I tried Aldi's new Japanese-inspired skincare brand said to be a dupe of Tatcha – it's 90% cheaper but was it as good?

Scottish Sun

30-04-2025

I had low expectations, but the £4.99 cleanser won me over
SKIN DEEP I tried Aldi's new Japanese-inspired skincare brand said to be a dupe of Tatcha – it's 90% cheaper but was it as good?
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MATCHA is having a serious moment - so it's no surprise the super-food is coming for our skincare routines.
Hitting the middle aisle on the 1st May, Aldi's latest bargain skincare range hero's the over-achieving green ingredient, alongside the likes of hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane and camellia.
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The retailer is comparing the range to luxe viral Japanese brand Tatcha, and reckon their dupes can save you 90% - but do they live up to the claim?
Let's get one thing straight, across the board, the packaging don't hold a candle to Tatcha's - I broke a nail and the plastic insert inside the first tub I tried to get into.
Plus, once you've opened them, it's hard to screw the lid back on.
That aside, here's what I thought of the formulas inside.
4
Tara found Lacura's Plumping Face Cream too greasy
Credit: Tara Ledden
Lacura Plumping Face Cream, £6.99
This was the first product of the new range I tried - and the one that broke my nail, as previously mentioned.
If you do purchase, I found the best way to get the plastic inner seal off is to gently squeeze the top of the tub to release some pressure.
Once I finally got in, I was surprised that the cream had a violet- blue colour.
After looking at the ingredients list, that seems to be created by colourants rather than the natural hue of any of the botanicals inside.
On my face, it felt much heavier than I'd anticipated - although it immediately delivered a glow that definitely helped plump my skin.
There's a whole host of moisturising ingredients including glycerin, squalane and hyaluronic acid, alongside brightening antioxidants camellia and ginseng root.
Unfortunately, the glow came at a major price - a greasy layer that sat on the surface of my skin.
Even an hour after applying, I could still feel it, which made me anxious about whether it might block my pores in the long run.
4
Lacura's Aqua Cream is thicker than most Beauty Editor Tara has tried
Credit: Tara Ledden
Lacura Hydrating Aqua Cream, £6.99
I'm a huge fan of water creams so I was excited to try this affordable option.
Specially designed for oily and combination skin, the lightweight consistency delivers hydration without feeling too occlusive.
It didn't melt on contact with my face like I'd expected, but I did get the refreshing cooling sensation I know and love.
After a couple of minutes, it started to feel sticky as it dried down but thankfully that only lasted a few minutes.
It also didn't pill under makeup which happened with the last Aldi water cream I tried.
When it comes to things I didn't love, the heavy scent tops the list.
It also contains silicone - which helps create a mattifying effect, but I also find they break me out, so I'd be reluctant to replace my current moisturiser with Lacura's cream.
4
The Matcha Gel Wash was a surprising hit
Credit: Tara Ledden
Laucra Matcha Gel Wash, £4.99
As soon as I squeezed the Matcha Gel Wash out of it's tube, I was impressed by the on trend jelly texture.
Powered by willow bark (which is great for fighting acne), matcha tea, and mugwort extracts, this cleanser promises to revive tired-looking skin for a brighter, healthier complexion.
It foams very quickly, breaking down make-up and oil with ease in one-step.
On contact with water, the foam transforms into a lightweight, milky consistency that leaves skin feeling clean but not dry.
Much to my delight, it's fragrance free so doesn't irritate my skin.
Given my experience with the moisturisers, I had low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised.
It's aimed at oily to combination skin, and although it didn't leave my face feeling dry, I am on the oily side, so that's something to note if you have a dry complexion.
4
Aldi's Lacura Rice Cleanser is thick and gritty
Credit: Tara Ledden
Lacura Rice Cleanser, £4.99
Formulated with rice powder, rice starch, and lightly exfoliating gluconolactone, this cleanser is designed to slough away dead skin cells while removing make-up.
It was an incredibly thick consistency that was hard to spread around my face - almost like a paste rather than the cream I had expected - and although it was slightly gritty, it wasn't enough to feel like I was getting the exfoliating benefits I'd hoped.
The rich texture also makes it hard to wash off.
In fact, I had to use water and a flannel three times to wash my face before I felt like I'd removed all the residue.
Despite being billed as suitable for dry skin and claiming to leave skin feeling soft and supple, my oily skin felt uncomfortably tight after using - so I wouldn't recommend for regular use on dry skin.