AlphaRet is skinbetter science's patented retinoid, and the reason most people come to the brand. It bonds a retinoid to an alpha hydroxy acid in a single molecule, which is what lets it work at night without the peeling stage most retinoids put you through first.
Quick answers
- What is AlphaRet?
- A patented double-conjugated molecule: a retinoid bonded to an alpha hydroxy acid, used at night.
- Why does the AHA matter?
- The pairing is what allows retinoid-level renewal in a texture skinbetter formulates for nightly use.
- Which product should I buy?
- AlphaRet Overnight Cream ($220) for most skin. AlphaRet Clearing Serum ($220) if your skin is oilier.
- Can I use it near my eyes?
- No. The face products avoid the eye area. EyeMax ($200) is the version made for it.
- Do I still need sunscreen?
- Yes, every morning. It is not optional with any retinoid or AHA.
What AlphaRet actually is
Most retinoid products put a retinoid and an exfoliating acid in the same bottle and hope your skin copes. AlphaRet does something different: the retinoid and the alpha hydroxy acid are chemically bonded into one molecule. skinbetter science calls this a double-conjugated retinoid, and it is the patented technology the brand is built on.
The practical consequence is what people notice. AlphaRet is formulated for nightly use from the start, rather than the two-nights-a-week ramp a traditional retinol needs.
The short version. AlphaRet is the reason to look at skinbetter science at all. If a retinol has failed you before because your skin flaked, tightened and you quit in week three, this is the category of product built for exactly that problem.
Why the AHA pairing matters
Retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids do different jobs. A retinoid works on cell turnover and the appearance of lines and tone over months. An AHA works on the surface, loosening dull, rough-feeling skin much faster.
Used separately on the same night, they often add up to more irritation than either alone, which is why most routines alternate them. Bonding them changes how they are delivered, and it is what allows a formula strong enough to matter and mild enough to keep using.
That is a tolerance story, not a strength story. AlphaRet is not "a stronger retinol". It is a retinoid you are more likely to still be using in six months, which is the only timeframe over which any retinoid does anything visible.
The three AlphaRet products
Three products in the range carry the AlphaRet molecule. They are not interchangeable, and the difference is skin type and location, not potency.
AlphaRet
Overnight Cream
AlphaRet
Clearing Serum
EyeMax AlphaRet
Overnight Cream
| Product | Built for | What is added | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlphaRet Overnight Cream$220 · 30 ml | Normal, dry and combination skin | Nothing further, this is the core formula | Whole face, avoiding the eye area |
| AlphaRet Clearing Serum$220 · 30 ml | Oilier skin, visible pores, congestion | Salicylic acid, a BHA that works inside the pore | Whole face, avoiding the eye area |
| EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream$200 · 15 ml | The eye area specifically | A cushioned, more hydrating base | Under-eye area, one pump |
Note the eye rule, because people get this wrong. The Overnight Cream and the Clearing Serum both say to avoid the eye area. EyeMax exists because that skin needs the same active in a different base, not because it is a nice extra.
Which one is right for you
| Your skin | Buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Normal, dry or combination | Overnight Cream | The default. Richer texture, no extra acids |
| Oily, or you get congested | Clearing Serum | Salicylic acid targets the pore as well |
| Lines around the eyes are the concern | EyeMax | The only one formulated for that skin |
| You want the full picture | Overnight Cream and EyeMax | Face and eye area, same molecule, correct bases |
| You have never used a retinoid | Overnight Cream | Start here rather than on a traditional retinol |
How to use it
- At night, after cleansing, apply one to two pumps to the face. Avoid the eye area.
- Follow with a moisturiser if your skin wants one. Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment is the natural partner at $240.
- If you are using EyeMax, one pump around the under-eye area.
- Every morning, sunscreen. This is the step that makes the rest of it worth doing.
If your skin is reactive, still ease in. Formulated for nightly use is not the same as obligatory from night one. Two or three nights in the first fortnight, then build. You lose nothing by arriving slowly and you keep the product in your routine.
How it compares to a plain retinol
A conventional retinol is sold by percentage, and the number is how you judge where you are: 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%. AlphaRet is not sold that way, because the molecule is the point rather than the dose on the label.
That makes a direct comparison against a percentage misleading. The useful way to think about it: a traditional retinol asks you to build tolerance to reach a working strength, and AlphaRet is formulated to start closer to a working strength with less of that build. If you want the percentage ladder across the brands we carry, our fall retinol reset guide lays it out from 0.25% to 1.0%.
One retinoid at a time. AlphaRet replaces your retinol, it does not layer on top of one. If you are already on a retinol and want to switch, stop the old one and start this, rather than running both.
What to pair it with
skinbetter's own most-recommended pairing is AlphaRet at night with Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum ($290) in the morning: an antioxidant serum with vitamin C, vitamin E and 17 further antioxidants for the day, the retinoid for the night.
If uneven tone is also on your list, Even Intensive Skin Tone Correcting Serum ($280) is used morning and evening, and its own directions call out pairing it with AlphaRet Overnight Cream.
New to the brand as a whole? Start with our guide to building a skinbetter science routine, which covers the cleanser and moisturiser layers around this.
We are an authorized Canadian retailer of skinbetter science, a brand sold only through clinics and approved online retailers. Free shipping on orders $99+, and samples with every order.
Shop skinbetter scienceFrequently asked questions
What is AlphaRet?
AlphaRet is skinbetter science's patented double-conjugated molecule: a retinoid bonded to an alpha hydroxy acid. It is used at night, and it is formulated for nightly use rather than requiring the slow ramp a traditional retinol needs.
Is AlphaRet stronger than a retinol?
It is not sold by percentage, so it does not sit on the same scale. The difference is delivery and tolerance rather than raw strength. A traditional retinol asks you to build up to a working strength; AlphaRet is formulated to start closer to one.
Which AlphaRet should I buy first?
AlphaRet Overnight Cream at $220 for normal, dry or combination skin. AlphaRet Clearing Serum at $220 if your skin is oilier or gets congested, since it adds salicylic acid. Both are 30 ml.
Can I use AlphaRet around my eyes?
Not the face products. The Overnight Cream and Clearing Serum both direct you to avoid the eye area. EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream at $200 is the version formulated for that skin, applied one pump under the eye at night.
Can I use AlphaRet with vitamin C?
Yes, at opposite ends of the day. Antioxidants such as Alto in the morning, AlphaRet at night. Do not layer them in the same application.
Can I use AlphaRet and a retinol together?
No. One retinoid at a time. If you are switching from a retinol, stop the retinol and start AlphaRet rather than running both.
Do I need sunscreen with AlphaRet?
Yes, daily. The directions call for it, and it applies year-round. Both a retinoid and an alpha hydroxy acid are in the formula, and daily broad-spectrum SPF is what protects the result you are working for.
How long until I see a difference?
Texture tends to change first, within several weeks. Anything to do with the appearance of lines or tone takes considerably longer, and twelve weeks of consistent nightly use is a fair point at which to judge.
Where can I buy skinbetter science in Canada?
skinbetter science is dispensed through clinics and authorized online retailers only. Your Skin Solution is an authorized Canadian retailer, with free shipping on orders over $99 within Canada.
Product descriptions, directions and technology names are as published by skinbetter science. Prices are current as of 5 September 2026 and may change. Descriptions refer to visible, cosmetic change. Individual results vary. This article is general information, not medical advice. Speak with your dermatologist or skincare professional about what suits your skin, and before starting a retinoid if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or using a prescription topical.