A prescription-strength nighttime retinoid cream combining retinaldehyde with lactic and glycolic acids, peptides, and antioxidants to address fine lines, texture, and skin renewal.
This overnight cream earns near-universal praise for delivering strong retinoid results (comparable to prescription tretinoin for fine lines) without the irritation and dryness that often come with it. The unique combination of retinaldehyde paired with lactic acid makes it gentler than traditional retinoids while still driving visible smoothing and collagen-building. That said, one dermatologist flagged a testing gap and another called it overpriced for what it does; most who weighed in found the investment worthwhile for sensitive skin, though the pricey formula and clinic-only availability mean it's not for everyone trying their first retinoid.
Synthesized from 14 expert reviews · most recent take October 2026
"I've actually been testing the AlphaRet Overnight Cream by Skin Better Science [...] for quite some time and it's lovely. It's a product that truly can replace a lot of the products already in your skin care routine, it has peptides, [...] retinol, and a vitamin C derivative in [...] it, and it keeps your skin nice and comfortable and well moisturized. It can replace your moisturizer at night time or you can use it alongside your moisturizer if you need additional moisturization."
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"It is so good and it does it all, it just does everything in one product. I would recommend to use this at night time only because of the glycolic, lactic, and the retinoid, [...] and you can use it every night depending on skin tolerance. [...] This could actually replace your moisturizer because it's very moisturizing. [...] The brand recommends not to use this around the eye contour area."
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"This could actually replace your nightly moisturizer, but it has a retinol in it, plus peptides, a vitamin C derivative, and glycolic acid at a lower percentage. It has all of the ingredients we need to keep our skin bright, soft, and smooth, preventing fine lines, stimulating collagen, and improving the overall clarity and youthfulness of the skin. This is truly ten out of ten, I really like this."
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"I've actually been testing the AlphaRet Overnight Cream by Skin Better Science [...] for quite some time and it's lovely. It's a product that truly can replace a lot of the products already in your skin care routine, it has peptides, [...] retinol, and a vitamin C derivative in [...] it, and it keeps your skin nice and comfortable and well moisturized. It can replace your moisturizer at night time or you can use it alongside your moisturizer if you need additional moisturization."
"This is the SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream. This is the best retinoid I have ever used. It has retinaldehyde, which is the strongest retinoid you can get without a prescription, plus glycolic acid, which gives you daily exfoliation, but it is so kind to the skin, it's absolutely non-irritating. Plus it has peptides, antioxidants, brightener, soothers, the works. It feels so nice on the skin, soft, smooth."
"I find it to be a really nice option when I want results but I don't want to push my skin any more, and especially if I don't want that peeling, dryness, and irritation I sometimes get from tretinoin. The key ingredient is the AlphaRet, which is a unique combination of a retinoid and an AHA, particularly lactic acid. There's also a little bit of glycolic acid for that optimal exfoliation in addition to the retinoid."
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"I find it to be a really nice option when I want results but I don't want to push my skin any more, and especially if I don't want that peeling, dryness, and irritation I sometimes get from tretinoin. The key ingredient is the AlphaRet, which is a unique combination of a retinoid and an AHA, particularly lactic acid. There's also a little bit of glycolic acid for that optimal exfoliation in addition to the retinoid."
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"My go-to lately has been the SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream. This contains retinol that's appropriate for even dry sensitive eyes but also has a little bit of AHAs to help increase skin elasticity and help further build collagen. The ingredients in this cream will help firm the skin, minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but also brighten the skin."
"A higher-end option that I really do like is the SkinBetter Science AlphaRet. The AlphaRet combines a retinoid with an alpha hydroxy acid in a way that's effective but well tolerated. There's also a bunch of other nourishing goodies in the AlphaRet product."
"The SkinBetter Science AlphaRet is one of my tippy top favorites. Right now, you can only get it in dermatology clinics or from an aesthetician, and it is one of the pricier retinoids on the market. But when it comes to being spendy with skincare, it is one of the things that I think is truly worth the investment if you have really sensitive skin."
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"The SkinBetter Science AlphaRet is one of my tippy top favorites. Right now, you can only get it in dermatology clinics or from an aesthetician, and it is one of the pricier retinoids on the market. But when it comes to being spendy with skincare, it is one of the things that I think is truly worth the investment if you have really sensitive skin."
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"To me this is like the hero of SkinBetter. I feel like it is the best product that they make hands down. It has retinol but it also has alpha hydroxy acids which help with brightness of the skin, that help with hyperpigmentation. So this delivers a lot of impact while still not being irritating to the skin. And I think that's why it really shines is you get all of these benefits without irritation that normally deters people from being able to use a product like this for a long time."
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"The AlphaRet Overnight Cream from SkinBetter is a super unique formula. I have so many patients who've not been able to use prescription tretinoin or other over-the-counter retinol or retinaldehyde products, and then they use this and they're like it's a miracle. Not only does my skin tolerate it, but my skin actually looks better because of it, and to me that is absolutely worth the investment."
"Those Alpharett products sound freaking amazing. [...] This combines retinoid and alpha hydroxy acid infused with retinol and lactic acid. It accelerates skin renewal for a visibly smoother complexion. This has all of the things in it. Niacinamide, glycolic, retinol, lactic acid. [...] I'm gonna order this and try it [...] because it sounds freaking amazing."
"If we're looking at something that's expensive but probably still worth the money, I would say it would be AlphaRet from SkinBetter Science. This is what would be medical grade skincare personified, this would be the definition of that category if it existed. AlphaRet is still a great product."
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"SkinBetter Science AlphaRet is a very well formulated product with enough science to justify it being called medical grade. That product is unique, it's innovative, it's novel, it combines multiple things. [...] I'm a big fan of that product."
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"If we're looking at something that's expensive but probably still worth the money, I would say it would be AlphaRet from SkinBetter Science. This is what would be medical grade skincare personified, this would be the definition of that category if it existed. AlphaRet is still a great product."
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"It works really well. It's just expensive, you know. It's got your retinol and your lactic acid and your antioxidants. But it's a good product. It's just really expensive."
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"With the SkinBetter Science product, it's actually a retinol attached to a lactic acid that when it enters the skin it releases the retinol and the lactic acid plus it has glycolic acid in it, so it basically eliminates the need to cycle the routine. So it's one product that you would use in your night routine for that pro-aging normal skin: cleanse, apply the SkinBetter Science AlphaRet, and then moisturize."
"I have a personal affinity for the concept of this product because I feel like it breaks all the rules. [...] The ingredient combination is what makes this product really interesting. I actually like the packaging quite a bit. [...] The most important thing that I like about this packaging is the airless pump so you're able to get all the product out of it. I literally cracked one of my products open the other day just to see if it's true and there is really nothing for me to get out."
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"The Skin Better Science Retinol, called AlphaRet, is a little bit pricey and you may need to go to a medispa or dermatologist's office to get it, but it's not a prescription. [...] The reason why I like this one is they've done a lot of studies on it, so it has data behind it, but I also like that they use very interesting ingredients. They use glycolic acid in addition to retinol and a combined form of retinol and lactic acid so it exfoliates and has that benefit of retinol in it."
"They really could have done that and they haven't. They failed very badly. It's probably the worst product we've seen so far today and the most expensive."
"My personal favorite retinoid-containing product is the skinbetter science AlphaRet Overnight Cream. That's the only retinoid that my really sensitive, rosacea-prone skin can tolerate. It's actually a retinoid conjugated with lactic acid, along with a whole host of other goodies. That's my retinoid of choice for those with sensitive skin."
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"I actually use this on nights when I'm not using my retinoid, so my retinoid that I'm always using, my ride or die, is my SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, and I use that about four to five times a week."
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"My personal favorite retinoid-containing product is the skinbetter science AlphaRet Overnight Cream. That's the only retinoid that my really sensitive, rosacea-prone skin can tolerate. It's actually a retinoid conjugated with lactic acid, along with a whole host of other goodies. That's my retinoid of choice for those with sensitive skin."
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"One ingredient I haven't been able to use is my retinoid, my usual SkinBetter Science AlphaRet, and I've been sorely missing it. I haven't actually replaced it with anything really in terms of its exfoliating property because my skin's really sensitive right now."
"SkinBetter Science AlphaRet is a very very gentle retinoid that's conjugated with an AHA and it's the only retinoid that I can tolerate. Knowing specifically that someone has sensitive skin I would recommend that product for them and they can even use that with peel pads."
"It's a rich creamy retinol serum [...] that is lovely hydrating but not sticky, greasy, or heavy. In addition to the retinoid, the lactic acid also contains peptides along with other antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E that just all around a great product to incorporate into your anti-aging skincare routine."
"Definitely one of my favorite anti-aging creams. SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream has palmitoyl tripeptide 1 in addition to many other fantastic skincare ingredients."
"I reviewed the SkinBetter Sciences Alpharette Overnight Cream and [...] pointed out how they didn't include the vehicle control in their clinical testing."
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"I reviewed the SkinBetter Sciences Alpharette Overnight Cream and [...] pointed out how they didn't include the vehicle control in their clinical testing."
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"The study they have is poorly controlled with no vehicle control, so you cannot tell if the improvements in wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and redness are from the retinoid ester or from all the other ingredients like niacinamide, glycolic acid, green tea extract, CoQ10, and hyaluronic acid, which all can achieve these same endpoints. I believe the results are simply because it is a good moisturizer, and I am not convinced by this product whatsoever."
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"Most of its benefits could come from ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and peptides that are already in plenty of moisturizers. I'm not convinced it offers anything above and beyond [...] a basic facial moisturizer, and I haven't seen anything that justifies the price. Adapalene is a better starting point, with much more evidence and a much lower price."
"If you're going to add one proven active on top of your basics, I'd recommend a retinoid, and your late twenties or early thirties is a great time to start thinking about it. AlphaRet from SkinBetter Science gives you prescription retinoid level results in my opinion, with a gentler experience, and that's where I'd put my money. I'd be using something like that before I'd put anything on my skin with longevity on the label."
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"That sounds like it could be drying, but it's so gentle. I use it most nights without even using a moisturizer, and I don't get any dryness or irritation. It is a little bit more expensive than your typical over-the-counter retinol, but it will last you 5 months because one pump is all you need every night, and there's 150 treatments in that bottle. If you're looking for a very good retinol that is not irritating, check out SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream."
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"If you want my favorite retinol, it is from SkinBetter Science. It's called AlphaRet. It's equivalent to 0.025% tretinoin."
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"If you're going to add one proven active on top of your basics, I'd recommend a retinoid, and your late twenties or early thirties is a great time to start thinking about it. AlphaRet from SkinBetter Science gives you prescription retinoid level results in my opinion, with a gentler experience, and that's where I'd put my money. I'd be using something like that before I'd put anything on my skin with longevity on the label."
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"I use the SkinBetter AlphaRet Advance because my skin does not tolerate prescription tretinoin anymore. I choose to purchase the more expensive option because it works better for my skin. I wish that I could use the prescription alternative because it definitely would save me money, but for my skin this is worth it."
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"I can't use prescription tretinoin anymore because it dries out my skin too much, but I have no problem using the AlphaRet Overnight Cream, and most of the time I even skip a moisturizer when I use it. It's a pretty premium price point, but there are 150 pumps in the bottle and you use one pump a night, so it will last you 5 months, and for the price the value is actually pretty decent."
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"One of my personal favorites that I use every day is AlphaRet from Skin Better Science. It's a little more expensive, but you get five months of use out of a single bottle, so when you average it out on a daily basis it's a lot more reasonable. I like it because it's very tolerable. They use retinoic acid, which is the same active as prescription tretinoin, just chemically modified to include lactic acid, and it doesn't require a prescription."
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"I use the AlphaRet from Skin Better Science, which has glycolic and lactic acid in it as well as the retinoic acid, and it is my favorite retinol product. I use a retinol daily."
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"My retinol is the SkinBetter AlphaRet, one pump on the finger and that's enough to cover the whole face. I use a retinol pretty much every night, and this is the one I use most of the time. I find it to be super gentle, to the point where I don't need a moisturizer most of the time."
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"At night, once my face is dry, I put on a retinol. I usually use the Skin Better AlphaRet. It does have a little lactic and glycolic acid in it as well at low concentrations, so I'm not overexfoliating. It's a multi-purpose product, but I'm not doing multiple steps."
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"If someone has fine lines or subtle wrinkles and doesn't want Botox, I'll often recommend a retinoid. Alpharet from SkinBetter Science is a great option to help smooth those out over time."
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"The retinol I have been using for over a year now is AlphaRet from Skinbetter Science, and I love it. It's retinoic acid, the same as tretinoin, combined with lactic acid and glycolic acid, and somehow the way they formulated it is so gentle that if I'm being honest I don't use a moisturizer most of the time after using it."
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"The AlphaRet Overnight Cream from SkinBetter Science is my personal favorite. It's equivalent to a 0.25% tretinoin, which is available by prescription, but it has the addition of lactic acid and 10% glycolic acid for a little more exfoliation. Even though that sounds like a lot of ingredients, it's the most gentle retinol I've ever used on my skin. I love the results, I've been using it consistently for about a year, and I highly recommend it."
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"I have very sensitive skin where I can no longer really use a prescription tretinoin, but I have used SkinBetter Science consistently as my evening retinol for a year now with zero irritation, and most of the time I don't even use a moisturizer afterwards and I still don't get irritation. I moved up to their AlphaRet Intense Overnight option, which has an 18 percent glycolic acid."
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"I've been using this one for almost a full year, every single night, with no irritation. I've used so many skincare products, and I got to the point where prescription tretinoin and many other prescription retinoid medications were just too dry on my face, they caused irritation and I couldn't use them, but I've had no trouble using AlphaRet."
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"I'm not the kind of person who can use a retinol every single day, even some over the counter retinols, but I've been able to consistently use the SkinBetter Science retinol for going on four months now every single night without irritation, so I've become a big fan of it."
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"The retinol that I choose to use every day is the SkinBetter AlphaRet. It's very similar to prescription strength tretinoin 0.025%. It was studied head to head against tretinoin, primarily for anti-aging purposes, but it was superior to 0.025% tretinoin. It's also formulated with lactic acid as well as glycolic acid, which also help control acne."
"I've mentioned it on my channel for many years, and it has quietly earned a permanent place in my practice. It's hands down the best retinoid I can recommend that does not require a prescription, one of the gold standard retinoids with over 10 years of transformative results. I've rated it 10 out of 10. It hasn't made a name for itself through viral trends, but is relied upon by professionals who care about real outcomes, long-term skin health, and consistency."
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"My favorite retinoid that does not require a prescription, hands down, is SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream. Just one pump gives you a pea-sized amount for your entire face. You have an alpha hydroxy acid paired with a retinoid, so you get exfoliation from the AHA, and the retinoid has been shown in studies to be comparable to tretinoin 0.025% for fine lines and wrinkles, but without the tolerability issues."
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"I've mentioned it on my channel for many years, and it has quietly earned a permanent place in my practice. It's hands down the best retinoid I can recommend that does not require a prescription, one of the gold standard retinoids with over 10 years of transformative results. I've rated it 10 out of 10. It hasn't made a name for itself through viral trends, but is relied upon by professionals who care about real outcomes, long-term skin health, and consistency."
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"It helps with fine lines and wrinkles, increases cell turnover, and thus helps with hyperpigmentation. It also helps keep your pores clear with the exfoliative action of the alpha hydroxy acids, plus you have retinoids that prevent the shedding of dead skin into the pore and thus keep them clear and help with the appearance of your pores. Just an overall winner. I know it's a little higher price point, but for me it's been worth it."
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"This is SkinBetter Science AlphaRet. It has lactic acid conjugated to a retinoid, and you also have glycolic acid mixed in. So you have AHAs helping to gently exfoliate the skin plus you have a retinoid that will help boost collagen production and help with hyperpigmentation. Just one pump is all you need for your entire face. You don't want to overdo it."
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"AlphaRet by SkinBetter Science is a 10 out of 10 over-the-counter retinoid. This is a retinoid paired with two molecules of lactic acid, which is really cool because usually I say don't combine a leave-on exfoliant like lactic acid or glycolic acid with your retinoid, having two together will increase your risk of irritation. But what you get here is something that's already formulated with the lactic acid with your retinoid, so you're getting the best of both worlds."
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"One of my favorite retinoids is SkinBetter Science AlphaRet. This here has niacinamide in it and that just helps brighten the skin but also help regulate sebum production. So when I recommend something for my patients with acne I want niacinamide a lot of times so that doesn't clog up the pores, it keeps the oil down. This has niacinamide, so it has it all there, it's a moisturizer with SPF so we have SPF 30. Just keep in mind that this is not water resistant."
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"It is at a higher price point. But instead of hitting your skin with Leon exfoliants at home, you could have an exfoliant already attached to your retinoid. Their alpha has alpha hydroxy acids paired with their retinoid. So you're getting exfoliation from the alpha hydroxy acid plus the retinoid. Consider that one in your 40s and up. You can definitely start it like I did in my early 30s and up."
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"One of my favorite retinoids out there that is pretty comparable to tretinoin by a few studies. But what I really like is that [...] it has alpha hydroxy acids paired with your retinoid. That's where you get the exfoliative benefits of an alpha hydroxy acid and you get the retinoid. [...] What I love is that you have both in one in a gentle way. You don't want to be reckless and layer an exfoliant and a retinoid on your own. So this has it all paired together."
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"It's a higher price point, but so worth it. This is the one I've been using for over 5 years and it's great stuff. I carry this in my office. My patients come back and give me great feedback on it. [...] After patients been using it for many years, they have been coming back this past year with really good feedback because they've really been on it and they've been trusting the science behind it. It has alpha hydroxy acid which is an exfoliant paired with a retinoid and you get both benefits."
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"My favorite is the AlphaRet by SkinBetter Science that combines lactic acid, glycolic acid, and their own retinoid. I like those retinoids a lot and they're quite gentle."
"If you want to have an exfoliant mixed into your product like the AlphaRet by SkinBetter Science that's probably more preferable than scrubbing the dead skin cells away"
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"I love Alpharet by SkinBetter Science because it's already compounded with the lactic acid, glycolic acid with your retinoid."
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"They found that AlphaRet was not inferior to tretinoin, so it performed just as well as generic tretinoin. The conclusion showed early reductions in photo damage and improvements in hydration. At 12 weeks, that's when you really want to assess fine lines or wrinkles because that doesn't usually happen in the first eight weeks of use. AlphaRet has lactic acid, which is an AHA, and two molecules conjugated with retinoid. The retinoid is not truly tretinoin but very similar to tretinoin."
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"There's an intensive or non-intensive version. This is the non-intensive I'm using more in the winter time, and the intensive has 18% glycolic acid versus this one here is the 10% glycolic acid. You just want to do a pea-size amount to your entire face, that's usually just one pump, then moisturize over it."
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"My favorite hands down for those who are looking into pore appearance would be AlphaRet by SkinBetter Science, but it is at a higher price point, but you're getting the alpha hydroxy acids paired with your retinoid."
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"The lactic acid paired with the retinoid and head-to-head has been shown to be non inferior to prescription tretinoin. I like that one a lot you get exfoliation plus you get the glow up from your retinoid so it's just a nice combination there."
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"I like the AlphaRet by SkinBetter Science, that's a nice retinoid to consider."
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"AlphaRet by SkinBetter Science, whether the intensive or non-intensive, it's just a matter of differences in glycolic acid concentrations. The intensive has more glycolic acid. I like that retinoid a lot. That one's nice because you have a retinoid plus you have an exfoliative alpha hydroxy acid mixed in. You have glycolic acid, you have lactic acid, and so it's a really nice one to put on at bedtime and then moisturize afterwards."
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"I like to talk about products with a good track record, works well for those with sensitive skin, and you're not going to break the bank when it comes to retinoids. Though I will break the bank for really good ones like the AlphaRet by SkinBetter Science. You can buy this on the online store."
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"SkinBetter Science makes a nice retinoid. AlphaRet is a double conjugated retinoid with lactic acid molecules attached to it and it has exfoliative properties from the lactic acid and also glycolic acid. In a split face trial they found that tretinoin 0.025 and AlphaRet were comparable and couldn't say that one was inferior to the other. I've used it for myself for over five years now and I think it's a great retinoid. It's been so good, it's helped change my skin."
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"It has nice packaging. You twist and one pump gives you that pea-sized amount and you have alpha hydroxy acids bound to their retinoid. It's not a true retinol, it's their own retinoid. If you're okay to splurge on something more powerful, they show that this is not inferior to tretinoin 0.025% prescription. [...] This is great stuff. You get the exfoliative benefits of the AHAs, the alpha hydroxy acids, plus you get the magical benefits of having a retinoid."
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"SkinBetter Science AlphaRet, which has niacinamide with it, it's their own special double conjugated retinoid with lactic acid and glycolic acid. It's one of my favorite retinoids that you can get."
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"My favorite alphaRet by SkinBetter Science has niacinamide with their retinoid their Alpha R compound."
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"The ultimate it's the AlphaRet Overnight Cream by SkinBetter Science this one is a higher price point but if you want to talk about packing a punch this one has been shown in a study to be equivalent to Tretinoin 0.25% which I prescribe this one has glycolic acid and lactic acid and that's where you get the alpha R you have the alpha hydroxy acids paired with it without the irritation usually and this one just formulates it so well together it's a higher price point but a 10 out of 10 retinoid to me one of my favorite holy grail retinoids"
What the evidence says.
Independent of what the gurus think, this is what
the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.
Retinoids
Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.
Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.
Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.
What is SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream?
A prescription-strength nighttime retinoid cream combining retinaldehyde with lactic and glycolic acids, peptides, and antioxidants to address fine lines, texture, and skin renewal.
Is SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream worth it?
Mostly yes. 12 of the 14 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 83%.
What is SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream's Guru Score?
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream holds a Guru Score of 83%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 14 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.
Who is SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream best for?
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream is generally suited to mature skin.
Cheaper alternatives the gurus rate.
Lower-priced moisturizers the gurus still rate highly, versus this luxury pick.
