Dr. Dennis Gross SkincarecleanserCleanse step

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel

This gel cleanser is designed to be a workhorse for daily use, tackling dirt, oil, and makeup without compromising the skin's natural balance. Its formulation with exfoliating acids makes it a good first step for those looking to address texture and pore concerns.

Sephora price

$18.00 - $40.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

4.3 / 5

About 501 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

AHA/Glycolic AcidSalicylic AcidBest for Oily, Combo, Normal SkinGood for: Uneven TextureCruelty-FreeGood for: PoresLactic Acid (AHA): A naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acid that supports cell renewal.Glycolic Acid (AHA): Visibly minimizes signs of aging.Willow Bark Extract: A natural source of salicylic acid that gently exfoliates and clears pores.PoresDullnessand Uneven Texture

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

4.3 / 5 overall fit

A solid daily cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin, thanks to its blend of AHAs and BHAs.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

View Sephora

What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

An essential daily gel cleanser with a pH-balanced, luxurious foaming formula to thoroughly remove dirt, oil, and makeup (even around the eyes) while unclogging pores—without stripping skin.

NormalDryCombinationand OilyPoresDullnessand Uneven Texture

For AM/PM use.

Work into a lather with wet hands and massage onto a wet face.

Rinse and pat dry.

Follow with the Alpha Beta® Daily Peel of your choice (sold separately).

Remove pump and recycle bottle.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

This is a well-formulated cleanser that leverages AHAs and BHAs to offer gentle exfoliation and pore-clearing benefits. It's a great option for those who want their cleanser to do more than just clean, but it's not a substitute for targeted treatments.

Effective Exfoliation

Users appreciate that this cleanser provides a noticeable exfoliating effect, leaving skin feeling smoother and cleaner.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

  • Oily, combination, and normal skin types
  • Those looking to improve skin texture and pore appearance
  • Users who want an exfoliating step in their cleanse

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

  • Your skin is very dry or sensitive and reacts poorly to acids
  • You are already using multiple strong exfoliating treatments in your routine

Routine fit

Where this actually belongs

Use this cleanser as the first step in your morning or evening routine. Massage it onto wet skin, rinse thoroughly, and then follow with your preferred treatment products, such as an Alpha Beta® Daily Peel.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

  • Effective cleansing and makeup removal
  • Contains exfoliating AHAs and BHAs
  • Suitable for multiple skin types
  • Prepares skin for further treatment

Where it starts to feel redundant

  • May be too much for very sensitive skin
  • Not a primary treatment for significant skin concerns

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning or night

This cleanser is suitable for both morning and evening use. In the morning, it helps to remove overnight buildup and prep skin for the day. In the evening, it effectively removes makeup, oil, and impurities.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

4.3/ 5 overall

A solid daily cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin, thanks to its blend of AHAs and BHAs.

Routine fit

4.5 / 5

This cleanser fits seamlessly into any routine, morning or night, preparing skin for subsequent treatments.

Full ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care

Solvent

Water

Badness

0.0 / 10

The base for many skincare formulations.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Humectant

Glycerin

Badness

0.0 / 10

Draws moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.

Usually helps with

Dryness, hydration

Watch for

Humectant

Propanediol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A versatile ingredient that hydrates and helps other ingredients penetrate the skin.

Usually helps with

Hydration, penetration

Watch for

Surfactant

Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A gentle surfactant that creates lather and cleanses the skin.

Usually helps with

Cleansing

Watch for

Can be drying for some

Surfactant

Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild surfactant that helps to create foam and cleanse.

Usually helps with

Cleansing

Watch for

Surfactant

Sodium Cocoamphoacetate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild, amphoteric surfactant that is gentle on the skin.

Usually helps with

Cleansing

Watch for

Emulsifier

Disteareth-75 IPDI

Badness

3.0 / 10

An emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water components.

Usually helps with

Formulation stability

Watch for

Can be irritating for some

Emollient

Glycereth-7 Caprylate/Caprate

Badness

1.0 / 10

An emollient that softens and smooths the skin.

Usually helps with

Softening skin

Watch for

Surfactant

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Badness

2.0 / 10

A solubilizer and emulsifier that helps to disperse oils and fragrances.

Usually helps with

Solubilizing

Watch for

Can be irritating for sensitive skin

Exfoliant

Mandelic Acid

Badness

2.0 / 10

An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin's surface, improving texture and tone. It's known for being gentler than other AHAs.

Usually helps with

Uneven tone, texture, mild exfoliation

Watch for

Sun sensitivity

Exfoliant

Glycolic Acid

Badness

3.0 / 10

A potent alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates deeply, promoting cell turnover and improving skin's appearance.

Usually helps with

Exfoliation, fine lines, dullness

Watch for

Sun sensitivity, potential irritation

Exfoliant

Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract

Badness

2.0 / 10

A natural source of salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid, BHA), which helps to exfoliate within the pores and calm inflammation.

Usually helps with

Pores, congestion, mild exfoliation

Watch for

Sun sensitivity

Exfoliant

Phytic Acid

Badness

2.0 / 10

A mild exfoliant that also has antioxidant properties.

Usually helps with

Gentle exfoliation, antioxidant

Watch for

Exfoliant

Citric Acid

Badness

2.0 / 10

An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) used to adjust pH and provide mild exfoliation.

Usually helps with

Exfoliation, pH balance

Watch for

Sun sensitivity

Fragrance Ingredient

Farnesol

Badness

4.0 / 10

A fragrance ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

Usually helps with

Fragrance

Watch for

Allergic reactions, skin sensitivity

Antioxidant

Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract

Badness

1.0 / 10

Contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental damage.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection

Watch for

Humectant

Sodium PCA

Badness

0.0 / 10

A component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor, helping to attract and retain moisture.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Humectant

Sodium Hyaluronate

Badness

0.0 / 10

A form of hyaluronic acid that draws moisture to the skin, providing hydration.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Humectant

Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

A hydrating ingredient known for its ability to hold moisture.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Badness

0.0 / 10

Known for its soothing and hydrating properties.

Usually helps with

Soothing, hydration

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Bisabolol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A component of chamomile, known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Usually helps with

Soothing, calming

Watch for

Skin Conditioning Agent

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to condition and soften the skin.

Usually helps with

Skin conditioning

Watch for

Antioxidant

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

Green tea extract, rich in antioxidants that help protect the skin.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection

Watch for

Solvent

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Badness

1.0 / 10

A solvent that can enhance the penetration of other ingredients.

Usually helps with

Penetration enhancement

Watch for

Humectant

Butylene Glycol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A humectant that helps to draw moisture to the skin.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Emulsifier

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate

Badness

2.0 / 10

An emulsifier and surfactant that helps to cleanse and condition the skin.

Usually helps with

Cleansing, conditioning

Watch for

Emulsifier

Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A mild emulsifier used to stabilize formulations.

Usually helps with

Formulation stability

Watch for

pH Adjuster

Sodium Hydroxide

Badness

2.0 / 10

Used to adjust the pH of the product to ensure optimal performance and stability.

Usually helps with

pH balance

Watch for

Can be irritating in high concentrations

Viscosity Adjuster

Sodium Chloride

Badness

0.0 / 10

Used to thicken the product.

Usually helps with

Texture

Watch for

Exfoliant

Gluconolactone

Badness

2.0 / 10

A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that offers gentle exfoliation and hydration.

Usually helps with

Gentle exfoliation, hydration

Watch for

Sun sensitivity

Chelating Agent

Sodium Phytate

Badness

1.0 / 10

Helps to improve the stability of the product by binding to metal ions.

Usually helps with

Product stability

Watch for

Emollient

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Badness

0.0 / 10

A skin-conditioning agent derived from coconut oil and glycerin that replenishes the skin.

Usually helps with

Emollience, skin conditioning

Watch for

Fragrance Ingredient

Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract

Badness

4.0 / 10

Adds a fragrance to the product; can be a potential allergen.

Usually helps with

Fragrance

Watch for

Allergic reactions, skin sensitivity

Fragrance Ingredient

Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract

Badness

4.0 / 10

Adds a fragrance to the product; can be a potential allergen.

Usually helps with

Fragrance

Watch for

Allergic reactions, skin sensitivity

Fragrance Ingredient

Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Badness

4.0 / 10

Adds a fragrance to the product; can be a potential allergen.

Usually helps with

Fragrance

Watch for

Allergic reactions, skin sensitivity

Antioxidant

Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract

Badness

0.0 / 10

Contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from free radical damage.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection

Watch for

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol

Badness

2.0 / 10

A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Can be irritating for some

Preservative

Benzoic Acid

Badness

1.0 / 10

A preservative that helps to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Preservative

Sodium Benzoate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A preservative that helps to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Preservative

Potassium Sorbate

Badness

1.0 / 10

A preservative used to inhibit the growth of mold and yeast.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Compare before you buy

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FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this cleanser suitable for daily use?

Yes, this cleanser is formulated for daily use, both in the morning and at night.

Can this cleanser help with acne?

The inclusion of AHAs and BHAs like glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and willow bark extract can help to exfoliate the skin and keep pores clear, which may assist in managing acne.

What skin types is this cleanser best for?

This cleanser is recommended for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types. However, those with very sensitive skin should patch test first.