Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel for Sensitive Skin Versus SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Updated on March 22, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, retinoid, Vitamin C 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 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel for Sensitive Skin 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel for Sensitive Skin 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Extract
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Coriandrum Sativum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract
Perfuming
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Copper PCA
HumectantZinc PCA
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Raphanus Sativus Root Extract
AstringentSodium PCA
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Octoxynol-9
EmulsifyingSimethicone
Emollient
Tetrasodium EDTA
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Sodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Rose Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Seed Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Seed Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol Denat., Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Centella Asiatica Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phospholipids, Resveratrol, Ubiquinone, Raphanus Sativus Root Extract, Sodium PCA, Lecithin, Octoxynol-9, Simethicone, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Benzoate
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Glycolate
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Cetearyl Olivate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceresin
Emulsion StabilisingGlycol Palmitate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Squalane
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate
Abrasive
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ProtectingSodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium Glycolate, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Pentylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Olivate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, 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 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Disodium 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 EDTAPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
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 AcetateUbiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) is a molecule already found in our bodies. It is a potent antioxidant and skin-soothing ingredient.
Aging and environmental exposure diminishes our skin's natural ubiquinone levels. This is much like our natural collagen and elastin.
The good news is: studies show applying this ingredient topically replenishes ubiquinone levels in our skin. This also comes with a ton of skin benefits. These benefits include:
Ubiquinone is considered a large molecule and cannot be absorbed into the lower layers of skin. This is why it is believed to be such an effective antioxidant: it protects our skin in the upper layers and prevents damage in the deeper layers.
When used in sunscreen, ubiquinone is shown to increase ingredient stability, increase SPF factor, and add to infrared protection.
Fun fact: ubiquinone is fat-soluble.
Learn more about UbiquinoneSodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
This ingredient has skin 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 PCAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel for Sensitive Skin 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel for Sensitive Skin 49 ingredients
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients
This is a great - albeit extremely expensive - alternative for people whose skin is too sensitive for tretonoin/retinols or who aren’t able to manage the dryness they can cause.
I’ve been using it for about a month and a half and I truly have noticed a huge difference in my pore size + fine lines. I do like to use a moisturizer afterwards just to be safe, but this could likely work as a Show more
Truly my holy grail product. It’s certainly pricey but it’s one of two expensive products I have in my routine and it’s worth the investment imo. One fl oz bottle lasts me ~3 months with nightly use. I’ve used this product consistently for 5 months now and have noticed my skin is brighter, more hydrated, and even toned. I was previously using .05% tret and my skin could never really handle it. Show more
