Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator Versus Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment
Updated on August 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
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 oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 62 ingredients
Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment 36 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 62 ingredients
Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment 36 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carnitine Hcl
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract
AstringentGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Tetrahydrocurcumin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningFarnesol
Perfuming
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Pantothenate
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mannitol
HumectantSh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPotassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingJasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Carnitine Hcl, Gluconolactone, Phytic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Glutathione, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Farnesol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Pantothenate, Retinol, Niacinamide, Saccharide Isomerate, Ferulic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Mannitol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soy Isoflavones, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Zinc PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Ethoxydiglycol, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Gluconate, Potassium Gluconate, Cyclodextrin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPhysalis Pubescens Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
HumectantUrea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantTaurine
BufferingInositol
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Polylysine
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Pullulan
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingLecithin
EmollientPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Taurine, Inositol, Betaine, Allantoin, Polylysine, Tocopherol, Pullulan, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Phytosterols, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Menthyl Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 AcidWater. 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterDimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.
As a solvent, dimethyl isosorbide helps dissolve other ingredients. This helps ensure even distribution of an ingredient. It may also be used to decrease the thickness of a product.
Studies show dimethyl isosorbide is able to penetrate skin to deliver other ingredients into the skin, making them more effective.
Learn more about Dimethyl IsosorbideGlycerin 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 GlycerinLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltrateGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It 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.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
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 TriglycerideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 62 ingredients
Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment 36 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 62 ingredients
As someone who works in the beauty industry and has recently developed acne again in my mid 20s - this spot gel is without a doubt my no1 go to! This is the ONLY spot gel that works for all kinds of spots (even those huge under the skin ones)! Only thing I will say is use in moderation as this will cause some redness and dryness if you use too much! X
Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment 36 ingredients
Truly magic in a bottle! I like the cooling sensation when I put it on. It really reduces redness and I can use it for deep hormonal acne when it’s too early for the zit stickers. I’d recommend it to anyone struggling with acne.
Absolutely love! Most Murad products are my HG. I used their Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment for hormonal acne but I find this works just as fast, deeper & more gentle.
