DRx Acne Eliminating Pads

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Acne Eliminating Pads is a treatment. Our analysis of its 45 ingredients (30 low-risk) rates it Excellent (91/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Treatments
Ingredients
45
Low-risk
30
Fragrance
Contains fragrance
Origin
United States
Status
Discontinued
Data updated
May 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 11/9
Good for dry skin
Glutamic Acid Bixa Orellana Seed Oil Saccharide Isomerate Ethoxydiglycol Copper PCA Butylene Glycol Glycerin Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Zinc PCA Lactic Acid Carnitine HCl
Caution for dry skin
Cyclodextrin Vitex Agnus Castus Extract Glycerin Bentonite Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Achillea Millefolium Extract Polysorbate 20 Alcohol Denat. Octoxynol-9
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 4/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Vitex Agnus Castus Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Alcohol Denat. Retinol
Sensitive Skin 5/16
Good for sensitive skin
Glycerin Potassium Gluconate Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Achillea Millefolium Extract Farnesol
Caution for sensitive skin
Glutamic Acid Glutathione Ethoxydiglycol Caffeine Butylene Glycol Glycerin Citric Acid Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Achillea Millefolium Extract Sodium Benzoate Lactic Acid Alcohol Denat. Farnesol Octoxynol-9 Retinol Malic Acid

Ingredients list

45 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (9)
All45 Skin Conditioning28 Fragrance15 Humectant12 Masking8 Chelating Agent7 Solvent7 Ph Adjuster6 Buffering Agent6
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
3
B
Achillea Millefolium Extract
(Antidandruff Agent, Cleansing, Masking, Refreshing, Skin Conditioning, Soothing, Tonic)
4
Alcohol Denat.
(Antifoaming Agent, Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling)
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Dry Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
Bixa Orellana Seed Oil
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
ASCORBIC ACID
(Antioxidant, Buffering, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
2
A
Bentonite
(Absorbent, Bulking Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
Bisabolol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Soothing)
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
Caffeine
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Masking)
1
B
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
(Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Emollient, Humectant, Masking, Oral Care Agent, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic, Uv Absorber)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
B
Carnitine HCl
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER EXTRACT
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
Copper PCA
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Cyclodextrin
(Absorbent, Chelating Agent)
1
Dimethyl Isosorbide
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Ethoxydiglycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Humectant, Perfuming)
4
Farnesol
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking, Solvent, Soothing)
Allergens
Allergens
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming)
1
A
Glutamic Acid
(Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent)
1
Glutathione
(Fragrance, Reducing)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
4
B
Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA LEAF EXTRACT
(Skin Conditioning)
4
B
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
3
4
B
Malic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
7
Octoxynol-9
(Emulsifying, Surfactant, Cleansing)
A
Pantothenic Acid
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Pentasodium Pentetate
(Chelating Agent)
1
A
Phospholipids
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Phytic Acid
(Chelating Agent, Oral Care Agent)
3
B
Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Potassium Citrate
(Buffering Agent, Chelating Agent, Ph Adjuster)
1
A
Potassium Gluconate
(Chelating Agent, Skin Protecting)
3
B
Potassium Hydroxide
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
9
A
Retinol
(Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
1
Saccharide Isomerate
(Humectant)
salix alba bark extract
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing, Tonic)
3
A
Sodium Benzoate
(Fragrance, Preservative, Anticorrosive, Masking)
1
Soy Isoflavones
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Tetrapeptide-21
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Vitex Agnus Castus Extract
(Cosmetic Astringent)
1
Water
(Solvent)
3
Zinc PCA
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

Browse similar treatment
No close formula match yet — browse other products like this

Key ingredients

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
AHA
Exfoliates skin for a brighter complexion.
Retinoid
Visibly reduces the signs of aging.
Vitamin C
Brightens, evens tone, and supports collagen.
Peptides
Supports skin hydration and improves firmness.
Azelaic Acid
Gently exfoliates and reduces inflammation.
Zinc
Helps control oil and supports healing.
Exfoliators
Removes dead skin cells to smoothe texture.

Benefits

Reduces IrritationEases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.
Redness ReducingSoothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Dark SpotsFades dark spots for even skin tone.

Concerns

Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Octoxynol-9 — higher EWG
Retinol — higher EWG
May not suit sensitive skin

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Achillea Millefolium Extract
Antidandruff agent, Cleansing
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B Antidandruff agentCleansingMaskingRefreshingSkin conditioningSoothingTonic
Bixa Orellana Seed Oil
Skin conditioning, Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioningEmollientHumectant
ASCORBIC ACID
Antioxidant, Buffering
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AntioxidantBufferingFragranceSkin conditioning
Bentonite
Absorbent, Bulking agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A AbsorbentBulking agentEmulsion stabilisingOpacifyingSuspending agent -nonsurfactantViscosity increasing agentViscosity controlling
Bisabolol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioningSoothing
Caffeine
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 FragranceSkin conditioningMasking
Carnitine HCl
Humectant, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A CIR B HumectantSkin conditioning
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER EXTRACT
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioning
Copper PCA
Humectant, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 HumectantSkin conditioning
Cyclodextrin
Absorbent, Chelating agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A AbsorbentChelating agent
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Disodium EDTA
Chelating agent, Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Chelating agentViscosity controlling
Ethoxydiglycol
Fragrance, Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSolventViscosity decreasing agentHumectantPerfuming
PARFUM
Fragrance, Perfuming
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragrancePerfuming
Glutamic Acid
Fragrance, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceHair conditioningHumectantAntistatic agent
+ 19 more — see the full ingredients list above
Alcohol Denat.
Antifoaming agent, Antimicrobial
Causes moisture evaporation - prone to dry out skinRead moreShow less
EWG 4 Antifoaming agentAntimicrobialAstringentMaskingSolventViscosity controlling Bad for Dry SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B AntimicrobialAntioxidantAstringentEmollientHumectantMaskingOral care agentSkin conditioningSkin protectingTonicUv absorber Good for Oily Skin
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Farnesol
Fragrance, Deodorant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 FragranceDeodorantMaskingSolventSoothing Allergens
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Glycolic Acid
Exfoliant, Ph adjuster
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantPh adjusterBuffering agent Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Lactic Acid
Exfoliant, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantFragranceHumectantPh adjusterSkin-conditioning agent -humectantSkin conditioningBuffering agent Bad for Sensitive Skin
Octoxynol-9
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Higher-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 7 EmulsifyingSurfactantCleansing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Retinol
Skin conditioning
Potentially a skin irritantRead moreShow less
EWG 9 CIR A Skin conditioning Bad for Sensitive Skin

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Retinol)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

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.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Retinol

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

ASCORBIC ACID

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic 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.

From the community

0
Reviews
0
Saved by users
0
In collections

Ratings & reviews

Write a Review
0.0
from 0 ratings

Used this product? Rate it in 10 seconds

Alternatives