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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream versus SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 .

Last updated on February 16, 2024. Published on November 05, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 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, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and silicones

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

Night Moisturizer American Brand United States
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Shop

Buy Retinol 0.3

Starts at $78.00

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
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

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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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: 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

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

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.

Bisabolol comes from German chamomile essential oil. Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.

Bisabolol helps soothe skin. It does this by blocking the inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.

Bisabolol also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.

Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.

Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.

Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.

Learn more about Bisabolol

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 contains this as ingredient number 19.

3
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.

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

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
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

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains this as ingredient number 47.

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 contains this as ingredient number 14.

5
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.

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

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

42% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
36% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 52 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 review
Erthrud's Avatar'
Feb 17, 2024

Why would anyone pay for this instead of tretinoin?!

Why would anyone pay for this instead of tretinoin?!

Expensive

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 22 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3.

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