Medik8 Sleep Glycolic Versus SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Medik8 Sleep Glycolic versus SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream .

Last updated on October 13, 2023. Published on January 15, 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

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

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Medik8 Sleep Glycolic

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Overnight Mask British Brand United Kingdom

Night Moisturizer American Brand United States

Overnight Mask

Overnight masks are usually used after the whole nighttime skincare routine (check your product’s instructions). Overnight masks are used to treat a variety of skin concerns and boost moisture in the skin.

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic 17 ingredients

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 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

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic 17 ingredients

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Scar Healing

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating

Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Retinoid

Vitamin C

Vitamin E (2)

Exfoliators (2)

Niacinamide

Ceramides

Hyaluronic Acid

Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (7)

Good For Oily Skin (3)

Redness Reducing (5)

Reduces Irritation (4)

Skin Texture (4)

Reduces Large Pores (4)

Anti-Aging (8)

Dark Spots (4)

Scar Healing (4)

Acne Fighting (3)

Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)

Acne Trigger

Irritating (4)

Rosacea

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Ingredients Compared

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

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic 17 ingredients

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients

Water • Glycolic Acid • Cyclodextrin • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Dimethicone • Glyceryl Stearate • Sucrose Stearate • Sodium Hydroxide • Glycerin • Phenoxyethanol • Lespedeza Capitata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Propanediol • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Polysorbate 60 • Sorbitan Isostearate

Water • Sodium Glycolate • Glycolic Acid • Cetearyl Olivate • Pentylene Glycol • Cyclopentasiloxane • Isohexadecane • Sorbitan Olivate • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • 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 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.

Water

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

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic contains this as ingredient number 1.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Glycolic Acid

What it does: Buffering

Community Rating: Loved

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 Acid

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic contains this as ingredient number 2.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

Dimethicone

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic contains this as ingredient number 5.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 38.

Glyceryl Stearate

What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying

Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate 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. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic contains this as ingredient number 6.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 39.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic contains this as ingredient number 9.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

Phenoxyethanol

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.

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic contains this as ingredient number 10.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 51.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic contains this as ingredient number 13.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 44.

Ethylhexylglycerin

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Medik8 Sleep Glycolic contains this as ingredient number 14.

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 50.

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