Dupe, There It Is: Clean Swaps for Your Faves 😉

As the founder of KYIR, a clean haircare brand rooted in real results and radical transparency, I created KYIR out of a deep desire to give people better—for their hair and their health. After spending more than 15 years in the beauty industry—starting in the world of big-name, not-so-clean beauty and eventually transitioning into the clean space—I’ve seen both sides of the shelf. And here’s what I know for sure: clean beauty doesn’t mean compromise. In fact, when done right, it often performs better.

Over the years, I’ve tried just about everything—from iconic department store staples to under-the-radar clean brands—and I’ve found clean alternatives that deliver the same (if not better) payoff, without the questionable ingredients. These swaps aren’t just theories—they’re products I’ve personally used and recommended to my clients time and time again. Whether you’re just beginning to detox your beauty routine or you're already well on your clean beauty journey, these are my all-time favorite replacements for some of beauty’s most beloved cult classics.

💸 If You Love: La Mer Crème de la Mer

There’s no denying it—Crème de la Mer is a cult favorite, known for its ultra-rich texture and skin-soothing promise. But longtime fans have noticed that something shifted after Estée Lauder acquired the brand. While it still touts its signature “Miracle Broth,” a closer look at the ingredient list reveals some less-than-clean components, like mineral oil, petrolatum, and synthetic fragrance—ingredients that can clog pores, irritate sensitive skin, and do more harm than good over time. A beautiful clean alternative is African Botanics Intense Skin Repair Balm, which delivers the same decadent texture but with powerful, plant-based healing ingredients like marula, baobab, and fermented rooibos. It’s deeply reparative, incredibly soothing for sensitive skin, and free from fillers, synthetics, and petrochemicals—proving you don’t need to compromise on luxury to go clean.

✨ If You Love: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

While Giorgio Armani may have mastered fabrics, when it comes to clean ingredients, the Luminous Silk Foundation doesn’t quite make the cut. It’s loved for its effortlessly radiant, lightweight finish that feels like a second skin and blurs imperfections beautifully. But beneath the luxe texture are ingredients like dimethicone, a silicone that can trap dirt and oil in pores, and synthetic fragrance, which can be irritating or sensitizing for some skin types. For those prioritizing cleaner beauty, this means you might be sacrificing gentler, more nourishing ingredients for glow.

A fantastic, clean alternative is Credo Beauty’s Exa High Fidelity Foundation. Credo is rooted in clean beauty principles, and their house brand reflects that commitment with transparent, non-toxic formulations. Exa uses skin-friendly ingredients like squalane for hydration, plant-based pigments for a natural finish, and soothing antioxidants. It offers a look that’s just as luminous and lightweight as Armani’s, making it a close dupe—if not better, thanks to its nourishing, clean ingredients.

👁️ If You Love: DiorShow Mascara

Back in my early days working for Dior in Manhattan—a dream fashion house and iconic makeup brand—I quickly fell in love with their beautiful packaging and the buzz around DiorShow Mascara. It was, without a doubt, one of the most requested products on the floor, known for delivering dramatic volume and length with just a few swipes. Fun fact: the original DiorShow brush was inspired by models using toothbrushes to apply mascara back in the day, which explains its signature “Christmas tree” shape designed to coat every lash.

But while the packaging and performance are undeniably luxe, the formula includes synthetic polymers and silicones like dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane, which can trap debris and sometimes irritate sensitive eyes. There’s also fragrance, a common irritant around the delicate eye area, which doesn’t align with a clean beauty ethos.

For a clean swap, I love RMS Beauty’s Straight Up Volumizing Peptide Mascara. It features nourishing ingredients like organic shea butter, beeswax, and jojoba oil that condition lashes while delivering bold volume. Plus, its brush is similarly iconic with a unique shape that grabs and separates lashes beautifully. It’s a mascara that performs like a dream—without compromising on clean, gentle ingredients.

💡 If You Love: YSL Touche Éclat

YSL’s Touche Éclat is as iconic as Yves Saint Laurent’s groundbreaking Opium commercial—an instant classic, loved for its effortless glow and the ease of clicking it on for quick, on-the-go brightening. It’s a must-have in countless makeup bags thanks to its lightweight formula that instantly illuminates and conceals, creating that coveted “lit-from-within” look with just a few strokes.

But here’s the thing—while you’re clicking the pen for a flawless finish, the ingredients inside might be a bit of click-bait. The formula contains silicones like dimethicone, which smooth the skin but can trap impurities, plus synthetic fragrance that can irritate sensitive under-eyes. So, if you’re after that glow without the less gentle extras, it’s worth exploring cleaner alternatives.

A fabulous clean swap is Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Concealer Pen. This sleek click-pen delivers a silky, hydrating texture that glides on effortlessly, brightening and smoothing without settling into fine lines. What really sets it apart is the inclusion of the iconic TFC8® Bader complex—a powerful blend of antioxidants and peptides that helps to visibly improve skin’s texture and radiance over time. Plus, it keeps the fun “click” format we love, proving that—just like Victoria Beckham herself—this concealer pen is effortlessly iconic and always on point.

🧴 If You Love: Smashbox Photo Finish Matte Primer

Smashbox’s Photo Finish Matte Primer has been a staple in many routines for years—famous for its ability to smooth skin, control oil, and create the perfect matte canvas for foundation. It’s a go-to for oily or combination skin types looking to extend wear and reduce shine.

However, this primer relies heavily on silicones like dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane to create that pore-blurring effect. While effective, these ingredients can trap oils and debris in pores, potentially leading to breakouts—especially for sensitive skin. Synthetic preservatives and fragrances don’t help either.

A clean and luxurious alternative is Grown Alchemist Skin Defense Primer. Formulated with powerful antioxidants and nourishing botanical extracts like white tea and pomegranate, it not only primes skin but also protects against environmental stressors. Its lightweight, matte finish absorbs excess oil naturally without relying on heavy silicones—making it perfect for those seeking a clean, protective base that supports skin health.

☀️ If You Love: Supergoop! Glow Screen

Supergoop! Glow Screen has become a cult favorite for its dewy finish and light, natural glow. It’s loved for layering under makeup or wearing solo on no-makeup days. But the hype starts to fade when you look closer at the ingredient list.

While it delivers a glow, Glow Screen relies on chemical sunscreen filters like avobenzone and octinoxate, which we want to avoid due to concerns over aluminum content and skin sensitivity. The formula also contains synthetic preservatives and other ingredients that don’t quite align with a clean beauty ethos.

A clean and safe alternative is Odacité Tinted Mineral Drops. Unlike chemical sunscreens, Odacité uses physical filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which sit on top of the skin to reflect UV rays without absorption. With SPF 50—even more protection than many chemical formulas—it leaves the skin looking flawless and naturally radiant, all while being completely undetectable.

🧬 If You Love: Kérastase Genesis Serum

Kérastase is owned by L’Oréal, a giant in the beauty world that doesn’t prioritize clean formulations. The Genesis Serum is marketed to reduce hair fall caused by breakage and improve hair strength and scalp health. But its ingredient list includes synthetic fragrances (like limonene and citronellol) and preservatives such as methylisothiazolinone, which can be sensitizing or irritating for some scalps.

A cleaner, more effective option? KYIR Stronger Hair Bonding Spray. This powerhouse bonding treatment helps rebuild and protect hair with keratin, flax seed, oat proteins, amino acids, and restorative botanicals. It’s clean, performance-driven, and made to support healthy hair growth while caring for your scalp. Because strong hair starts with a strong foundation—and that’s exactly what we’re here for.

We’ve come such a long way in clean beauty, and it’s exciting to see so many amazing alternatives that not only match but often surpass the iconic products that became legendary on the Bergdorf Goodman beauty floor. These swaps prove you don’t have to compromise on performance or luxury to choose cleaner, healthier options for your skin and hair. Whether you’re making one small switch or overhauling your entire routine, embracing clean beauty is a journey worth celebrating.

Happy swapping—and here’s to glowing, strong, and radiant beauty from the inside out!

Best,
William 😉