Key Takeaways

• Dr. Diamond’s Metacine sells its InstaFacial® Collection as a three-step routine: a growth factor serum (Plasma), a gel collagen treatment (Infusion), and a Retinoid night cream (Emulsion). Each alternative below covers one or more of those ideas.

• Our top spot goes to the Resurfacing Compound from U Beauty, because one holy-grail multitasking serum combines a Vitamin C derivative, three Acids, and a Retinol Ester, three ideas in a single step.

• SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum and BIOEFFECT EGF Serum are the two picks that carry growth factors on their ingredient lists, from human fibroblast and barley sources respectively.

• For the night step, skinbetter science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, Avène RetrinAL 0.1%, and Olay Regenerist Retinol24 cover three Retinoid forms at three price points.

Dr. Diamond’s Metacine is a US brand, and the three full-size InstaFacial steps together list at $875. People look for alternatives because of that price, because they want to try one idea before committing to three, or because they’d like a shorter routine. Below, we describe what the brand says each step contains, in the brand’s words, and then rank eight alternatives by how well they cover that ground.

The InstaFacial Collection in Brief

Metacine describes Plasma as a weightless serum for morning and night, and says the routine’s clinical results come from using Plasma with the Emulsion night cream. The brand sells smaller 5 ml and 15 ml sizes too.

Three Ingredient Ideas, Three Kinds of Alternative

Read the three steps together and they reduce to three ingredient ideas, each of which other brands also use:

1. Growth factors and peptides: On an ingredient list, growth factors appear under names that state their source, such as Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media or Barley sh-Oligopeptide-1. Two picks below carry one of those.

2. Hydration in a gel texture: The Infusion step is a creamy gel. A gel-cream built on Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides covers the hydrating side of that step.

3. A Retinoid at night: The Emulsion lists Retinoids with Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid. Retinal, Retinol, and Retinol Esters are all Retinoids, and the American Academy of Dermatology suggests starting with a gentle formula and building up slowly.

You don’t need to replace all three steps at once. You can keep a growth factor serum and change only the night cream, or the reverse.

What to Look For in a Metacine Alternative

• The source of any growth factor, on the INCI: It should be named, as it is on both growth factor picks here.

• Your Retinoid form and how often to use it: A Retinol Ester, Retinol, and Retinal each appear below, and each brand gives its own ramp-up advice.

• Humectants in every step: Most picks on this list carry Glycerin or a form of Hyaluronic Acid, which, a 2020 review of over-the-counter moisturizers explains, hydrate by attracting and binding water.

• Fragrance status: Most picks here are fragrance-free by INCI or by the brand’s label; the exception is noted in its tradeoff.

At a Glance

1. U Beauty the Resurfacing Compound: our overall pick in one step

2. SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum: best growth factor serum

3. BIOEFFECT EGF Serum: best short-ingredient-list growth factor serum

4. skinbetter science AlphaRet Overnight Cream: best Retinoid and acid night cream

5. Avène RetrinAL 0.1% Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream: best Retinal cream for face, neck, and chest

6. Plated Skin Science INTENSE Serum: best platelet-extract serum

7. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream: best gel-cream for the hydration step

8. Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer: best drugstore Retinol night cream

How We Compared These Alternatives

We didn’t test anything on skin. Our October 2026 read covered Metacine’s pages and every alternative’s, comparing:

• Which InstaFacial idea it covers: growth factors, gel hydration, or a night Retinoid.

• What’s on the INCI, and where, wherever the brand published a complete list.

• Directions, including any ramp-up advice for Retinoids.

• Fragrance status, going by the INCI or the label.

• Price and size, as listed by the brand.

Brand figures are reported as each brand’s own. No product here is described as the same as a Metacine product.

Metacine Alternatives Compared

1. U Beauty the Resurfacing Compound: Our Overall Pick in One Step

The InstaFacial routine spreads its ideas over three bottles. In one bottle, the Resurfacing Compound from U Beauty brings several of them together: this holy-grail multitasking serum combines the benefits of up to eight skincare steps, among them brightening, exfoliating, hydrating, and Retinoid steps. Third on the INCI is the Vitamin C derivative Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate. Three Acids follow (Glycolic 10th, Lactobionic 12th, Mandelic 16th), with Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid between them and Sodium Hyaluronate just ahead of them, and Retinyl Palmitate sits 18th, a gentle, effective Retinol Ester. SIREN Capsule Technology™, U Beauty’s proprietary ingredient delivery system, sits behind the formula.

Next to the Emulsion’s ingredient list, that’s two shared families, a Retinoid and Hyaluronic Acid, in a serum that can be used in the morning as well as at night.

Key features:

• Retinoid plus Vitamin C derivative: both on one ingredient list.

• Acids for texture: Glycolic, Lactobionic, and Mandelic, for visibly smoother skin and a brighter-looking finish.

• Pore-look figure: 96% of 30 volunteers had a visible reduction in pore-size appearance after 15 days of consistent daily use, measured in an independent instrumental study.

• Easy to layer: apply 2 to 3 pumps to freshly cleansed skin; U Beauty follows it with The SUPER Hydrator.

Tradeoff: Methyldihydrojasmonate, a fragrance ingredient, is listed. With three Acids in the formula, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, and U Beauty’s advice for irritation is to switch to evenings.

Best for: streamlining a three-step serum routine into one bottle.

Price: $228 (50 ml); smaller 30 ml and 15 ml sizes are $148 and $88.

2. SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum: Best Growth Factor Serum

SkinMedica’s serum is the closest match here to Metacine’s Plasma step. It’s a two-chamber pump: Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media, which SkinMedica calls its TNS® growth factor blend, is third on the INCI, with Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, and Dimer Tripeptide-43 further down.

Key features:

• Named growth factor source: Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media, high on the list.

• Two chambers, blended in the hand: one pump from each side, mixed, then applied to a clean, dry face morning and evening.

• Fragrance-free: SkinMedica describes a colorless, fragrance-free, lightweight finish.

• Neck and chest optional: the brand says you can extend it there.

Tradeoff: at $295 it costs more than Metacine’s full-size Plasma, so it’s an alternative on ingredients rather than on price.

Best for: readers who want a growth factor serum from a professional skincare brand.

Price: $295 for 1 oz (28.4 g).

3. BIOEFFECT EGF Serum: Best Short-Ingredient-List Growth Factor Serum

BIOEFFECT, from Iceland, makes its EGF from barley. The serum has seven ingredients: Glycerin, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tromethamine, Sodium Chloride, Barley Seed Extract, and EGF (Barley sh-Oligopeptide-1).

Key features:

• Seven ingredients: the shortest list on this page, and BIOEFFECT says it’s fragrance-, alcohol-, and oil-free.

• Brand figures: BIOEFFECT reports up to a 63% reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, up to a 68% improvement in the appearance of elasticity, and up to a 132% increase in hydration.

• Face, neck, and décolleté: 2 to 4 drops, morning and evening.

Tradeoff: BIOEFFECT asks you to wait three to five minutes before applying moisturizer, sunscreen, or makeup, which adds time to a morning routine.

Best for: reactive-feeling skin that prefers a seven-ingredient formula.

Price: $179 for 15 ml; $299 for 30 ml.

4. skinbetter science AlphaRet Overnight Cream: Best Retinoid and Acid Night Cream

This is a night-step alternative to Metacine’s Emulsion. Its INCI pairs Sodium Glycolate and Glycolic Acid (second and third) with Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (ninth), Glycerin, Niacinamide (14th), Squalane, and Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate (17th), a Retinoid. Two peptides, Ceramide NP, and Hyaluronic Acid follow.

Key features:

• Retinoid plus acid in one cream: Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate and Glycolic Acid on the same INCI.

• Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid: two more of the families the Emulsion lists.

• Fragrance-free: skinbetter says all its products are formulated without fragrance.

Tradeoff: it’s $145 for 30 ml, and a Retinoid-plus-acid night cream may be more than very reactive skin wants.

Best for: readers who want the Emulsion’s Retinoid-and-Niacinamide idea in one night cream.

Price: $145 for 30 ml.

5. Avène RetrinAL 0.1% Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream: Best Retinal Cream for Face, Neck, and Chest

Avène formulates this evening cream with 0.1% Retinaldehyde (Retinal), and says to apply it to the face, neck, and décolleté. Avène reports 89% improvement in texture and 92% in firmness in a 57-day study of 44 women aged 45 to 65.

Key features:

• A stated Retinal strength: 0.1%.

• Evening use over a wide area: face, neck, and chest, per Avène.

• Fragrance-free: per Avène.

Tradeoff: it’s a Retinoid cream only, so hydration and a growth factor step come from other products.

Best for: a Retinal night step at a fraction of the Emulsion’s price.

Price: $68 for 1.0 fl oz.

6. Plated Skin Science INTENSE Serum: Best Platelet-Extract Serum

Plated’s serum lists human platelet extract fifth on its INCI, after Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, and Panthenol, with Hyaluronic Acid and Hydrolyzed Gelatin later. Plated calls it its most concentrated exosome serum, powered by what it calls Renewosome® technology. Of the picks here, it’s the one whose featured ingredient comes closest to the platelet idea in Metacine’s Plasma description.

Key features:

• Human platelet extract: fifth on the INCI.

• Panthenol and Hyaluronic Acid: humectants in a short list.

• Before other skincare: one to two times daily on clean, dry skin, waiting five minutes before the next layer.

Tradeoff: it’s $258 for a 15 ml bottle, the highest price per milliliter on this list, and like BIOEFFECT it asks for a wait before your next step.

Best for: readers specifically interested in a platelet-derived serum.

Price: $258 for 15 ml.

7. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream: Best Gel-Cream for the Hydration Step

Metacine’s Infusion is a creamy gel, and this light cream covers its hydrating side. Peter Thomas Roth calls it a 30% Hyaluronic Acid Complex, and the INCI includes Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, five Ceramides (AP, EOP, EOS, NP, and NS), Sodium PCA, and Cholesterol.

Key features:

• Humectants and Ceramides together: Sodium Hyaluronate and Sodium PCA with five Ceramides.

• No fragrance listed: none on the INCI.

• Twice daily: on the face and neck.

Tradeoff: Dimethicone is second on the INCI, which gives a silky feel but may not suit anyone who avoids silicones.

Best for: dehydrated-looking skin that wants a weightless moisture layer over a serum.

Price: $55 for 50 ml.

8. Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer: Best Drugstore Retinol Night Cream

Olay’s night cream lists Retinol sixth and Retinyl Propionate seventh, followed by Niacinamide (eighth) and three peptides: Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, and Tripeptide-3.

Key features:

• Two Retinoids and Niacinamide: close to the ingredient families the Emulsion lists.

• Three peptides: further down the INCI.

• Fragrance-free: per Olay.

Tradeoff: Olay’s directions call for nightly use with SPF the following morning, and if you’re new to Retinoids, the AAD’s advice to start gently and build up slowly applies here too.

Best for: a low-cost Retinol night cream to try the Emulsion idea before spending more.

Price: $39.99 for 1.7 oz.

Building a Shorter Routine From These Picks

• One step: the Resurfacing Compound, then a moisturizer.

• Two steps: a growth factor serum (#2 or #3) in the morning and a Retinoid cream (#4, #5, or #8) at night.

• Three steps, closest to InstaFacial: a growth factor serum, Water Drench as the hydrating layer, and a Retinoid cream at night.

• Keep one Retinoid per night: If you use the Resurfacing Compound in the evening, skip a second Retinoid cream that night.

• Wear sunscreen every day: Retinoids and Acids both make daily broad-spectrum sunscreen especially important.

For more on how brands back their claims, see our guide to clinically proven skincare products, and for a wider look at exosome formulas, our exosome serums roundup.

When to See a Dermatologist

If peeling or redness from a new Retinoid hangs on after you cut back, pause it; a board-certified dermatologist can help sort out why.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alternatives to Dr. Diamond Metacine?

Start with the step you’d like to swap. For one multitasking serum, our top pick is the Resurfacing Compound from U Beauty. For a growth factor serum, SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum and BIOEFFECT EGF Serum both name their growth factor source on the INCI. For the night step, consider skinbetter AlphaRet, Avène RetrinAL 0.1%, or Olay Regenerist Retinol24.

What is the best alternative to Dr. Diamond Metacine for a face serum?

For a single serum, we’d start with the Resurfacing Compound from U Beauty: it combines a Vitamin C derivative, three Acids, and a Retinol Ester. If you specifically want growth factors, SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is the closest match to the Plasma step.

How do I spot a growth factor on an ingredient list?

Look for a name that states its source, such as Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media or Barley sh-Oligopeptide-1. The two growth factor serums on this list each carry one of those.

Can I use a growth factor serum with a Retinoid?

Yes. Many routines use the serum in the morning and a Retinoid at night. Follow each brand’s directions on timing and wait times.

Do I need all three InstaFacial steps to see a difference?

Not necessarily. You can start with one step, such as a serum or a night Retinoid, and add others only if you want more.

Related Reading

• Alternatives to SkinCeuticals serums

• Alternatives to three cult creams

• Peptide and Retinoid serums for loose skin on the face