Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel versus Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream .
Last updated on March 05, 2024. Published on April 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 20 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel 34 ingredients
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream 37 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel 34 ingredients
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream 37 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel 34 ingredients
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream 37 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Dimethicone • Propanediol • Panthenol • Niacinamide • Octyldodecanol • Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Sodium Hyaluronate • Polyglutamic Acid • Allantoin • Xylitylglucoside • Anhydroxylitol • Distarch Phosphate • Hydroxyacetophenone • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Caprylyl Glycol • 1,2-Hexanediol • Trehalose • Urea • Xylitol • Xanthan Gum • Pentylene Glycol • Serine • Sodium Hydroxide • Pantolactone • Algin • Disodium Phosphate • Glyceryl Polyacrylate • Pullulan • Globularia Alypum Leaf Extract • Citric Acid • Potassium Phosphate
Water • Glycerin • Squalane • 1,2-Hexanediol • Betaine • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Panthenol • C13-15 Alkane • Xylitylglucoside • Anhydroxylitol • Mentha Australis Leaf Extract • Urea • Trehalose • Xylitol • Allantoin • Sorbitan Isostearate • Citric Acid • Malachite Extract • Glucose • Sodium Phytate • Pentylene Glycol • Serine • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Erythritol • Disodium Phosphate • Pullulan • Sodium Hyaluronate • Caprylyl Glycol • Glyceryl Polyacrylate • Algin • Sodium Levulinate • Glyceryl Caprylate • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Potassium Phosphate • Sodium Anisate • Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 PanthenolCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 5.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 10.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 27.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 12.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.
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 XylitylglucosideCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 13.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.
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 AnhydroxylitolCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 14.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 18.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 28.
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.
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 19.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.
Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 20.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.
Urea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 21.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.
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 XylitolCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 22.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.
Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 24.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.
Serine is an amino acid naturally found in our body. Our bodies use amino acids to create protein.
Amino-acids help give keep our skin hydrated. They play an important role in the skin barrier, which keeps the skin plump and firm.
Serine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning we don't need to obtain it from eating foods.
Learn more about SerineCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 25.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.
Algin is brown algae. Algae is an informal term for a group of aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize. It is estimated there are at least 30,000 types of Algae.
Algae contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 28.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 30.
We don't have a description for Disodium Phosphate.
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 29.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 25.
We don't have a description for Glyceryl Polyacrylate.
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 30.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.
We don't have a description for Pullulan.
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 31.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.
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 AcidCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 33.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.
Potassium Phosphate is the term for the salts of potassium and phosphate ions. Our bodies naturally create and use potassium phosphate.
In cosmetics, potassium phosphate is used to adjust the pH level of products. Our skin has a natural pH level. Maintaining this pH level is important for our skin barrier. If the skin barrier is disrupted, our skin can experience dehydration and irritation.
This ingredient is used in medicine to help treat low blood levels of phosphorus.
Learn more about Potassium PhosphateCetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 34.
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 35.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel 34 ingredients
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream 37 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Skin Replenishing Water Gel 34 ingredients
Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream 37 ingredients
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