Drunk Elephant products are well made, but the prices add up fast. The good news is that most of what they do can be done by affordable products with similar key ingredients.
A quick note on “dupes”: none of these are identical copies. They’re budget alternatives that target the same skin concern with similar active ingredients. Results and textures will vary.
Dupes at a glance
| Drunk Elephant product | Budget alternative | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Protini Polypeptide Cream | Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream | Peptide-rich moisturizer for firmness and hydration |
| Lala Retro Whipped Cream | CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | Rich, barrier-repairing cream with ceramides |
| C-Firma Fresh Day Serum | Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid | Potent L-ascorbic acid with antioxidants |
| T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum | The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner | Glycolic acid for smoother, brighter skin |
| B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum | The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | Hyaluronic acid and panthenol for hydration |
| Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil | The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil | Same single oil, much lower price |
1. Protini Polypeptide Cream → Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Protini’s appeal is peptides in a bouncy moisturizer. Olay’s Micro-Sculpting Cream also uses peptides along with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. It’s richer, and the original has fragrance (a fragrance-free version exists).
2. Lala Retro Whipped Cream → CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Both are rich creams for dry skin. CeraVe uses ceramides, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum, and costs a fraction of the price. Read our CeraVe Moisturizing Cream review.
3. C-Firma Fresh Day Serum → Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid
C-Firma combines L-ascorbic acid with ferulic acid and antioxidants. Timeless uses the same classic vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid trio. See more in our vitamin C serums under $30.
4. T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum → The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Framboos is a strong AHA/BHA serum. The Ordinary’s glycolic toner is a simpler, cheaper way to get glycolic acid’s smoothing and brightening. Start a couple of nights a week.
5. B-Hydra → The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Both are hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 (panthenol). This is one of the easiest swaps on the list.
6. Virgin Marula Oil → The Ordinary Marula Oil
Both are single-ingredient marula oils. The Ordinary’s is cold-pressed and costs much less.
FAQ
Are dupes as good as the originals?
They’re often close for the core job, such as hydrating, exfoliating or brightening. Textures, packaging and supporting ingredients usually differ.
Are these alternatives free of the “Suspicious 6”?
Not always. Some contain fragrance or silicones. If you avoid those ingredients, check each label.
The bottom line
You don’t need to spend Drunk Elephant money to get great skin. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Timeless Vitamin C and The Ordinary’s acids and hyaluronic acid cover most of the brand’s bestsellers for a fraction of the price. Curious whether the brand is worth it at all? Read Is Drunk Elephant worth it?
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. If you have a persistent skin condition, a reaction that doesn’t settle, or you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with a dermatologist or pharmacist before trying new actives.