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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer versus SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment .

Last updated on December 14, 2023. Published on December 14, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 17 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA, BHA, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and silicones

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

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

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Buy Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer

Starts at $72.00
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Buy Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Notable Ingredients

AHA (7)
BHA
Vitamin E
Ceramides (2)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture (5)
Reduces Large Pores (7)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (7)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (10)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (8)
Rosacea (8)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
BHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Ceramides (2)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (8)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

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

SqualaneCeramide APBisabololAlpha-Methyl-Beta-IononeWaterLactic AcidGlycolic AcidPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6C13-15 AlkaneMethyl Gluceth-20C15-19 AlkanePropanediolGlycerinCaprylic/Capric TriglyceridePotassium HydroxideSodium HydroxideSodium PCACeramide NPSodium HyaluronateSaccharide Isomerate Malic AcidMandelic AcidSalicylic AcidPhytic AcidSalix Alba Bark ExtractCitric AcidTartaric AcidFarnesolRehmannia Glutinosa Root ExtractSanguisorba Officinalis Root ExtractCinnamomum Cassia Bark ExtractZingiber Officinale Root ExtractJojoba EstersAloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceTocopherolHydroxyethyl UreaEthylhexyl PalmitateDimethiconeButylene GlycolEthylhexyl OlivateIsoamyl LaurateIsohexadecaneDicaprylyl EtherDimethiconolCaprylyl GlycolGlycereth-26PolymethylsilsesquioxaneAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerPolysorbate 20Polysorbate 60Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf ExtractCucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractEugenia Caryophyllus Flower ExtractPyrus Malus Fruit ExtractCucumis Melo Fruit ExtractRose ExtractRubus Idaeus Fruit ExtractLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem ExtractElettaria Cardamomum Seed ExtractSantalum Album Wood ExtractPhenoxyethanolPotassium SorbateCI 77891CI 77015

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.

1
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.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 11.

2
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

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 5.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.

Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.

Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Lactic Acid

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 6.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 44.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 14.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 15.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 2.

6
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 17.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 42.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 PCA

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 18.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 10.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 19.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 23.

9
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 20.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 18.

10
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 24.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 28.

11
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

Phytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, such as lactic acid.

AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight exfoliating effect. Phytic Acid has been shown to help calm irritation. In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.

As an antioxidant, phytic acid may help with the signs of aging. Antioxidants help neutralize free-radical molecules. These molecules may damage your skin cells.

An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Phytic Acid

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 25.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 39.

12
What it does: Emollient, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
Community Rating: Disliked

Jojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.

This ingredient has high oxidative stability, meaning it doesn't break down when exposed to oxygen.

Its similarity to our skin's natural oils makes it a great emollient. Emollients help soften and soothe our skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier helps trap moisture in, keeping skin hydrated.

It is created using either the hydrogenation or transesterification processes on jojoba oil.

Learn more about Jojoba Esters

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 35.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 15.

13
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Tocopherol

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 37.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 29.

14
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

We don't have a description for Hydroxyethyl Urea.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 38.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 6.

15
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 40.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 17.

16
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 41.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.

17
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 63.

SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment contains this as ingredient number 43.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

41% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
22% have no rating yet
45% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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