Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Acne Eliminating Pads Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution
Updated on April 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
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
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens and fragrances
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 DRx Acne Eliminating Pads 44 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution 39 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 DRx Acne Eliminating Pads 44 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Bentonite
Absorbent
Bisabolol
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Carnitine Hcl
HumectantChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Copper PCA
HumectantCyclodextrin
AbsorbentDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventDisodium EDTA
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantFarnesol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glutathione
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Octoxynol-9
EmulsifyingPantothenic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentasodium Pentetate
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Citrate
BufferingPotassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningTetrapeptide-21
Skin Conditioning
Vitex Agnus Castus Extract
AstringentWater
Skin ConditioningZinc PCA
Humectant
Achillea Millefolium Extract, Alcohol Denat., Ascorbic Acid, Bentonite, Bisabolol, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carnitine Hcl, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Copper PCA, Cyclodextrin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Disodium EDTA, Ethoxydiglycol, Farnesol, Parfum, Glutamic Acid, Glutathione, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Octoxynol-9, Pantothenic Acid, Pentasodium Pentetate, Phospholipids, Phytic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Potassium Citrate, Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Hydroxide, Retinol, Saccharide Isomerate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Soy Isoflavones, Tetrapeptide-21, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Water, Zinc PCA
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pyruvic Acid
MaskingPhytic Acid
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Carnitine Hcl
HumectantXylitol
Humectant
Caprylic Acid
CleansingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Farnesol
Perfuming
Tetrahydrocurcumin
Antioxidant
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Antimicrobial
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
C13-15 Alkane
SolventPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Citrate
BufferingCucumis Sativus Fruit Water
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Lactic Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Phytic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Carnitine Hcl, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Farnesol, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Soy Isoflavones, Saccharide Isomerate, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hexylresorcinol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, C13-15 Alkane, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Citrate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.We don't have a description for Carnitine Hcl yet.
Citric 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 AcidDimethyl 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 IsosorbideFarnesol is a compound extracted from essential oils such as lemongrass, rose, and more. It is used as a fragrance in products to help boost floral scents.
Farnesol is a known EU allergen and causes contact dermatitis.
This ingredient is hydrophobic, meaning it is not soluble in water.
Learn more about FarnesolLactic 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 AcidPhytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.
The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, much like lactic acid.
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.
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 AcidPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateSalix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.
Salix Alba Bark Extract has often been described as salicylic acid's cousin. This is due to the salicin it contains. However, studies are limited showing salix alba bark to be an effective salicylic acid alternative.
Salicin does have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has shown to decrease the formation of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-kappa B. Salicin also has a mildly exfoliating effect on the skin.
Several other components in salix alba bark extract also contain antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging as they neutralize harmful free-radical molecules.
Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark ExtractSodium 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.
It 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 BenzoateWe don't have a description for Soy Isoflavones yet.
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 WaterZinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.
It can help reduce redness, regulate sebum, and promote the general healing process of the skin.
Zinc PCA tends to be especially useful for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It's certainly an ingredient worth trying out!
Learn more about Zinc PCAIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Acne Eliminating Pads 44 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Acne Eliminating Pads 44 ingredients
One of the harsher products I've tried due to the burning sensation. Was dealing with dark spots and inflamed skin, this was the only active I used which dramatically helped reduce breakouts and lowkey some darkspots. Definitely not equipped to do the whole job of dealing with acne scars/darkspots, but helpful enough.
