The best beauty dupes.
Cheaper alternatives that legitimately match the luxe original. Four dupes tested against their inspiration.
| Rank | Product | Best for | Score | Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneThe Ordinary · Retinol | Retinol dupe | 8.5/10 | AU$12 | Adore Beauty → |
| 02 | Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky HighMaybelline · Mascara | Mascara dupe | 8.8/10 | AU$25 | Chemist Warehouse → |
| 03 | CeraVe Moisturising CreamCeraVe · Moisturiser | Moisturiser dupe | 8.9/10 | AU$22 | Chemist Warehouse → |
| 04 | Bondi Sands Pure Self Tanning FoamBondi Sands · Mousse | Premium tan dupe | 8.7/10 | AU$38 | Adore Beauty → |
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol is the dupe of most luxe retinols at 10-20% of the price. The only luxe retinol that's actually worth the premium over The Ordinary is Alpha-H (for formulation refinement) or Paula's Choice (for dose strength).
The Ranking
From 4 testedRetinol 1% in Squalane
The retinol that democratised the active. Squalane base, cheap, works. Start at 0.2%, graduate up.
Lash Sensational Sky High
The $25 drugstore mascara that outperforms products three times the price. Bamboo extract + flexible brush.
Moisturising Cream
Dermatologist-developed ceramide cream. Fragrance-free, 50% of Australian bathroom counters have it.
Pure Self Tanning Foam
Fragrance-free, water-based mousse that replaced the brown-tube era in half of Australian bathrooms. Dries in 60 seconds, develops in 3 hours, fades evenly.
Affiliate disclosure: Glow earns commission from qualifying purchases through these links. It never changes our rankings. How this works.
"I'd been buying the wrong self-tan for three years. I found Glow, followed the Best Self Tan ranking, and the third one I tried was the one. Saved me weeks of guessing."
Common questions
What makes a good dupe?
Similar active ingredients at similar concentrations, in similar format. Not just lookalike packaging.
Are dupes always cheaper?
Often yes. Sometimes the dupe and original converge in quality, both good, different price points.
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