Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution
The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution is a treatment. Our analysis of its 39 ingredients (29 low-risk) rates it Excellent (93/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.
The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta 2% BHA Breakout Solution is a treatment. Our analysis of its 39 ingredients (29 low-risk) rates it Excellent (93/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Water
(Solvent) |
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Alcohol Denat.
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling) |
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
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Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
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Gluconolactone
(Fragrance, Humectant, Solvent) |
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Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
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Pyruvic Acid
(Fragrance, Masking) |
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Phytic Acid
(Chelating Agent, Oral Care Agent) |
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Azelaic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
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salix alba bark extract
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing, Tonic) |
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Carnitine HCl
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Xylitol
(Flavoring Agent, Humectant, Skin Conditioning) |
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Caprylic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Caprylic Acid., Emulsifying, Masking, Perfuming) |
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Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
(Antidandruff Agent, Antimicrobial) |
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Farnesol
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking, Solvent, Soothing) |
Allergens
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Tetrahydrocurcumin
(Antioxidant) |
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Chlorhexidine Digluconate
(Cosmetic Biocide, Oral Care Agent, Preservative, Antimicrobial) |
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Soy Isoflavones
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Saccharide Isomerate
(Humectant) |
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Zinc PCA
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant) |
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Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
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Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
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Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Viscosity Increasing Agent) |
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PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
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Glyceryl Stearate
(Emollient, Emulsifying) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
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Hexylresorcinol
(Antimicrobial Agent, Cosmetic Biocide) |
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Dimethyl Isosorbide
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
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C13-15 Alkane
(Solvent) |
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Potassium Hydroxide
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
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Stearic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Stearic Acid., Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting) |
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
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Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
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Calcium Gluconate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent) |
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Sodium Citrate
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Chelating, Masking) |
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Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water
(Skin Conditioning) |
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Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
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Sodium Benzoate
(Fragrance, Preservative, Anticorrosive, Masking) |
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Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid
OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.
Lactic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
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