Skincareproductcoder

Stop overpaying for “viral” marketing.

As a cosmetic chemist, I look past the hype to see what’s actually inside the bottle. Most of the time, you’re not paying for a “miracle” ingredient—you’re paying for branding and luxury markup.

I loved this template by and had to use it to share my Chemist Cheat Sheet:

👉Tower 28 SOS Spray: Use a generic HOCl spray—it’s the same antimicrobial for a fraction of the price.

👉Glow Recipe Dew Drops: That “glow” comes from surface-level film-formers. Its not a dupe but once it dries on skin it gives the same glow underneath makeup. Save $20+ with or Trader Joe’s alternatives.

👉Anua Collagen Patches: Collagen can’t pe*****te skin—it just sits on the surface. Skip the patches; use their hydrating mist instead.

👉Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: Trader Joe’s and e.l.f. versions give a very similar “invisible” finish.

👉Medicube Mask: I find the product gimmicky if glass skin is your goal then use the new PDRN serum instead.

👉Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9: The Marula Oil Cleanser is one of the closest matches out there that I can actually say is a dupe.

Which viral product surprised you the most? Or have you already switched to dupes?

Save this for your next restock

Share with someone who loves a good dupe.

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