Dupes for Balancing & Clarifying Serum

by The Ordinary · Serum

3 products come close enough to call a dupe, best match first.

How the match is scored

A dupe is always the same kind of product — a serum is only compared with serums. Within that, two things are scored and blended.

Ingredient Match compares the two ingredient lists. Lists are ordered by concentration, so an ingredient near the top counts for more than one near the bottom; a dupe has to cover what matters most in the original. It weighs most of all.

Attribute Match compares what the two products are for: the benefits their ingredients are known for, such as hydrating or acne fighting. Those benefits come from the ingredients, not from tests of either product.

Only products scoring 60% or more are listed, at most 50. A match is about the formula on the label: it can't see concentrations the label doesn't print, texture, or how a product feels on your skin.

  1. Dupe #1

    Nia-Zelaic Oil Control Face Serum

    The Derma Co

    Nia-Zelaic Oil Control Face Serum

    66% match

    70% Attribute Match · 54% Ingredient Match

    They share 15 of this product's 24 ingredients (the dupe lists 32).

    Both are

    • Fragrance-free
    • EU-allergen-free
    • Alcohol-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Silicone-free
    • Sulfate-free
    • Pore-clogger-free
    • Oil-free
    • Reef-safe

    Both are likely good for

    • Hydrating
    • Barrier Repair
    • Anti-Aging
    • Firming
    • Smoothing
    • Dark Spots
    • Exfoliating
    • Anti-Pollution

    Brand price: INR 649.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · on the brand's site

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  2. Dupe #2

    Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution

    The Ordinary

    Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution

    63% match

    80% Attribute Match · 45% Ingredient Match

    They share 10 of this product's 24 ingredients (the dupe lists 18).

    Both are

    • Fragrance-free
    • EU-allergen-free
    • Alcohol-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Silicone-free
    • Sulfate-free
    • Pore-clogger-free
    • Oil-free
    • Reef-safe
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free

    Both are likely good for

    • Hydrating
    • Barrier Repair
    • Smoothing
    • Dark Spots
    • Exfoliating
    • Anti-Pollution

    Brand price: USD 13.05 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · on the brand's site

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  3. Dupe #3

    aPAD

    Geek & Gorgeous

    aPAD

    61% match

    67% Attribute Match · 46% Ingredient Match

    They share 8 of this product's 24 ingredients (the dupe lists 11).

    Both are

    • Fragrance-free
    • EU-allergen-free
    • Alcohol-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Silicone-free
    • Sulfate-free
    • Pore-clogger-free
    • Oil-free
    • Reef-safe
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free

    Both are likely good for

    • Hydrating
    • Barrier Repair
    • Smoothing
    • Exfoliating
    • Anti-Pollution

    Brand price: EUR 11.80 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site

    Compare side by side →