Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum versus Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05% .
Last updated on January 15, 2024. Published on March 01, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Prescription
Prescription skincare treatments. The ingredients in these product are prescription strength and considered medication. In many countries, these must be prescribed by a certified professional.
Price
Ingredient Info
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum 42 ingredients
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05% 9 ingredients
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 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
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 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not 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 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
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 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum 42 ingredients
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05% 9 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum 42 ingredients
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05% 9 ingredients
Water • Lactic Acid • Sodium Lactate • Pentylene Glycol • Ethylhexyl Olivate • Sorbitan Stearate • Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate • Ppg-3 Isostearyl Methyl Ether • Glycerin • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate • Niacinamide • Zinc PCA • Steareth-2 • Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate • Salicylic Acid • Oligopeptide-10 • Sodium Hyaluronate • Decylene Glycol • Artemisia Vulgaris Extract • Bisabolol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Laminaria Digitata Extract • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract • Boswellia Serrata Extract • Zingiber Officinale Root Extract • Honey Extract • Oryza Sativa Bran Extract • Cetearyl Alcohol • Butylene Glycol • Xanthan Gum • Lecithin • Sclerotium Gum • Disodium EDTA • Pullulan • Ethylhexylglycerin • Silica • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Benzoate
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 WaterSkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 9.
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 GumSkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05% contains this as ingredient number 6.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum 42 ingredients
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05% 9 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum 42 ingredients
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05% 9 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum 42 ingredients
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05% 9 ingredients
chlolands
Never gave me the miracle results I've seen all over TikTok but served me well for the 3+ years I was on this.
hmmh
Been on this for 4 years. It does not perform miracles but it does keep your skin youthful to some extent sans procedures. Worked on reducing...
Been on this for 4 years. It does not perform miracles but it does keep your skin youthful to some extent sans procedures. Worked on reducing inflammation and acne but dried my skin out, even after a full year of consistent use. With this, sunscreen is non-negotiable.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum.
See 3 alternativesWe haven't detected any alternatives for Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A (Tretinoin) Cream 0.05%.