Aqualogica Illuminate+ 20x Alpha Arbutin Luminous Essence Serum Versus hyphen Ultra Light Water Sunscreen SPF 50
Updated on April 08, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and fungal acne (malassezia) safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Aqualogica Illuminate+ 20x Alpha Arbutin Luminous Essence Serum 27 ingredients
hyphen Ultra Light Water Sunscreen SPF 50 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Aqualogica Illuminate+ 20x Alpha Arbutin Luminous Essence Serum 27 ingredients
hyphen Ultra Light Water Sunscreen SPF 50 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventBetaine
Humectant
Glycereth-26
HumectantAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXylitol
HumectantGlyceryl Glucoside
HumectantFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Water, Propanediol, Betaine, Glycereth-26, Alpha-Arbutin, Sodium Levulinate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xylitol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientMethylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Glycerin
Humectant
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Steareth-21
CleansingDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDimethicone
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Glyceryl Glucoside
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningDecyl Glucoside
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Steareth-21, Dibutyl Adipate, Dimethicone, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocotrienols, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Glyceryl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.
The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here: Sodium Hyaluronate Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic Acid
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateThis ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronatePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.
It is a humectant. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture to it from the air.
Some foods that contain glyceryl glucoside include sake, miso, and wines.
Learn more about Glyceryl GlucosideSodium Polyacrylate is the sodium salt of polyacrylic acid. It is used as an absorber, emollient, and stabilizer.
This ingredient is a super-absorbent polymer - meaning it can absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. As an emollient, Sodium Polyacrylate helps soften and soothe skin. Emollients work by creating a barrier to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Aqualogica Illuminate+ 20x Alpha Arbutin Luminous Essence Serum 27 ingredients
hyphen Ultra Light Water Sunscreen SPF 50 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Aqualogica Illuminate+ 20x Alpha Arbutin Luminous Essence Serum 27 ingredients
hyphen Ultra Light Water Sunscreen SPF 50 29 ingredients
Goes in so smooth and doesn’t smell or look like sunscreen at all? Need to test a few more times but I’m a big fan. It does leave me a lil greasy for how thin/watery the formula is, but it doesn’t pill. If I go over it with a light powder it’ll stay more matte and gooey instead of greasy.
