Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel versus HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash .
Last updated on January 25, 2024. Published on December 02, 2020
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for 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 parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Face Cleanser
Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).
Face Cleanser
Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).
Price
Ingredient Info
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel 42 ingredients
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash 24 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
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 🎉
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 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
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 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel 42 ingredients
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash 24 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel 42 ingredients
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash 24 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate • Propanediol • Sodium Cocoamphoacetate • Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine • Disteareth-75 Ipdi • Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate • Sodium Chloride • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Mandelic Acid • Glycolic Acid • Salix Alba Bark Extract • Phytic Acid • Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate • Citric Acid • Farnesol • Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract • Sodium PCA • Sodium Hyaluronate • Tremella Fuciformis Extract • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Bisabolol • Hydrolyzed Soy Protein • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Butylene Glycol • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Alcohol • Sodium Phytate • Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract • Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract • Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract • Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate • Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate • Sodium Hydroxide • Benzoic Acid • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Phenoxyethanol
Water • Glycerin • Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine • Lactic Acid • Glycolic Acid • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Sodium Hydroxide • Xanthan Gum • Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil • Glyceryl Stearate Se • Mandelic Acid • Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract • Rosa Canina Fruit Oil • Tartaric Acid • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Bentonite • Sodium Chloride • Sodium Gluconate • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Citric Acid • Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate • Quartz • Sodium Benzoate • Sodium Dehydroacetate
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 WaterDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash 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 GlycerinDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 2.
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is a synthetic cleansing agent, though it is derived from coconut oil.
It is used to enhance the texture of products by boosting lather and thickening the texture. As a cleanser, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine is mild.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 3.
Chances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 9.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 17.
Mandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.
As an AHA, Mandelic Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Mandelic Acid may be an alternative to Glycolic Acid for those with sensitive skin.
Mandelic Acid may help reduce wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 12.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 11.
Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 13.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 5.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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.
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 look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 17.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 20.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 23.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 TriglycerideDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 28.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 15.
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 HydroxideDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 38.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 7.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateDr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel contains this as ingredient number 40.
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash contains this as ingredient number 23.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel 42 ingredients
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash 24 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel 42 ingredients
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel 42 ingredients
HoliFrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash 24 ingredients
Lapaki
Big yes!
I've been using this since about a year when my skin's in need of a exfoliating but gentle cleanser. Love it! It contains five types of...
Big yes!
I've been using this since about a year when my skin's in need of a exfoliating but gentle cleanser. Love it! It contains five types of AHA and has a nice ingredient list.
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