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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel versus Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads .

Last updated on March 25, 2024. Published on August 08, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive 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

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

Exfoliator American Brand United States
Exfoliator British Brand United Kingdom

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

Shop

Buy Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

Starts at $153.00
Shop

Buy Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads

Starts at $36.96

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 (4)
BHA
Retinoid (2)
Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (4)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (8)
Reduces Large Pores (8)
Anti-Aging (8)
Dark Spots (6)
Scar Healing (10)
Acne Fighting (5)
Brightening (9)

Concerns

Drying (6)
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Irritating (10)
Rosacea (8)
Eczema (8)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

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

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 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 20

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

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads contains this as ingredient number 4.

2
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 Universal Daily Peel contains this as ingredient number 8.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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 EDTA

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

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads contains this as ingredient number 10.

4
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

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

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads contains this as ingredient number 13.

5
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.

In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.

The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.

Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.

Learn more about Benzoic Acid

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel contains this as ingredient number 23.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads contains this as ingredient number 11.

6
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 Universal Daily Peel contains this as ingredient number 24.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads contains this as ingredient number 7.

7
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Benzoate

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

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads contains this as ingredient number 19.

8
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 Universal Daily Peel contains this as ingredient number 26.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads contains this as ingredient number 1.

9
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acetate

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel contains this as ingredient number 32.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads contains this as ingredient number 30.

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

37% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
51% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
37% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel 43 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Derma.Anne's avatar

Derma.Anne

7 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

These peel pads are the GOAT. They're almost like a chemical peel at a skin clinic, but safe for using at home. The give an instant glow and plump...

These peel pads are the GOAT. They're almost like a chemical peel at a skin clinic, but safe for using at home. The give an instant glow and plump to the skin which I love, and keeps my hormonal acne and clogged pores at bay.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads 30 ingredients

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