Chemist reveals the best Trader Joe’s skincare dupes for pricey brands like Drunk Elephant, Crème de la Mer and Supergoop

Trader Joe’s is known for its cheap groceries, and beauty enthusiasts have long loved the cheap beauty knockoffs that mimic popular, expensive products.

But how do you know which are the best bargains and which actually work?

San Diego, California-based medicinal chemist Sarah Babula listed her favorite products for her 54,000 TikTok followers. Many commenters noted their favorite products, which are knockoffs from skincare brands like Drunk Elephant, Crème de la Mer, Supergoop and more.

The viral video quickly racked up over 240,000 views. Sarah wrote in the caption, “We love affordable skincare,” and her followers agreed.

“I’m a chemist and these are some of the very affordable skin care products from Trader Joe’s that I would recommend to people,” the scientist explained.

Commenters were quick to share their favorite Trader Joe’s dupes for expensive Sephora products

Sarah said the supermarket chain’s antioxidant face serum is her favorite serum and it’s only $10.

The serum contains retinol, green tea and vitamin K1, which is essential for bone building, vitamin D3, which protects against UV light, vitamin E, which keeps the skin soft, and vitamin B5, which reduces signs of aging.

The oil-free moisturizer has similar ingredients and is a lightweight option.

Sarah also favors the “super light yet very hydrating” Ultra Hydrating Gel Moisturizer, for $9, which contains humectants and aloe and green tea extract.

“Drunk Elephant charges a lot of money for this oil, but here you can get it for about $7, so it’s not that expensive,” she said of the Marula oil, which costs $69 at Sephora.

“If you want an oil that absorbs very easily, but isn’t too thick,” the chemist recommends argan oil.

Sarah also recommends the Hydrating Biocellulose Face Mask for $3, made with green tea, turmeric, pomegranate, and aloe. She says face masks are fun, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money on them.

The $6 Vanilla Lip Mask is another favorite product because “you never need to spend a lot of money on a lip mask” because “Aquaphor works great” and contains these oils and antioxidants.

Commenters came up with their own dupes, with one saying, “That gel moisturizer has the same ingredients as La Mer,” which can retail for up to $390.

“Drunk Elephant charges you a lot of money for this oil, but you can get it here for about $7, so it doesn’t cost that much,” she said of the Marula oil, which costs $69 at Sephora.

The $6 Vanilla Lip Mask is another fan-favorite product — it’s similar to the super popular $24 Laneige Sleeping Mask that celebs like Alix Earle and Sydney Sweeney love, but with a lower price tag.

The Daily Facial Sunscreen is another suggestion, which one commenter compared to the $40 Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

The vanilla lip mask is similar to the super-popular $24 Laneige sleeping mask that celebs like Alix Earle and Sydney Sweeney love, but with a lower price tag.

The daily facial sunscreen is another pharmacist recommendation, which one commenter compared to the $40 Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen.

Sarah isn’t the only one who thinks Marula oil works wonders.

“I used to work at a Sephora next to a Trader Joe’s and when people asked me about Drunk Elephant I would always tell them to get Marula oil from TJs,” one commenter said, referring to the $69 product that teens love.

And the gel moisturizer proved to be a success with followers.

Others came up with their own imitations. One said, “That gel moisturizer has the same ingredients as La Mer,” which retails for $390 and is one of the most expensive beauty products in the world.