Now I’ve been hooked on the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant since it went viral on TikTok last year - and I couldn’t scroll longer than 5 seconds without it popping up on my feed. But the price tag however? It doesn’t come cheap at £34 for 118ml.
So imagine my delight when I hear Aldi was bringing out a Lacura dupe for just £4.99, for 100ml.
The skincare must-have that’s been used by Selena Gomez, contains all of the cult ingredients - Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Methylpropanediol, just like the famous Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, which reportedly sells one bottle every seven seconds.
Granted there’s 18ml less in the Lacura 2% BHA Toner than the OG from Paula’s Choice, but you can still save yourself £29 for the price of just one at Aldi.
First impressions, the Paula’s Choice packaging what we all know and love from the brand - with straight up information, bold lettering and everything you need to know.
As for Aldi’s? Well it’s just basic information - but still states the benefits our skin can reap in, and our pores will be unclogged, breakouts banished and skin tone improved.
They both have a gentle and lightweight formula, with both products effectively removing dead skin for a smoother, clearer, and more luminous complexion.
Additionally, it’s the BHA ingredient that offers anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce the appearance of breakouts and blackheads.
Straight off the bat, the products smell the same, look the same on a cotton pad and even felt the same on the skin.
After around 15 minutes, there was a little more of a ‘tingly' sensation on the Aldi side - but nothing my skin couldn’t handle or gave me the urge to aggressively itch my skin.
Around 40 minutes later, the side I used Paula’s Choice on felt more hydrated and the skin still felt moist. As for the Aldi side, my skin was bone dry - but neither side felt tight or uncomfortable.
Around an hour or so later, the side where the Aldi product had been applied felt slightly tighter - but I have to say, my skin felt so soft and my enlarged pores on both sides seemed to look smaller already!
When I woke up the next day, my skin looked really clear and pores still looking smaller than they did the day before - which I was really chuffed about.
The verdict? Even though Paula’s Choice puts up a really good fight, for the price, I’m going to go for Aldi’s - as you can’t beat a skincare dupe for less than a fiver!
Aldi’s new fragrance-free and vegan friendly Lacura 2% BHA Toner is available in stores from tomorrow, 18th May, while stocks last - so what are you waiting for?
