Versus

Botanity Makiol Water Gel Cream Versus Tia’m AC Fighting Oil-Free Aqua Cream

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on March 28, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

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

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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Makiol Water Gel Cream

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.

Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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 Gum

When to use

5 Routines
80% use in am
20% use in pm
100% use every day
8 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Botanity Makiol Water Gel Cream 38 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 rating
Doesn't Work (1) Drying (1) Light (1)
Zoeycupp's avatar

Zofia Cuppetelli

9 months ago
Review

It’s ok
I have fungal acne, hormonal and trying to get rid of texture
It feels like water going in but honestly it just makes me oily after an hour
Really drying and just doesn’t do anything good
It doesn’t feel moisturizing at all and honestly wouldn’t recommend for any skin type

#drying
#light
#doesn't work

Tia’m AC Fighting Oil-Free Aqua Cream 24 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1)
Pliniussy's avatar

Pliniussy

1 year ago
Review

Best for oily skin which can't tolerate even a little heavy and greasy textures
It was so hard for me to find a good oil-free cream which will have a form of gel and won't leave a greasy feeling on my oily skin, plus will have niacinamide and salicylic acid in it. And here it is! It's the most quickly absorbing moisturizer in my life ever, love it. And the ingredients are perfect for me: Show more

sam20033's avatar

sam20033

14 days ago
Review

Simple, light moisturiser that doesn’t break me out. I’m not entirely sure if it creates any benefits to skin besides hydration, but it serves its purpose of a moisturiser

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent