Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Lightweight Firming Cashmere Moisturizer Versus Embryolisse HydraCream Light Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Cream
This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Squalane and Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsostearyl Isostearate
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
EmollientHeptyl Undecylenate
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantSilica
AbrasiveGlycerin
HumectantSqualane
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
EmollientPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPalmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract
AntioxidantMica
Cosmetic ColorantPolyglyceryl-3 Stearate
EmulsifyingTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
PreservativeAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Phytate
ChelatingKhaya Senegalensis Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentTin Oxide
AbrasivePaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
AntioxidantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isostearyl Isostearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Glycerin, Squalane, CI 77891, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract, Mica, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Adenosine, Dehydroacetic Acid, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Khaya Senegalensis Bark Extract, Maltodextrin, Tin Oxide, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Linalool, Limonene, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingTribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientMyristyl Lactate
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantNymphaea Alba Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
MaskingLimonene
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Isononyl Isononanoate, Myristyl Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Limonene
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin (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 GlycerinLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient 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.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
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 ParfumSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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