Hit It: Introducing The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator

We’ve all been there. You have an important job interview/hot date/work presentation/overdue vacation, and you wake up with Mount Vesuvius ready to erupt on your forehead. Or maybe every month, in line with your period, you develop a series of blemishes along your jawline.

Whatever the reason behind the breakout, the desire for its speedy end is universal. And effective, fast-acting solutions are sorely lacking. Why else would people return time and again to the (ill-advised) idea of using toothpaste to treat a pimple? 

We want you to save the toothpaste for your teeth, so we developed something much, much better at quickly clearing up a breakout (that’s actually formulated for use on skin!) — our new Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator.

The big daddy of the BHAs, salicylic acid doesn’t mess around or waste time. Apply it to your skin, and salicylic acid will take its oil-soluble self straight down your pore channel. Once it arrives, it immediately springs into action, dissolving the gunk that’s clumped together to block oil flow and trigger a skin eruption. If you’re serious about clearing up a pimple stat, start with salicylic acid.

This chemical compound (dicarboxylic acid) has been getting a lot of buzz. In its topical form, azelaic acid kills the bacteria linked to acne. Then for its next trick, azelaic acid helps inhibit pigment formation. This can reduce the chances that your breakout leaves a dark spot or other discoloration in its wake.

Part of the German chamomile plant, bisabolol applied topically is just as calming for skin as drinking a cup of chamomile tea is for your insides. While it’s soothing what ails you, bisabolol is also promoting the absorption of other ingredients in the formula. It’s generous like that.

Drawn from an herb primarily grown in Asia, centella asiatica has been shown to be chock full of the amino acids that soothe angry (or compromised) skin. It also helps strengthen the skin barrier, so that skin gets less irritated later.

Glycolic acid is one of the OGs of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). This derivative of sugar cane is popular for treating acne because it goes deeper into skin than most other AHAs, providing both exfoliation and collagen stimulation. (Remember, however, that glycolic acid — like all AHAs — is water soluble, so it’s not going to absorb into the pit of a pore, otherwise known as sebum city. Only a BHA can do that.) Glycolic acid is going to get rid of any dead cells covering the opening of your pore, which is almost as important as getting rid of the blockage inside the pore itself. And by helping increase your skin’s collagen bank, glycolic acid can help reduce the chance of acne-related scarring.

A potent antioxidant, green tea is just as strong when it comes to its anti-inflammatory capabilities. It will help a giant red spot quickly become not so giant and not so red.

Our version comes from the snow ear mushroom and is an antioxidant and also a humectant. When it’s not fighting off free radicals, mushroom extract is drawing water from the air and pulling it into skin, ensuring what was swollen and inflamed doesn’t become crusted and flaky.

• Works with lightning speed

• Flattens pimples on contact

• Effective on breakouts of all kinds

• Won’t overdry skin

• Suitable for all skin types, including dry and sensitive

For more skincare tips from the experts at Dr. Dennis Gross, check out our blog’s newest content today. Shop the collection of Dr. Dennis Gross bestselling skincare, backed by dermatologists.