IllustrationPart 1 · The Ordinary
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Retinoid for rough patches (PM, 3 nights/week)
BAlphaRet retinoid-lactic conjugate · 10 of 25
How we build AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream
Four steps: the original, what makes it special, the parts we use, and how to get closer.
The original
SkinBetter Science
AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream
$120 · 5 fl oz (150 ml)
A body cream that combines ammonium lactate (an AHA), salicylic acid, niacinamide and ethyl lactyl retinoate to smooth rough texture and visible aging on the arms, chest and legs.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
What stands out 100 pts
- AAmmonium lactate (AHA)30 pts
Lactate softens and sheds the rough surface layer, the main smoothing action on arms and legs.
- BAlphaRet retinoid-lactic conjugate25 pts
The retinoid half of the visible-aging claim, bonded to lactic acid.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 40% of these points.
- CSalicylic acid (BHA)15 pts
Clears the pores behind rough, bumpy skin.
- DNiacinamide15 pts
Supports the skin barrier while the acids exfoliate.
- EEmollients and humectants15 pts
Avocado oil, jojoba esters, glycerin, squalane and HA keep a body cream from drying skin out.
Total to match100 pts
Now we cover those 5 with shelf products
Our build 4 parts
AHA lotion + retinoid spot treatment
Illustration
IllustrationPart 2 · The Ordinary
Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Lactic acid for rough patches (PM, other nights)
AAmmonium lactate (AHA) · 15 of 30
IllustrationPart 3 · CeraVe
SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Adds: Salicylic acid (BHA); Niacinamide; Emollients and humectants
AAmmonium lactate (AHA) · 15 of 30CSalicylic acid (BHA) · 11 of 15DNiacinamide · 11 of 15EEmollients and humectants · 11 of 15
IllustrationPart 4 · AmLactin
Daily Nourish 12% Lactic Acid Lotion
Adds: Ammonium lactate (AHA)
AAmmonium lactate (AHA) · 30EEmollients and humectants · 8 of 15
How to use. PM only; apply to dry skin on arms or thighs, alternate nights. Patch test on inner arm. Use SPF on exposed areas. Add CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin: Body lotion for rough, bumpy skin with salicylic and lactic acids plus niacinamide and ceramides. Price not found. Add AmLactin Daily Nourish 12% Lactic Acid Lotion: Same ammonium lactate AHA that smooths rough body skin, at a large size. Price not found.
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
Match score73 / 100
- A fully covered30 pts
- B · C · D · E partly covered43 pts
AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream$120
Our build~$21.30 + check price
The total leaves out the 2 parts showing "Check price".
Get closer score under 80
73 / 100. One add-on lifts this build to 77/100.
IllustrationAdd Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum 10%
Good Molecules
+4 pts → 77/100 · +$5
DNiacinamide · +4
Adds niacinamide at a known strength; spot-size, so for patches only.
85 is our ceiling. Proprietary conjugate: no retail product uses ethyl lactyl retinoate. Retinol or HPR retinoids give partial credit only.
Buy the build · ~$21.30 + check priceScore 73/100
Other single-product swaps
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
budget Closest we found
Match score 48 out of 100SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin
CeraVe
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Check price on Amazon · 8 oz
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Retinoid
Why it is close. Body lotion for rough, bumpy skin with salicylic and lactic acids plus niacinamide and ceramides. Price not found.
budget
Match score 38 out of 100Daily Nourish 12% Lactic Acid Lotion
AmLactin
Check price on Amazon · 14.1 oz
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Retinoid
- Niacinamide
Why it is close. Same ammonium lactate AHA that smooths rough body skin, at a large size. Price not found.
budget
Match score 15 out of 100Lactic Acid 10% + HA
The Ordinary
$9.20 · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Salicylic acid
- Retinoid
Why it is close. Face-sized product; costly for body use, so only for spot areas.
mid
Match score 15 out of 100SKIN PERFECTING 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant
Paula's Choice
~$34 Price not confirmed · 3.3 oz
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Salicylic acid
- Retinoid
Why it is close. Face-sized product; spot use.
budget
Match score 10 out of 100Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
The Ordinary
~$12.10 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- AHA
Why it is close. Retinoid for spot use only; small bottle makes whole-body use impractical.
What the science says
12% ammonium lactate lotion was compared with 5% lactic acid lotion for moderate-to-severe xerosis.
Rogers 1989 · J Am Acad DermatolGlycolic acid peels and exfoliants are reviewed as improving texture, photoaging and pigmentation.
Sharad 2013 · Clin Cosmet Investig Dermat…Topical niacinamide (5%, 12 weeks, split-face) improved fine lines, hyperpigmented spots, redness and sallowness in aging facial skin.
Bissett 2005 · Dermatol Surg
Full ingredient list
Show the INCI list
Aqua/Water, Ammonium Lactate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Persea Gratissima Oil/Avocado Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Niacinamide, Argilla/Magnesium Aluminium Silicate, Ethoxydiglycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate, Salicylic Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Silica, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sorbitan Oleate, Butylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Questions
What does the 73/100 score for our AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream build mean?
We split AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream into 5 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 73 of a possible 85. 85 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
What is the best dupe for AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream?
SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin by CeraVe is our closest single-product match at 48 out of 100 (8 oz). It shares Salicylic acid, Lactic acid, Niacinamide, Ceramides.
How much can I save on AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream?
AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream costs $120 for 5 fl oz (150 ml). The closest dupe has no price we could confirm (see the seller page). Prices change, so check the seller page.
Is SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin exactly the same as AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream?
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Retinoid. See our methodology for how we score.
