Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream Versus SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream versus SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream .

Published on July 17, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain peptides and retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

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Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Facial Treatment French Brand France

Night Moisturizer American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 ingredients

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 ingredients

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Retinoid

Vitamin C

Vitamin E (2)

Exfoliators (2)

Niacinamide

Ceramides

Hyaluronic Acid

Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (7)

Good For Oily Skin (3)

Redness Reducing (5)

Reduces Irritation (4)

Skin Texture (4)

Reduces Large Pores (4)

Anti-Aging (8)

Dark Spots (4)

Scar Healing (4)

Acne Fighting (3)

Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)

Acne Trigger

Irritating (4)

Rosacea

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 ingredients

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients

Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Paraffinum Liquidum • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Squalane • Propylene Glycol • Microcrystalline Wax • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • BHT • Caprylyl Glycol • Carbomer • Disodium EDTA • Oleoyl Dipeptide-15 • Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31 • Acid Red 33 • Retinal • Tocopheryl Glucoside • Triethanolamine

Water • Sodium Glycolate • Glycolic Acid • Cetearyl Olivate • Pentylene Glycol • Cyclopentasiloxane • Isohexadecane • Sorbitan Olivate • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Glycerin • Ceresin • Glycol Palmitate • Butylene Glycol • Niacinamide • Squalane • Methyl Gluceth-20 • Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Ceramide NP • Hyaluronic Acid • Ubiquinone • Tocopherol • Bisabolol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Superoxide Dismutase • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Allantoin Glycyrrhetinic Acid • Sodium PCA • Panthenol • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Portulaca Oleracea Extract • Linoleic Acid • Cholesterol • Linolenic Acid • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Dimethicone • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Steareth-2 • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Acacia Senegal Gum • Xanthan Gum • Hydrated Silica • Carbomer • Polysorbate 20 • Tromethamine • Disodium EDTA • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol • CI 77891

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Glyceryl Stearate

What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying

Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 39.

Peg-100 Stearate

What it does:

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.

Peg-100 Stearate helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. It helps prevent oil and water from separating in a product. By binding oil and water, it helps remove dirt and oil to be rinsed away.

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 40.

Squalane

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.