Dr dennis gross peel pads universal vs extra strength

There are very, very few beauty products that I would sell my soul to get a lifetime supply of. Someone recently asked me what my number one, can't-and-refuse-to-live-without skin-care product is, though, and after some reflection and time gazing into my (very packed) beauty cabinet, I've realized that it's: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel ($88).

I remember the day I received my first box of these peel pads, individually wrapped in the brand's iconic orange package box. It's an important date that I'll celebrate right alongside my birthday and  anniversary. Because, once I started swiping the pads over my skin in the morning—first, step one, the "exfoliate and peel," then step two, the "anti-aging neutralizer"—I started seeing my complexion's true potential.

I'm not alone. These pads are a permanent staple in half of the Well+Good edit team's beauty routine. The magic's in the one-two punch of alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs like lactic, malic, and glycolic and beta hydroxy acids or BHAs like salicylic and willow bark extract, which more thoroughly exfoliate your skin. "They're topical exfoliants," explains Shirley Chi, MD, a California-based dermatologist. "Beta hydroxy acids go deeper into the pores and are great for acne, oily skin, and brightening. Alpha hydroxy acids are good for superficial exfoliation. So when they're used together, you get more exfoliation and brightening than when used alone." It takes two, ya know?

Dr dennis gross peel pads universal vs extra strength
Photo: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare

I know that chemical exfoliants and the word "peels" in general can bring to mind some scary, red-tinged skin, so there are options for the most sensitive skin types all the way up to extra-strength power peel for pros. And while many serums and moisturizers with chemical exfoliants can be harsh on skin, the acid in the peel pads is neutralized by the second step, so you're really only getting the active ingredient for about two minutes total.

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Dr dennis gross peel pads universal vs extra strength

Beauty and fitness director Ali Finney—who has very reactive skin—actually converted me to the peel pad life after she saw her skin dullness completely vanish. "No serums or moisturizers were working. I realized that an army of dead skin cells had built up on my complexion and were keeping all of those effective, (and often pricey!) ingredients like vitamin C, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, from fully sinking in. I started using these peel pads, and ever since I’ve noticed that the dullness is gone, and that my complexion can soak up the goodness I'm giving it, so my pigmentation is reduced, my redness is soothed, and all around my complexion looks healthier."

The exfoliating pads have gained a following, for good reason (maybe because I've told every single person I know about how great they are). Personally, I've upgraded from the Universal to the Extra Strength, because I've noticed even less hyperpigmentation and acne scars along with an even more intense glow. Now that I'm spreading the word even more, though, I'm just hoping the peel pads don't reach Beanie Baby status and require waiting in lines at 4 a.m. just to get your hands on a new shipment (.... just me?).

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There’s no doubt that seeing your derm or esthetician for a professional chemical peel is one of the best ways to quickly achieve glowing, healthy skin. But what if you don’t have the time (or money) to get a chemical peel?

Fortunately, brands like Dr. Dennis Gross are making it possible to achieve these skin-transforming results from the comfort of your own home with at-home chemical peels, like the iconic Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads. 

What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2022?

But are Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads right for you? To help you decide, we’ll give you all the details on the key ingredients in these pads, as well as the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skin care.

We’ll also share some Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of this product.

What Are The Different Types of Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel?

There are three different types of Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads: Universal Daily Peel, Ultra Gentle Daily Peel, and Extra Strength Daily Peel. Below we’ll give you the details on each one. 

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

The Universal Daily Peel is recommended for those with normal or combination skin. The key ingredients in Step 1 include denatured alcohol along with four AHAs and one BHA.

The key ingredients in Step 2 include sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) along with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and retinol. 

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel

If you have sensitive skin, the Ultra Gentle Daily Peel Pads are for you. The key ingredients in step 1 include witch hazel, lactic acid, mandelic acid, and willow bark extract, and the key ingredients in step 2 include sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium hyaluronate, and colloidal oatmeal. 

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel

Recommended for those with normal, combination, or oily skin, the Extra Strength Daily Peel Pads combine denatured alcohol with five AHAs and one BHA in Step 1. Then, Step 2 includes sodium bicarbonate, resveratrol, retinol, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). 

What Are The Key Ingredients in Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel?

In order to determine how well Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads perform, we’ll have to evaluate the key ingredients in this formula. Let’s get started.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
The brand uses a variety of AHAs, including glycolic, lactic, mandelic, tartaric, and citric acid, in the Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads.  

AHAs exfoliate the skin by targeting corneocytes (dead skin cells that make up the stratum corneum) in a process called corneocyte desquamation. By enhancing their breakdown and increasing the separation of skin cells, the rate of cell turnover is increased, leading to smoother, brighter skin and a more even complexion.

According to a publication in the journal Molecules, AHAs can be used to easily peel all types of skin with minimal risk.

You can find AHAs in all three types of Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads — Universal Daily Peel, Ultra Gentle Daily Peel, and Extra Strength Daily Peel. 

Salicylic Acid
The BHA that you’ll find in the Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads is salicylic acid. One way that salicylic acid works is by softening and dissolving keratin. Keratin is a protein found in the skin that acts as a “glue” to keep cells together. This allows salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin and slough off dead skin cells, promoting a healthier, more even complexion. 

Salicylic acid also has the ability to penetrate deep into pores, where it helps to loosen clogs and allows oil to flow out more freely. Thus, salicylic acid is known to break down blackheads and whiteheads.

Denatured Alcohol
While there are beneficial key ingredients used in Dr. Dennis Gross skincare products, we noticed that some product formulations contain ingredients that could be potentially harmful.

For example, the Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads (the Universal Peel and the Extra Strength Peel) both contain very high concentrations of denatured alcohol. In fact, there’s more denatured alcohol in these formulations than any other ingredient (except water). So why is this a problem? Let’s discuss the pros and cons of denatured alcohol.

On one hand, alcohol functions as a penetration enhancer by disturbing the skin barrier so that key ingredients can penetrate deeper into the skin. It also helps to remove excess oil and temporarily tighten skin while giving products a weightless feel and quick-drying finish.

On the other hand, alcohol-based products can cause excessive skin dryness. Over time, this can cause the sebaceous glands to compensate by producing even more oil, leading to clogged pores and acne. 

Furthermore, alcohol disrupts the lipids that make up the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin), according to a publication in the journal BBA Biomembranes.

While there are some benefits of denatured alcohol, we don’t believe the benefits outweigh the risks, which is why we don’t recommend Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads. 

Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
Lastly, we’d like to point out that Step 2 of all Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads contain a high concentration of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to “control the alpha hydroxy acid activity”. Basically, Step 2 neutralizes Step 1 because Step 2 is alkaline (baking soda has a pH of 9). 

However, you don’t need a special solution in order to neutralize an AHA, you could just use plain tap water.

In addition, baking soda is typically too alkaline for skin to tolerate since the skin’s normal pH is about 4.5 to 5. This alkaline pH can lead to disruption of the skin barrier, causing redness, dryness, breakouts, and signs of sensitivity. 

Which Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads Are Best?

We introduced three different types of peel pads — Universal Daily Peel, Ultra Gentle Daily Peel, and Extra Strength Daily Peel — which may leave you wondering: which Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads are best?

After evaluating the key ingredients in both steps of these peel pads, we would have to say the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily peel pads are best, simply because these peel pads do not contain denatured alcohol (and the other peel pad formulations do). However, keep in mind that the Ultra Gentle peel pads still contain baking soda and fragrant essential oils, which have the potential to aggravate the skin. 

How to Use Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel?

For optimal results, use daily in the morning and in the evening. Massage Step 1 onto clean, dry skin until the pad is dry. Wait two minutes. Repeat with Step 2. 

Where to Buy Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel?

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel and other Dr. Dennis Gross skin care products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as many third party online retailers, such as Sephora, SkinStore, Dermstore, Nordstrom, and many more. 

How Much Are Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads?

All three types of Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads cost $88 USD for a pack of 30 pads. 

What is The  Dr. Dennis Gross Return Policy?

The Dr. Dennis Gross return policy states, “If you need to return your product(s) for a refund, please do so within 30 days. Shipping and handling are not included in refunds. Returns will be accepted on products purchased from drdennisgross.com only. Products purchased from any of our partners should be returned to the place of purchase.”

Is Dr. Dennis Gross Cruelty Free?

Yes, Dr. Dennis Gross is PETA-certified cruelty free. 

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Reviews

Dr. Dennis Gross reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive. The product with the most reviews is the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel (Extra Strength), which has earned an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars after more than 500 customer reviews.

The positive reviews for these Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads mention how well they work to fade dark spots and promote a smooth, clear complexion. 

For example, one review says, “The peels are simply amazing. They have turned my skin, which was laden with dark spots and an uneven complexion, to clear skin. Highly recommend it. I am 52 and have been told I look 10 years younger!”

However, there are a handful of 1-star reviews for the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads (Extra Strength). Most of these reviews are from customers who were disappointed because they didn’t see the results they were hoping for. 

For example, one review says, “I bought this about two months ago in August. It’s now October. I don’t see my face clearing up. I even bought the whole entire set to use it with, the face wash, moisture, and the serum. I keep breaking out on my chin even when using it. The only reason I am still using it is because I bought the pack of 160. So we’ll see what happens after I finish using the pack. So far I haven’t had any results.”

Our Verdict

Overall, we don’t recommend Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads due to the high concentrations of denatured alcohol and sodium bicarbonate in these formulations. 

Pros

  • AHAs and salicylic acid (BHA) are beneficial key ingredients
  • Many positive Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel reviews
  • Dr. Dennis Gross is cruelty free

Cons

  • Peel pads contain high concentrations of denatured alcohol
  • Peel pads contain high concentrations of sodium bicarbonate
  • Peel pads contain fragrance

What Are Some Alternatives to  Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel?

If you’re looking for skin care products to address the signs of aging, one brand we recommend is Formulyst. Formulyst maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in clinically advanced skin care solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin.

For example, Formulyst’s Anti-Aging Concentrate can help to address multiple signs of aging at once. This serum contains natural ingredients like squalane, green tea, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which provide powerful antioxidant activity to protect the skin against environmental free radicals that are known to degrade collagen. In addition, this serum contains Matrixyl 3000, a peptide complex that works to restore and maintain the skin’s youthful appearance by signaling to cells to produce more collagen.

Another brand that balances the power of plants with cutting edge science is Carrot & Stick. Not only is Carrot & Stick good for your skin, it is also good for the environment as the formulas skip harmful chemicals commonly found in skincare products.

References:
BBA Biomembranes, May 2012, pages 1410-1419
Molecules. 2018 Apr; 23(4): 863.

How do you use Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta extra strength daily peel?

Suggested Usage: -Massage Step 1 onto clean, dry skin until pad is dry. -Wait two minutes. Repeat with Step 2 and allow to dry. -Do not rinse either step.

Does Dr Gross peel pads have retinol?

It contains powerhouse ingredients like retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid.

How often should you use Dr Dennis Gross peel?

Use 1-2 times/week after cleanser, starting with once per week until skin becomes acclimated. Finish with serum and moisturizer.

What do Dr Dennis Gross peel pads do?

Step 1 uses potent AHAs like malic acid and BHAs like salicylic acid to gently exfoliate skin, refine pores, and support natural cell renewal. Step 2, fueled with retinol and resveratrol for maximized anti-aging benefits and skin protection, stops acid activity to hydrate and smooth skin for a radiant complexion.