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Rachael Parnell

When one shopper heard Aldi was offering a fresh product collection that looked similar to offerings from luxury brand Augustinus Bader, she was "super excited".

Rachael rushed to her closest outlet to purchase the store-brand face cream for under £9 for 50ml - a fraction of the £240 cost of the high-end 50ml item.

The streamlined blue packaging and gold top of the two products look strikingly similar. And though she has never tried the luxury cream, she says she's impressed by the dupe so far.

She has been using beauty alternatives from mainstream retailers and grocery stores for some time, and she's part of a trend.

More than a 25% of UK shoppers say they've tried a beauty or cosmetic lookalike. This rises to 44% among younger adults, based on a recently published study.

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

Victoria Woollaston

'High-Priced Isn't Always Better'

Beauty experts say certain substitutes to luxury labels are good standard and help make beauty routines more affordable.

"It is not true that higher-priced is invariably better," comments dermatology expert one expert. "Not every affordable skincare brand is bad - and not all premium beauty item is the top."

"Some [dupes] are truly amazing," says a podcast host, who runs a show about public figures.

Numerous of the products modeled on high-end brands "run out so rapidly, it's just unbelievable," he says.

Scott McGlynn

Aesthetic and dermatology doctor another professional argues dupes are suitable to use for "simple routines" like moisturisers and cleansers.

"These products will be effective," he comments. "They will perform the essentials to a acceptable degree."

Ketaki Bhate, advises you can cut costs when searching for simple-formula items like hyaluronic acid, Vitamin B3 and a moisturizing ingredient.

"If you're purchasing a single-ingredient product then you're likely going to be okay in opting for a dupe or something which is very low cost because there's very little that can cause issues," she says.

'Do Not Be Influenced by the Packaging'

However the specialists also recommend buyers check details and state that higher-priced products are occasionally worth the extra money.

Regarding luxury skincare, you're not only paying for the label and marketing - often the increased cost also stems from the components and their grade, the potency of the active ingredient, the research used to produce the product, and tests into the item's performance, she explains.

Skin therapist she argues it's valuable considering how certain alternatives can be sold so at a low cost.

In some cases, she says they might include less effective components that lack as significant advantages for the skin, or the materials might not be as well sourced.

"One major doubt is 'How is it so inexpensive?'" she asks.

Commentator McGlynn says in some cases he's bought skincare items that appear comparable to a established label but the actual formula has "no connection to the premium version".

"Do not be fooled by the outer appearance," he added.

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Regarding more complicated products or ones with ingredients that can inflame the complexion if they're not made accurately, such as retinoids or vitamin C, Dr Bhate suggests using research-backed brands.

She says these probably have been through comprehensive studies to determine how effective they are.

Skincare products are required to be tested before they can be sold in the UK, explains consultant dermatologist Emma Wedgeworth.

When the brand states about the efficacy of the product, it requires research to verify it, "however the brand doesn't always have to conduct the trials" and can instead use evidence completed by other brands, she clarifies.

Check the Label of the Pack

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

Components on the list of the container are ordered by amount. "Potential irritants that you want to avoid… is your petroleum-derived oil, your SLS, parfum, benzoyl peroxide" being {high up