If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s, you’ve probably heard about the infamous “TJ’s dupes”—Trader Joe’s products that are inspired by popular, well-known items from other brands, often at a lower price and with easier accessibility. But the big question is: Are they actually worth buying?

In this post, I’m diving into the world of Trader Joe’s dupes — what they are, why people love them, and whether they’re really worth your time and money.

1. Trader Joe’s Brazil Nut Body Butter vs. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Visibly Firming Refillable Body Cream with Caffeine-Rich Guaranà

Product	Trader Joe’s Brazil Nut Body Butter in Brazil Nut Body Trio	Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Visibly Firming Refillable Body Cream with Caffeine-Rich Guaranà
Price	$12.99/ 1 box of Brazil Nut Body Trio	$48/8oz
Unit Price	–	$6/oz
Ingredients	Water (Aqua), Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed (Brazil Nut) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Fragrance, Polysorbate 20, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Maltodextrin, Disodium Edta, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Leaf/Stem Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Yucca Schidigera Leaf/Root/Stem Extract.	Aqua (Water, Eau), Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dodecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum (Fragrance), Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Euterpe Oleracea (Açaí) Fruit Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuaçu) Seed Butter, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Ilex Guayusa Leaf Extract, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Squalane, Tocopherol, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Coumarin, Eugenol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Linalool.
Ingredients in common	-Water (Aqua) (Solvent) -Cetyl Alcohol (Stability enhancer) -Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (Emollient) -Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Emollient) -Glycerin (Humectant) -Bertholletia Excelsa (Brazil Nut) Seed Oil (Emollient) -Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract (Active ingredient) -Phenoxyethanol (Preservative) -Ethylhexylglycerin (Preservative) -Tocopherol (Antioxidant) -Fragrance / Parfum

Personally, it’s hard to see these two products as true dupes.
They do share a similar concept and moisturizing purpose, but the texture and scent experience are noticeably different. Looking at the ingredient list of Trader Joe’s Body Butter, cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol appear high on the list. These fatty alcohols significantly build viscosity and, when used in higher amounts, create a waxier, richer, and heavier texture. As a result, the product feels more dense and occlusive on the skin.

In contrast, Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream relies more on silicones and relatively lightweight oils, including dodecane. This formulation choice gives the cream better slip during application and a smoother, more elegant spread compared to Trader Joe’s version.

Both products clearly target a Salted Caramel, Pistachio, and Vanilla scent profile. However, Sol de Janeiro is especially well known for its fragrance, and the Bum Bum Cream is likely to have a stronger and more noticeable scent overall.

2. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 vs. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 50  PA +++

Product	Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40	Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 50  PA +++
Price	$8.99/1.7 fl oz	$38/1.7oz
Unit Price	~$5.29/oz	$22.35/oz
Ingredients	Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 12%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 6%, Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Polyester-7, Isohexadecane, Jojoba Esters, Silica, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol.	Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 7%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 9%, Isododecane, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Physalis Angulata Extract, Himanthalia Elongata Extract, Meadowfoam Estolide, Tocopherol, Jojoba Esters, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Glycol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Silica, Bisabolol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate.
Ingredients in common	-Avobenzone (Sunscreen agent) -Homosalate (Sunscreen agent) -Octisalate (Sunscreen agent) -Octocrylene (Sunscreen agent) -Isododecane (Emollient) -Dimethicone Crosspolymer (Silicone elastomer) -Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer (Silicone elastomer) -Polymethylsilsesquioxane (Silicone powder) -Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Emollient) -Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (natural butter) -Jojoba Esters (Emollient) -Silica (Powder) -Tocopherol (Antioxidant)

Both sunscreens basically use all the chemical UV filters that are allowed in the U.S., so you can think of them as using the same core sunscreen system. Both rely a lot on silicone-based ingredients, which is why they go on completely clear without any white cast. That’s because there’s no water (most regular sunscreens have water, which can make them look a bit opaque when mixed with oils.) and no physical sunscreen powders like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. They even use the same silicone elastomer, which gives a soft, bouncy, cushiony feeling on the skin. Because of silica and polymethylsilsesquioxane, both feel lightweight, smooth, and a little blurring. 

Both claim broad-spectrum protection, but one is SPF 40 and the other is SPF 50. A quick tip: just because the SPF is higher doesn’t mean it’s dramatically better. SPF actually shows how much UVB it blocks, not how long it protects you. SPF 40 blocks about 97.5% of UVB rays, and SPF 50 blocks 98%—so the difference is really small.

Since both products are mostly chemical sunscreen agents and silicone oils, they’re transparent but can feel a bit greasier than your usual lotion-type sunscreens. My advice? Try Trader Joe’s sunscreen first—if you like the feel, then go ahead and splurge on Supergoop for extra skincare benefits.

3. Trader Joe’s Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream vs. L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

Product	Trader Joe’s Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream	L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Price	$4.99/3oz	$29/2.6oz
Unit Price	$1.66/oz	$7.69/oz
Ingredients	Aqua (Purified Water), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Dimethicone, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Cannabis Sativa (Organic Hemp) Seed Oil, Fragrance, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ceteareth-20, Benzyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-7, Ethylhexylglycerin, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Alcohol, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract	Aqua/Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ceteareth-33, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Pentylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Tocopherol, Parfum/Fragrance, Linalool, Coumarin, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Geraniol.
Ingredients in common	-Aqua / Water (Solvent) -Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) (Natural butter, Emollient) -Glycerin (Humectant) -Cetearyl Alcohol (Stability enhancer) -Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier) -PEG-100 Stearate (Emulsifier) -Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols (Active ingredient) -Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (Emollient) -Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (Emollient) -Ethylhexylglycerin (Preservative) -Fragrance / Parfum

Both products claim to contain 20% shea butter, which is a pretty high amount for a hand cream and a big reason why both feel so rich and nourishing on the skin. On top of that, they share several key ingredients, including Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols as an active ingredient, along with Coconut Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil as emollients to help lock in moisture and keep hands soft.

Because of these similarities, Trader Joe’s Hand Cream feels like a solid dupe for L’Occitane Hand Cream when it comes to hydration and overall performance. That said, L’Occitane definitely wins in terms of packaging and fragrance — it feels more luxurious and the scent is more delicate. However, considering the big price difference and the fact that both creams use the same 20% shea butter base, it makes sense to try Trader Joe’s Hand Cream first, especially if you’re looking for great results without the splurge.

Want to know how dupes are made? Read the post below to find out.