IllustrationPart 1 · Neutrogena
Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream
Retinol eye cream (PM)
AAlphaRet (ethyl lactyl retinoate) · 14 of 35EHyaluronic acid and emollient base · 5 of 20
How we build EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Four steps: the original, what makes it special, the parts we use, and how to get closer.
The original
SkinBetter Science
EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
$130 · 0.5 fl oz (15 ml)
An eye-area night cream with ethyl lactyl retinoate, niacinamide, an acetyl hexapeptide, astaxanthin and hyaluronic acid, aimed at lines, dryness, crepiness, puffiness and dark circles.
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)35 pts
The retinoid-lactic acid conjugate is the main line and crepiness fighter.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 40% of these points.
- BNiacinamide20 pts
Niacinamide supports tone, redness and the skin barrier around the eye.
- CAcetyl hexapeptide-3715 pts
A signal peptide aimed at expression lines.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.
- DAstaxanthin10 pts
A carotenoid antioxidant that protects the delicate eye area.
- EHyaluronic acid and emollient base20 pts
Hydration and a rich night base address dryness and crepiness.
Total to match100 pts
Now we cover those 5 with shelf products
Our build 4 parts
Retinol eye cream + niacinamide
Illustration
IllustrationPart 2 · The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Niacinamide (AM, cheek and under-eye bone only)
BNiacinamide · 20
IllustrationPart 3 · The Ordinary
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
Adds: Hyaluronic acid and emollient base
EHyaluronic acid and emollient base · 20
IllustrationPart 4 · The Ordinary
The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% (Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%)
Adds: Acetyl hexapeptide-37
CAcetyl hexapeptide-37 · 8 of 15EHyaluronic acid and emollient base · 10 of 20
How to use. AM niacinamide thin layer below the orbital bone; PM retinol eye cream 3 nights/week. Patch test both. Add The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides): Cheap hyaluronic acid layer for the hydration part. Add The Ordinary "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% (Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1%): Contains acetyl hexapeptide-8 and hyaluronate; closest retail peptide cover.
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
Match score62 / 100
- B · E fully covered40 pts
- A · C partly covered22 pts
- D not covered (hatched)0 pts
EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream$130
Our build~$65.90
You save~$64.10
Get closer score under 80
62 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
70 is our ceiling. No retail eye cream uses ethyl lactyl retinoate; retinol gives partial credit at best. Acetyl hexapeptide-37 is rare at retail; acetyl hexapeptide-8 products give partial credit. Few retail eye products list astaxanthin.
Buy the build · ~$65.90Score 62/100 · save ~$64.10
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 34 out of 100Retinol 24 Night Smoothing Eye Cream
Olay
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
~$28 Price not confirmed · 0.5 oz
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Ethyl lactyl retinoate
- Astaxanthin
Why it is close. Retinol eye cream with a hydrating base; shared actives are inferred from the product name, so confidence is lower.
budget
Match score 20 out of 100Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary
~$6 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Retinoid
- Eye-specific base
Why it is close. Niacinamide only; use on the face, not near the eye margin. Weak eye match.
budget
Match score 19 out of 100Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Eye Cream
Neutrogena
~$18 Price not confirmed · 0.5 oz
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Ethyl lactyl retinoate
- Niacinamide
- Astaxanthin
Why it is close. Classic budget retinol eye cream; simpler formula.
budget
Match score 19 out of 100Retinol Correxion Eye Cream
RoC
~$21.97 Price not confirmed · 0.5 oz
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Ethyl lactyl retinoate
- Niacinamide
- Astaxanthin
Why it is close. Dedicated retinol eye cream at drugstore price. It addresses lines but not the niacinamide and antioxidant side.
budget
Match score 14 out of 100Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
The Ordinary
~$12.10 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses
Shares
Misses
- Eye-specific base
- Niacinamide
Why it is close. Retinoid emulsion usable around the orbital bone; apply sparingly, not on the lid.
What the science says
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 Dermatol0.4% topical retinol improved fine wrinkles in naturally aged skin over 24 weeks in a vehicle-controlled trial.
Kafi 2007 · Arch DermatolTopical 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, 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 (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Astaxanthin, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Jasminum Sambac (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) 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
Questions
What does the 62/100 score for our EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream build mean?
We split EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream into 5 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 62 of a possible 70. 70 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
What is the best dupe for EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream?
Retinol 24 Night Smoothing Eye Cream by Olay is our closest single-product match at 34 out of 100 for ~$28 (0.5 oz). It shares Retinol.
How much can I save on EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream?
EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream costs $130 for 0.5 fl oz (15 ml). The closest dupe costs ~$28, a saving of about $102. Prices change, so check the seller page.
Is Retinol 24 Night Smoothing Eye Cream exactly the same as EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream?
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Ethyl lactyl retinoate, Astaxanthin. See our methodology for how we score.
