Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Night Knight Retinol Serum Dupes & Cheaper Alternatives
From 5 Reddit threads · Updated November 6, 2026
Beginner-friendly bakuchiol-retinol serum for gradual anti-aging results. Here's what Redditors reach for instead.
The short answer
Best Overall AlternativeBeginner-friendly retinoid; easy to introduce twice weekly
Best Cheaper AlternativeFeatherlight, watery texture; layers cleanly under makeup · $6.00 · 30 ml vs $15.40 for the original
Same Active: RetinolHigh-strength 1% retinol for experienced users · $11.90 · 29.6 ml
#1
Best Overall Alternative
- Key actives: Granactive Retinoid 2%
The why
A mild retinoid emulsion for first-time users easing into nighttime actives, with community reports of smoother texture, calmer acne, and minimal irritation. Start twice weekly and buffer with moisturizer; reactive or already-irritated skin may still flare.
One minus
Results can be subtle or slow; wrinkles may keep deepening
Good forDry Skin
The original, at a glance
- Why people love it
- Beginner-friendly retinol entry point
- Price
- $15.40 · 20 ml · $0.77/ml
#2
Best Cheaper Alternative
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
Skin1004·Serum
See alternativesFeatherlight, watery texture; layers cleanly under makeup
- Size: 30 ml
- Price per ml: $0.20/ml (original $0.77/ml)
The why
A watery centella-and-glycerin ampoule for calming redness and adding light hydration around tretinoin or acids. It suits sensitive, oily, or combination skin, but dry skin may need moisturizer and acne-prone users report closed comedones.
One minus
Closed comedones and cystic breakouts hit some users
Good forSensitive Skin, Dry Skin
#3
Same Active: Retinol
- Key actives: Retinol 1%
- Size: 29.6 ml
- Price per ml: $0.40/ml (original $0.77/ml)
The why
A high-strength oil serum for experienced retinoid users chasing smoother texture and fewer breakouts. Redditors report real improvements, and research found retinol can reduce acne; this 1% concentration is rough on beginners, with flaking, redness, and a greasy finish.
One minus
Beginner-unfriendly redness, stinging, and barrier drama
Good forDry Skin, Oily Skin
Other alternatives worth a look
Watery toner-like texture that layers smoothly under other products · 92 recs
Under MakeupDewy Finish
34,860ppm centella plus four soothing derivatives · 154 recs
Combination SkinGel Texture
Oat-based calming serum for barrier recovery · 32 recs
Niacinamide-FreeEczema
Tranexamic acid plus niacinamide for pigment-focused routines · 57 recs
Combination SkinDewy Finish
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