'This $32 moisturiser is better than the $955 one celebrities swear by.'

Probably the most satisfying part about being a beauty writer is stumbling across a product that costs a fraction of a cult favourite but works just as well, if not better.

And one of my greatest achievements was a year ago, when I wrote about how I had found a dupe for La Mer's iconic Crème de la Mer.

WATCH: We found a $16 foundation that's better than other exxy formulas. Post continues below.

If you're unfamiliar, La Mer is basically the Rolls-Royce of moisturisers, retailing anywhere from $175 for a petite 15ml jar to $2,200 for 250ml. It's lush, it's famous, and it works very well… but it's also wildly out of reach for most of us.

The dupe was the Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, which I picked up while in Seoul. At $29.95 (on sale for $38) for 230ml, it's the moisturiser that fills my La Mer void.

And I wasn't the only one convinced. When my review went live, the response was wild. The Australian stockist I listed sold out almost instantly, and even now, more than a year later, the Illiyoon cream continues to sell like hotcakes. Over in Korea, it remains a best-seller in the beauty industry, which is no small feat given how competitive the market is.

I honestly don't blame anyone for wanting to save money. Who would rather pay almost a grand instead of thirty bucks for a product that does the same job? Not me, for sure

While there are loads of great moisturisers out there, below are the ones I've personally found to be the closest dupes to La Mer in texture, richness and soothing hydration. They're the creams that make skin feel calm, plump and properly looked after, without the eye-watering price tag.

Illiyoon Ceramide ATO Concentrate Cream 230ml, $29.95 (usually $38).

Image: Lila Beauty.

Ahh, the OG dupe. To stress just how well this cream works, the Korean beauty app Hwahae actually tested it, and the stats are next-level. We're talking 100 hours of hydration, a 91.4 per cent improvement in skin barrier in three days, plus big drops in sensitivity and dead skin cells. Basically, it's proof a $30 moisturiser can absolutely rival a $955+ one.

Dr Althea 147 Barrier Cream 50ml, $31.95 (usually $37).

Image: Lila Beauty.

I absolutely love Dr Althea's 345 cream for soothing my skin, but the 147 version is particularly good when my skin is feeling dry and tight. Formulated with one barrier-strengthening, four nourishing and seven hydrating ingredients, this cream provides instant relief for dry, dehydrated skin that needs serious TLC.

Go-To Skincare Very Luxe Face Cream 50ml, $79. 

Image: Go-To.

Go-To's Very Luxe Face Cream is exactly what it sounds like: thick, buttery and deeply hydrating, yet still manages to sink in without feeling greasy. It's packed with ceramides, peptides and shea butter to strengthen your barrier and keep your skin bouncy. 

Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Cream 80ml, $38.95 (usually $54). 

Image: Lila Beauty.

If you tried the Illyoon number, this one from Aestura is probably the most similar. Originally famous for its OG formula, Aestura recently reformulated this cream to be even gentler for sensitive skin. The upgraded version promises 120 hours of hydration, visible barrier repair in 10 minutes, a 365 per cent boost to inner hydration and a 51 per cent reduction in skin sensitivity. In short? It's a powerhouse.

TirTir Ceramic Cream 50ml, $69. 

Image: Adore Beauty.

If your skin is prone to redness, this is your guy. TirTir's Ceramic Cream contains ceramides and panthenol to rebuild a fragile barrier, plus squalane for deep hydration. It has a cushiony, silky feel that melts in beautifully, leaving the skin plump, calm and protected.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalene 125ml, $132.

Image: Kiehl's.

This is an oldie but a goodie. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream is famous for being lightweight yet super effective, making it a daily staple that locks in hydration for up to 24 hours. The addition of squalane helps strengthen the skin barrier, while still working well under makeup.

Bubble Power Wave Super Hydrating Moisturizer 50ml, $16. 

Image: Bubble.

If you're not all over Bubble yet, let me introduce you to this budget-friendly gem. Their Power Wave Moisturizer delivers refreshing, water-like hydration while still leaving skin pillowy-soft. And at just $16 for 50ml, it honestly feels criminal that something this good costs so little.

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream 50ml, $22.50. 

Image: Lila Beauty.

This cream is way more than just another TikTok viral moment. The Dynasty Cream blends ginseng, niacinamide and rice water to hydrate, brighten and support the skin barrier. The velvety, luxe texture feels like something three times the price — and it leaves skin glowy without the heaviness.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 100ml, $22.30. 

Image: Adore Beauty.

Look, The Ordinary rarely misses, and this one's a classic. Using amino acids, fatty acids and hyaluronic acid, it gives your skin exactly what it needs to stay hydrated. It's simple, it's straightforward, it works — and sometimes, that's the winning formula.

Emma Lewisham Supernatural Face Creme Riche 50ml, $148. 

Image: Mecca.

Although the most expensive out of my roundup, it's still very affordable compared to La Mer's pot of cream. It's packed with 23 high-performing active ingredients that work together like a dream team to mimic your skin's natural repair processes. We're talking up to 72 hours of hydration (yes, even in the dead of winter), support for collagen regeneration, boosted cell turnover and visibly smoother, plumper skin. Also, once you finish the beautiful tub, you can just buy a refill insert and pop it in.At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about, too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Feature image: Supplied.