Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol versus SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream .
Published on January 10, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, retinoid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening 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
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Price
Ingredient Info
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether • C12-20 Acid Peg-8 Ester • Glycerin • Niacinamide • Phenyl Trimethicone • Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride • Algae Extract • Dimethicone • Hydroxyethyl Urea • Cetyl Alcohol • Retinol • Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract • Mangifera Indica Seed Butter • Coffea Arabica Seed Oil • Sodium Hyaluronate • Caffeine • Ascorbic Acid • Urea • Butylene Glycol • Squalane • Trehalose • Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Peg-100 Stearate • Linoleic Acid • Glyceryl Stearate • Hordeum Vulgare Extract • Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 • Sorbitol • Potassium Cetyl Phosphate • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Tocopherol • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Behenyl Alcohol • Sodium PCA • Sodium Hydroxide • Caprylyl Glycol • Carbomer • Triacetin • Polyquaternium-51 • Xanthan Gum • BHA • Disodium EDTA • Sodium Metabisulfite • Chlorphenesin • Potassium Sorbate • Phenoxyethanol
Water • Glycolic Acid • Sodium Glycolate • 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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 1.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 5.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 6.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 10.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 38.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 21.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.
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.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 22.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 25.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 25.
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.
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 26.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 40.
Linoleic Acid is Vitamin F and a fatty acid. It is an emollient and helps thicken texture. Linoleic acid helps with hydrating skin and nourishing the skin's barrier. The top layer of skin, or epidermis, contains high amounts of linoleic acid naturally.
Your body uses linoleic acid to build ceramides and prostaglandins. Ceramides keep your skin's barrier plump and firm. Prosaglandins help control inflammation and healing.
This makes linoleic acid effectives for reducing inflammation, hydrating skin, and firming skin. A side effect may include extra protection against UV damage and free radicals. This is due to linoleic acid strengthening the skin barrier.
Low levels of linoleic acid is also associated with acne-prone skin. By keeping sebum soft, it prevents pores from clogging.
Linoleic acid can is in common foods such as nuts, sunflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
CHEM: 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (9Z, 12Z)-
Learn more about Linoleic AcidClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 27.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 33.
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 StearateClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 28.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 39.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 34.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 23.
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
Sodium PCA is a has conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 37.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 40.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 46.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 43.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 44.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAClinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 45.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 49.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol contains this as ingredient number 49.
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 51.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
Disappointed
I wanted to love this, especially at its price point but I am sadly disappointed.
I am 64 and my skin isnt that bad but I do have some redness, some dullness, large pores here and there and fine lines.
I used this every...
Disappointed
I wanted to love this, especially at its price point but I am sadly disappointed.
I am 64 and my skin isnt that bad but I do have some redness, some dullness, large pores here and there and fine lines.
I used this every night for 9 weeks.
I see absolutely no change whatsoever for any of my skin concerns. I feel duped yet again by false promises.
The only pros are: the nice container, and that it is not irritating at all.
Alternatives
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See 17 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinBetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream.
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