All scans / Moisturizers / Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream ingredients: is it worth it?
This is a high-performance, clinically-minded retinoid night cream with smart buffering and barrier support, but it relies on a gentler retinoid ester so its remodeling power will be strong yet not maximal.
This is a high-performance, clinically-minded retinoid night cream with smart buffering and barrier support, but it relies on a gentler retinoid ester so its remodeling power will be strong yet not maximal.
READ MORE
Efficacy is driven by the patented retinoid–AHA complex (ethyl lactyl retinoate plus glycolic acid high in the INCI), a meaningful peptide blend, niacinamide, ceramide NP, hyaluronic acid, and multiple antioxidants, all in a silicone-emollient base that prioritizes tolerability over aggressive strength. The relatively gentle retinoid ester and unknown exact acid pH keep it just shy of "clinical-grade" intensity, but make it realistically usable for many without significant irritation, which matches its marketed "little-to-no irritation" positioning.
We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Links never influence scores.
DemythSkin rates Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream 4.5/5 for efficacy and 4.5/5 for safety.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY TIER
Gold Standards
High clinical proof | Skin-transformativeReliable
Proven resultsPotent
Developing evidenceOverhyped | Marketing
Hype | Limited dataDocumented Irritants
Evidence-backed flagFORMULATION BASE (22)⌄
FULL INGREDIENT LIST⌄
Aqua/Water, Sodium Glycolate, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Pentylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Sorbitan Olivate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Ceresin, Glycol Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Squalane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Ceramide NP, Hyaluronic Acid, Ubiquinone, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Superoxide Dismutase, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Allantoin Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Linoleic Acid, Cholesterol, Linolenic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Steareth-2, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Hydrated Silica, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
WHAT EACH INGREDIENT DOES (24)⌄
- Aqua/Water
- Solvent base
- Sodium Glycolate
- pH adjuster, buffering agent
- Glycolic Acid
- Alpha-hydroxy acid exfoliant
- Cetearyl Olivate
- Emulsifier, texture enhancer
- Pentylene Glycol
- Humectant and solvent
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Silicone emollient, slip agent
- Isohexadecane
- Emollient, texture enhancer
- Sorbitan Olivate
- Emulsifier, stabilizer
- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
- Oil-soluble vitamin C derivative
- Glycerin
- Humectant for hydration
- Ceresin
- Waxy thickener, structurant
- Glycol Palmitate
- Emollient, skin conditioning
- Butylene Glycol
- Humectant and solvent
- Niacinamide
- Barrier-support and brightening agent
- Squalane
- Emollient, barrier support
- Methyl Gluceth-20
- Humectant, mild emollient
- Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate
- Retinoid ester, anti-aging active
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
- Signal peptide for collagen support
- Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
- Peptide for skin firmness
- Ceramide NP
- Barrier lipid, moisturization
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Humectant, water-binding
- Ubiquinone
- Coenzyme Q10 antioxidant
- Tocopherol
- Vitamin E antioxidant
- Bisabolol
- Soothing, anti-redness agent
EXTERNAL CITATIONS
Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate: Company and independent reviews describe this as a retinoid ester designed to deliver retinoid benefits with reduced irritation compared with traditional retinol.
Glycolic Acid: Glycolic acid is a well-studied alpha-hydroxy acid that promotes exfoliation and improves skin texture and tone at appropriate pH and concentration.
Niacinamide: Niacinamide has clinical evidence for improving barrier function, uneven tone, and fine lines when used at sufficient concentrations in leave-on products.
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1: Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 is a cosmetic peptide used in anti-aging formulations to signal collagen support and improve the appearance of wrinkles.
Ceramide NP: Ceramides are established barrier lipids that reduce transepidermal water loss and support barrier repair in moisturizers.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. AI-GENERATED DATA BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENT LISTS. VERIFY WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream: common questions
Is Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream worth it?
Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream scores 4.5 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Gold Standard) and 4.5 out of 5.0 for safety (Very Gentle) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a high-performance, clinically-minded retinoid night cream with smart buffering and barrier support, but it relies on a gentler retinoid ester so its remodeling power will be strong yet not maximal.
What are the key active ingredients in Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream?
Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Glycolic Acid.
Does Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream contain fragrance or known irritants?
DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream. It scores 4.5 out of 5.0 for safety.
How is Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream scored?
DemythSkin grades every product on two independent scores: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are graded S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. Brand and price are not part of the score, and no brand pays for one.
Free scores for every product in the database, or see them on Sephora, Ulta and Amazon with the Chrome extension.