Same formula is rare. Same job is common. We keep those apart.
Most “Korean dupe” lists match a feeling. These pages match an ingredient list first, then say what the Korean product actually does if the list is different.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
Galactomyces ferment filtrate vs other first essences. COSRX is the close ingredient match. Missha 5X is not the same yeast.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
The 15% L-ascorbic + vitamin E + ferulic formula. Korean vitamin C is usually a different molecule. Several popular “dupes” contain no L-ascorbic acid.
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
3% TXA + 1% kojic + 5% niacinamide. Anua is 10% niacinamide + 4% TXA + 2% arbutin — same job, not that stack. Cheap 10% niacinamide is The Ordinary.
Caudalie Vinoperfect
Viniferine brightening serum versus AXIS-Y’s 5% niacinamide. Same dark-spot job, different actives, size and availability.
Clinique Moisture Surge 100H
Oil-free aloe bioferment + HA gel moisturizer versus Isntree’s HA-led aqua gel. Same light-hydration job, different formula.
Rhode Glazing Milk
Ceramide facial essence versus haruharu’s black-rice ferment and lipid system. Same milky barrier-hydration job, different formula.
Supergoop Unseen SPF 50
Invisible gel-primer sunscreen versus Round Lab’s hydrating Sun Serum. Same daily-face-SPF job, different filter lists and finishes.
Drunk Elephant Protini
Nine named peptides in a cream. Korean peptide products exist. They are not this cream.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos
10% AHA + 1% salicylic acid. COSRX AHA 7 shares glycolic acid at 7%; Some By Mi is a milder multi-acid job match.
Sunday Riley Good Genes
Lactic acid versus COSRX AHA 7's 7% glycolic acid. Same broad exfoliation job, different molecule and formula.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA
2% salicylic acid. Anua’s toner lists the same acid. COSRX BHA is 4% betaine salicylate — a job match, not a 2% dupe.
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair
MISSHA 5X puts Bifida Ferment Lysate first too. The shared ferment is real; 77.2% Extreme Biome is not the same formula.
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Rice ferment filtrate, squalane, scent and mica. Aestura and haruharu are rich Korean creams for the same step — ceramide formulas, not ferment copies.
Tatcha The Water Cream
Rice ferment leads the gel cream. Purito Hydro Wave is the light hydration job match; Laneige Water Bank is the richer barrier option.
EltaMD UV Clear
9% zinc oxide + 7.5% octinoxate, with 5% niacinamide. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is a daily SPF job match with a different filter set — and not the BOJ sold at Sephora.
Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol
1% retinol in a lotion. COSRX’s oil is 0.5% retinol. Beauty of Joseon Revive is retinal — and “2% liposome” is not 2% retinal.
La Mer Crème de la Mer
Algae extract, mineral oil and petrolatum versus COSRX’s 92% snail secretion filtrate. A much cheaper hydration job match, not a Miracle Broth copy.
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
US$315 TFC8-rich cream versus AESTURA’s ceramide-and-lipid barrier cream. Same rich-moisturizer job, not the same formula.
How a comparison is allowed on this site
A product is a formula match only if the lead actives and their form are the same — for example galactomyces ferment filtrate, or 15% L-ascorbic acid with vitamin E and ferulic acid at low pH.
A product is a job match if it is used for a similar step (first essence, morning antioxidant, peptide moisturizer) but the INCI is different. Job matches can still be useful. They are not dupes.
If a roundup on the internet treats a job match as a formula match, we say so.