Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream versus Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel .

Last updated on July 25, 2023. Published on June 11, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots 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 need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

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

General Moisturizer

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

Price

Shop

Buy Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream

Starts at $23.93
Shop

Buy Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel

Starts at $15.90

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

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Rosacea
Eczema
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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: 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

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Anhydroxylitol

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 10.

5
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 33.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 32.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acid

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 21.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 5.

9
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Pantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.

As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 26.

10
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Xylitol 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 Xylitol

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 20.

11
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Xylitylglucoside 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 Xylitylglucoside

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 9.

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

57% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
59% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream 21 ingredients

1.0 /5
from 1 rating
JYsec's avatar

JYsec

5 months ago · Unsure Skin
Review

Irritating
Slightly irritated my face, itching, when using it and gave no benefits at all.

Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel 34 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 4 ratings
No Scent (2) Expensive (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1) Sticky (1)
Azibeth's avatar

Azibeth

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

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...

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 mineral based makeup. Probably a knock off of some more expensive gel moisturizer out there but for something I found at cvs, it’s won me over.

SaraCarson's avatar

SaraCarson

11 days ago · Dry Skin
Review

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...

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.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Deep Hydration Skin Restoring Water Gel.

See 50 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...