Skinbetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging6 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This nightly treatment combines the patented retinoid, Alpha Ret, with maximized creamy hydration to leave skin feeling softer, smoother and firmer with reduced look of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl hexapeptide-37, astaxanthin, ethyl lactyl retinoate.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Moisturizing19 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This nightly treatment combines the patented retinoid, Alpha Ret, with maximized creamy hydration to leave skin feeling softer, smoother and firmer with reduced look of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, glyceryl glucoside.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: jojoba esters, c10-18 triglycerides.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-37, niacinamide
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (astaxanthin) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - haematococcus pluvialis extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Ethyl lactyl retinoateMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Propanediol~4.7–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolIsocetyl stearoyl stearate~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Isocetyl stearoyl stearateGlyceryl stearate~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateC10-18 triglycerides~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the skin and attract water to its upper layer. Helps create nice product texture
More about C10-18 triglyceridesGlycerin~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinJojoba esters~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersNiacinamide~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideEthylhexyl olivate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl olivatePolyglyceryl-6 palmitate/succinate~1–1.2%
Coco-caprylate/caprate~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateHydroxypropyl starch phosphate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and used to stabilize product formulations
More about Hydroxypropyl starch phosphateCetearyl alcohol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholTriheptanoin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriheptanoinButylene glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolDimethyl isosorbide~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideEthyl lactyl retinoate~0.55–0.85%
Acetyl hexapeptide-37~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl hexapeptide-37Sodium hyaluronate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateGlyceryl glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help to restore skin barrier function and soften its upper layer
More about Glyceryl glucosideLeontopodium alpinum flower/leaf extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractAstaxanthin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps neutralize free radicals in skin and might help to calm down inflammation
More about AstaxanthinHaematococcus pluvialis extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Green algae extract that might contain antioxidant astaxanthin
More about Haematococcus pluvialis extractCrataegus monogyna flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Jasminum sambac flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateHydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersTremella fuciformis extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A mushroom extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Tremella fuciformis extractTocopherol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateSucrose stearate~0.3–0.55%
C9-12 alkane~0.25–0.45%
Gluconolactone~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneCalcium gluconate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and helps to improve appearance of the product
More about Calcium gluconatePolyurethane-100~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateSodium phytate~0.15–0.3%
Citric acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium benzoate~0.15–0.25%
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Isocetyl stearoyl stearate, Glyceryl stearate, C10-18 triglycerides, Glycerin, Jojoba esters, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 palmitate/succinate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, Cetearyl alcohol, Triheptanoin, Butylene glycol, Dimethyl isosorbide, Ethyl lactyl retinoate, Acetyl hexapeptide-37, Sodium hyaluronate, Glyceryl glucoside, Leontopodium alpinum flower/leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Astaxanthin, Haematococcus pluvialis extract, Crataegus monogyna flower extract, Jasminum sambac flower extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Tremella fuciformis extract, Tocopherol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Sucrose stearate, C9-12 alkane, Gluconolactone, Calcium gluconate, Polyurethane-100, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Sodium phytate, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Skinbetter ScienceEyeMax AlphaRet Overnight CreamYOUR PRODUCT | LumeneNordic Ageless [AJATON] Radiant Youth Night Cream | Spectacle SkincarePerformance Crème | Glowbiotics MDGlowbiotics Probiotic Ultra Rich Brightening Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 75% | 73% | 73% |
| Price | — | $56.72 | $100.47 | $66.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 14 | 5 of 14 | 4 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Heptapeptide-14 Pantothenate | Retinal | Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Skinbetter Science - EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Glycerin, glyceryl glucoside, sodium hyaluronate, butylene glycol and calcium gluconate in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (jojoba esters, c10-18 triglycerides, cetearyl alcohol, coco-caprylate/caprate and glyceryl stearate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - ethyl lactyl retinoate 0.55% - 0.85%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- This moisturizer also contains Peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-37 0.40% - 0.60%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that they are helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 29 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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