IllustrationPart 1 · The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Glycolic acid toner (PM, night A)
CGlycolic acid · 20
How we build AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads
Three steps: the original, what makes it special, and the parts we use. This build already reaches the highest score we can honestly claim.
The original
SkinBetter Science
AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads
$125 · 30 pads
Individually packaged leave-on pads combine glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids with AlphaRet (ethyl lactyl retinoate) to exfoliate while delivering a retinoid.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
What stands out 100 pts
- AAlphaRet (ethyl lactyl retinoate)40 pts
The retinoid bonded to lactic acid is the part aimed at visible lines and tone.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 40% of these points.
- BLactic acid20 pts
Lactic acid is listed first among the acids and smooths and brightens the surface.
- CGlycolic acid20 pts
Glycolic acid is the strongest exfoliating acid in the blend, for texture and dullness.
- DSalicylic acid20 pts
Salicylic acid reaches into pores for the oiliness and pore part of the claim.
Total to match100 pts
Now we cover those 4 with shelf products
Our build 4 parts
AHA toner + BHA + retinoid on separate nights
Illustration
IllustrationPart 2 · The Ordinary
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Salicylic acid 2% (PM, night B)
DSalicylic acid · 20
IllustrationPart 3 · The Ordinary
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Retinoid emulsion (PM, night C)
AAlphaRet (ethyl lactyl retinoate) · 16 of 40
IllustrationPart 4 · The Ordinary
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Adds: Lactic acid
BLactic acid · 20
How to use. PM only, one active per night: glycolic toner night 1, salicylic acid night 2, retinoid night 3, rest night 4. Patch test each. SPF 30+ every AM. Do not layer on the same night. Add The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA: Covers the lactic acid for builds that start from glycolic and salicylic singles.
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
Match score76 / 100
- B · C · D fully covered60 pts
- A partly covered16 pts
AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads$125
Our build~$37
You save~$88
Buy the build · ~$37Score 76/100 · save ~$88
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 60 out of 100Anti-Aging Resurfacing Peel Pads (5% glycolic, 5% lactic, 2% salicylic)
Dermlogic
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Check price on Amazon · count not found
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Retinoid
Why it is close. Pads with the same three acids as the AlphaRet pads (5% glycolic, 5% lactic, 2% salicylic) but no retinoid; layer a retinol separately on other nights.
budget
Match score 46 out of 100Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing 2-Step Peel Pads
RoC
Check price on Amazon · 20 treatments
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Ethyl lactyl retinoate
- Salicylic acid (not confirmed)
Why it is close. Two-step pads that pair a multi-acid peel (lactic, glycolic, mandelic, phytic, gluconolactone) with retinol, the closest format and active match. Price not verified.
budget
Match score 20 out of 100Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
The Ordinary
$9 · 240 ml (size on page unclear)
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Lactic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Retinoid
Why it is close. Cheap single-AHA toner; pair with a retinoid on other nights.
mid
Match score 20 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
- Lactic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Retinoid
Why it is close. Leave-on 8% AHA gel for texture; no BHA or retinoid.
mid
Match score 20 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
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
- Retinoid
Why it is close. Best-reviewed liquid BHA for pores; covers the salicylic part only.
What the science says
Glycolic acid peels and exfoliants are reviewed as improving texture, photoaging and pigmentation.
Sharad 2013 · Clin Cosmet Investig Dermat…Salicylic acid, a lipophilic BHA, is reviewed as a keratolytic and comedolytic peeling agent used for acne and photoaging.
Arif 2015 · Clin Cosmet Investig Dermat…A double-conjugated retinoid/AHA cream was noninferior to 0.025% tretinoin in most categories over 12 weeks, with less irritation, in a 48-woman split-face study.
McDaniel 2017 · J Cosmet Dermatol
Full ingredient list
Show the INCI list
Aqua/Water, Lactic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate, Salicylic Acid, Ricinoleth-40
Questions
What does the 76/100 score for our AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads build mean?
We split AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads into 4 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 76 of a possible 76. 76 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
What is the best dupe for AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads?
Anti-Aging Resurfacing Peel Pads (5% glycolic, 5% lactic, 2% salicylic) by Dermlogic is our closest single-product match at 60 out of 100 (count not found). It shares Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Salicylic acid.
How much can I save on AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads?
AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads costs $125 for 30 pads. The closest dupe has no price we could confirm (see the seller page). Prices change, so check the seller page.
Is Anti-Aging Resurfacing Peel Pads (5% glycolic, 5% lactic, 2% salicylic) exactly the same as AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads?
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.
