Kmart shoppers go wild for $4 dupe of popular international product: 'Had to get my hands on it'

TikTok has shown us that when something is both cute and affordable it's bound to blow up, and Kmart’s latest beauty dupe is no exception. We're talking about the OXX Bodycare Hand Sanitiser—a pint-sized hygiene essential that's causing quite a stir on social media.

Retailing for just $4, this adorable spray sanitiser is the ultimate stand-in for the popular (and pricier!) Touchland Hand Sanitiser Mist, which goes for a cool $10. Compact, stylish, and available in four delicious scents—Sweet Peach, Coconut, Watermelon, and Grapefruit—it’s no wonder it's flying off the shelves!

So, what exactly makes this product so irresistible? TikToker and content creator Makinlea (@MakinLeaa) shared her thoughts with Yahoo Lifestyle, explaining why this beauty dupe is quickly becoming a must-have.

“What caught my eye was how similar they are to the Touchland hand sanitisers," she said, "Which, as far as I know you can't get in Australia."

RELATED:

• Kmart shoppers losing it over 'stunning' $99 dupe of $500 designer item: 'Omg I need'

• Kmart fans scrambling to grab $59 dupe of $279 item: 'I am obsessed'

• Kmart shopper stuns with surprising use of $10 item: 'Best hack I've ever seen'

"I loved how it was a cute and affordable dupe; us Aussies often miss out on some of the cool things you can get in the US, so when a dupe like this came out I had to get my hands on it!”

Why is the sanitiser so popular?

Indeed, if you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you might have noticed the buzz around this tiny sanitiser; Kmart customers can’t seem to get enough, and honestly, we can’t blame them!

Michael Jaimie, a TikToker with a knack for spotting the latest hot trends, gave his followers a sneak peek at the full range in action.

“These are beyond adorable,” he gushed, demonstrating how easily the sanitiser clips onto keys or bags. “Omg, I just love this so much; it is so cute,” he added, clearly smitten with the minimalistic, tonal design.

How does the sanitiser smell?

As for the scents, according to Kmart, they were carefully selected to evoke the fresh, invigorating aromas of some of our favourite fruits.

"Grapefruit for its zesty energy, watermelon for its juicy freshness, peach for its sweet and calming vibe, and coconut for that tropical, soothing fragrance," A Kmart spokesperson revealed.

Michael Jaimie shared his thoughts after trying all four, saying he found the scents to be on the subtle side, which might actually be a plus for some. His favourite? The Grapefruit.

“It actually smells like grapefruit, and I don’t hate that. It’s strong and tangy, which I really enjoy. And YUM, the coconut one smells great too.”

Makinlea echoed this sentiment, adding, “I’ve used the grapefruit one and it smells delicious!”

Does it actually sanitise?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. While the sanitiser’s design and scents are clearly a hit, its effectiveness has sparked some debate.

Michael Jaimie observed, “The first thing I'm noticing is that they don't feel very alcoholic; actually, I think alcohol is pretty low on the ingredient list. Once it’s dry, it’s pretty moisturised, but the scent is pretty faint. I don’t know how much actual sanitising is happening. It doesn’t feel like hand sanitiser where you feel really fresh after.”

This concern isn't unfounded. Health specialist, Dr. Nicole Levine, told Yahoo Lifestyle Australia that the dupe contains benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient, a commonly used antimicrobial agent. “While Benzalkonium Chloride is effective at killing bacteria and other pathogens, it works differently compared to the alcohol-based sanitisers like the one from Touchland,” Dr. Levine explained.

She elaborated that Benzalkonium Chloride disrupts bacterial cell membranes, causing leakage and cell death, whereas alcohol rapidly kills bacteria by denaturing proteins and dissolving membranes, which works a lot faster.

Makinlea shared these concerns, adding, “Someone in the comments of my video mentioned it wasn’t antibacterial. That made me question how clean it actually leaves my hands. As a bit of a germaphobe, I need a hand sanitiser that kills germs effectively!”

Dr. Levine pointed out that based on the ingredient list, the dupe product seems to function more as a moisturising hand spray rather than a hand sanitiser.

“This is because the lower concentration of benzalkonium chloride and the presence of other non-antimicrobial ingredients like Glycereth-26, Coconut Oil, and Hyaluronic Acid suggest that it might not be as effective at killing germs,” she noted.

In short, while the dupe can work as a moisturising hand spray with some antimicrobial action, it may not offer the same level of protection as an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

SHOP:

• The 'beautiful' body oil shoppers can't get enough of: 'I'm obsessed'

• The $40 pregnancy activewear that's stretchy, comfy and breathable

• The oil-based serum that gives your skin a double dose of goodness

Even with some uncertainty around its sanitising power, the OXX Bodycare Hand Sanitiser still scores points for being an affordable and chic alternative to more expensive options.

As Michael Jaimie pointed out, “These are so adorable and so much cheaper than the product they’re trying to knock off.”

Makinlea agreed, adding, "Everyone loves a good dupe, especially when it’s affordable."

Want the latest celebrity news? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.