Skinfix Acne+ Adapinoid Gel Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator
Updated on November 27, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides and retinoid
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
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
Skinfix Acne+ Adapinoid Gel 29 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 62 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
Skinfix Acne+ Adapinoid Gel 29 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 62 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propanediol
Solvent
Squalane
Emollient
Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract
SmoothingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingPisum Sativum Peptide
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract
Skin ConditioningAdapalene
Glycerin
Humectant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Galactoarabinan
Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Schizophyllan
HumectantPolylysine
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dextran
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Squalane, Solanum Tuberosum Pulp Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Pisum Sativum Peptide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Furcellaria Lumbricalis Extract, Adapalene, Glycerin, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tocopherol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Galactoarabinan, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Maltodextrin, Schizophyllan, Polylysine, Tripeptide-1, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Magnesium Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Carnitine Hcl
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract
AstringentGanoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingVitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Tetrahydrocurcumin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Farnesol
Perfuming
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Sodium Pantothenate
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Mannitol
Humectant
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantStearic Acid
Cleansing
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantPotassium Gluconate
Skin ProtectingCyclodextrin
AbsorbentTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Carnitine Hcl, Gluconolactone, Phytic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Glutathione, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Farnesol, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Pantothenate, Retinol, Niacinamide, Saccharide Isomerate, Ferulic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Mannitol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Centella Asiatica Extract, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soy Isoflavones, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Zinc PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Ethoxydiglycol, Stearic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Gluconate, Potassium Gluconate, Cyclodextrin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, 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.
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 WaterThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateGlycerin 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 GlycerinSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Skinfix Acne+ Adapinoid Gel 29 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 62 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Skinfix Acne+ Adapinoid Gel 29 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 62 ingredients
As someone who works in the beauty industry and has recently developed acne again in my mid 20s - this spot gel is without a doubt my no1 go to! This is the ONLY spot gel that works for all kinds of spots (even those huge under the skin ones)! Only thing I will say is use in moderation as this will cause some redness and dryness if you use too much! X
