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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel versus Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion .

Last updated on August 21, 2023. Published on August 28, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer French Brand France
Emulsion French Brand France

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Emulsion

A lighter version of moisturizer, usually with a gel-consistency.

Price

Shop

Buy Hydrance Aqua-Gel

Starts at $38.00
Shop

Buy Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion

Starts at $34.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

Rosacea
Eczema

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening

Concerns

Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 3.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 7.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Isocetyl Stearoyl Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 5.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Triethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.

As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.

It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.

Learn more about Triethylhexanoin

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 6.

6
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is also an emulsifier. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 11.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 10.

7
What it does: Emulsifying

We don't have a description for C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside.

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 14.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 12.

8
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising

C14-22 Alcohols is made up of synthetic fatty alcohols. More specifically, these fatty alcohols contain 14 to 22 carbons in the alkyl chain.

Its main purpose is to stabilize products. As an emulsifier, it helps prevent waters and oils from separating.

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 15.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 3.

9
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 19.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 13.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

We don't have a description for Phytosterols.

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 20.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 15.

11
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 25.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 20.

12
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel contains this as ingredient number 27.

Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 21.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

26% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
37% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet
19% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
43% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 24 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel.

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