Versus

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream Versus Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin)

Night Moisturizer
Prescription
American Brand United States
South African Brand South Africa

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, brightening 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

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Water

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Glycolate

Buffering

Glycolic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cetearyl Olivate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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

When to use

115 Routines
1% use in am
99% use in pm
83% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
1,120 Routines
3% use in am
97% use in pm
68% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Expensive (3) Absorbs Well (2) Light (2)
carr0t's avatar

Caroline Strahan

9 months ago
Review

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

#expensive
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
beamayo's avatar

Bea Mayo

2 months ago
Review

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

#expensive
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Drying (1) Great Value (1) Strong Scent (1)
APriceLife_749's avatar

APriceLife_749

1 year ago
Review

Wrinkle fighter, cellular turnover

SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

1 year ago
Review

Retinol did nothing for my skin. After using different kinds of strengths and seeing no results I decided to give up on retinol and start using tretinoin and it was the best decision ever. My skin is becoming clearer and clearer every day.

#great value
#drying
#strong scent
#works well