Aldi regularly goes viral for its dupes of famous skincare and makeup brands, with items said to rival products from the likes of Sol de Janeiro and Aveeno. But are they any good?
The cost-of-living crisis has fed the flames of the dupe frenzy, with beauty dupe sales rising by 22% over the past year according to Dr Kubanych Takyrbashev.
German supermarket Aldi is a leader in the beauty dupe game, with Lacura, its own beauty brand, boasting a vast selection of affordable products that imitate those from high-end names.
While Lacura’s products often mimic the packaging and marketing of big-name brands including YSL and Paula’s Choice, the key question lies in their effectiveness and ingredient quality.
So, should Aldi shoppers be clambering to cop a copycat, or are the parody products too good to be true?
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Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Cream vs Aldi’s Lacura Tropical Essence Booty Balm
The Aldi dupe of the summer had to be its Tropical Essence Booty Balm. Costing just £4.99, the cream has been hailed by shoppers as the ultimate dupe for Sol de Janeiro’s popular Bum Bum Cream — which costs £36 at Boots.
Read more: This high street cream is just as good as La Mer’s £2k moisturiser, and it’s only £10
The Booty Balm promises to ‘firm your skin and add a healthy glow’, but although the packaging and smell may be reminiscent of Sol de Janeiro’s cult cream, you won’t see the same tightening affects as the real deal. This comes down to Sol de Janeiro’s active ingredients, which the Aldi product doesn’t contain as much of.
According to Dr Takyrbashevhealth and wellness advisor at Nao, an organic superfoods company: “Sol de Janeiro boasts a high level of guarana extract, which does contain caffeine that might help with cellulite. Aldi’s doesn’t quite match this.”
This means that the dupe may not provide the same benefits that made Bum Bum cream a household name.
Sol de Janeiro’s products are renowned for their unique Brazilian ingredients and luxurious formulations. Dupes might replicate the texture and scent but may not provide the same level of skin benefits due to differences in ingredient sourcing and formulation complexity.
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 68 Perfume Mist vs Aldi’s Lacura Tropical Essence 28 Body Mist
Looking for the perfect mist to take on your late-summer holiday? Aldi’s Lacura tropical Essence 28 is a good option, but you may need to reapply it more regularly than Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 68.
@victoria.maskell Reviewing the Aldi body sprays, do they smell like their inspired by Sol products??? I think I have a clear favourite!!! If you’ve tried them, what did you think? #aldifinds #alditok #aldispecialbuys #aldiuk #aldinewin #aldibeauty #lacura #lacurabodyspray
Dr Takyrbashev says: “While both aim for a warm, tropical fragrance, the Cheriosa 68 boasts a complex blend with notes of vanilla, salted caramel and pistachio, creating a gourmand experience. Aldi’s Tropical Essence 28 leans towards a simpler, fruity-floral scent, reminiscent of coconut and vanilla.
“The longevity and projection might also differ, with the Cheriosa 68 potentially having a longer-lasting, more noticeable fragrance due to higher perfume oil concentration or different formulations.”
That said, Lacura’s version is a more cost-effective way of liberally spraying yourself with a summer scent, thanks to its £2.99 price point, while the original product costs £24 in Boots.
Tropical Essence by Lacura comes in Cuban Dreams (jasmine and dragon fruit), Havana Nights (pistachio and salted caramel), and Tropical Glow (amber plum and vanilla), but you’ll have to be quick if you want to grab one as they tend to sell out fast.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant vs Aldi’s Lacura 2% BHA Toner
If you’ve got acne-prone skin, you may be no stranger to Paula’s Choice exfoliant, which costs £36 for a 118ml bottle. It might be a steep price point, but this product is still popular with consumers worldwide. Could Aldi’s £4.99 dupe help you banish blemishes without breaking the bank?
While both products boast the same active ingredients, concentration and purity are incredibly important to consider. Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, co-founder and dermatologist at PowerYourCurls.com, explains: “Paula’s Choice is known for its science-backed formulations with active ingredients like niacinamide and BHA. Aldi’s dupes may offer similar benefits on a superficial level, but it’s essential to compare the concentration and purity of active ingredients.”
Dr Takyrbashev adds: “Paula’s Choice is founded on evidence: optimal concentrations of active ingredients. Aldi doesn’t always duplicate formulations precisely.”
for the Aldi product, so do look out for it next time you’re in store.
Aveeno’s Daily Moisturising Hand Cream vs Aldi’s Lacura Moisturising Hand Cream with Oatmeal and Glycerin
Writer Rebecca Marie Crowe is an avid Aldi dupe fan, and hails Lacur’s Moisturising Hand Cream as a great alternative to Aveeno’s Daily Moisturising Hand Cream: “The dupe felt a little bit oilier than the real version, but for a third of the price, it does the job,” she says.
Dr Takyrbashev also praises the product, agreeing that it’s a good dupe for Aveeno: “Both have oatmeal and glycerin, which can moisturise and comfort dry skin. Also, both would provide good moisture and help maintain the skin barrier,” he says.
Aldi’s version is a steal at 65p, while the original product costs £5.55 at Boots, so that’s just basic girl maths.
Conclusion: Are Lacura dupes any good?
Dr Takyrbashev says that the ingredients in dupes can be up to 90% comparable to the high-end versions, but “this remaining 10% is filled with key active ingredients or simply more superior preservatives.”
According to Dr Hamad, this means that “while dupes can be a cost-effective option for those on a budget, they may not deliver the same long-term results as the originals.”
Despite this, Dr Takyrbashev says that Aldi dupes can still work, commenting: “My patients have gotten on quite well using these more affordable options within their skincare routines, particularly for basic moisturising needs.”
Rebecca also feels positively about Lacura, saying: “Some dupes are definitely better than others, but for the price none of the ones I’ve tried have steered me far wrong.”
The consensus from our beauty experts has been to read the ingredients lists carefully and do a patch test with any dubious dupes, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Dr Takyrbashev urges bargain-hunters to look out for the following when shopping for their next steal:
- Fragrance: While dupes often nail the scent, the ‘fragrance’ ingredient can hide a mix of chemicals, some potentially irritating or allergenic. Those with sensitive skin should be cautious.
- Preservatives: High-end brands may use gentler or more effective preservatives. Dupes might opt for less expensive options that could cause irritation in some individuals.
- Dyes and colorants: Some dupes might use artificial dyes that could be problematic for sensitive skin.
- Essential oils: While natural, essential oils can be potent and irritating, especially in high concentrations or for sensitive individuals.
Have you tried any of Aldi’s Lacura dupes? What did you think? Let us know on X at @living360uk or drop us a DM on Instagram at @living360uk
