Aqualogica Glow+ Oil Free Moisturizer With Papaya & Vitamin C Versus Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAvena Strigosa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeCitric Acid
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingN-Vinyl Pyrrolidone
Glyceryl Stearate
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, N-Vinyl Pyrrolidone, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
EmulsifyingGlycerin
HumectantHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientBetaine
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantXylitol
HumectantMagnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Sulfate
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclopentasiloxane, Panthenol, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Copper Gluconate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Pentylene Glycol, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydrogenated Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer. Polymers are compounds with high molecular weight. Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is an emollient and texture enhancer.
In one study, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene showed better skin hydration levels than Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. As an emollient, it helps keep your skin soft and hydrated by trapping moisture in.
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is often used as a mineral oil replacement.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolyisobutenePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water