'The $35 vitamin C moisturiser my skin prefers over a $177 cult product.'

Oh, how I would love to be that girl who slathers on skincare from the most high-end brands without a second thought.

Sure, as a beauty writer, I've tried all the viral exxy products (some gifted, others paid for out of my own pocket), and while many of them are genuinely great, I've never actually repurchased any.

Because let's be honest: as a single girl living in Sydney, I barely have enough spare change for groceries, let alone $200 face serums.

This is why I've made it my mission to hunt down dupes (often from Korean brands) that deliver the same results without the triple-digit price tag.

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Case in point: Allies of Skin's 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum.

It's an incredible formula ticking every box: brightening, firming, gentle enough for sensitive skin like mine and backed by hundreds of glowy five-star reviews.

The catch? The $177 price tag.

So, when I found out one of my favourite Korean skincare brands had a vitamin C cream that pretty much does the same thing - for just $35! - I had to put it to the test.

What is the Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Serum?

Image: Mecca.

Allies of Skin is a Singapore-born brand founded by Nicolas Travis, known for science-led formulas with high concentrations of actives in streamlined routines. Every product focuses on clinically-backed ingredients, smart delivery systems and minimal fragrance, making them perfect for results-driven skincare fans.

The 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum is one of its hero products (with a celebrity fan base, from Hailey Bieber to Henry Golding). It contains a stable 20 per cent vitamin C complex (ethylated L-ascorbic acid) plus vitamin E, ferulic acid, glutathione and peptides to brighten dullness, fade dark spots and soften fine lines.

Currently, it retails for $177 for 30ml in Australia at Mecca (or $58 for 8ml), which isn't exactly friendly on the wallet.

Now, if you love the sound of the product but not the price, this is where Medicube comes in…

What is Medicube?

Spend any time on #SkinTok, and you'll 100 per cent see Medicube pop up on your feed. From the Booster Pro device to its collagen range, the brand has major celeb and influencer backing — I'm talking Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber (again) and basically every skincare-loving creator you can name.

Yes, there's been a lot of discussion online about whether Medicube products actually deliver, or if the brand just has clever marketing. Well, as someone who tests just about every Korean beauty product on the market, I can confidently say this brand is no joke.

I've tried everything from their Booster Pro device to their overnight peeling masks, and they consistently impress me (which says a lot coming from someone who's naturally sceptical).

Even better, for the price point, you're getting serious bang for your buck.

Meet the dupe: Medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream.

This pot of goodness is affordable AND super effective. Image: Supplied.

Please give a warm welcome to Medicube's Deep Vita C Capsule Cream.

This Medicube vitamin C product contains 13.5 per cent pure ascorbic acid, vitamin E and soothing centella asiatica to reduce irritation, which is a huge win for sensitive or redness-prone skin types. Plus, the silky texture doubles as a moisturiser, making your morning or evening routine a lot quicker.

Like the Allies of Skin serum, Medicube's vitamin C cream targets dullness, uneven tone and early fine lines. But rather than being a liquid serum, it comes in a lightweight gel cream format with tiny vitamin C micro-capsules that burst on contact with your skin.

Think of it like boba pearls but for your face. This keeps the ingredient stable and potent right up until application. Seriously clever stuff. 

The vitamin C capsules burst on skin contact. Image: Supplied.

In terms of how to use the Medicube vitamin C: scoop some product onto the back of your hand with the provided spatula and mix the yellow capsules with the clear gel. The cream's strength can actually be customised to suit your skin:

• Dry/sensitive skin = more capsules (1:2 ratio of gel to capsule) for extra hydration

• Normal/combination skin = even mix (1:1 ratio)

• Oily skin = more gel (2:1 ratio) for a lighter texture

Apply your desired blend to the face and neck in place of a vitamin C serum in the morning. This is kind of like your vitamin C serum and a moisturiser in one product, but always follow with sunscreen as the last step in your AM routine.

My Medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream review.

I have combination skin that's also extremely sensitive, which means a lot of vitamin C products tend to irritate me.

I've been using this cream religiously every night for two months, and I've been blown away by the results (again, huge statement from someone as picky as me).

I've used both the Allies of Skin's serum and Medicube's cream, and while they both brighten, smooth and even out skin tone, Medicube just feels easier to use.

High-strength vitamin C serums (20 per cent and up) can sometimes cause tingling or dryness, even when they're well-formulated. Allies of Skin does a great job at keeping irritation minimal, but I still noticed a little tingling and had to buffer it with extra moisturiser. I was also a little worried about using it during the day because of my sensitivity. 

Medicube, on the other hand, gives me the same level of glow with zero irritation. It's reduced the size of my pores, faded stubborn post-acne marks and made me feel confident going makeup-free. The fact I've already restocked three more tubs says it all.

Its encapsulated delivery system and soothing ingredients keep my skin barrier happy, and the customisable format lets me adjust the dose depending on how my skin's feeling that day.

If you prefer a serum texture over a cream, I would recommend trying the Medicube Age-R Vita C Pro Ampoule 20ml ($33.95). It delivers a higher-potency hit of vitamin C in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula with similar benefits to the cream, just in a more concentrated serum texture.

Image: Lila Beauty.

Now, we have to chat about the price…

Allies of Skin retails for $177 for 30ml, which means it's $5.90 per ml. A 55g jar of Medicube retails for $58, but I shop from my personal favourite retailer Lila Beauty for $34.95 for 55g, making it $0.64 per gram.

Technically, one is measured in millilitres and the other in grams, so it's not a perfect like-for-like comparison. But just looking at those numbers, Medicube is more than nine times cheaper.

Bottom line: If you love high-end serums and have the budget, Allies of Skin's vitamin C is genuinely excellent. If you want similar results without blowing $177, Medicube's Deep Vita C Capsule Cream (or the serum version) is a no-brainer.

Want to try it? You can shop K-beauty brands like Medicube in Australia via Lila Beauty, Amazon, Adore Beauty, Myer, YesStyle and Nudie Glow.

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.

Have you tried Medicube's or Allies of Skin's vitamin C products? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Feature image: Supplied.