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How we build AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream

The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.

AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream

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.

Official product page (opens in new tab)

Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.

Step 2 · The build

Our build 4 parts

AHA lotion + retinoid spot treatment

  • Illustration of The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

    The Ordinary

    Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

    Retinoid for rough patches (PM, 3 nights/week)

    BAlphaRet retinoid-lactic conjugate · 10 of 25
    ~$12.10Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

    The Ordinary

    Lactic Acid 10% + HA

    Lactic acid for rough patches (PM, other nights)

    AAmmonium lactate (AHA) · 15 of 30
    $9.20Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of AmLactin Daily Nourish 12% Lactic Acid Lotion

    AmLactin

    Daily Nourish 12% Lactic Acid Lotion

    Adds: Ammonium lactate (AHA); Emollients and humectants

    AAmmonium lactate (AHA) · 30EEmollients and humectants · 8 of 15
    Check price on AmazonBuy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of Naturium Salicylic Acid Body Spray 2%

    Naturium

    Naturium Salicylic Acid Body Spray 2%

    Adds: Salicylic acid (BHA); Niacinamide

    CSalicylic acid (BHA) · 15DNiacinamide · 15
    ~$17.50Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.

The 100 points

What stands out 100 pts

We split AlphaRet Body Overnight Cream into 5 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.

  • AAmmonium lactate (AHA)30 of 30 pts

    Lactate softens and sheds the rough surface layer, the main smoothing action on arms and legs.

    Rogers 1989 · J Am Acad Dermatol
  • BAlphaRet retinoid-lactic conjugate10 of 25 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.

    McDaniel 2017 · J Cosmet Dermatol
  • CSalicylic acid (BHA)15 of 15 pts

    Clears the pores behind rough, bumpy skin.

    Arif 2015 · Clin Cosmet Investig Dermat…
  • DNiacinamide15 of 15 pts

    Supports the skin barrier while the acids exfoliate.

    Bissett 2005 · Dermatol Surg
  • EEmollients and humectants8 of 15 pts

    Avocado oil, jojoba esters, glycerin, squalane and HA keep a body cream from drying skin out.

Optional

Get closer score under 80

78 / 100. One add-on lifts this build to 81/100.

Illustration of CeraVe Moisturizing CreamIllustration

Add CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

CeraVe

+3 pts → 81/100 · +$15.99

EEmollients and humectants · +3

Large-tub body-friendly moisturizer with ceramides and HA to cover the emollient base.

$15.99Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

85 is our ceiling. Proprietary conjugate: no retail product uses ethyl lactyl retinoate. Retinol or HPR retinoids give partial credit only.

Step 3 · Buy

Buy the build

One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.

Skincare SuppliesOct 28, 2026

Your build

  1. 01The OrdinaryGranactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion~$12.10

    Running total ~$12.10

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  2. 02The OrdinaryLactic Acid 10% + HA$9.20

    Running total ~$21.30

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  3. 03AmLactinDaily Nourish 12% Lactic Acid LotionCheck price on Amazon

    Running total ~$21.30 + check price

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  4. 04NaturiumNaturium Salicylic Acid Body Spray 2%~$17.50

    Running total ~$38.80 + check price

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
Build total~$38.80 + check price
The splurge$120
Match78/100

The total leaves out the 1 part showing "Check price".

How to use

  1. PM only; apply to dry skin on arms or thighs, alternate nights. Patch test on inner arm. Use SPF on exposed areas.
  2. Add AmLactin Daily Nourish 12% Lactic Acid Lotion: Same ammonium lactate AHA that smooths rough body skin, at a large size. Price not found.
  3. Add Naturium Salicylic Acid Body Spray 2%: Rinse-free 2% salicylic acid spray with niacinamide as the 2nd ingredient; covers BHA and niacinamide but is a watery spray, not a cream.

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

SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin

CeraVe

Match score 48 out of 100

No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.

Check price on Amazon · 8 oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Salicylic acid
  • Lactic acid
  • Niacinamide
  • Ceramides

Misses

  • Retinoid

Why it is close. Body lotion for rough, bumpy skin with salicylic and lactic acids plus niacinamide and ceramides. Price not found.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Daily Nourish 12% Lactic Acid Lotion

AmLactin

Match score 38 out of 100
Check price on Amazon · 14.1 oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Ammonium lactate (12% lactic acid)

Misses

  • Retinoid
  • Niacinamide

Why it is close. Same ammonium lactate AHA that smooths rough body skin, at a large size. Price not found.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Naturium Salicylic Acid Body Spray 2%

Naturium

Match score 30 out of 100
~$17.50 Price not confirmed · 120 ml / 4 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Salicylic acid 2%
  • Niacinamide

Misses

  • Ammonium lactate
  • Retinoid
  • Emollient base

Why it is close. Rinse-free 2% salicylic acid spray with niacinamide as the 2nd ingredient; covers BHA and niacinamide but is a watery spray, not a cream.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Lactic Acid 10% + HA

The Ordinary

Match score 15 out of 100
$9.20 · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Lactic acid

Misses

  • Salicylic acid
  • Retinoid

Why it is close. Face-sized product; costly for body use, so only for spot areas.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
mid

SKIN PERFECTING 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant

Paula's Choice

Match score 15 out of 100
~$34 Price not confirmed · 3.3 oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Glycolic acid

Misses

  • Salicylic acid
  • Retinoid

Why it is close. Face-sized product; spot use.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

The Ordinary

Match score 10 out of 100
~$12.10 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Retinoid (HPR plus retinol blend)

Misses

  • AHA

Why it is close. Retinoid for spot use only; small bottle makes whole-body use impractical.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

What the science says

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

Source

Questions

What does the 78/100 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 78 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.

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