We Tested Trader Joe’s Skincare Dupes… Here’s What Surprised Us
We Tested Trader Joe’s Skincare Dupes… Here’s What Surprised Us
Trader Joe’s is out here acting like a skincare aisle… and we had to investigate.
Because if TikTok is right, some of these Trader Joe’s products are “just like” the pricey stuff — but for a tiny fraction of the cost.
So we did what any two beauty nerds would do: we went to Trader Joe’s and bought basically every skincare item they had. Total damage? About $123 for around 15 full-size products.
And yes… we tested a bunch of them on camera.
Before we jump in: these are called “dupes” because they look, feel, smell, or perform similarly — and sometimes have overlapping ingredients.
We’re not saying they’re made by the exact same manufacturer or that they’ll give identical results. But if you want similar vibes for less money, this episode is for you.
What Makes Trader Joe’s a “Dupe” Goldmine?
A lot of store-brand lookalikes happen because of something called white labeling — basically, products can be made by the same type of manufacturers, tweaked slightly, and then sold under a different label.
That’s why Trader Joe’s can create products that feel super familiar if you’ve used popular skincare brands
before.
But again: similar doesn’t mean identical. Testing, formulation tweaks, and ingredient quality can vary — and that can change results.
Our Trader Joe’s Skincare Haul: Best Finds + Price Shocks
We’re going to walk through the products we tested and what they’re “like,” plus the price comparisons that made our jaws drop.
Marula Oil Cleanser
This is a creamy, non-foaming cleanser (because it’s an oil cleanser). No noticeable scent, and it left skin feeling soft and moisturized.
- Trader Joe’s Marula Oil Cleanser (5 oz): $6.99
- “Like” Drunk Elephant Mello Marula Cream Cleanser: $36
If you like a gentle, creamy cleanser that doesn’t feel stripping, this one was a strong start.
Microdermabrasion Scrub
This one surprised us. It’s a fine-grain scrub (important — big gritty scrubs can be too harsh for face). It also includes fruit extracts, so it’s giving a little enzyme + physical exfoliation combo.
- Trader Joe’s Microdermabrasion (2 oz): $4.99
- “Like” Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion: $59
- Or “like” Dr. Brandt Age Defying Exfoliator: $79
We both noticed hands looked brighter after using it. It’s that “okay I see you” kind of exfoliant.
Rose Water Facial Toner
Smells like rose (in a good way). Nice as a post-cleanse step before serums.
- Trader Joe’s Rose Water Toner (4 oz): $3.99
- “Like” Mario Badescu Rose Spray: $8
Not a wild price gap, but still a solid buy if you love rose water vibes.
Marula Facial Oil
This was one of the biggest price shocks. And reminder: facial oil doesn’t automatically mean “greasy.” Even oily/combo skin can use oils — it’s often about how much you use.
One drop goes a long way.
- Trader Joe’s Marula Facial Oil (0.85 oz): $6.99
- “Like” Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil: $72
If you want slip for gua sha or facial massage, this one feels like a smart pick.
Layering Tip: You Don’t Need All of This
Real talk: your skin can only absorb so much.
We layered toner, oil, hyaluronic serum… and once we kept stacking products, we started seeing that rolling/peeling effect. That’s your sign you’ve overdone it.
You don’t need every product in this episode. We just tested them all so you don’t have to.
The Serum Lineup: Hydration + “Primer-Like” Surprise
Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum
Simple, slick, no fragrance. We liked the feel — but one pump was honestly plenty.
- Trader Joe’s Hyaluronic Serum (1 oz): $8.99
- “Like” The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid: $10
- Compared to SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier: $120
If you want basic hydration without fragrance, it’s a good, easy choice.
Antioxidant Facial Serum
This one felt velvety and very silicone-smooth (dimethicone), almost like it could double as a primer. Also loaded with interesting ingredients like resveratrol and peptides.
- Trader Joe’s Antioxidant Serum (1 oz): $9.99
- “Like” SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic: $185
That price comparison is honestly wild. And again — not saying it’s identical. But for $10? It’s worth trying.
Retinol Night Serum (0.3%)
This one was impressive for an over-the-counter retinol percentage. It also includes hydrating ingredients and even salicylic acid.
- Trader Joe’s Retinol Night Serum: $9.99
- “Like” INNBEAUTY Project Retinol Remix: $56
Tip: retinol is one of those “go slow” products. Don’t stack it with a million other actives on day one.
Moisturizers + SPF: The “Oily Skin” Favorites
Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer
Lightweight gel texture, no fragrance, aloe + green tea. This one is a strong pick for oily or combo skin.
- Trader Joe’s Gel Moisturizer (2.5 oz): $8.99
- “Like” Clinique Moisture Surge (1.7 oz): $47
And the Trader Joe’s one is bigger. Love that.
Trader Joe’s Night Cream
Thicker, creamier, meant for night. Ingredients like sea moss extract and mushroom complex made us do a double take.
- Trader Joe’s Night Cream (2 oz): $9.99
- “Like” Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ (1.7 oz): $135
If you want a richer night moisturizer without fragrance, this one is worth a look.
Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
This one needed shaking (it separates). Once shaken, the texture felt really good and dried down more matte — great for oily/combo skin folks.
- Trader Joe’s Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 (1.7 oz): $12.99
- “Like” Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: $38
Bonus: we were watching for white cast, and it spread well. Always test on your skin tone and use the right amount.
Masks + Lip Care: The Fun Stuff
Honey Hydration Face Mask
Smells like honey and feels super hydrating and calming. Also bigger than the “dupe” option.
- Trader Joe’s Honey Face Mask (2.6 oz): $7.99
- “Like” Farmacy Honey Potion: $45
Pro tip from the treatment room: use a fan brush to apply masks. It’s cleaner and feels fancy.
Lip Mask Duo (Overnight + Balm)
Smells like gummy bears. Cute. Practical. Great for dry lips.
- Trader Joe’s Lip Duo: $6.99
- “Like” Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Duo: $44
Cinnamon Roll Lip Mask
Smells like a cinnamon roll and looks swirly in the pot. Same feel as the duo, just different scent.
- Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Roll Lip Mask: $5.99
- “Like” Laneige Lip Mask: $24
Honestly? These would make the cutest gift basket for teens, friends, or you.
Hand + Body: The L’Occitane Lookalike
Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream
Thick like the real deal. Sweet almond scent. Loaded with shea butter (20%).
- Trader Joe’s Hand Cream (3 oz): $4.99
- “Like” L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream (3 oz): $42
The only downside: it’s thick, so it takes a minute to squeeze out. But once it’s out, it feels amazing.
Don’t Sleep On The Face + Body Wipes
We also loved the cucumber citrus face + body wipes. They’re great for removing makeup and perfect for a kit.
- Trader Joe’s Wipes: $3.99
If you want something easy for travel, the gym, or your car… add these to your cart.
Final Thoughts: Are Trader Joe’s Skincare Dupes Worth It?
If you want to try new skincare without spending a fortune, this was a really fun experiment.
Are they identical to the expensive versions? No. But for the price, the ingredients, and the feel of a lot of these products… we were genuinely impressed.
If you’ve tried any Trader Joe’s skincare (or found a dupe we missed), tell us. We want to know what’s actually worth buying.
