14 Cruelty-Free Viral Beauty Dupes

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask → Comfort Zone Lip Mask

I am a lip balm girl. I feel like you either are or you aren’t and I certainly am. So when the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask came onto the scene, I was dying to try it. A friend of mine gave me one while we were travelling together, and I got the hype. That mask is amazing overnight, but also as a daily lip balm. However, Laneige wasn’t, and still isn’t, cruelty-free. The cruelty-free dupe?Comfort Zone Hydramemory Hydra-Boost Lip Mask (gifted). If this wasn’t formulated in response to the Laneige hype, I’ll be very surprised. It has a similar weight and smooth application, with a little tackiness that means it’ll last all night (or all day). I love it and I’m so happy there’s a dupe for this one!

Avène Thermal Spring Water → Whind Glow Mist

I am a big believer in hydrating face sprays. They have revolutionised my skincare routine, and give me a dewier finish when I wear makeup too. The leading product has to be Avène Thermal Spring Water, but sadly it’s not cruelty-free. (Why is all French skincare tested on animals?!) My answer? Whind Oasis Veil Reviving Glow Mist. Not only is this spray deeply hydrating, it also doubles as a serum, with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Not about the price tag jump? Go for Mario Badescu Facial Spray, which made my best skincare products of 2024 list.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum → Clarins Double Serum

I once left an event with a goodie bag that contained, amongst other things, a bottle of Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Dark Spot Serum. I enjoyed using it, despite it not being cruelty-free, and while I didn’t find it helped my rosacea, it was a good serum. So, now, I can give you an exact cruelty-free alternative! My number one choice has to be Clarins Double Serum (gifted), which is the perfect serum for all skin types, and promises refined skin texture too. If price is a concern, my top tip is to go for a simple hyaluronic acid serum, and pair with a good moisturiser and SPF. Over time, your skin will thank you.

La Roche Posay SPF → Medik8 SPF

La Roche Posay isn’t cruelty-free. It’s also owned by L’Oréal, one of the biggest cosmetics brands in the world, that continues to test on animals. Despite this, La Roche Posay Anthelios Fluid SPF 50 remains the holy grail for affordable sunscreen. I’ve previously written on eco-friendly sunscreens – with mixed results – and still stand by Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Sun Drops as my favourite SPF of all time. However, at six times the price of Anthelios Fluid, it’s not a fair swap. Instead, I recommend Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF 50, which is closer in price and provides a less greasy finish, too.

Read my full review of Medik8 Skincare →

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré → Refy Face Primer

One viral beauty product I get the craze for is Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré. This cream literally looks hydrating and so satisfying to apply. My like-for-like alternative is a combo of products. First, The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Moisturiser, a low-cost, high-hydration moisturiser, followed by Refy Glow and Sculpt Face Primer. Together, you’ll have the perfect base.

Dr Jart Cicapair Colour Corrector → e.l.f. Camo Colour Corrector

This is one of the best cruelty-free dupes on the list. As a rosacea sufferer, I was blown away by the effectiveness of Dr Jart Cicapair Colour Corrector, but sad to find out that it isn’t cruelty-free. At cheaper, cruelty-free alternative that I swear by is e.l.f. Camo Colour Corrector. On my no-make-up-makeup days, I’ll wear this with a flick of brow gel and a quick eyelash curl. Not only is it as good as Dr Jart, it’s also a quarter of the price!

Tom Ford Perfume → Miller Harris Perfume

Perfume-tok was one realm of TikTok I dabbled in when I still had the app. (I deleted it at the start of this year and my concentration span has never been better). Aside from the artisanal, £300-a-bottle perfumes I saw, Tom Ford Eau de Parfum was a regular recommendation. However, Tom Ford is one of the lowest-rated fashion brands for transparency, and its beauty line is not cruelty-free. My alternative: Miller Harris. This Postive Luxury-certified perfumer offers heady, complex scents that draw compliments all day, and rival Tom Ford easily. My favourite scent has to be Miller Harris Soufflot*, but for Tom Ford dupes consider Etui Noir* for Ombre Leather, or Coeur de Jardin* in place of Cafe Rose.

Clinique Almost Lipstick → Noto Beauty Multi Bene Stick

Last year, Clinique Almost Lipstick almost broke the internet. I can’t tell you how much I wanted to wear the Black Honey shade – but Clinique isn’t cruelty free. Thankfully, I had already found a very similar, cruelty-free lip tint that my local vintage store stocked. Meet the Noto Beauty Multi Bene Stick. I have been wearing this perfect blend of lip balm and lip colour for five years now. It is my go-to lipstick, offering a blendable, just-kissed lip look. Noto Beauty is a skincare-first cosmetics brand and I really think that shows across their lip tints. My favourite shade is Oscillate, a true red, but Genet is the closest match to Black Honey.

Dior Lip Glow Butter → Clarins Tinted Lip Oil

Another luxury fashion brand with a beauty line that tests on animals is Dior. Their Lip Glow Butter seemed to be in every beauty influencer’s makeup bag at one point, but I just can’t justify it’s unethical production for a shiny smile. My alternative? Clarins Tinted Lip Oil* (gifted). Just like my Noto Beauty lip tint, I really love this lip oil for its hydrating nature. Personally, I like the Lip Comfort Oil in 01 Honey, but there’s a whole range of colours to compete with Dior.

Klorane Strengthening Shampoo → KMS Shampoo

Klorane’s Strengthening Shampoo became a viral beauty product round about when rosemary oil started trending. Many women (and men, and non-binary people) struggle with thin, limp hair. These products apparently remedy it. Personally, this is one issue I don’t experience. But! I do have a great recommendation for a cruelty-free alternative to Klorane. Meet: KMS. This high-end salon haircare range started selling their award-winning products in home bathroom-sized bottles back in 2023. I reviewed them back then, and haven’t stopped using them since! My favourite range is the Moist Repair range, which leaves my hair smooth and silky. As an alternative to Klorane, I recommend trying the KMS Add Volume range!

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil → Davines Oi Oil

Last year my sister gave me a sample of Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil and I finally got what all the hype was about. I like taking care of my hair, and as I’ve gotten older, it’s gotten drier, so hair oil has crept it’s way up the list of essential beauty products. However, Nuxe isn’t cruelty-free. My alternative? Davines Oi Oil Beautifying Potion. This is a step up from Nuxe; it’s thicker, has a more balanced scent, and ultimately leaves my hair happy. Big fan.

Bioderma Micellar Water → Garnier Micellar Water

When it comes to micellar water, efficacy is the deciding factor. They’re the carton of milk in everyone’s bathroom cupboard really. So why is it that Bioderma is the viral product? Honestly, I think it’s to do with the travel-sized bottles. Instead, go for cruelty-free Garnier Micella Water, which is cheaper too. Save those pennies, and save the animals too.

Vichy Minéral Eye Gel → Dr Hauschka Eye Cream

Another French skincare brand, another cruelty-free dupe. While Vichy Minéral 89 Eyes Hyaluronic Acid Eye Gel might be the viral product, my favourite, like-for-like recommendation is Dr. Hauschka Daily Hydrating Eye Cream. Now, you might pay a little bit more for a little bit less, but this eye cream is just as hydrating and de-puffing as Vichy, and no animals were harmed in the making of it either.

Erborian Skin Therapy Night Oil → L’Occitane Immortelle Reset Night Serum

Finally, let’s talk night oil. I like to wear more hydrating products at night (usually in combination with a retinoid) and Erborian Skin Therapy Multi Perfecting Night Oil is the one I see all over the place. Unfortunately, Erborian is not cruelty-free. But, L’Occitane Immortelle Reset Night Serum* is! This serum provides both skin resurfacing and skin barrier strengthening. It’s a potent little serum, and comes in a potion-style bottle to match. Plus L’Occitane is B-Corp certified, meaning their products are made more sustainably, with a focus on social sustainability too.