'Aldi just released a $20 dupe for a cult $200 serum so I got my mitts on it.'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Beauty Editor trials the Lacura HA5+ Hyaluronic Serum.

There's nothing quite as sad as falling in love with a very expensive skincare product. It's truly cruel.

For me, one such product is Lancôme's cult Advanced Génifique Serum. 

Much like my obsession with the eye-wateringly expensive but oh-so-good SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum, my love for this iconic Lancôme serum runs deep.

Teeny tiny detail, though. A 30ml bottle of Lancôme Advanced Génifique Serum will cost you $140. For the 50ml, it's $200 — and then it keeps going up from there, with 115ml costing a hurty $315.

Sigh.

Watch: 7 ways to improve your skin while sleeping. Post continues below.

The good news? Nowadays, there's a more affordable dupe for just about every single product on the market. 

The catch? Some of these dupes are really very good. Others are... not so good. 

So when ALDI told me they were launching the new LACURA® HA5+ Hyaluronic Serum, $19.99 — a product that looks eerily similar to Lancome's iconic serum, I knew I had to get my hands on it and see which basket it fell into.

Here's what happened when I tried it.

What is LACURA HA5+ Hyaluronic Serum?

Containing five different types of hyaluronic acid that help to attract and lock in moisture to the skin, the LACURA HA5+ Hyaluronic Serum promises to provide the ultimate dose of hydration.

It also contains a powerful complex of acacia and a natural biopolymer aimed to tighten and boost moisture for a plump and glowing complexion.

Sounds pretty good, right?

Here's what it looks like:

Here it is! 

To jog your memory, here's the OG Lancôme formula:

The OG.

Yeah, she's SIMILAR.

As mentioned before, the LACURA serum costs $20 in comparison to the spendy Lancôme formula — plus, you can snap it up at ALDI along with your bolognese sauce and deodorant. Which is just a good time in itself, really.

How did you go with it?

I squeezed out the same amount on my hand and applied each one on either side of my face.

Compare the pair.

I found the LACURA formula to be a tiny bit thicker in texture and the consistency is more like a gel formula. It's clearer in appearance and more fragranced than Lancôme's formula. It's not an offensive scent — it's similar to Lancome's but just more intense. It actually smells nice, but if you're sensitive to fragrance, it's maybe not for you. 

The finish on LACURA is a little stickier and a tiny bit tacky, whereas Lancôme's formula is more lightweight in texture (a little runnier) and dries down non-sticky. 

Also, a little goes a long way with the Lancôme formula — I found there was enough serum to apply it right down my neck.

Similar to the OG, I found the LACURA formula felt immediately hydrating and absorbed quickly into the skin and had a delightfully non-greasy feel. It played nice under my makeup and made my skin feel happy, hydrated and comfortable throughout the whole day. 

Another difference I noticed? The quality of the packaging. More specifically, dropper. 

While the bottle itself is just as weight-y and beautiful as the OG dupe, I noticed the LACURA dropper, which has a near-identical push button on the lid, just DID NOT want to work. 

Now, I'm not sure if I just had a dodgy one, but after about 70, 000 pumps, I finally got some serum in the dropper (it's almost impossible to get the stuff out of the bottle without the dropper because it has that gel texture!). But geez, I had to work for it. 

The verdict.

Overall, I think the LACURA HA+ Serum is a really nice serum that offers instant results — my skin feels immediately hydrated, softer and smoother.

While I can't speak for ageing benefits such as tightening the skin, I can honestly say this serum packs a real punch on the moisture-boosting front, and it's perfect for those who struggle with dull, thirsty skin. 

All in all though, if you're looking for a hydrating serum that won't break the bank, this formula is really fabulous option that feels just as luxe (minus the dodgy dropper). It's one of those all-rounder serums pretty much anyone can use. 

Give it a whirl for yourself!

Have you tried the Lacura formula yet? What are your thoughts? Share them with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied/Erin Docherty.

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