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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