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How we build AlphaRet Clearing Serum

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 Clearing Serum

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.

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

Adapalene + niacinamide/zinc + salicylic

  • Illustration of Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

    Differin

    Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

    Retinoid (PM)

    AAlphaRet ethyl lactyl retinoate · 18 of 35
    $23.99Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

    The Ordinary

    Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

    Oil control (AM)

    DNiacinamide · 15EZinc PCA · 8 of 10
    ~$6Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

    The Ordinary

    Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

    BHA (PM, alternate nights)

    BSalicylic acid · 15 of 20
    ~$6.70Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  • Illustration of Minimalist Salicylic Acid 2% Face Serum

    Minimalist

    Minimalist Salicylic Acid 2% Face Serum

    Adds: Salicylic acid; Lactic acid; Hyaluronate, bisabolol and plant soothers

    BSalicylic acid · 20CLactic acid · 4 of 15FHyaluronate, bisabolol and plant soothers · 3 of 5
    $10.99Buy 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 Clearing Serum into 6 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.

Optional

Get closer score under 80

68 / 100. One add-on lifts this build to 75/100.

Illustration of The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HAIllustration

Add Lactic Acid 10% + HA

The Ordinary

+7 pts → 75/100 · +$9.20

CLactic acid · +7

Covers the lactic acid element of the serum.

$9.20Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

83 is our ceiling. No retail product uses ethyl lactyl retinoate; adapalene or retinol give partial credit. With the add-on the build costs ~$56.88.

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. 01DifferinAdapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment$23.99

    Running total $23.99

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  2. 02The OrdinaryNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%~$6

    Running total ~$29.99

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  3. 03The OrdinarySalicylic Acid 2% Solution~$6.70

    Running total ~$36.69

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
  4. 04MinimalistMinimalist Salicylic Acid 2% Face Serum$10.99

    Running total ~$47.68

    Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
Build total~$47.68
The splurge$145
Match68/100
You keep~$97.32

Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.

How to use

  1. 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.
  2. Add Minimalist Salicylic Acid 2% Face Serum: Publishes 2% salicylic acid with glycolic and lactic acids and hyaluronate; no retinoid, niacinamide or zinc PCA.

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

Minimalist Salicylic Acid 2% Face Serum

Minimalist

Match score 27 out of 100

No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.

$10.99 · 30 ml / 1 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Salicylic acid
  • Lactic acid (trace)
  • Sodium hyaluronate

Misses

  • Retinoid
  • Niacinamide
  • Zinc PCA

Why it is close. Publishes 2% salicylic acid with glycolic and lactic acids and hyaluronate; no retinoid, niacinamide or zinc PCA.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The Ordinary

Match score 23 out of 100
~$6 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Niacinamide
  • Zinc (PCA form in Skinbetter)

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.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Minimalist Retinal 0.1% Face Serum with Oleyl Adapalenate 0.5% + Bakuchiol

Minimalist

Match score 18 out of 100
~$15 Price not confirmed · 30 ml / 1 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Retinal
  • Oleyl adapalenate (adapalene ester)
  • Bakuchiol

Misses

  • Salicylic acid
  • Lactic acid
  • Niacinamide
  • Zinc PCA

Why it is close. Anhydrous night serum with published 0.1% retinal plus 0.5% oleyl adapalenate and bakuchiol; retinoid only, no acids or niacinamide.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Differin

Match score 18 out of 100
$23.99 · 45 g pump
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Retinoid (adapalene)

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.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

The Ordinary

Match score 15 out of 100
~$6.70 Price not confirmed · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Salicylic acid

Misses

  • Retinoid
  • Niacinamide
  • Zinc

Why it is close. Plain salicylic acid solution for clogged pores; matches the BHA component only.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
mid

SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula's Choice

Match score 15 out of 100
~$34 Price not confirmed · 4 oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Salicylic acid (2%)

Misses

  • Retinoid
  • Niacinamide
  • Zinc

Why it is close. Gentler, better-formulated BHA liquid than the Ordinary solution; covers the BHA part only.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

Lactic Acid 10% + HA

The Ordinary

Match score 11 out of 100
$9.20 · 30 ml
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Lactic acid

Misses

  • Retinoid
  • Salicylic acid
  • Niacinamide

Why it is close. Covers the lactic acid element of the serum.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

What the science says

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

Source

Questions

What does the 68/100 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 68 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?

Minimalist Salicylic Acid 2% Face Serum by Minimalist is our closest single-product match at 27 out of 100 for $10.99 (30 ml / 1 fl oz). It shares Salicylic acid, Lactic acid (trace), Sodium hyaluronate.

How much can I save on AlphaRet Clearing Serum?

AlphaRet Clearing Serum costs $145 for 1 fl oz (30 ml). The closest dupe costs $10.99, a saving of about $134.01. Prices change, so check the seller page.

Is Minimalist Salicylic Acid 2% Face Serum 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, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA. See our methodology for how we score.

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