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Rachael Parnell

Upon hearing Rachael Parnell found out a supermarket was launching a fresh product collection that seemed comparable to offerings from high-end label Augustinus Bader, she was "incredibly excited".

The shopper hurried to her local store to purchase the supermarket face cream for under £9 for 50ml - a small portion of the £240 cost of the high-end 50ml cream.

The streamlined blue packaging and gold top of the two creams look remarkably alike. And though she has never tried the premium cream, she says she's impressed by the dupe so far.

Rachael has been purchasing beauty alternatives from popular shops and supermarkets for years, and she's part of a trend.

Over a fourth of UK shoppers say they've bought a beauty or cosmetic alternative. This increases to nearly half among millennials and Gen Z, as per a February study.

Lookalikes are skincare products that mimic well-known labels and provide budget-friendly substitutes to high-end products. These products frequently have comparable names and packaging, but occasionally the formulas can vary considerably.

Victoria Woollaston

'High-Priced Isn't Necessarily Superior'

Skincare specialists argue many substitutes to high-end brands are reasonable standard and aid make beauty routines more affordable.

"I don't think costlier is invariably more effective," states dermatology expert Sharon Belmo. "Not every budget skincare brand is inferior - and not every premium beauty item is the best."

"A number of [dupes] are truly impressive," says a podcast host, who hosts a show about public figures.

Numerous of the items inspired by high-end brands "run out so rapidly, it's just insane," he remarks.

Scott McGlynn

Skin specialist another professional believes dupes are fine to use for "simple routines" like moisturisers and face washes.

"Alternatives will serve a purpose," he says. "These items will handle the fundamentals to a acceptable standard."

Another skin doctor, suggests you can spend less when you're looking for simple-formula products like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and a moisturizing ingredient.

"If you're purchasing a simple product then you're probably going to be fine in opting for a budget alternative or a product which is quite affordable because there's minimal that can be problematic," she says.

'Don't Be Swayed by the Box'

Yet the professionals also suggest shoppers check details and say that higher-priced items are sometimes worthy of the extra money.

With premium beauty products, you're not just covering the brand and advertising - often the elevated cost also comes from the ingredients and their standard, the concentration of the effective element, the science utilized to produce the product, and studies into the item's efficacy, she notes.

Skin therapist Rhian Truman says it's important considering how some dupes can be sold so cheaply.

Sometimes, she believes they may include filler ingredients that do not provide as many positive effects for the skin, or the ingredients might not be as well sourced.

"The big doubt is 'How is it so inexpensive?'" she remarks.

Podcast host McGlynn admits in some cases he's bought skincare items that appear similar to a big-name brand but the item has "no resemblance to the original".

"Do not be sold by the container," he warned.

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Regarding potent items or ones with ingredients that can aggravate the skin if they're not formulated correctly, such as retinoids or vitamin C, Dr Bhate advises sticking to more specialised companies.

She says these typically have been subjected to costly trials to evaluate how successful they are.

Skincare products must be tested before they can be sold in the UK, explains skin doctor another professional.

If the company states about the efficacy of the product, it requires research to verify it, "however the seller does not always have to do the testing" and can instead use testing done by other firms, she clarifies.

Read the Back of the Pack

Is there any ingredients that could suggest a product is inferior?

Components on the list of the container are listed by quantity. "Potential irritants that you need to avoid… is your mineral oil, your SLS, parfum, benzel peroxide" being {high up