Trader Joe’s Skincare Dupes: Our Honest Review + Best Buys Under $13

Trader Joe’s Skincare Dupes: Our Honest Review + Best Buys Under $13

Trader Joe’s skincare dupes are having a moment. And if you’ve seen even one TikTok about them, you’ve probably wondered the same thing we did:

Are these actually good… or is this just the internet being dramatic again?

I’m Monina (hi 👋), and in this episode Velia and I did a full Trader Joe’s skincare haul — like, we grabbed basically every skincare product they had and tested a bunch of them right on camera.

We walked out with around 15 full-size items for about $123, and honestly… the price comparisons were wild.

One important note before we jump in: when people say “dupe,” they usually mean it looks, feels, smells, or performs similarly — and sometimes has overlapping ingredients. We’re not saying these are made exactly the same as the higher-end products. But if you like a “similar vibe for way less money” situation, keep reading.

Why Trader Joe’s Has So Many “Dupes”

Trader Joe’s is known for store-brand versions of popular items, and skincare is no different.

A lot of this comes down to something called white labeling — which basically means a product can be made by a manufacturer, tweaked a bit, and sold under a store label. That’s how multiple brands can end up with products that feel really similar.

Still, testing, ingredient quality, and formulation details can vary. So think of these as “close cousins,” not identical twins.

What We Bought + How We Tested It

Velia came in like it was Christmas morning and bought everything in sight. Then we tried several products in real time, in the correct general order skincare is usually applied (cleanse → tone → serums → moisturizer → SPF).

And yes, we layered a lot. Which led to a very real reminder:

Your skin can only absorb so much.

If you’ve ever had products start to pill or roll up on your face, that’s usually a sign you’ve stacked too many layers or used too much product.

Trader Joe’s Skincare Dupes We Tried (With Price Comparisons)

Here are the products we tested and what they’re commonly compared to.

1) Marula Oil Cleanser

This is a creamy oil cleanser that doesn’t foam much (that’s normal for oil cleansers). No noticeable scent, and it left skin feeling soft and moisturized.

  • Trader Joe’s Marula Oil Cleanser (5 oz): $6.99
  • Compared to Drunk Elephant Mello Marula Cream Cleanser: $36

If you want something gentle that doesn’t leave you feeling stripped, this one felt like a solid pick.

2) Microdermabrasion Scrub

This one surprised us in a good way. It’s a fine physical exfoliant (fine grains are safer for face), plus it includes fruit extracts that give it a bit of an enzyme vibe too.

  • Trader Joe’s Microdermabrasion (2 oz): $4.99
  • Compared to Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion: $59
  • Or Dr. Brandt Age Defying Exfoliator: $79

We both noticed a brighter, smoother look — even on hands — which made it super obvious it’s doing something.

3) Rose Water Facial Toner

Smells like rose and feels like a classic toner step after cleansing.

  • Trader Joe’s Rose Water Toner (4 oz): $3.99
  • Compared to Mario Badescu Rose Spray: $8

This one is a simple, easy add-on if you like light hydration and that rose scent.

4) Marula Facial Oil

This one was one of the most shocking price comparisons. And reminder: facial oils aren’t automatically “too much” for oily or combo skin — it’s usually about how much you use.

One drop is plenty.

  • Trader Joe’s Marula Facial Oil (0.85 oz): $6.99
  • Compared to Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil: $72

If you do gua sha or facial massage, this has great slip and will last forever.

The Serum Lineup: Hydration + “Primer Feel” Surprise

5) Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum

Smooth, slick, and fragrance-free. We liked how it felt, and one pump was honestly enough.

  • Trader Joe’s Hyaluronic Serum (1 oz): $8.99
  • Compared to The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5: $10
  • Compared to SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier: $120

If you want basic hydration without fragrance, it’s an easy yes.

6) Antioxidant Facial Serum

This one felt velvety and smooth because it includes dimethicone (a silicone). It honestly reminded us of a primer texture, and the ingredient list looked surprisingly stacked.

  • Trader Joe’s Antioxidant Serum (1 oz): $9.99
  • Compared to SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic: $185

No, we’re not saying it’s identical. But for ten bucks? It’s worth trying.

7) Retinol Night Serum (0.3%)

This retinol percentage is stronger than a lot of over-the-counter retinols. It also includes hydrating ingredients and salicylic acid.

  • Trader Joe’s Retinol Night Serum: $9.99
  • Compared to INNBEAUTY Project Retinol Remix: $56

If you’re new to retinol, go slow and don’t stack it with a bunch of other actives at first.

Moisturizers + Sunscreen: Oily Skin Friendly Picks

8) Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer

This one is light, gel-based, fragrance-free, and includes aloe + green tea. It felt super wearable.

  • Trader Joe’s Gel Moisturizer (2.5 oz): $8.99
  • Compared to Clinique Moisture Surge (1.7 oz): $47

And the Trader Joe’s version is bigger, which is always a win.

9) Trader Joe’s Night Cream

Thicker, creamier, meant for night. It includes ingredients like sea moss extract, fermented mushroom complex, and sodium hyaluronate.

  • Trader Joe’s Night Cream (2 oz): $9.99
  • Compared to Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ (1.7 oz): $135

A great option if you want a richer night moisturizer without fragrance.

10) Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40

You have to shake this one (it separates). After shaking, it felt lightweight and dried down more matte — which is great for oily/combo skin.

  • Trader Joe’s Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 (1.7 oz): $12.99
  • Compared to Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: $38

We were watching for white cast, and it spread nicely — but always test on your own skin and use the right amount.

Masks + Lip Care: The Fun Stuff We’d Gift

11) Honey Hydration Face Mask

Smells like honey and feels super hydrating and calming. Also bigger than the “dupe” product it’s compared to.

  • Trader Joe’s Honey Face Mask (2.6 oz): $7.99
  • Compared to Farmacy Honey Potion: $45

If you do masks, this one felt like a cozy night-in option.

12) Lip Mask Duo (Overnight Mask + Balm)

Smells like gummy bears. Cute. Practical. Great for dry lips.

  • Trader Joe’s Lip Duo: $6.99
  • Compared to Laneige Sleeping Mask Duo: $44

13) Cinnamon Roll Lip Mask

Smells like cinnamon rolls and looks swirly in the pot. Same feel as the duo, just a different scent.

  • Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Roll Lip Mask: $5.99
  • Compared to Laneige Lip Mask: $24

These would make the cutest little gift basket for teens, friends, or honestly… yourself.

Hand + Body: The L’Occitane-Lookalike

14) Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream

Thick, rich, and very “fancy hand cream” feeling. Sweet almond scent and 20% shea butter.

  • Trader Joe’s Hand Cream (3 oz): $4.99
  • Compared to L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream (3 oz): $42

Only downside: it’s thick, so squeezing it out takes a minute. But once it’s out, it feels amazing.

Don’t Forget The Wipes

We also used (and loved) the cucumber citrus face + body wipes. Great for makeup removal and easy to throw in a bag.

  • Trader Joe’s Face + Body Wipes: $3.99

Final Take: Would We Buy These Again?

Honestly? Yes — at least a few of them.

These aren’t guaranteed to perform exactly like the expensive versions, but for the prices and how many felt on the skin, this was a super fun (and surprisingly impressive) haul.

If you’ve tried any Trader Joe’s skincare products, tell us what you love — and if there’s something we missed, we’ll go back for round two.

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