IllustrationPart 1 · Differin
Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Retinoid (PM)
AAlphaRet ethyl lactyl retinoate · 18 of 35
How we build AlphaRet Clearing Serum
Four steps: the original, what makes it special, the parts we use, and how to get closer.
The original
SkinBetter Science
AlphaRet Clearing Serum
$145 · 1 fl oz (30 ml)
A retinoid-based serum pairs ethyl lactyl retinoate with lactic and salicylic acids, niacinamide and zinc PCA to clarify oilier, blemish-prone skin without the dryness of standard retinoids.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
What stands out 100 pts
- AAlphaRet ethyl lactyl retinoate35 pts
The retinoid bonded to lactic acid is the hero for clearing blemish-prone skin with less dryness.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.
- BSalicylic acid20 pts
Gets into oil in pores to loosen clogs.
- CLactic acid15 pts
Smooths texture and dullness; listed right after water.
- DNiacinamide15 pts
Helps with oil and tone.
- EZinc PCA10 pts
Aimed at regulating shine and sebum.
- FHyaluronate, bisabolol and plant soothers5 pts
Keeps the retinoid and acid mix comfortable.
Total to match100 pts
Now we cover those 6 with shelf products
Our build 4 parts
Adapalene + niacinamide/zinc + salicylic
Illustration
IllustrationPart 2 · The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Oil control (AM)
DNiacinamide · 15EZinc PCA · 8 of 10
IllustrationPart 3 · The Ordinary
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
BHA (PM, alternate nights)
BSalicylic acid · 15 of 20
IllustrationPart 4 · The Ordinary
Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Adds: Lactic acid
CLactic acid · 11 of 15
How to use. AM: niacinamide/zinc then SPF 30+. PM: adapalene a thin layer 3 nights/week; salicylic acid on a different night. Patch test each for 48 hours. Stop if irritated. Add The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA: Covers the lactic acid element of the serum.
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
Match score67 / 100
- D fully covered15 pts
- A · B · C · E partly covered52 pts
- F not covered (hatched)0 pts
AlphaRet Clearing Serum$145
Our build~$45.89
You save~$99.11
Get closer score under 80
67 / 100. One add-on lifts this build to 70/100.
IllustrationAdd The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
The Ordinary
+3 pts → 70/100 · +$9.90
FHyaluronate, bisabolol and plant soothers · +3
Adds hyaluronate and a soothing layer under the retinoid and acids.
83 is our ceiling. No retail product uses ethyl lactyl retinoate; adapalene or retinol give partial credit. With the add-on the build costs ~$55.79.
Buy the build · ~$45.89Score 67/100 · save ~$99.11
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 23 out of 100Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
~$6 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Retinoid
- Lactic acid
- Salicylic acid
Why it is close. Replicates the niacinamide and zinc oil-control pair at a fraction of the price; no retinoid or acid.
budget
Match score 18 out of 100Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Differin
$23.99 · 45 g pump
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Ethyl lactyl retinoate
- Salicylic acid
- Niacinamide
- Lactic acid
Why it is close. Adapalene is an FDA-approved OTC retinoid for acne and the best evidence-backed budget match for a retinoid acne serum; use it for the retinoid role and add acids separately.
budget
Match score 15 out of 100Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
The Ordinary
~$6.70 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Retinoid
- Niacinamide
- Zinc
Why it is close. Plain salicylic acid solution for clogged pores; matches the BHA component only.
mid
Match score 15 out of 100SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Paula's Choice
~$34 Price not confirmed · 4 oz
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Retinoid
- Niacinamide
- Zinc
Why it is close. Gentler, better-formulated BHA liquid than the Ordinary solution; covers the BHA part only.
budget
Match score 11 out of 100Lactic Acid 10% + HA
The Ordinary
$9.20 · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Retinoid
- Salicylic acid
- Niacinamide
Why it is close. Covers the lactic acid element of the serum.
What the science says
A double-conjugated retinoid plus AHA cream was evaluated for efficacy and tolerability in mild-to-moderate blemish-prone skin.
Robinson 2022 · J Drugs DermatolAdapalene 0.1% gel showed comparable acne efficacy to tretinoin 0.025% gel with better tolerability in a pooled analysis of 5 trials.
Cunliffe 1998 · Br J DermatolSalicylic acid, a lipophilic BHA, is reviewed as a keratolytic and comedolytic peeling agent used for acne and photoaging.
Arif 2015 · Clin Cosmet Investig Dermat…
Full ingredient list
Show the INCI list
Aqua/Water, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Sorbitan Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, PPG-3 Isostearyl Methyl Ether, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Steareth-2, Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate, Salicylic Acid, Oligopeptide-10, Sodium Hyaluronate, Decylene Glycol, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Disodium EDTA, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Questions
What does the 67/100 score for our AlphaRet Clearing Serum build mean?
We split AlphaRet Clearing Serum into 6 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 67 of a possible 83. 83 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
What is the best dupe for AlphaRet Clearing Serum?
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% by The Ordinary is our closest single-product match at 23 out of 100 for ~$6 (30 ml). It shares Niacinamide, Zinc (PCA form in Skinbetter).
How much can I save on AlphaRet Clearing Serum?
AlphaRet Clearing Serum costs $145 for 1 fl oz (30 ml). The closest dupe costs ~$6, a saving of about $139. Prices change, so check the seller page.
Is Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% exactly the same as AlphaRet Clearing Serum?
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Retinoid, Lactic acid, Salicylic acid. See our methodology for how we score.
