Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum Versus Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel
Updated on July 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 14 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 better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
EmollientHexyldecanol
EmollientHexyldecyl Laurate
EmollientDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAnhydroxylitol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Oil
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDisodium Cocoyl Glutamate
CleansingGlobularia Alypum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Pantolactone
HumectantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xylitol
HumectantXylitylglucoside
HumectantWater, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl Laurate, Distarch Phosphate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Anhydroxylitol, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Citric Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitol, Xylitylglucoside
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Octyldodecanol
EmollientSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingXylitylglucoside
HumectantAnhydroxylitol
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Distarch Phosphate
AbsorbentHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTrehalose
HumectantUrea
Buffering
Xylitol
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Polyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPantolactone
HumectantAlgin
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Pullulan
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Octyldodecanol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Allantoin, Distarch Phosphate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Urea, Xylitol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Sodium Hydroxide, Pantolactone, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Phosphate
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, Octyldodecanol helps prevent the oils and waters from separating. It also prevents ingredients from creating foam when shaken.
Octyldodecanol is created by reducing fatty acid to an alcohol.
Due to its high molecular weight, it does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about OctyldodecanolWe don't have a description for Distarch Phosphate yet.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
This ingredient is created from dehydrating xylitol in acidic conditions. Xylitol is a famous sugar and humectant.
Much like its predecessor, anhydroxylitol is a humectant. Humectants attract and hold water to moisturize the skin.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol (24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
This ingredient is often derived from plants such as wood and sugarcane.
Learn more about AnhydroxylitolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidWe don't have a description for Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract yet.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.
Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.
One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.
Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.
As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.
Sodium 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 HydroxideXylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.
In studies, xylitol has been shown to improve dry skin. It decreased transepidermal water loss, or when water passes through the skin and evaporates. Xylitol also showed to help improve the biomechanical properties of the skin barrier.
The prebiotic property of xylitol may also help reinforce our skin's natural microbiome. Having a healthy microbiome prevents infection by bad bacteria and helps with hydration.
As a humectant, Xylitol helps draw moisture from both the air and from deeper skin layers. This helps keep skin hydrated.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and commonly used as a sugar substitute. It is naturally occurring in plants such as strawberries and pumpkin.
Learn more about XylitolXylitylglucoside is created from xylitol and glucose, two humectants.
Not surprisingly, this ingredient is also a humectant. It attracts and holds water in your skin, helping to maintain hydration.
This ingredient is most commonly found in a popular trio called Aquaxyl. Aquaxyl is made up of anhydroxylitol(24 - 34%), xylitylglucoside (35 - 50%), and xylitol (5 - 15%).
According to a manufacturer, Aquaxyl is known for a 3-D hydration concept and an anti-dehydration shield to reinforce the outer layer of skin.
Learn more about XylitylglucosideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum 29 ingredients
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients
It's nice going on and provides decent moisture however it is still tacky 20 minutes later. I've used it a few times now but I'll be returning it to Ulta. It could be a nice slightly tacky base for makeup but I have a primer for that.
I really do love this product. I suppose that’s a given as I keep repurchasing it. Lightweight, absorbs well, and the gel formulation is cool so non-comedogenic as well. Has both niacidamide and hyaluronic acid, and I know it won’t ever break me out or react badly with my other products. Won’t do much for you if you have dry skin though. I also wouldn’t use it right before applying a powder or Show more
