-Rosewater-Glycerin-Bundle/dp/B08B4DZ4YC
