Are Dr Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Daily Peel pads worth the hype?
Image via @drdennisgross/Instagram
Words by Sarah Payton
An honest review from a long-term user.
Skincare is expensive. Even if your routine is minimal, or you buy only from the chemist, it can be hard to justify the investment unless you see real results. Of course, every product on the shelf promises to transform your skin. But having trialled hundreds of products over the years thanks to my status as an editor, few formulations truly render noticeable changes to my skin.
Occasionally, though, it happens. Along will come a wonder product, and something in my reflection will shift. My skin will look a little brighter, a little plumper, a little less tired, and the product will make its way into my cart for restock. I’m always hopeful it will be the $20 supermarket serum or the $5 chemist sheet mask. In this case, the price point is a little more skyward.
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I’ve been using the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel pads for several years now, meaning I’ve likely spent upwards of thousands on this product. I’m sorry to say it’s been worth every cent. While some cheaper alternatives have come close (most notably the Alpha-H Liquid Gold treatment), nothing has ever quite rendered the same instant and longer-term results, both of which I’ll go into below.
Depending on whether you bulk buy, the cost per peel pad varies from $4.40 to over $7.20. For a product that’s marketed for daily use, that’s an exorbitant figure. I buy in bulk, which is an eye-watering $264 at Mecca initially, but an outlay that I can justify by drawing parallels with my takeaway coffee. If I swap my daily latte for a peel pad on any given day, I figure I’m no worse off financially, but with much better skin.
It goes without saying, I don’t use the peel pads daily. I’ve also heard of other hacks, like friends cutting their peel pads in half and storing the remainder in zip lock bags for use later in the week. It’s a trick I don’t have the patience for, but thoroughly endorse. Why, exactly? Here’s what you need to know.
What is the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel and how does it work?
There’s something about the word ‘peel’ when it comes to skincare that can seem a little frightening. For me, it conjures a scabby image of a post-treatment Kath and Kim, wandering around Fountain Lakes with red raw skin quite literally peeling from their face, as though someone has taken a vegetable peeler to their cheeks. Fortunately, in the skincare world, a peel (particularly an at-home peel) isn’t quite as intense.
A peel basically involves the application of a chemical solution to the skin to remove the top layers, leaving smoother skin to grow back in its place. Depending on the intensity and depth of the peel, it’s generally considered more gentle than physical exfoliants, which can be harsh on the skin.
The Dr Dennis Gross Peel comes in a box of individually wrapped sachets, each separated into two parts, marking step one and step two of the treatment. Step one is the ‘active’ step. A small towelette (similar to what you might unwrap at KFC, sorry) is pre-soaked with a mix of five alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, both delivering different results but each serving to exfoliate the skin.
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Step two is the ‘neutralising’ step, with the second towelette neutralising the acidity from the first products, while delivering a range of antioxidants and anti-ageing ingredients said to restore healthy-looking skin, treat fine lines and wrinkles, and firm the skin.
There are three intensities available, from ultra gentle to extra strength, so unless your skin is well accustomed to actives in your routine, it’s best to start simple and work your way up.
How to use the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel
A big part of the appeal of these wipes is how easy they are to use. Pre-portioned, you simply tear open the first sachet and swipe it gently along the skin until the towelette turns dry. There’s a fair amount of product in each peel pad, so you’re gently circling it around your face, neck and decolletage (I also treat the backs of my hands) for a minute or so, which also doubles as a mild physical exfoliation. Then wait two minutes before repeating the process with step two. Results are instant and cumulative.
Are the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel pads worth it?
I’ve been using the peel pads for several years now and each time I run low, I restock in bulk. So yes, if you ask me, absolutely. I notice results instantly, feeling glowy and fresh, but also over time and of the alternatives I’ve tried, nothing has come close for my skin.
It seems I’m not alone. The peel pads also have a 4.8 star rating out of 886 reviews on Mecca, the product’s Australian stockist. Curious to know more about the lower-ranking reviews, I filtered the masses to display only the one-star ratings. Of the eight reviews left, four are overwhelmingly positive despite the single star, including comments like “would highly recommend”, “I have repurchased many times” and “I love it!!!”. The remainder talk about skin irritation, suggesting that this may not be the best product for sensitive skin and that daily use is too much.
Likewise, Reddit reviews are largely positive. Most users seem to take a similar approach to me, skipping daily use and instead spacing out their treatments to every few days (or reserving them for special occasions). Those who point to issues seem to be using the peel pads too frequently, incorrectly or have chosen the wrong strength for their skin. The other common complaint is the price, with some commenters suggesting alternatives like the Biologique Recherche P50 lotion ($260) or the Dermalogica Liquid Peelfoliant ($114).
Sadly, I’m getting further sucked into the Dr Dennis Gross universe, having recently tried the Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self-Tanner For Body, a new arrival at Mecca that was gifted to the Fashion Journal team. Too tired for my usual long-form exfoliation and tanning mit routine, I reached for the oversized sachet ahead of a busy weekend. A couple of minutes circling the towelette over my arms, legs and chest, and my skin was smoother than it’s been in years. A few hours later, a perfectly natural tan had developed. At $83 for a pack of eight, it’s far from affordable, but if saved for special occasions in lieu of a spray tan, I’m once again sold.
To browse the Alpha Beta universe, head here.
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