'I tried the $28 night cream that's supposed to rival La Mer's $700 one. Here's my honest verdict.'

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 Daily Double Ceramide Miracle Night Cream.

If there's one thing you must know about skincare it's this: expensive doesn't always mean better.

But with so many 'dupes' and affordable alternatives on the Australian skincare market, it can be really hard to sift through what's actually good and what's just a really below-average formula in near-identical packaging. Y'know? It can get exhausting.

But, dear friends, that's why I'm here. To put products to the test so you don't have to (unless it's really worth it, of course).

Watch: Speaking of trialling beauty, watch Mamamia's Juna Xu try the q-tip lipstick hack. Post continues below.

And if you're a dame who dabbles in the skincare world, you'll probably know that when it comes to swanky skin products the most luxurious you can buy is La Mer Crème de la Mer.

It's meant to be the crème de la crème. The cat's knuckles of swanky moisturisers. The one all the celebrities say they use.

Also part of the range is La Mer's new The Rejuvenating Night Cream.

And while you might not have heard of this particular product before, if you know anything about La Mer, you'll also probably know that these products are sold at an offensive price.

For example, this night cream is literally $720.

No, not seventy, sweet lamb — seven hundred and twenty dollars.

And look, when you're forking out that kind of cash, you'd want to be sure it will do some really good things to your skin. Right?

So... what's actually in La Mer's The Rejuvenating Night Cream?

Why is this night cream so expensive? Appropriate question.

If you take a peek at the La Mer Night Cream ingredients, the first thing listed (after water) is algae extract — something that contains a high amount of vitamins and minerals. This can help with things like oil production, acne-causing bacteria and inflammation.

Here's what it looks like:

You'll also notice it features hydrating ingredients: like shea butter and glycerin. These are both great for hydrating the skin — glycerin pulls moisture in, while shea butter is an emollient that prevents it from escaping.

The cult favourite beauty product is also formulated with jojoba oil, which provides further moisture-enhancing benefits.

Outside of these ingredients, it's also formulated with something called MRA-3^TM  — described as a "marine retinol alternative" that enhances skin's density, complements natural support polymers and boosts cell renewal, driving visible repair."

Which obviously sounds like a very good time for your face. But ooft. Not your wallet.

The good news? It IS possible to get your hands on similar formulations that will help you snatch up similar benefits of plump and moisturised skin, without taking out a small loan/selling your firstborn.

And while some will argue that spending on your skin is always a smart investment, it's worth knowing that there are some great alternatives on the market that have similar formulations and ingredients — but cost a whole lot less.

Take for example the OG La Mer Crème de la Mer.

A little blue pot of Nivea Creme, $7.99, is meant to have a similar look, feel and smell to the luxury La Mer version and shares many of the same ingredients. There's also a K-beauty favourite called Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, which our very own Juna Xu put to the test against the cult La Mer cream. You can read her whole review here (psst… she said it gave her Hailey Beiber's glazed doughnut skin).

When it comes to La Mer's Rejuvenating Night Cream, however, one of the most recent products getting around the beauty block, claiming to be similar to this spendy cream, is Daily Double Ceramide Miracle Night Cream. Heard of it?

The New Zealand brand hits stands in Priceline next week (but is currently available online) and I've been hearing some Very Good Things about it. In fact it's apparently been based on La Mer's Night Cream.

Keen to find out more? I put it to the test.

What is Daily Double Ceramide Miracle Night Cream?

As Mamamia's beauty rat, a lot of fabulous night creams make their way across my desk. What caught my attention about the Double Ceramide Miracle Night Cream, however, is that it claims to have been based off La Mer's Night Cream ($720) Looking at the ingredients list, it shares hero ingredients like sodium hyaluronate for deep hydration, shea butter for long-lasting moisture, Jojoba seed oil to nourish and soften, and algae extracts, known for their anti-ageing and regenerating benefits. While La Mer's version is made with Giant Sea Kelp, Daily's version features Tasmanian Kelp Extract, which claims to offer hydrating and antioxidant benefits. It also features ceramides — the fatty acid molecule that helps moisturise and replenish your skin's barrier.

Here's what it looks like:

Image: Double Ceramide Miracle Night Cream/Supplied.

Unlike the weighty-y decadence of La Mer's Night Cream, this specific product is very lightweight (in fact, it feels like there's nothing in it at all!) and the green and white packaging is simple and minimalist.

When it comes to Double Ceramide Night Cream benefits, the website promises glowing skin and a boost of hydration and skin-plumping goodness while you sleep.

As mentioned, it's $28 and will be available as part of the Priceline Pharmacy skincare offering (as of next week) or grab it online here.

So, is this really a La Mer Night Cream dupe?

Double Ceramide Miracle Night Cream review.

While the jar feels incredibly lightweight and like there's literally no product inside it — there is! And goodness it's gloriously RICH and CREAMY (like, Greek yoghurt-level thickness) and feels far more luxe than legal for the price.

I was honestly surprised when I applied it to my skin — it has a really similar consistency to La Mer and feels silky and velvety and perfect for those with dry skin.

It blends beautifully into your skin but be aware that it does feel heavier than an average moisturiser and takes a little bit to *fully* feel like it's absorbed into your skin.

Image: Double Ceramide Miracle Night Cream/Supplied.

Warning: It does have a slight fragrance to it — but it's not overpowering (honestly, it's quite subtle).

Another warning: The texture is so nice you'll want to start slathering it on your elbows and knees and any other dry spots.

Can we just have a moment for this texture??

Image: Double Ceramide Miracle Night Cream/Supplied.

I used this as the last step of my nightly routine before going to bed (whacked it on after my serums) and can honestly say my skin looked better than it usually does (hard, I'm aware!!), come morning. It felt plump, hydrated, glowy and healthy — almost like I'd slathered on a super-hydrating overnight mask.

I usually splash my face with water in the morning (I'm not a morning cleanser fan, you guys) before using my serums and moisturiser — and was surprised at how my face still felt hydrated and comfy when it's usually yelling for more moisture. I even skipped my regular hyaluronic acid and just used my usual vitamin C serum, moisturiser and SPF. Huge for someone who always feels like they Reptile Face.

The skin felt good! Happy! Impressed!

The verdict.

Would I spend $700 on a night cream in the first place? Nah.

As almost every expert I've interviewed on You Beauty podcast tells me, save on cleansers and moisturisers and spend on serums. Of course, if expensive moisturisers feel good and you enjoy using them as part of your self-care routine, please continue! You do you! Beauty is personal!

However, if you're looking for where to skimp in your skincare routine and what's really worth spending on when it comes to night moisturisers — I'd probably tell you this budget-friendly night cream can give you VERY similar benefits to swankier versions on the market, without breaking the bank.

Plus, you don't have to feel guilty about slathering it on your elbows and knees, too.

Have you tried Daily Double Ceramide Miracle Night Cream before? What's your favourite savey cream? Share them with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Erin Docherty/Supplied.