Getty ImagesReal beauty lovers know that a price tag has nothing to do with how well a product performs. That being said, sometimes we want to splurge on luxury products while other times, we're looking to save and opt for something more affordable instead.
Luxury Skincare vs. Affordable Dupes: What’s the Difference?
These days, you can find a dupe for just about any pricey skincare product you can think of, even though there's nothing wrong with investing in the high-end stuff (whether it's a gift or for yourself).
Luxury skincare is fun to splurge on, but a higher price doesn’t always mean better results. Plenty of affordable skincare dupes use the same hardworking ingredients—like niacinamide, ceramides, and exfoliating acids—as their luxury counterparts. The real difference often comes down to texture, scent, and packaging, not performance.
Since it never hurts to have options, I found cult-favorite luxury skincare and their drugstore alternatives, based on thousands of Amazon reviews.
If you want to be bougie, stick with La Mer, Tatcha, Sunday Riley, and Therabody. But if you want to save, go for products from e.l.f., Nivea, the Ordinary, and Medicube, which are equally as good and will deliver similar results.
Whether you're looking to gift the beauty-obsessed person in your life some luxe skincare or want to explore budget-friendly dupes for yourself, read on to shop top-rated skincare for every holiday budget.
Rhode Glazing Milk Ceramide facial essence
Ditch redness, dryness, and dullness when you add the viral Rhode Glazing Milk to your routine. It's a lightweight, skin calming essence "that boosts barrier function and provides immediate, luminous hydration," the brand claims.
Best Hydrating Essence Dupe
Prequel Skin Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer
This fluid moisturizer has a similar feel to Rhode's glazing milk, only it contains more product at a lower price point. The formula contains ceramides, amino acids, and peptides that boosts barrier function and results in plump, radiant skin.
Reviewers say: "If you have dry skin and you’re looking for an alternative to the Rhode glazing milk this is your best friend! A bit thicker than the glazing milk Prequel’s half and half is luxurious on the skin and hydrating under your moisturizer."
Best Exfoliating Peel Pad Alternative
Medicube Zero Pore Pads 2.0
These TikTok-loved pore pads are also made with BHAs and AHAs (they even contain lactic acid), but come with way more treatments and are just under $20 rather $100.
Reviewers say: "Wow! Just want to say that I have tried so many different peel pads. My old favorite was the Dr. Dennis Gross pads but moved on from those due to the price. These Medicube pads are unreal for how quickly they work. I deal with textured skin and within a week of using these every other day my texture has significantly improved."
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Serum
Thanks to moringa seed oil, watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, this hybrid skincare and makeup serum can be used pre or post-moisturizer to hydrate, even skin tone, brighten and treat fine lines.
Best Budget-Friendly Glow-Boosting Serum
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops
If you love how Glow Recipe's Watermelon Dew Drops make your skin feel, then you'll adore e.l.f.'s more affordable version. It's also made with hydrating niacinamide and can be used as part of your skincare routine or as a primer before makeup.
Reviewers say: “I've used Glow Recipe's Watermelon Dew Drops, and while I liked the product I wasn't too fond of the strong scent or the price point. The texture, finish, and feel of this product is pretty much identical, but without the fragrance and at a better value."
Tatcha The Water Cream
This lightweight moisturizer refreshes your skin and refines pores for a flawless, glowing finish that's ideal for those with oily or combination skin.
Best Lightweight Moisturizer Dupe
Bliss Ex-glow-sion Radiance-Boosting Moisturizer
The whipped texture of this moisturizer delivers a similar lightweight feel as Tatcha's without skimping on hydration. This cream is also made with ingredients that brighten, moisturize, and nourish skin.
Reviewers say: "Spot on Tatcha the Water Cream dupe, and honestly even better. So lightweight yet super moisturizing. I’m prone to some weird acne and this has helped my skin immensely (I’ve been using for over a year)."
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream Moisturizer
This celebrity-loved cream is known not just for resulting in firmer, bouncier, revitalized skin, but also for its hefty price tag. Ingredients including sea kelp, rich lipids, and antioxidants.
Best Luxury Face Cream Alternative
Nivea Creme Face, Hand, and Body Moisturizer
This old school moisturizer (which can be used on your entire body), contains many of the same ingredients as La Mer's cult-favorite cream. The thick emollient nature of this cream feels so soothing and moisturizing on rough, dry skin.
Reviewers say: "Shhhh! Let me let you in on a little secret… this cream has the same active ingredient as La Mer face cream! It’s gorgeous on the skin, love the low fragrance, and literally makes my skin feel like butter!"
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Serum
Good Genes is the kind of glow serum that makes people ask what you’re using—in the best way. Lactic acid smooths, licorice brightens, and aloe keeps skin calm while fine lines and dullness slowly pack their bags.
Best Lactic Acid Treatment Dupe
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
This high-strength exfoliator also contains lactic acid to smooth texture, combats dullness, and evens out skin tone. Hyaluronic acid ensures your skin won't get dried out.
Reviewers say: "Was a huge fan of Sunday Riley good genes (I still am), but I can’t afford it anymore. This dupe from the ordinary is actually better in my opinion."
Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo-LED Skincare Mask
TheraFace Mask Glo is a dermatologist-approved, FDA-cleared LED mask that combines red, red + infrared and blue light with a relaxing scalp massage for glowing, healthier-looking skin.
Best Budget-Friendly LED Face Mask
ONLUKY Red Light Therapy Mask
This red light mask also helps boost collagen production, fade acne scars, and smooth fine lines and wrinkles— and this one comes with a red light neck mask, too. Similar to Therabody's, it's wireless, so you can go about your day while your skin enjoys red light therapy.
Reviewers say: "The red light especially gives my face a subtle glow the next morning. It’s also completely hands-free, so I can relax or scroll on my phone while it does its job. For the price, the quality is amazing — definitely comparable to more expensive LED masks I’ve tried."
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